Glamper Goals - What Kind of Camper Are You?

Camp out under the stars in the new year.  Find your way to the campground and find new adventures around every turn!

As we near the end of one year and peek into the new one, life seems to naturally gravitate towards reflections and goal setting.  The two go hand in hand for me.  We have had a busy and fun year camping as a family, but we are looking toward new adventures and places.  As I think about these things, I'm asking myself a big question.  What kind of camper are you?  Keep reading because this might help you to seek out new places to explore in the new year.

There is no wrong way to camp except just not doing it at all.  Camping provides something for everyone if you are open to the experience and options available to you.  Adventure seekers can enjoy cabins, tents, towable RV's and motor homes.  No matter what your choice or budget, every single person can find there a way to the great outdoors if you have the desire to do it.

Government Parks and Campgrounds are affordable and provide opportunities to explore nature at its best.

Government Parks and Campgrounds

Every single state across our nation offers a variety of government parks and campgrounds.  We do much of our camping at state parks.   We appreciate the convenience and budget-friendly options at the locations.  You can check the list of amenities at each park to see what features and attractions they offer to campers.  These can include anything from pools, playgrounds, cable and more.  No two parks are alike.  But don't limit yourself to only state parks. 

Corp of Engineer or COE Campgrounds is another government-run camping option.  These are typically near or on bodies of water.  There are lots of recreational opportunities at these spots, and we have found that they are both beautiful and well maintained.  Deerlick Creek near Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a family favorite for us.  The campsite is large, level and provides a quiet, natural beauty that is tranquil and serene.  Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.

Deerlick Creek in Tuscaloosa, AL is a COE Park with large campsites and excellent facilities.  We stayed there twice in 2019.

Recreation.gov is also where you can explore lots of additional and affordable options.  We are planning a trip to Montana and Glacier National Park next summer.  While prices are high at other campgrounds due to the short tourist season there, cabins and lookouts through federal land provide less expensive camping options in beautiful locations.  These spots require that campers be innovative and willing to be flexible with amenities.  Some have indoor plumbing and others do not.  But these structures will protect you from bears and provide more than adequate shelter and comfort.

While you are at Recreation.gov, explore the America the Beautiful passes.  They have annual and lifetime pass options that can save you money for park entrances and camping.  Seniors 62 and older can purchase a lifetime pass for $80.  This pass provides a 50% discount on some amenities such as campgrounds, day passes into over 2,000 recreational areas and more.

Not a senior?  No worries, there are annual passes, lifetime passes for persons with disabilities, 4th-grade passes and more.  If you think you would be utilizing these types of facilities regularly, explore an annual lifetime pass option that would apply to your needs.

Jellystone Parks offer lots of activities that appeal to kids and the kid inside of all of us.

Resort Style and Private Camping

Private campgrounds vary in terms of prices and amenities.  We enjoy private and resort-style camping once or twice a year.  I feel like these occasional splurges are certainly worth it for certain times of the year or for different experiences.

We have visited KOA campgrounds, a privately run campground with glamping tents and a Jellystone Park over the years.  I have enjoyed each one of these for different reasons.  Sometimes it is fun to camp where there are water slides and activities, a camp store and many other upgraded facilities and amenities to enjoy.

If roughing it is not your style of camping, these campgrounds can be for you.  Costs can range from anywhere around $45 to over $100 a night depending on what type of site you are reserving.  Some private campgrounds offer RV rentals inside of their facility like vintage restored campers.  Others other glamping tents or cabins.  Having the ability to enjoy camping but not having to own or tow an RV can an exciting experience.  Even if you own an RV, I would encourage anyone to explore this as an option for a different type of travel experience.  

Many private campgrounds offer tent spots as well.  One advantage of tent camping in a private campground are the nice bathhouses and amenities.  You don't feel like you are roughing it quite as much.  We have tent camped at a KOA in Missoula, MT several years ago, and it was a nice way to end our trip that summer.

Home truly is where you park it when you open yourself to boondocking.

Boon Docking

Dry camping or boondocking is where you can camp in places without hookups and amenities.  Nature is your backdrop and amenities.  Boondocking can open up lots of possibilities if you want to explore new places that are more remote.  You can camp on someone's private land to the Bureau of Land Management spots.  

If you have an RV that is self-contained, you could use your batteries or solar power for basic needs along with your tank capacity.  Having an RV with the ability to use your onboard options is much less primitive, but you will need to plan accordingly.  This style of camping appeals least to me due to the heat in the deep south.  I am interested in boondocking but in cooler and mild months when we wouldn't need air conditioning.

Boondocking requires one to be self-sufficient but can be very rewarding.

Boondocking doesn't always have to be so remote.  Harvest Hosts allows RV owners to visit unique properties using their onboard capacity.  This is where we hope to explore this option in the new year.

Another place to explore new camping opportunities is Hip Camp.  They offer lots of boondocking opportunities as well as camping with hookups. From private land to public parks, Hip Camp has the goal to get people outdoors.  Camping opportunities can be very affordable.  Find and access locations both near home and far away.

Looking Ahead

In 2020, we have plans to do all of these types of camping.  We have already booked our Thanksgiving trip for next year at a state park with friends.  Early in the year, there are plans to visit a Harvest Host location and try our hand at an overnight boondocking experience.  There will be some Forestry Service cabins and a private campground for a Labor Day excursion.  I love that we are able to go more and do more in our new RV.  That was the overall goal for us with that purchase.  We plan to test out our newfound capabilities.  

I encourage you to spread your wings in the new year.  Open yourself up to experiences you haven't tried or returned to ones you once loved.  The adventure of being independent is such a freeing experience.  I can't wait to get started and see all that the new year has to offer and where the open road will take us.

Until next time...

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