Where do you stand on the camping vs. glamping debate? While many people argue that glamping is a more comfortable way to stay in a natural setting, others stand firm in their love for the more traditional style of camping.
Of course, choosing between camping and glamping can often depend on a lot of different factors. These might include whether it’s even possible to go glamping in your chosen location, as well as your budget and the ages and preferences of your fellow campers.
Not sure whether camping or glamping is the right choice for you? Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of both to help you decide!
The Difference Between Camping and Glamping
Before we start comparing, it’s important to make sure we’re all on the same page. So, what is glamping anyway? Glamping – a combination of the words glamorous and camping – offers a more luxurious way to experience the great outdoors. While you’ll normally sleep in a tent when you go camping, glamping can mean sleeping in anything from a yurt or treehouse to a refurbished shipping container, often with all the mod cons.
The Advantages of Camping
For the traditionalists among you, camping likely holds more appeal. But what other advantages does camping offer?
Variety of Locations
Camping still has the edge on glamping when it comes to location. Since a tent is more portable, camping means having your pick of the many campgrounds around the country and even abroad.
Although, if you love the freedom of camping but you’d like a little more luxury, an RV could be the answer. This way, you’ll be able to explore all the best RV campgrounds in the US without having to rough it.
Affordable
Once you have your tent and other camping accessories, you only have to pay a small charge to rent a pitch. Some campgrounds can be more expensive than others, especially if you want access to their full facilities. But, on average you can expect to pay around $25 a night.
Closer to Nature
One of the main reasons people choose to go camping is to feel closer to nature and the great outdoors. This is also why there are so many health benefits associated with camping. Sleeping under the stars with only your mat between you and the ground and waking up to birdsong are experiences that even the most remote glamping experience can’t provide.
Learn Self-Sufficiency
Camping is a popular option for families as it helps teach children about working together to complete tasks like setting up the tent or making a fire. These tasks can also be fun and absorbing for children, challenging them and keeping them entertained at the same time.
The Disadvantages of Camping
We might look back on camping trips with rose-tinted glasses, but there are some obvious disadvantages to going camping:
Lack of Comfort
Let’s face it, camping isn’t the most comfortable way to spend your vacation. Tents can get very hot during the day and very cold at night, while mats and sleeping bags offer little in the way of back support and insulation. You may also have to forgo other creature comforts such as electricity, private bathrooms, and Wi-Fi.
All the Gear
Camping requires a fair amount of equipment, which can be too big a commitment for some people. As well as the cost of the tent and accessories, you’ll also need space to store all this gear, which can make camping an unsuitable option for apartment-dwellers.
The Advantages of Glamping
Although camping is still the leading way to stay in a natural setting, glamping is growing in popularity, not least because of these advantages:
Luxury
Glamping gives you access to real beds, bedlinen, private showers, Wi-Fi, a fully-equipped kitchen, and pretty much any other modern amenity you can think of. Some accommodation also even includes extras such as hot tubs. In short, you won’t have to forgo any of life’s little luxuries when you opt to go glamping.
Convenience
There’s no need to waste time putting up and taking down tents when you go glamping. You also don’t have to buy any gear before you head off. This makes glamping a more convenient option for people dipping their toes in this kind of vacation setting.
Year-Round Comfort and Ease
Many yurts, bungalows, and other glamping options have heating and AC, making them a better option for fall and winter trips. Not having to sleep on the floor or trek to the bathroom also makes glamping an easier and more comfortable option for families with small children, seniors, and those with mobility or health issues.
The Disadvantages of Glamping
Despite its clear advantages, glamping isn’t without its cons:
Limited Locations
With fewer glamping options around the country, you’ll have to search specifically for where to go glamping rather than pick your location first. If you’re set on going glamping, this won’t be a problem. But if you wanted to head to a certain National Park or forest, for example, you might find that glamping isn’t possible.
Expensive
Like camping, glamping varies in price, with more amenities meaning higher prices per night. Very basic sites can be as low as $50 per night but you can expect to pay an average of $200 a night for a glamping experience with mod cons and running water. Some super-luxury options can even be as much as $3000 a night.
Camping vs. Glamping: Which Is Right For You?
Now you know the pros and cons of camping vs. glamping, you’ll have a better idea of which option is right for you.
If you’ve never tried either, it could be a good idea to start with a basic glamping experience. This way, you’ll get a feel for vacationing in a natural setting without having to buy a ton of gear beforehand. You can then decide whether you want to go camping or upgrade your glamping experience for any future trips into the wilderness!
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