Today’s question in Campground Crowding prompted us to wonder, what do you consider “camping”? If you’re parked at a luxury RV resort with pools and tennis courts and spacious lots between you and your neighbor, is that camping? Or is camping only when you’re at state park campgrounds, among tenters, and just staying for a night so you can fish in the nearby lake? Is that even camping?
Has the definition of “camping” changed so much with our fancy RVs and parks that we’ve forgotten how to define it? Well, you tell us!
After you vote in the poll below, please leave a comment and tell us what “camping” means to you, and if you think, or don’t think, that staying in a luxury resort is camping. We appreciate your time for sharing your thoughts!
It was home away from home. RVing yes, camping no. State parks, county parks & small independent campgrounds yes.
We live full time in our travel trailer. When staying in a resort with all the amenities, it is just “home”. (We Workcamp in the winter in Arizona at an upscale resort.) When boon docking or more remote areas, it’s upscale camping. I used to tent camp, and I admit had a naive and arrogant attitude toward RV campers. Now I understand the beauty of it! (Especially when it rains LOL!)
Living the life of luxury, which camping is not.
We own a lot in a “luxury” RV Resort where we live 6 months of the year in our Class A. It’s just our winter retiree home. It’s not quite the level of “luxury” as the one pictured, but I’m pretty sure we live across the street from that one 🙂
Staying at rental home. Of course, owning a “Luxury” RV isn’t exactly camping. But we might be considered as having a “Luxury” RV and enjoy it when camping and spending most of our time outdoors, or if we are staying mainly inside.
Sure. “Camping” is a personal perspective. We are full-timers so we often say we’re living.
When we RV, we go to places to explore the surroundings. I feel the RV is my traveling motel room that has a lot of the amenities of home. We don’t travel to “camp”. That was reserved for my younger days.
If I pull a chair out of the bay of our Class A, I am camping. Doesn’t matter to me if it was in a tent, our truck camper, class C or A. I rent a campsite and I am camping in an RV.
Couldn’t answer not that rich.
When out in our motorhome, whatever the Class, and regardless of whether at an RV resort, state park, or overnight at Cracker Barrel for a night en route, or wherever, we’re out enjoying ourselves on a vacation or time away from home. We don’t care whether it’s called camping or not.
I have to qualify my answer If I’m hooked up at a resort I’m renting a spot for my mobile hotel. For me camping is away from the glitz and glitter off the beaten path. JMHO
RVing, not camping
I travel with a large 5th wheel, basically a one bedroom apartment. I never considered myself to be camping unless I’m boondocking and not in a parking lot.
In my opinion, RVing at a luxury RV resort is not camping. It is RVing. We are full-time and no matter where we are we are RVing not camping.
I do not consider staying in a resort style campground camping. I think basic campgrounds have mostly disappeared as owners and investors try to cash in on those who want all the amenities when out and about. For me, I like the quiet, not crowded, no amenity venues which is why I love the programs such as HH or BDW. Even at these venues, if your rig is luxury you are not camping as you brought all your amenities with you. Camping to me is walking out the door of the MH and being able to enjoy and experience nature. Everything else is glamping!
To each his own. We have a camping trailer, 6’x8’, sink, fridge, microwave and air. Tiny, yes but it’s for sleeping in, we moved up because in our 60s when we decided a tent was too much. On every trip, we’ve pulled our trailer 20,000 miles, we see large luxury rv’s pull in, the owner sets up and aren’t seen again. They spend that kind of money for a reason and can enjoy it anyway they desire. It’s their home away from home or maybe their permanent home, we enjoy our trailer and trips and I hope they have as much enjoyment in theirs. We still have our tent and will travel cross country with it in June.
If you feel that it’s camping, then that’s what it is. You shouldn’t care what others think.
Nope, I’m “Rving.”
We have a truck camper. We aren’t even allowed in those places but we wouldn’t choose to stay there anyway. We boondock exclusively which I think is camping.
You are RVing!!
I agree, Larry, No matter where you take your “RV”, you are RVing.
It’s called GLAMPING! And we paid for it…..LOL!
You are Glamping
RVing or Glamping, is the way some folks like to camp. To me, camping is something that I do in the woods, as far away from other folks as possible.
I now use the term ‘turtling’ (bringing your home with you) to differentiate from camping. Both use an RV, but the goals are different.
We have two TT’s. We turtle with the larger more featured unit, and camp with the smaller more nimble unit.
I call it Glamping !!
No it’s not “camping” it’s glamping but that’s the way we rv since we prefer to stay primarily in developed rv parks not in campgrounds.
For Me. I am out on a Day Pass when we go out to the RV & enjoy the Campfires; shoot the breeze; annoy/cut up some of the guys & have a good time by K.I.S.S.!!
Call it whatever you want. Who am I to judge.
I’m a purist. If you’re not backpacking into the woods, you’re not camping. If you pull up in an RV and overnighting, you’re RV’ng at an RV camp. The two aren’t even close; I have a friend with whom I’ve backpacked who is obsessed with getting to a sub 20# backpack. Compare that to 10,000# of camper. Lol
I also own a TC which I love as it has some of the amenities that I’ve grown accustomed to in my advancing age. Either way, whether backpacking or RV’ng in my TC, I’m outdoors, loving nature and exploring. That’s the common thread to all “camping”. To each his own; whatever works for you; I’m in no position to cast any type of judgment.
Stated true to your handle…
Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
camp·ing
noun
noun: camping
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 I voted no, but it was more because of our rig than the described site. We “travel” in what is essentially a rolling condominium. Our RV has everything that our sticks-and-bricks has (sans fireplaces and garage) and a few features that our sticks-and-bricks lacks. So, what we do is “traveling,” not “camping.” Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
It’s called being able to spend time where you want, out of the cold, out of the snow, with friends who think likewise.
Whatever you call it I don’t care. I’m having fun!
I agree!
I’m not camping, but I’m RVing. 😊
Does it matter?? We call our motorhome a camper because traditionally, that’s what they were called. We travel in our motorhome because we can rest stop without using public restrooms, sleep in our own bed and cook our own food.
This debate goes back to the days of the Conestoga wagon.
Were wagons loaded with all the features of home (for the day) parked along the trail considered camping?
How about when a burro carried the wares?
Or was the phrase “camping” reserved only for those that actually carried their own tent?
Me personally, I think if you’re in an RV, you’re RV’ing which is akin to describing someone using a wagon for refuge in the day as “wagoneering”.
The paradox: “Camp” (the noun) describes the site of refuge, not the actual materials used. “Camping” is the utilization of such a site again, indifferent to the materials used. Hence, the debate continues to rage….
TLDR: No.
First thoughts on this: My wife doesn’t camp. I’m pretty sure we are not camping with 2 heads and power recliners. Nope, not camping even when we have a campfire going. Now where did I set down that damn remote control?
The last time we were camping was in a wall tent with our young kids or with the tent trailer that got us off the wet ground. After that it has been RV’ing.
Glamping. Have to differentiate it from self-contained boondockers.
You are enjoying life
Camping is roughing it, with a tent, sleeping bags, cooking over a fire, with no luxuries. Otherwise you are RVing, or glamping. What was described would be glamping.
Webster’s says camping is staying in “…a place usually away from urban areas where tents or simple buildings (such as cabins) are erected for shelter or for temporary residence …” So, in our fully equipped diesel pusher, which is our full time home, we are not camping in any sense of the word. We are RVing, or maybe just “at home”.
“CAHMGLAMP” comes to mind…. When I open the door of our 34″ Class A to exit I am leaving the comfort of my glamping abode. Once outside, sitting by a lake or “camp” fire – I am having a camping experience. Glamping or Camping a cold beer is available! HA! Best of both worlds!
Nailed it.
Hi, D & J. What’s “CAHM…”?🤔 I get the GLAMP part. Thanks! Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
No way! At that point it’s staying in a luxury hotel room on wheels.
It may not be camping but if you enjoy doing things like that, by all means have a good time.
As a camper with a class-a, I do not consider a luxury RV park/resort to be camping. Perhaps staying at a more rural rv park, with FHU count (or electric only).
Once we are at a COE, NP, SP or boondocking are we truly camping.
I’ve never called myself a camper using a 35′ 5th wheel as my home for 3-5 months every winter. Call me an RV’er, Snowbird, or entitled old goat. As long as I get to go, who cares?
We agree and appreciate this comment 😇😇
We quit saying we’re camping several years ago. We own a big Class A and have said we RV instead. While we have stayed at a luxury resort a few times but prefer mom and pop parks.
Actually I never considered RV camping, I think it’s a completely different experience and mindset. Camping is in a tent and backpacking into the wilderness. RV is traveling with a home away from home on wheels. I think people have to start calling what it really is and stop addressing it with the same label that’s been used for decades.
“Each to his own ability, each to his own need.”
Yip I camp. Everywhere I take my camper or better known as an RV, I am actually camping. That is unless I brought my bricks and sticks with me.
Staying at a resort. Just like going to Mexico or the Caribbean. Not camping.
You are pamping, a combination of parking and camping.
That’s pretty good. LOL.
This poll question is like the question, why did the chicken cross the road
We are actually just traveling to see our country but in our tiny home on wheels (an 43’ Newmar Ventana Class A RV) and CAMPGROUNDS are the only place we can get full hookups. We are not roughing it but we are away from home with transient housing and temporary connections in a CAMP ground. You could give it many names but the most universally accepted is camping.
We have driven between Florida and Illinois in our 1963 VW with blankets across our laps and around our shoulders to keep from literally freezing and we have also driven the same route in a full-blown Lincoln. One was an adventure, the other was living room luxury, but both accomplished the goal. Comme ci Comme ca.
No … you’re just spending the night in a resort with your camper. I’m just one opinion, but to me, camping is the act of deliberating simplifying everything. Be it cooking a simpler fare in a simpler way (for more enjoyable meals), quiet reflection around a campfire while you listen to the sounds of nature or whatever the simply act is in camping that attracts you, camping is about escaping our “normal” lives, if only temporarily. Camping in a resort, albeit one we like, is just staying somewhere other than home.
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a popular adage from William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet seems to argue that it does not matter that Romeo is from her family’s rival house of Montague.
The reference is used to state that the names of things do not affect what they really are. … Juliet compares Romeo to a rose saying that if he were not named Romeo he would still be handsome and be Juliet’s love.” (Wikipedia)
We just call it “Staying at a RV Resort ” while others call it “Glamping”.
Some folks camp, some folks travel, some folks combine the two. But does it really matter what you call it?? Why does my camping/traveling have to fit your definition? So silly.
If I go for a walk in the forest, am I a hiker or just someone going for a walk?
We recently downsized to a 25 ft. trailer so we could travel without the problems associated with our previous rigs, both motor homes and larger trailers. Big rigs don’t fit in USFS campgrounds out west, where we prefer to camp. Also, we don’t contend with the terror of 50 mph crosswinds on the high plains in both spring and fall as we travel east/west. Instead we have a small cabin which can be parked in almost any beautiful location.
Laziness and greed has caused the RV life to disintegrate.
For me that’s a big no. That’s not my type of camping, n I wouldn’t call it camping. You have every amenity an apartment house has, the pool, maybe tennis courts, etc. It may be someone’s else’s type of “camping” tho. I much prefer open space, no hookups, no “planned” activities (tennis at 5, etc), n no nearby neighbors.
We have an antique 24′ motorhome. Soon to be fully restored 1977 Dodge Silver Streak. First off, we are WAY, WAY, OVER the 10 year “rule”! We would not be welcomed into, nor would we WANT to stay at any of the “Luxury Resorts” that you speak of. NO TREES, NOT CAMPING! Our “kids” do the luxury resort thing, spent a weekend with them and couldn’t wait for it to be over!! RV’s stuffed into the “campground” like sardines in a can!! Barely any room for a table, chairs and a grill, neighbors pullout right in your face, no grass, no trees!
Can’t wait to take the Silver Streak “camping”! State Parks, National Forest, Mom&Pop places, HH, Tin Can Tourists, even Walmart for an overnight is better.
I have done plenty of camping in my day but now that we travel full-time in a nice motorcoach, I don’t consider it camping. We are full-time travelers using our coach as home and rv resorts for a base for the time we are there. Just my opinion.
These are just mobile neighborhoods. We love camping in the state parks that mostly allow for some private interactions with local wildlife & habitat & plenty of space to either engage or avoid people, learn something new (hobby or historical) and just be outside with little man made noise
No. Who actually needs a home away from home. As long as I have full hookups, I prefer a campground with no other amenities.
To those who want everything they have at home, stay there and leave nature to the rest of us.