Camping isn’t for everyone.
Not everyone likes to be outdoors all day in the heat (or cold), deal with bugs and other critters, or have to sleep in a tent.
But what if you’re forced to go camping even if you don’t want to?
In other words, how do you camp when you hate camping? There are quite a few ways to make camping more bearable if you hate it, such as bringing along items you like, creating your own space, and selecting the right campsite.
Luckily, these methods can be implemented easily, as well as some others to make camping more bearable.
Read on to learn more!
How To Make Camping Bearable
I’m not here to convince you that camping is fun, I just want to help you get through your camping trip.
Whatever it is that you hate about camping can be made a little more tolerable.
Check out the following tips to have a better time camping:
Make Things Easy & Comfortable For You
Fortunately there are TONS of camping gadgets or little hacks out there today that can make camping easier and more comfortable.
For example, if you don’t want the hassle of setting up a tent, purchase an instant tent.
Don’t want to sleep on the ground?
Bring along an air mattress.
Don’t want to be without electricity?
Pick a campsite with electric hookups.
While you may be outside and away from home, you can absolutely still have some of the same luxuries and amenities.
Try to pinpoint what you dislike the most about camping and try to supplement your trip with items that will help keep you on the happier side of things.
And if worst comes to worst, just be like Tom from Parks & Recreation and purchase everything from SkyMall to create a luxurious glamping space.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, indulge in some camping gadgets to make your trip more comfortable.
Stay Cool (Or Warm)
One thing that can really put a damper on your camping trip is the weather.
If you’re already mad about having to go camping, you’re going to be even more mad if you’re camping while burning up or freezing.
So, make sure you pack accordingly.
If it’s going to be hot out, pack some lighter clothes and a fan or two (learning how to keep your tent cool also helps!).
You could even run an a/c if it’s going to make your trip more bearable.
And if the weather is going to be cold, consider bringing along a tent heater and an extra thick sleeping bag.
Taking a quick look at the forecast beforehand and packing accordingly is a simple way to help you stay comfortable on your trip.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, at least bring along the proper equipment to cool off or warm up.
Do Things You Love
I’m sure there is something you love to do that you could bring along with you.
Even if video games are the only things that bring you joy you could still bring along your favorite handheld gaming device (any PSP fans out there?).
You could pack a favorite book, a bike to ride, a soccer ball to kick around; whatever you like doing, bring it along.
If you don’t like the outdoors, one of the last things you want to do is have nothing to do.
Boredom will just make you hate camping even more.
So pack a ton of things you love!
This is your camping trip too… you might as well enjoy it.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, at least pack some stuff that will give you a little joy.
Don’t Forget A Power Source
If you stay at campgrounds (more on that in the next tip), you’ll probably have electric hookups at your campsite.
This can be a lifesaver and help you keep all of your gadgets charged.
However, if you’re staying in the wilderness, electricity will be hard to come by, so you’ll need to pack your own.
You can bring along a power bank or two to keep your devices charged, and some power banks are even solar-powered.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, the last thing you want is for your phone or tablet to die leaving you with nothing to do!
Stay At Campgrounds, Not In The Wilderness
If the choice is yours, choose a campground.
Depending on the one you choose, you could have the added amenities of electric hookups, showers and toilets, and sometimes even a convenience store or restaurant in the front office.
Having these amenities will allow you to feel more at home and comfortable.
Having hot water to shower with (or even a shower at all) is one thing that you probably take for granted in your daily life, and you don’t want to realize that while you’re out getting all sweaty and muddy from hiking.
Campgrounds also often have many more things to do.
They’re usually located near a landmark, such as caves, springs, or lakes.
And many have sports courts (basketball, volleyball, etc.), disc golf courses, and sometimes even mini golf.
If they aren’t near a big body of water, they’ll usually have a pool for you to cool off in as well.
Campgrounds come with many additional amenities that will make things feel more like home that the wilderness just doesn’t have.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, stay at campgrounds!
Bring A Larger Tent
This tip is all about comfort.
Yes, the tent will weigh slightly more, but if you’ve followed the previous tip of camping at a campsite then weight shouldn’t be an issue.
You want to bring a larger tent with you so you can:
- Fit more items – you’ll want the extra room for housing those comfort items you packed.
- Have standing space – smaller tents don’t usually allow much room for standing. Some bigger tents even have a tall enough ceiling that you can comfortably walk around in.
- More personal space – you’re already out of your element, so tensions could ride high if one of your fellow campers is getting on your nerves. Having a bigger tent (or a separate tent by yourself altogether) will allow you to have a bit more personal space for when you want to kick back and relax in your own area. Plus, you’ll want the additional space to fit an air mattress for extra comfort.
If you are camping out in the wilderness and don’t want to lug around a large tent all day, opt for your own separate tent.
As I mentioned above, it will help you have your own personal space if you want to be alone.
It will also be easier for everyone to carry their own separate tents rather than having one big tent to carry.
If you hate camping but are forced to go, pack a larger tent (or a separate one for your own space).
Try Some Camping Activities
So you may hate some aspects of camping (or all of it. If so, skip this step and refer back to the other tips).
However, that doesn’t mean all aspects of camping are bad.
Try some common camping activities to see if maybe you like some of them.
Here are some activities you could try:
- Skip stones – this super simple activity may seem boring, but there’s actually quite a lot of skill involved with skipping stones. You’ll likely kill an hour or two trying to get somewhat decent at it.
- Paddle – renting a kayak, canoe, or small boat and paddling around can be a great form of exercise and a chance to check out the area you’re staying at.
- Fish – fishing takes some patience, but can be a great tool for relaxing. I’m not super good at fishing (or being patient), but I find it calming to sit there waiting for something to grab the bait.
- Tubing – similar to paddling, but without the paddle. Float down a nearby river or just lay out on the lake to get some sun. The water can be really refreshing.
- Build a sand castle – if there’s water, there’s likely a beach with sand. Building a sand castle can be a great way to pass the time.
- Play cards – grab a friend or two and learn some card games. They aren’t as stimulating as video games or watching tv, but can be a great way to engage in some friendly competition.
It May Take A Mindset Shift
So you hate camping.
Whatever the reason may be, it could be justified.
But you could also try to switch up your mindset and try to be open-minded about the adventure ahead.
Again, I’m not trying to convince you that camping is super fun.
It may just not be your thing.
But I’m willing to bet you’d have a much better time trying to have fun than sitting there wishing you were somewhere else!