Pros And Cons Of Tent Camping

Oct 4, 2021 by Mark Wilcox

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Do you love the outdoors?

Tent camping is a great way to get out into nature and experience it in a whole new way. You don’t have to worry about setting up your tent or packing it away when you’re done, because someone else will do that for you. It’s also an affordable option for those who want to spend time outside without breaking the bank.

The best part of tent camping is that there are no rules! You can camp anywhere from a national park to your backyard if you wanted to. There’s something so liberating about being able to go where ever and whenever we please while still having all our creature comforts with us at night (like sleeping bags, air mattresses, and a tent).

Tent camping can be fun, but there are some things to consider before you go out on the road.

Here are the pros and cons of tent camping:

Pros

Reconnect With Nature

You get an amazing sense of reconnection with nature by taking your home into the wild. Sleeping underneath the stars each night is a humbling and exciting experience! Don’t forget to take off your socks and shoes and let your toes feel the touch of the ground beneath you.

Being outdoors gives your mind a break from work and responsibility, allowing you to rest and rejuvenate before heading back into society with a fresh perspective of life.

With the amount of time we spend indoors nowadays, it’s important to take the time to appreciate nature and give your body a rest from life as we know it.

Cheaper Than A Hotel Vacation

It’s a cheap option for those who don’t want to spend a lot on a vacation. While you do have to invest in some equipment and pay campground fees, it is still cheaper than a hotel plus meals.

The gear will last many years if you take care of it and you can rent or borrow it if necessary.

You can typically pack up your gear in the trunk of your car and go whenever you please without too much preplanning or money spent.

Limited Rules

If you are in a state or national park there are simple rules you must follow. But they are sensible and generally won’t bother you.

If you are camping on BLM land, it is much more free though remember to Leave No Trace!

Make New Friends

While camping is a way to disconnect it can be a very social experience - you get to meet other friendly campers and make new friends!

As an adult, it is hard to make new friends. If you find a camping group using a site like Meetup or a Facebook camping group.

I have made 3 good friends via Meetup. On the other hand, you can make campground friends while at the campsite.

But if you don’t want to be bothered, that’s fine too. People will say hello but generally will keep to themselves unless you invite them over.

Cons

Cost Of Gear Can Add Up

You need a lot of gear (tents, sleeping bags, stove, headlamps, etc) that can sometimes add up in price. You’ll also have to remember to take all the necessary items with you for a good night’s rest in case it gets cold or rainy.

Access To Water

Depending on where you are camping, you may have to bring your own water supply with you if there is no running water at campgrounds.

I wrote a book “Survival Water Solutions” that teaches you how to make water safe to drink while camping.

Campground Noise

While some people struggle to sleep because of nature sounds such as birds, insects, or coyotes, there are also human noises.

While every campsite has published quiet times of 10 or 11 pm, not every campsite enforces these rules.

I’ve been at parks where people partied loud until 3 am. I don’t care if people want to party but I wish they were more considerate when it gets past midnight.

Weather, Insects, And Critters

When you are camping in nature, you have to deal with everything in the outdoors. This includes rain, sun, hot, and cold. Plus you have to worry about the wind blowing your tent away, insects biting you, or animals getting into your tent (this is why it’s important to never eat in your tent).

So it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected when camping!

But I believe that is part of what makes it so rewarding and interesting. Being in nature allows you to learn how to adapt to new situations quickly.

All in all, tent camping has its pros and cons. If you’re ready to try it out, here are some tips and tricks:

Bring a radio or other entertainment so the kids will have something to do at night other than running around and making noise.
Invest in a flashlight/lantern for each person so everyone has their own light source once the sun goes down.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a comfy sleeping pad or air mattress! You may feel like you’re sleeping on rocks, no matter how soft the ground looks.
Remember to bring a sunhat and lots of sunscreen - because even if it’s cloudy your skin will burn in about 15 minutes without protection!
Make sure you keep your food, toiletries, and dirty clothes in sealed containers to prevent animals from getting into them.

For more information on tent camping, check out our other articles:

Tent camping can be fun, but there are some things to consider before you go out on the road.

If you’re ready for this adventure here are some tips: Bring a radio or other entertainment so the kids will have something to do at night other than running around making noise; invest in flashlights/lanterns for each person so everyone has their own light source once the sun goes down; don’t underestimate the importance of a comfy sleeping pad or air mattress!

You can definitely feel like you’re sleeping on rocks no matter how soft the ground looks; bring a sunhat and lots of sunscreen because even if it’s cloudy your skin will burn in about 15 minutes without protection; make sure to keep all food, toiletries, and dirty clothes in sealed containers to prevent animals from getting into them.