So you’re wanting to take a Year Off. You have a limited budget, and you’re watching your spending. You want to visit all the beautiful natural places in the world. And you want to spend a good amount of time in these places, at least a few days, so you need a place to sleep. But once you start researching, you’re in shock at the price of the lodging. What’s the best way around this? Go camping!!!
Camping is one of my favorite things to do and a perfect sleeping option during a Year Off. America’s incredible national parks are my favorite places to do it. And there’s a ton of camping available, not only in the United States but all over the world.
I’m going to talk about what I think are the main benefits of camping. Then, I’ll jump into my top tips for getting started with camping. For this article, I’m going to focus on car camping. Car camping is when you load your car up with all your camping gear, drive to a campground, and set up camp right next to your car.
In a future blog post, I’ll focus on backpacking, when you load up a backpack with all your gear, hike into the woods, and set up camp away from your car. If you’re new to camping, definitely start with car camping first, then work your way up to backpacking.
What are the benefits of camping during a Year Off?
1. It’s cheap.
What better way to save some money than camping instead of staying in an expensive hotel room? Yea yea yea, I know it’s uncomfortable and maybe there aren’t any showers and there are bugs and wild animals. But you get used to all that. You actually grow to enjoy it in a weird way.
And did I mention that camping is cheap? Your average campsite in a state park or national park costs around $25 per night. Many public lands have free dispersed camping as well. That’s a whole heck of a lot cheaper than a $100 or $200 hotel room! So make the initial investment of buying some good quality camping gear and head out into the woods for some camping.
The only other lodging options, in national parks in particular, are expensive lodges where you’ll pay upwards of $200-$300 a night. Even in the gateway towns right outside of parks, you’ll pay a premium price, especially in the busy seasons. In Yellowstone National Park, for example, I stayed in the cheapest room at the cheapest lodge and still paid over $150 for only one night. And it wasn’t even busy season! When I returned there a second time, I camped for $25 per night, spent 6 days in the park, and was close to all the main attractions. That’s $150 for one night or $150 for six nights. I’ll take six nights!
2. You stay in better locations.
Many campgrounds are close to all the best outdoor scenery. You can wake up in the morning and be right next to all the best trails and scenery that parks have to offer. And because of the cheap price, you’re more inclined to spend multiple days there, immersing yourself in the park and everything it has to offer.
In Zion National Park, for example, the campgrounds are surrounded by incredible views of the canyon walls, and you’re a short walk from the shuttle that takes you to all the best hikes in the park. In Yosemite National Park, the campgrounds are minutes from incredible hikes like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. In Grand Teton National Park, there’s a campground right next to Jenny Lake, arguably the most beautiful lake in all the national parks.
3. There’s more of a sense of adventure
The whole point of a Year Off is to have one great big adventure. And what better way of making it more of an adventure than by camping? You’re totally self-sufficient. You have everything you need in the back of your car. If you get tired of a place, you can pack up and leave whenever you want. And you’re fully immersed in nature.
There’s nothing like spending a night out in the woods under the stars. You wake up and look out your tent and see beautiful trees and maybe a beautiful sunrise. Maybe some wildlife will wander past your campsite. And you might meet some really cool people in the campsite next to yours.
Taking an American road trip with a car load of camping gear to visit all the national parks is an incredible way to spend at least part of a Year Off. The sense of adventure is overwhelming at times. The scenery is amazing. And the camping really puts the icing on the top. You feel “out there” and everything seems so different. Life is more difficult, but in a good way. It makes you appreciate what you already have at home.
4. Camping is minimalism at it’s finest
Do you really want to strip away all the material possessions from your life? Try camping! You only need the basics of food, water, and shelter. There’s no other clutter to weigh you down and keep you occupied.
5. Camping creates the freedom of the open road.
You are no longer tied to one location if you are road-tripping and camping along the way. You have the freedom to pack up and leave and head somewhere new whenever you want. And you have everything you need to survive, so you have no worries about where you’re going to sleep that night.
I’ll never forget the first time I caught the feeling of complete freedom during my Year Off. I camped the night before in Capitol Reef National Park. And I was driving south towards Monument Valley in Utah when the feeling hit me. I had everything I needed in my car. My windows were down and the music was cranking. And I had no worries at all. It was an amazing feeling that only life on the road can create.
6. Camping gets you out of your comfort zone.
Camping is not the easiest way to live. You are lacking many of the creature comforts of home. So camping is a great way to get out of your comfort zone. By choosing to make your life a little more difficult by camping, your normal life at home will seem much easier. You will appreciate the bathrooms, hot showers, and running water more.
7. Camping is Nature Therapy at it’s finest
Studies have shown spending time in the outdoors improves our sense of health and well-being. And there’s no better way to fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors than by camping!
My Top Tips for Getting Into Camping
1. Buy the gear
When you have the gear, you are much more likely to use it. It’s definitely a money investment, but start collecting the necessary camping gear now to motivate yourself to actually use it and go camping.
Go to your local outdoor gear store and purchase everything you need. Or collect a piece of gear here and there. Ask for gear for holiday and birthday presents. Borrow gear from friends to start and gradually build up your camping gear inventory.
2. Find a friend to go with you the first few times
Find a friend who wants to get into camping and recruit them to join you. Make it a new experience for both of you and learn how to camp together. If you have a friend who is an experienced camper, ask to join him/her on their next trip. You’ll gain valuable experience with some one who knows what their doing.
3. Start small and local
Head to your local state park or campground for your first camping trip. Or even your own back yard. Only spend one night out. Gradually ease yourself into some bigger trips and trips that are further away from home. Start out in fully furnished campgrounds that have good bathrooms and showers, like a KOA campground. Then try out some campgrounds that may be a bit more roughin’ it.
Do research ahead of time to find some good campgrounds. National park and state park campgrounds are the most popular because of their location and scenery, but they tend to lack showers. Make sure to book them well in advance if you’re wanting to camp in popular parks. Campsites in Yosemite Valley, for example, will completely fill up 6 months in advance, so make sure to get ahead of the game and ready to book your campsite when the booking window opens. Visit each individual park’s website (through www.nps.gov) to learn how to book your sites.
It’s definitely possible to camp in parks if you don’t have reservations. Many parks offer first-come first-served camping, but in busy season, these sights fill up quick.
4. Bring some creature comforts
There’s no need to deprive yourself of all the creature comforts of home while camping. I like having a comfortable chair to sit around the campfire in and some whiskey to sip on. Bring your favorite drink and some good food to cook. Bring your most comfortable clothing and comfortable pillow. Make sure to have a comfortable sleeping pad so you get a good night’s sleep. Remember, there’s no need to be completely miserable during a camping trip!
5. Avoid the uncomfortable times of year
There are times of the year, depending on your location, when camping isn’t the most enjoyable experience. Avoid the hot and humid times of year. There’s nothing more miserable than trying to sleep in a tent when it’s hot and humid out. Also, avoid the coldest times of the year, at least starting out. Cold weather camping is great but is something you should build yourself up to.
Fall is a great time to camp to avoid all the heat and humidity and all the bugs as well. Depending on your location though, winter can come early and the nights can get cold so check the weather forecast ahead of time and be prepared for colder weather.
Spring is a great time for camping as well. The nights are cooler, and it isn’t as hot during the day. It is more likely to rain in the spring though. Make sure to look for good weather your first few times camping. If a thunderstorm is on it’s way, move your trip back to a different weekend. Try to set yourself up for success as much as you can.
6. Gradually build up to farther destinations and longer trips
Once you have a few local camping trips under your belt, start taking trips that are farther away and a longer duration. Look into parks that are at least a few hours from your home and plan a trip there for two or three nights. If you have the time, go camping for a week. You will gain invaluable experience and learn just about everything you need to know in that amount of time.
Eventually, just take the plunge and plan a trip to your dream destination. Book everything far in advance, that way you have the motivation to follow through with the trip. And you are financially invested as well so you’re less likely to back out. If you’re able to drive to your dream destination, perfect. But don’t be afraid of flying! All your camping gear can easily fit in a large duffel bag that you can check on a plane.
7. Take a solo trip, then gradually build yourself up to bigger solo trips
Solo camping is certainly not for everyone, but if camping is on your list of things to do during your Year Off, it’s likely you’ll have to do it alone at least some of the time. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Solo camping can feel lonely and maybe even scary but you get used to it. And you have the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want.
The first couple times I took a solo camping trip, I felt really lonely at times and felt like packing up and going home early. But after awhile, I got more comfortable with it. I’m so used to it now that if I go on a solo camping trip, it feels no different than if I was at home by myself.
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