Weekend camping is a fun task to go on, and 20x better with family and/or friends. However what is the best weekend camping ideas that you should do for your upcoming long weekend?
I will help you choose a camping trip that you will enjoy with your friends and family and without fully breaking the bank.
Until this day I still go on weekend camping trips, that also doesn’t change when the winter comes 😛 I usually go alone though since my friends find it way too cold to be out in the wild at those temperatures.
Anyway, here’s some awesome weekend trips that I think you’ll find to be very fun.
Public Campsite
This is the traditional style of camping and sometimes can be the worst. They can get really expensive, especially if you have to drive to the location.
I never like having loud neighbors who decide to stay up until 2 a.m, talking and laughing at the top of their lungs. I think 12 a.m at least, is the cut off line.
Some people like to get to sleep early and get up at dawn, start the campfire, have breakfast and then go for an explore, not everyone likes to sleep in!
This is one weekend idea, as you can see it works but it’s not always the best.
Consider A Private Campsite
These aren’t ALWAYS better, however most of them are actually cheaper than the traditional campgrounds and sometimes they have better views!
Before you pull out your wallet for that public campsite, do a little research first and find out if there’s any private grounds in your area you can camp at.
You can save money, you might not have to drive as far, and you can have an equal amount of fun.
Remember though, keyword is ‘research’, sometimes your experience might end up being a bad one.
Host A Backyard Camp Out
I take it you want to go camping with your friends? Well don’t just camp in your backyard, HOST a backyard camp out. I do this a couple of times a year and it always goes surprisingly well.
Get all your tents set up first, then have a few cold beers while sitting around the campfire, tell jokes, tell stories, listen to music and dance the night away. Crawl into your sleeping bag when you get too drunk or too tired.
If you can’t host a backyard camp out due to your backyard being too small, then ask a friend if they can host it at their house.
Go To The Wilderness
Not for everyone, especially if you’re a beginner camper. However after a few public campsite trips, you will soon learn the ropes.
Camping in the wilderness is much harder, more dangerous and only recommended for at least 2+ people, although your own solo camping trip CAN be done once you become an expert at it.
Be sure to keep your bear spray on you at all times, or prevent a bear charge in the first place.
Conclusion
Camping is my all-time favorite outdoor activity, although I don’t mind hiking every now and then (it helps keep me fit and probably the only exercise I get haha).
You also need to know how to stay safe if you’re camping in the summer and realize that heat stroke is a serious illness and not something to take lightly.
I think you should read my 7 safety tips for camping in the summer. Your family and friends are important to you, it is only necessary to learn how to stay safe in the wild, especially if you have little ones involved.
This is a great post, Brandon.
I live in Northern Utah and have access to some really nice hiking/camping out here. Personally I like loading up the backpack and going out for a three day camping trip in the High Uintas, but since I have a family with a couple of small children I often have to settle for public camp grounds.
They actually aren’t that bad and it is still a lot of fun, but there is something to be said about being back in the wilderness with very little human life nearby. I usually spend one of my days fishing for my meals too. Lots of yummy trout! 🙂
Hi Christian! That sounds really fun and something I need to do sometime soon. I too have been only camping in the public sites. Don’t get me wrong, they work perfectly. However I agree with you, there’s something about being in the complete wild with only the animals and your family to communicate with 🙂
Thanks for the comment buddy.
Take care,
Brandon
Hi Brandon,
Great article! I love the idea of camping in the wilderness, though I’m not sure I could fight off a bear! I appreciate your personal touch to this site, I can tell you really love camping.
Thanks for the good read!
Cody
Hi Cody, glad you enjoyed the article buddy. Defending yourself against a bear is actually really easy – you just need to learn the bears behavior, so you know what they are trying to tell you in the first place, that’s all.
Thanks for the kind words 🙂
-Brandon
Glad to see I have experience with a few of these. I went to a campground during a high-school senior trip and it was pretty awesome. It doesn’t hurt that the only expense I made was turning in a trip-slip haha. I didn’t consider the money that went into accommodating 60+ teens. I wouldn’t mind, however, to have a more “down to earth” camping experience just once.
I think the backyard approach is a nice starter; that’s if one has a backyard. That would be a nice way to kinda test the waters, especially if that person is not the outdoors type. I just might try that method out when the weather gets warmer again. Do you recommend any specific weather ideal for camping? Would it depend on the method: public camp grounds versus home?
Haha, well that worked in your favor then (lol). Luckily the school paid for it then eh? Yes I would also say that, a backyard trial run will work perfectly for someone whose too scared to go on the real thing. Well I have created a backyard camping article, so please take a look so you know what to do when you try it out.
To answer your next question: Well considering winter camping (especially when it snows) is a lot harder and difficult than camping in the summer, so I would prefer you camp in the summer first, and when you get more experience winter camping can be something to consider.
In your backyard you can consider doing a cold camp out, and if something goes wrong you’re only a 1 minute walk back to your warm bed, haha.
Hope this answers your question 🙂
Take care,
Brandon
I love the great out doors and especially camping. Just waiting for my boy to add a few years then I can take him off walking and camping.
I will be in need of a tent like these so will be sure to take another look when the time is right.
Thanks for the review
Hi Danny, glad to see you are thinking of taking your boy out camping. That’s what we need to see more of 🙂
-Brandon