14 Different Types of Camping For Aspiring Outdoorists

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In the outdoors world when it comes to camping, there are some who are purists and those who are just out there for the experience.

The different types of camping out there can easily put you into various categories.

There is a lot of talk about what is considered ‘real’ camping. The point is that camping has massively changed with the birth of #vanlife and the outdoors movement on Instagram and Pinterest-like fairylights making it very much a chase for the perfect picture and moment.

If you take out all of that, the very basis of camping is something as simple as pitching up a tent, enjoying nature and craving that solitude away from the city life.

It’s not necessarily reserved for just the hardcore outdoor enthusiasts which was the case since the 19th century as a pursuit of a recreational activity itself.

In the US, a lot of the camping led boom was done by John Muir which led Americans taking to the outdoors. Perhaps without him, Yosemite would be a fraction of what it is today!

Here are the different types and kinds of camping to let you decide what works best for you if you’re a beginner in outdoor camping.

Also Read: The Best Pop-Up Tents For Effortless & Easy Camping: Large To Small

The Different Types of Camping Styles

Here are the different types and kinds of camping to let you decide what works best for you if you’re a beginner in outdoor camping.

1. Tent Camping

Tent camping is the most basic type of camping that everyone essentially knows about — it involves pitching a tent at a local park, recreational spots or just about anywhere as long as it is the great outdoors.

Tent camping has come a long way but the very basics of it involve spending a few nights in nature, enjoying food over a bonfire or your own camping set up and endless stargazing.

There’s not a lot of specific descriptions to meet the ideal setup for tent camping as it often includes a variety of styles in shared spaces with the idea of spending a night outside!

In fact, a famous Japanese anime called laid-back camp was something that perfectly describes what it means to get out to capture the true essence of primitive camping in various campsites around Japan’s forests, lakes and mountains.

2. Backpacking/Hiking Camping

In those days, backpacking would often mean just roughing it out and finding ways to live out of your backpack with a mix of homestays and sometimes camping in the mountains.

But camping is very much a mainstay in the backpacking world as more people dig the adventure lifestyle and stay away from the beaten path!

The idea of backpacking is being as self-sufficient as possible with preparing everything that’s needed for your long 10-day or 3-week hike in the mountains.

A backpacking or hiking camping trip could be bridged into an ultralight version where camping won’t be necessary, you could change it up with a tarp or a bivvy bag!

3. Car Camping

Options like car camping are the perfect introductory way to camping in general. All you need is to go on a road trip or look up for national parks where camping is allowed and set up camp at that spot.

You’ll have access to camping sites such as showers or communal areas where you can hang out with other people or have some level of comfort without forsaking all your necessities!

It is also a really good way to introduce camping to your kids and use it as a way to have some adventure without going far out in the woods.

The plusses include protection from bad weather where waiting it out doesn’t seem like a bad idea after all if Plan A doesn’t work out!

4. RV/Van Camping

If #vanlife has gotten you remotely interested in camping, then you’ll notice how people have taken Instagram by storm with their various gramworthy layouts!

It’s not all roses and fairies, as it does require a fair bit of setup and planning. Campervans are a less decked up version of recreational vehicles (RV) and offer the minimalist version of being on the road. It is equivalent to having your own motorhome wild camping version!

On the other hand, RVs are great for a long-term setup or those who need more amenities when you’re on the road for longer. T

With thousands of excursions these days offering a mix of vanlife and campervan/RV experience, you could always go for these tasters before seeing if a complete lifestyle overhaul is for you!

Some of the best places to go include RV Camping in British Columbia or other parts in the US and its vast network of national parks.

5. Bicycle Touring Camping

Bicycle touring camping is basically using your bicycle as the ultimate two-wheeler to travel around the globe and sleep anywhere as you please.

It is also one of my most favourite way to travel around the world — you use your strength and power to travel to places and camp at scenic picturesque locales where people often open up their homes or spaces to you!

It’s the next alternative to backpacking, and also offers a lean setup like bikepacking where lightweight tents could be an option if you want to go as light as possible!

With bicycle touring camping, you need a rack or panniers to store your tent among other things — the list is very similar to a backpacking or hiking setup.

6. Survival Camping

Imagine being stuck in frigid temperatures where you are dropped in a remote location and have to fend for yourself — that’s exactly what survival camping is about.

The basics of survival camping involve extremes in being in the wilderness from learning to forage and hunting for food, setting up ropes and exploring how to navigate tough situations in the event of emergencies.

It requires a bit of grit, and hard work if you know you’re going to embark on a long-end survivalist adventure and it requires knowing the ins and outs of your terrain.

For starters, survival camping is very common in countries where the highest mountains are and very conditions can be very rough, think Russia, the Arctic countries or even desert-like areas in Mexico and Jordan.

7. Ultralight Camping

There’s no real definition of ultralight camping, it’s more of a mindset thing that pack weight rules and measurements.

Ultralight camping is about freeing yourself from rules and using a setup that “works for you”.

It could be bivvy bag (more on that later), tarp camping or even a single one-person tent — a lighter setup means being able to cover wider terrain and having a comfortable experience in the outdoors.

You can choose not to cook and carry no-cook meals, and focus on just enjoying being present and having the ability to go anywhere as you please.

8. Overlanding

If you love off-roading and the idea of combining it with nights spend outdoors, overlanding is the right type of adventure.

It involves taking your 4x4 truck as you navigate through hard to reach corners of the world.

Discovery is the primary objective with overlanding — it could be a waterfall, rolling hills or sweeping vistas, you’re in it for a treat as there’s often nobody but just you in these wild spaces.

9. Glamping

The outdoors can be manageable for some people if it involves some level of glamourous camping, in other words, glamping!’

It comes with all the comforts in the world such as electricity, beds and access to indoor toilets.

No bumpy grounds and proper beds and basically a mosquito-free environment are the essences of glamping.

According to some reports, 59% of glampers involve families and children as some families like to bring the fun to the outdoors minus the stress and hassle of traditional camping.

10. Winter Camping

If you have tried camping during the optimal time which is often warm and crisp weather, winter camping may be left for the extremes.

But things have changed and people are seeking out unconventional ways to do a complete 4-season camping style.

Any camping below 0 degrees is considered cold weather/winter camping — it is also a great way to wake up to early nights and mornings.

If you have all-weather camping gear, this might be a good idea for you to test it out. You’ll love the solitude, seclusion and sense of adventure that camping in winter provides.

11. Hammock Camping

The tent and traditional camping may not be the most feasible option especially when you’re on a last-minute trip and crave that spontaneous decision to just sleep outside.

The hammock camping is the perfect kind of camping if you want a lightweight setup. You just need two trees or any poles to line the ridge line from one end to the other.

It is easier to take down, not require advance planning and also offer a multitude of ways to setup camp unofficially from the beach to waterfalls and the forests.

12. Backyard Camping

It may be the least adventurous ways of all the other types of camping but backyard camping offers you a reason to be outside without going far.

You can use it as a stepping stone to get comfortable with your wilderness pursuits. Train yourself to pitch a tent, setup a fire and cook simple meals without getting stressed out about your main trip.

Backyard camping is also a great way to introduce the outdoors to your family and organise a camping 101 with every age group both old and young.

13. Bivvy Sack Camping

A cross between a sleeping bag and a tent, bivvy sack camping is essentially camping without a tent.

It is as lightweight as it gets but it also offers you a low-profile minimal setup with some basic coverage to let you camp on short trips. There are no tent moles or inflatable mats needed, making it the perfect minimalist setup.

For $100 at a minimum, you’ll be able to go camping without having to worry about setting up a tent. The only problem is you can’t bring your gear inside and there’s essentially no privacy.

You’re exposed to the elements making it a risky option — they also end up looking like body bags which may be claustrophic for some.

14. Tarp Camping

A tarp tent is essentially a tarpaulin used instead of a tent, one that is rigged with poles, tent pegs and guy lines.

They often have a place in a hikers bag especially those who love an extra lightweight setup. There are so many ways to set up a tarp that suits your level of comfort.

In fact, well-known adventurer and creator of microadventures, Alastair Humphreys is known for camping it out with a tarp or a “basha” — an army slang for simple shelter made out of a tarpaulin.

A basha is an inclusion of bivvy bags and a tarpaulin to sort of protect you from the elements. It may attract you some funny looks or people may think geez that’s a genius idea, so don’t worry too much about that and focus on what works for you.

The Best Types of Camping Is The One You Already Have

In a world of “must-haves” and “must-buys”, the best type of tent is often the one you already have or one that’s within access.

Sometimes we get caught up in perfecting our gear but oftentimes a minimalist or simple setup is all we really need to explore the outdoors.

If you need a little reminder of why you decided to camp, here’s my best quotes of camping outside.

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