I get it to an extent (“fresh air,” “disconnecting,” “the beauty of nature,” etc.) But honestly, camping just isn’t it for me. Sleeping on the ground, freezing (or sweating) through the night, bugs everywhere, cooking over a barely-functioning portable stove or eating crappy food? No thanks.
And before anyone says “you just haven’t done it right,” or “you must not like nature” — no, I actually do like nature. I love a good hike. I like being outdoors sometimes. But after a few hours of being outside in nature, I’d much rather go find a good restaurant or dance somewhere with music and real food. Or honestly? Just go home and watch a good TV show, in a soft bed. Staying at home is a better vacation than camping in my eyes.
People romanticize camping as this wholesome, soul-refreshing experience, but for me it’s just a nightmare disguised as a vacation. It’s like paying to live like a raccoon for a weekend. I feel more tired and stressed by the end of it than I would in my normal life.
I’ll take real sleep, a decent meal, and maybe a hike with a return to civilization afterwards. Nature’s great — I just don’t want to sleep in it.
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I … fucking…hate…camping.
Sounds like glamping might be more up your alley, leave the camping to the people who do enjoy the outdoors.
Just because you enjoy a hike or being outside doesn’t mean you enjoy nature. Also you described a very bad camp set up. Sleeping on the floor is a you choice because there’s plenty of gear available to make it as fun and relaxing as possible lol
The only people who camp on the ground, lack temperature regulation at night and eat crappy food over malfunctioning equipment are either woefully unprepared for the simplest outing, or like the challenge.
Having done all of the above, and for both reasons, I much prefer preparation and camping in comfort.
BUt camping isn’t for everyone. You do you and leave me the spot with the gorgeous sunsets.
Did you use AI to make this post
More power to ya. Means more space out in the backcountry for me!
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I mean, you can cook really good food or camping pretty easily if you have the right supplies. And my friend made eggs, cinnamon buns, bacon , croissants, lots good stuff. I think it’s fun, plus it’s just a break from the norm of busy society
We tried it as a family when our kids were little (primary school age). First time we had minimal equipment and didn’t enjoy it. Friends told us we needed x,y,z to make it comfortable. Bought x,y,z tried again, still no fun so we sold all the gear 😆 Only plus was camping sites had lots of other kids for ours to play with so we’d just look for sites with self service cabins and book those. Still kind of basic, but 100 times more comfortable than the damn tent!
I’m gonna give you the upvote because I believe this is unpopular, but I hate camping.
Sounds like you’re just bad at camping
Two weeks up in the wilderness with my spouse; camping on the edge of a meadow at 10,000 ft elevation, seeing a million stars, listening to coyote & elk, without encountering a single other human being….freaking heaven on earth.
We also sleep quite comfortably on a futon mattress. We eat great food cooked properly on a camp stove or over the fire. Campfire coffee in the morning. Toasted marshmallows and whiskey at night.
It requires a fair amount of skill to be enjoyable vs. miserable but can totally be worth it. I’d take it as a vacation over some all-inclusive resort getaway any day.
Camping as a kid->teen->20s ….awesome.
Camping in your 30s…fuck that and let me glamp
I know you said don’t say you haven’t done it right. But you haven’t done it right.
I have a nice multi burner gas stove and a set of cooking gear, spices etc just for camping. We eat well. We drink and smoke and play music.
We have air rails and nice sleeping bags which are pretty decent to sleep on. I will often bring a real pillow.
I think more sparse camping is fun to if it’s like backpacking. But then the suck is part of he adventure.
Vegas is not a vacation and a horrible way to spend the weekend
Roughin’ it definitely isn’t for everyone