In need of some fresh air? There’s no better way to connect with the natural world around us than by hitting the road and going camping. Spending some time disconnected from the modern moment can go a long way to restoring our sense of calm and bettering our mental health. If you’re looking to go on a camping trip that you’ll never forget, you might need a few new camping ideas to keep things fresh. From exotic campsites to unique approaches. There are a lot of ways to upgrade the standard camping experience into something spectacular.
Ready to make a memory that can last a lifetime? Read on and we’ll walk you through some essential camping suggestions that can make your next trip out truly special.
1. Camping Outside The Woods
When most people think of camping, they think of packing up the tent and heading off to the closest state park to their home. They’ll nestle up among some trees, perhaps take a walk to the closest river, and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
And why not? This is a spectacular experience in its own right. However, if you’ve done it many times before, you might be hungry to mix things up. There’s no better way to do that than to look at different environments where you can go camping.
That’s right, we’re talking about leaving the woods behind.
Beachside Camping
Have you ever considered camping on the beach? There’s nothing like the feeling of waking up, unzipping your tent, and revealing the brilliant blue ocean. Just a number of yards past your door.
There are a number of beautiful, see-to-believe beach campsites around the country (and naturally, around the world) that are worth looking into. Florida has many, but just about any coastal spot will have a number of campsites nestled at the beach for those looking to stay.
These campsites tend to get booked quickly, so you’ll want to act fast if you intend to book ahead of time. Most campsites have leveled the ground for you. So, you won’t have to worry too much about uneven sand or other beach-based obstacles.
Make sure to bring some sunscreen and your bathing suit and treat yourself to a relaxing beach day the morning after you’ve successfully utilized your tent.
Desert Camping
The desert makes up a massive amount of the country, and yet, it’s not something many people get the chance to experience. You can change all of that by taking a direct trip to the center of the desert and setting up camp.
There are a number of amazing spots to camp out in the desert and it doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. Joshua Tree is home to some of the most stunning desert vistas imaginable. There are a huge number of campsites that will be happy to host you.
If stunning is really what you’re looking for, however, you might want to look into the North Rim National Park in Arizona. Which is located at the edge of that wonder of the world, The Grand Canyon.
Yes, there are few more touristy destinations than the Grand Canyon, but for good reason. If you’ve never taken the trek over to check out this famous site, why not do so in a less tourist-based fashion: by camping right next to it?
The change in scenery that you can bring about by camping in a new location can make the whole experience seem fresh and exciting once again. You’ll get to experience a whole new part of nature and feel as if you’ve integrated yourself into it in a natural manner.
Mountain Camping
Do you live close to some serious elevation? You might want to consider making the trek up to the top of a nearby mountain and setting up camp there. Nestling your temporary home into the mountainside can be an exciting way to combine your trip with some stunning views.
It goes without saying that there are endless options when it comes to this kind of camping, though we might have to suggest a stop at Acadia National Park in Maine.
Acadia is one of the most gorgeous spots in all of the country and home to a great many mountain-based campsites. Most of these campsites are accessible by both hike and car. This means if you want the experience without the workout, that option is available to you.
No matter which option you choose, a memorable experience awaits.
2. Hike and Camp Combo
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not combine your camping experience with a multi-day hike? This is one of the more adventurous camping ideas and certainly not one that will be ideal for camping novices.
There are a number of camping locations around the country that can only be reached by taking an extensive hike. These campsites are generally laid out along a long, multi-mile trail that would take two or three days to accomplish.
The idea is that you would spend the day making your way across the trail, only to set up camp as nightfall arrives. In the morning, you’d pack up your items, throw them back into your backpack, and hit the road once again.
As you can imagine, this takes a lot of drive and energy. This is not a trip that you’d want to bring the kids along on, or one you’ll want to take on unless you feel truly ready. In fact, it can be even more dangerous to go on this kind of trip unless you are prepared and feel like you can handle it.
You’ll be many miles from the closest city, far separated from other people.
If things were to go south, it could be hard to get the help you needed. On the other hand, if you feel you can handle it, this is the very reason to do the trip: you’ll truly be out in the middle of it all, cut off, just you and nature around.
There are a number of brilliant places to do this kind of trip around the country. The Shale Glacier Camp in Washington is one of the most popular of any in the world, with stunning mountain views.
Ever want to fall asleep miles above sea level, overlooking a stunning and unbelievable vista view? This would be the place you’ll want to visit. There is a fun challenge to this kind of adventure camping, and you can work your way up to more challenging hikes.
If you’re a true outdoorsman at heart, this is the camping adventure for you.
3. Trailer Camping
Want to enjoy the great outdoors but think the above suggestion sounds like your idea of a nightmare? Then you may be more interested in creating a “best of both worlds” situation that allows you to enjoy nature while retaining some of the creature comforts of home.
Many families do so by going trailer camping. This is where you bring along a small caravan that contains a place to sleep, wash up, cook, and handle your basic needs.
It’s ideal for those looking to see amazing views without wanting to duke it out against the elements. You can have your feet outside looking at one of the most spectacular views you’ve ever seen and a hot shower waiting for you just ten feet behind you inside.
These days, you can customize and build your on-the-go trailers so that they are exactly as you’d want them when traveling. Retailers such as https://caravanwoods.com/ will work with you to create your dream trailer, building your perfect model from scratch.
Want a trailer that can run totally off the grid, with solar panels for power? You got it. Looking to craft something small enough that you can fit it in the corner of your driveway when you’re not on the road? Easy, you can make it so.
Many trailers these days are equipped for even the most extreme off-road environments. Meaning you can go anywhere and still bring some of the comforts of home along with you.
A trailer also means you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground. If you want to travel and see multiple campsites and sceneries on one trip, having a traveling vehicle will be a must.
4. Glamping Experiences
Looking for some cool campsites to spend time at? If you’re looking for the middle ground between trailer and tent camping, it’s well worth it to look into the glamping experiences that are becoming increasingly popular around the country.
What is glamping? It’s like camping, except the campground in question has created a tent that feels a little more extravagant and livable than your normal setup. Often, these room-sized tents feature your standard hotel room amenities. The major element is a bed that you sleep in at night.
They might contain furniture like chests and drawers to leave your items in, and likely some sort of outhouse around the corner for you to do your business.
Glamping is an amazing way to experience the great outdoors while still enjoying some of the comforts of your home bedroom. Often, the styling on these glamping and eco sites is so gorgeous. You’ll feel as if you’re living in a dream. There’s a reason Instagram influencers have taken to glamping over the past few years. It’s perfectly scenic in more ways than one.
Many cool campsites around the world feature domes and glamping tent options. Patagonia, Chile, is home to one of the most popular glamping sites in the world, EcoCamp Patagonia.
The geodesic domes built at this campsite sit at the foot of the Torres del Paine National Park. They provide the perfect mix of comfort and outdoor access. You can rest in bed while looking up at the mountain peaks waiting just outside your dome door.
The only thing you have to be careful about is loving glamping so much. That you never end up pulling your standard tent out of the closet again!
5. Go Tree Camping in Germany
Looking for one of the more exotic camping ideas out there? You might need to invest in a plane ticket and hop on a trip to Germany.
Located at the heights of the German Alps is the Waldseilgarten Höllschlucht. Waldseilgarten Höllschlucht is famous for what has been dubbed tree camping. Which is a bold and thrilling way to experience the outdoors.
When campers visit the site, they are allowed to stay in tents that are actually suspended and hung from tree branches located high up in the forest. You’ll have to climb up by rope and carefully enter your tent. But the experience will be truly like nothing else.
The views from your tree-bound tent are like nothing else in the world. The feeling of floating above the forest as you drift off to sleep is something that few people can say they have ever experienced.
The Pfronten mountains will be your main view, located across the Austrian border. You can ask for help and get down at any time, but the idea is if you’re seeking out this kind of camping experience, you’re likely pretty adventurous, to begin with.
Exotic Camping Ideas For Your Next Trip
Do you love the great outdoors and can’t wait to get back out there for your next trip? The above exotic camping ideas will give you plenty to choose from when it comes to your next adventurous outing.
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