People have different views about RVing. Some say RVing is real camping. Others says it’s pure glamping. Some people say being in a campground is true camping. Others think that because you’re still indoors in an RV, you’re not roughing it out in nature. So which is it?
What is the Definition of “Real” Camping?
According to most people, camping is defined as “an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent.” But remember, s
Tents and RVs serve the same purpose: they offer a chance to go outside and enjoy the outdoors. Some people prefer camping in tents, and some people prefer RVs for their own personal reasons. Both are acceptable.
People have their own preferences when it comes to camping, and whatever you choose to do is perfectly fine- if you enjoy it and it allows you to more fully enjoy your camping experience, then keep on doing it! What matters is you enjoy camping, and how you do it doesn’t and shouldn’t matter.
Why Some People Say RVing is “Real” Camping
Some people prefer to use tents because it makes their camping experience more rustic. It enhances their experience to sleep on the ground and have almost no extravagancies. If you’re one of them, then that’s awesome, and you should keep at it!
Some people prefer to use RV campers to camp, and that is also completely fine. Even though they’re still roughing it out in the wilderness, some people want to sleep on a bed.
Sleeping
For example, camping for me is fun when I sleep on a mattress rather than a sleeping bag. Why? Because sleeping on the ground hurts my hips and my back. It’s uncomfortable for me, and I’ll wake up several times during the night.
When morning comes, I’ll be tired and very sore for the entire day. That, in my opinion, is not going to make my camping experience enjoyable.
There is a large range of people who have a love for camping and enjoying the outdoors, but none of us are superhuman.
We all have our cricks and pains in one way or another. Some campers are going to be older than others, so their bodies may not be as sprightly as younger people.
Sleeping in a sleeping bag can be a great experience for one person and a nightmare for another person.
Convenience
Some people love to use nothing but what nature gives them to make a fire and cook food, but others prefer to use standard cooking equipment to fix a meal (I like to switch between both).
Some people will lather on the sunscreen and enjoy the heat of the sun while others want to have consistent shade from an awning or air conditioning to keep themselves safe from heat stroke or painful sunburns.
Most people will want a toilet.
Another reason why people like to camp in RVs is it’s more convenient. When they go camping, they don’t need to go through the ritual of packing and unpacking several times during their trip; everything they need for the trip is packed in their camper.
They can pack everything in there, and most of those things won’t need to be removed.
If you need your toothbrush or a change of clothing, you won’t need to rummage through all of your things to get them.
You have the freedom to pack a few more things. RVing lets you keep your things in the camper at all times. If you have a few items that won’t fit, you have extra room in your car to place them.
Plus, you don’t need to worry about being limited to the type of food you need to pack. RVs are usually equipped with a refrigerator.
Lastly, if the
It all comes down to comfort. RVing is real camping because allows people to enjoy the outdoors while staying comfortable. If they’re not comfortable, then maybe glamping is a better choice. Glamping is a combination of “glamorous” and “camping,” and it’s where you spend the outdoors in a shelter that’s more luxurious and comfortable than a normal camping tent or RV. This camping style tends to be cleaner, more convenient to amenities, and more expensive.
RVing is Real Camping When You Make the Most of It
If you’re taking an RV with you, you’ll see that RVing is real camping. Here are helpful tips to have a more rustic camping experience without abandoning your RV.
Ditch the RV hookups
There are a lot of camping sites that offer RV hookups. Try RV camping off-grid instead.
You won’t be able to use any appliances or things that require electricity, of course. On the bright side, you’ll save a bit of money and it will allow you to really disconnect and soak up more of your camping experience.
Bring your own water instead of hooking up
Water is another amenities that campsites offer via hookups. Rather than relying on the hookups for washing your hands or for drinking water, consider buying gallons of water at the store; it will cost less!
You could also look into campsites where they provide water pumps. And yes, you could still take a shower. It might require a little more work, but it’s doable.
Leave your phone at home or put it away
I love my phone. And I love that I can call family members who live far away and send messages when something changes in a plan and I need to let someone know right away. It’s amazing what you can do with technology.
However, phones can be a great distraction. By hiding your phone somewhere in your RV or even leaving it at home, you can focus on the now and what’s happening around you. Why look at your nature wallpaper when you can look at all the nature that’s around you?
This is directed more to games or social media. I completely understand if you want to make sure your phone is available in case of an emergency. I do that myself; in the meantime, I make sure my phone is on airplane mode or put away so I don’t get distracted by notifications.
Leave TV watching for your home
TV is a fun distraction, but while you’re camping, I’d suggest leaving cable just for your home. Just like phones, TV can distract you from enjoying the great outdoors.
Try making meals with a campfire
I think campfires are a lot of fun to create and have on a campsite. To me, building a campfire is one of the most classic things about camping.
There are a lot of recipes that you can make with a campfire, like s’mores, hobo dinners (tin foil dinners), and even pancakes and french toast!
You do need to learn how to build a campfire, it’s going to take a long time to cook food compared to using a stove, and there’s more risk of burning yourself. However, campfires are more versatile with how you can cook food, and you don’t need to bring as much equipment.
There are more things you need to consider if you’re wanting to try out campfire cooking:
- Weather: if there’s rain or it rained recently, finding wood that’s dry enough to burn properly will be more difficult.
- Availability: Can you find wood at your campsite or do you need to bring it?
- Fire rules: Before you go camping, you need to make sure that your campsite allows open fires.
Conclusion
RVing is real camping when you actually remember to get out into nature and enjoy the scenery around you. If you want to be lazy and lay around all day, do it outside on a comfy camp chair. Or stay home and camp out on your couch instead.
I’m a traveller, and been on many excursions, the only time I was ever in an RV was for a ride. Camping is one of the last tools to teach people basic survival skills. You rob them of this when you bring an RV and all its luxuries. You can go camping or you can go RVing, they are not the same, but tell yourself whatever makes you feel more “adventurous”
No RVing is not real camping. If you have cell phones, tvs, and electronics you are not camping. Camping is in a tent sleeping in a sleeping bag. Cooking your food by the fire. But keep lying to yourself and believing RVing and glamping is still camping. It’s not
It can’t be called camping if you bring your smaller home with you! How could it be!
Staying at a hotel is camping too, then