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Is RV Camping Real Camping?

October 30, 2017 4 Comments

I recently asked the Offline Outdoors community whether RV camping is real camping. Most people laughingly said no! Some said that if it takes them outside, that’s camping for them. The most intriguing answer came from Justin Ryman:

“I want to be in the outdoors even if I have a bad back or neck. I use my RV strictly for sleeping, I don't spend all my time there.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time outdoors. I know how to camp. Roughing it, campground camping, or RV camping, I did it all. It isn’t about tents or name brands. It’s about making memories with family and friends in the outdoors.”

Camping

Instagram Poll Results (595 Participants)

I used to make fun of people that would camp in RVs. I thought that tent camping was the way to go. That was the only way to get an “authentic” camping experience. There was no excuse for anyone to avoid tent camping. For me, RV camping was the same thing as camping in my backyard. I was wrong!

What if someone has a terminal illness or a bad back? What about infants that need a stable environment. Tents are not designed to keep you warm at nights. During the day, they become extremely hot. Tent camping isn't for everyone. There are many types of "camping".

What is Camping?

What is camping? Who writes the rules on camping? That’s an important question to consider. I really like what Justin said: “It’s about making memories with family and friends in the outdoors.” It doesn’t matter how you do it. Whether you are roughing it with minimal supplies, or if you have mansion on wheels with all the luxuries in the world. As long as you’re enjoying the nature with your friends and family, that is good enough for me.

For the most fulfilling camping experience, just follow these three simple steps. (Based on my personal experience.)

Camping Suggestions:

Find a Remote Location: Get away as far as possible from civilization.
Minimal or No Technology: Turn on the “airplane mode” to avoid any distractions.
Bring Family and Friends: It is always best to share your memories with someone else.

Is RV camping real camping? This shouldn't even be a question. It assumes that tent camping is the only real or authentic way to camp. Real camping is not dependent the gear you have. For a fulfilling experience, you just need a remote location, no distractions, and someone to share the adventure with. That's it. RV camping is real camping!

There are many variations of camping. It is important to try them all. Naturally, I get tired of something if I do it all the time. Here is an interesting blog that I wrote on this topic: Car Camping vs Backpacking. If you have been RV camping all your life, mix it up. Try tent camping instead, or vise versa.

RV Overkill

There is a way to overkill RV camping. I’ve seen some RVs that have multiple flat screen TVs and a satellite dish. That is why my perception of RV camping was originally ruined. Come on, do you really need satellite television when you got a beautiful forest or a breathtaking lake? Can you think of any other reasons that "overkill" RV camping? Comment below.

4 Responses

Jeremy Becker

March 05, 2021

RVing is not camping. If you need a bed to sleep on, a TV to watch, an oven to cook in, and other creature comforts, then you really aren’t camping. If I want those comforts, I’ll stay home and take day trips to my nearest state park. Lol

TheRealWillDeal

August 14, 2018

When I was younger, I believed that people who RV’d were just people pretending to camp. They couldn’t miss the conveniences of of home, why leave it? Well, I am older now. I have a wife that isn’t into camping, a tween, a toddler, and I am in my mid 30’s. In order to have all of my family together, we use an RV. Our RV consists of a tent trailer with a propane heater, water heater, cook top, microshower/toilet (when the wife gets desperate) and two large sleeping areas. We get to have some creature comforts and some predictable accommodations when we venture out to experience the outdoors. This keeps the wife and kids in better spirits while out and about and keeps my back and hips from hurting when sleeping on the ground :)

Ever Workman

January 21, 2018

Interesting ideas. RV or tent, doesn’t matter if you and your group enjoy the moment. My family and I have backpacked, car camped across the US, RV camped across the US and Canada, and all were wonderful experiences. There is value in being outdoors, together in nature. To hold one form of camping with higher regard is a personal opinion but our personal opinions should never be an excuse to pass judgment on others. My wife and I are leaving soon to camp, campervan style across Iceland. This too will be a fantastic camping experience.

Brisk Outdoors

October 31, 2017

We love backpacking and also enjoy camping in our RV! They are completely different experiences but both get us outside and make us happy. When we’re backpacking it’s with those who love a good adventure, come prepared, have the proper gear, like lots of hiking, etc. When we’re out with the RV it’s an adventure with the kids, people who prefer and feel safer with shelter, and sometimes even grandma comes! Either way, we love it all and to each their own. However you do it just get outside and enjoy nature!