Why you should get comfortable camping
By Randall | Published | No Comments
When I first started travelling I couldn’t have imagined not staying in a hotel. The idea of camping in tent with only thin nylon type material protecting me was terrifying. I was constantly worried about being attacked by animal or human.
The chances of this is exceedingly rare though. According to decideoutside.com, “the chances of being attacked is less than 0000002.98%, or 1 in 58 million.”
Here are the major benefits of camping in my book.
- Even at pay campsites the rate is often much cheaper than at hotels in the area. This is particularly true in areas like California. I have a 3 night vacation booked at Leo Carrillo SP for $142.99. Getting a hotel room in the area would cost around $400 when I booked my campsite.
- There are many free places to camp, particularly in the West of the U.S. (check out freecampsites.net or UC Public CG is a great app for both free and pay). An important note is that some pay campsites come with flush toilets and even showers. Sometimes the showers are free some are pay (most will cost you about $2.00 for enough time to have a thorough washing).
- Camping is a different experience than staying in a hotel. You often won’t have heat or cooling unless you’re in an RV but you get to be out in nature and often closer to the attractions you are going to see (like National or State Parks).
- Even with pay camping, there are rarely any surprises or worries when it comes to your bill. You don’t have to worry about them tacking on extra charges claiming you stole towels, pillows, etc. And there is no expectation to tip the room service.
Here are the major drawbacks to camping in my book.
- It is debatable you have less security. While I feel like I am less likely to run into nasty people out camping versus staying at a motel/hotel in a seedy part of town, you can’t really lock anything up and your walls are literally not just figuratively paper thin.
- If you’re tent or van/car camping, you probably will not have heat or air conditioning. You can use propane or diesel fuel heaters but both of those have some safety concerns and limited fuel supply if you’re out of the city for days.
- Sometimes you will not have running water at all and when you do, you have to be comfortable sharing a toilet and shower with others. I will note, I have never seen a communal style shower. Everywhere I have been you have at least a private stall if not a closing and locking door.
Here are some items I recommend you bring on any camping trip in addition to the obvious tent, sleeping pad, pillow and sleeping bag. I also want to emphasize the importance of getting a good sleeping pad. Not only will the sleeping pad provide comfort but it provides crucial insulation from the ground which will suck warmth out of you far faster than the air above you come night time.
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