Types of Camping
Car Camping
No, you don't sleep in your car... but you could! Car camping is when you drive right up to the campsite. You typically don't have to walk very far, but the parking spot distances vary by site & park. It's best to call the parks to see exactly how far parking is from your camp spot. The most we've walked for car camping is about 1
With car camping, you don't need to worry about how much your equipment weighs. This is important because lighter equipment tends to be more expensive. You can bring as much stuff with you as your car can hold…and then some, probably. You pack a cooler of food, charcoal, or propane for grilling, maybe an air mattress or cot. In addition to your tent, you might set up a hammock and holding chair.
Primitive Camping / Backpacking
Primitive camping means there are little to no facilities. Usually, there are no toilets, no showers, and no water. There are some primitive spots you can drive to, but most of them require that you carry your stuff for various lengths of time. It could be a 1 mile, it could be 3, it could be more! You want to call the park and ask about the distance from the parking lots to the first available spot to set up camp.
With primitive camping and backpacking, what you bring comes down to how much it weighs and how much you are willing to carry.
First, you lay out everything you want to have on your trip. Then you see if it fits into your pack. If it fits into your pack, you get on the scale and see if the weight is something you are able and willing to carry. From there, you start to pare down. Do I really need this battery pack? Am I going to read once I set up camp? Every decision becomes a weight worth carrying.
Looking for more information?
Watch this video on Camping 101. Here are some of the exciting topics we’ll dive into:
- What to pack and what to leave behind (think tents, sleeping bags, ground pads, and more!)
- Unearthing the best campsites and how to find them
- Navigating encounters with wildlife
- Our most cherished camping locations
and many more!
