YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Camping

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Camping - do or don’t https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:45:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Jules on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2388378 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:08:46 +0000 Jules 2388378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not a huge fan either. I have friends who did it as a cheap way to ‘vacation’ in our twenties so I tagged along with little responsibility attached. Once I met my husband and we both had modest family cottages to leverage, camping became a thing of the past, other than one teepee tent rental excursion on Manitoulin (I wouldn’t go so far as to call it glamping but they provided enough things to make it less daunting to equip and pack), for the benefit of the kids, and a couple of stays at the yurts at Bruce National park which are very comfortable and I highly recommend. My girls have both turned out to be avid sleepaway campers-now-counsellors and they do canoe trips of several nights’ length there. I’m impressed by them! I’ve also camped on a European bus tour and stayed at some pretty rustic places while travelling in Southeast Asia and don’t mind outdoor/open air, but also appreciate a little more comfort these days. Angie on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2387900 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:54:57 +0000 Angie 2387900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Pic #5 is the BEST, Janet Sunny and Woody have fab adventures! Pics #7 and #8 are 'unworldly". Like you're on Mars!  Sal on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2387832 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 02:38:00 +0000 Sal 2387832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Stunning photos Janet.  Love your tales too. Irina on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2387825 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 23:48:52 +0000 Irina 2387825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, Janet! Photos #7&8 are fantastic! Your Airstream has a wonderful retro look.  Janet on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2387794 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:05:49 +0000 Janet 2387794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We “camped” this weekend with the doggies and the Airstream. Pics 1-6. We stayed at a winery via Harvest Hosts, which was really nice. Peaceful and scenic, and they host a burger night one Saturday a month, so we didn’t even need to cook! Staysfit, I LOVE your camping stories! I will always remember a sleepless night in Death Valley when storms tore through and the wind and rain nearly made my tent collapse. I had a nasty cold too, so sleep was nowhere to be found that night. First thing in the morning, I packed up and found a motel room in Beatty, NV, outside the park. LOL I’ll also always remember the first time I dared to boondock by myself, in a tent outside of Goblin Valley in Utah. The scenery was otherworldly. There was a young couple also camping nearby, which helped ease my mind a bit. Many years later, my husband and I camped in the same spot (pics 7-8)! Suntiger on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t/page/2#post-2387618 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:03:16 +0000 Suntiger 2387618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like camping, but last time I went it poured, so went home early! I don't mind sleeping in a tent, but definitely prefer having a proper bathhouse :) Would go more often but Dr. ST is not an outdoorsy person the way I am. Bonnie on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387556 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:13:49 +0000 Bonnie 2387556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm camping right now and I love it. RV camping is a wonderful way to travel.We have had an RV for 27 years and have learned all the tricks to having a great time. We stay mostly in state or national parks and it's a great way to get close to nature. Sal on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387509 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:32:04 +0000 Sal 2387509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow Staysfit those are some adventures!! One thing about NZ is we don’t have animal predators so there are no bears or snakes to worry about. There is weather though..,,, Irina on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387496 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 18:00:00 +0000 Irina 2387496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Staysfit, amazing adventures! Yes, it seems you are an exception. I thought I would be in a minority with my dislike for camping but it’s not the case here Staysfit on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387473 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 11:57:29 +0000 Staysfit 2387473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My parents sent my brother and I to a summer camp, starting at a fairly young age, where we lived 4-6 weeks of the summer in tents.  We loved it.  At the camp and with our family we have camped and hiked all over Michigan and went on many hiking and canoe trips in the Canadian Lake District and in Ontario’s provincial parks.  After my parents divorce my mother purchased a cabin tent and I remember the first adventure was her taking us to Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. As a wedding gift, my brother gave DH and I a bike carrier, a cooler and a three person tent with rain fly.  We went camping, hiking, and biking, as part of our honeymoon, it made things more affordable.  We did a waterfall tour and found places that were amazingly beautiful and isolated unless you hiked to get there…we saw amazing sunrises and sunsets, and it was wonderful.  I love a meal cooked outdoors.  They always taste great.  I am not bothered much by mosquitos.  Black flies are definitely a nuisance.  I have encountered an angry moose while in a canoe….a dangerous situation I would not want to relive but happily made it out without injury.  I have suffered huge blisters while carrying a camping backpack loaded with gear.  I have stepped in mud and ended up with soaking wet feet because I failed to seal the seams of my boots properly.  I have seen bears numerous times and had close encounters with many raccoons and a couple of skunks.  When I was a teenager, my friends and I set up our tents too close to the edge of a lake and when it rained heavily overnight, we woke up with about 2 inches of water in our tent because the water level had risen. Amazingly we slept soundly the entire time and we were all soaked to the bone as were all our clothes and equipment!  It took a couple days for our sleeping bags to dry!  I have camped overnight when going white water rafting. DS was a boy scout and they did winter camping, so I went along with his troop.  I worked as a summer camp counselor for an outdoor camping program for many years…mostly teaching water and boating skills.  DH and I could not get DD to go camping as a child but she did go to the Adirondacks with her best friend in HS and college said she liked it. DH and I took a few trips to the Adirondacks without our children but it was hard to go camping with them since DD refused, so after it sat idle for many years I gave away our camping gear.  <div> </div><div>It seems I am one of the outliers here because I  have so many fond memories of camping. Even though I haven’t been camping recently would probably agree to go again if there was an opportunity.  <div> </div><div> </div></div> Star (Lise) on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387432 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:23:18 +0000 Star (Lise) 2387432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Definitely not a camper, never have been and never will be. DonnaF on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387387 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:33:47 +0000 DonnaF 2387387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m down for camping with Girl Scouts when I was a kid and including Girl Scout moms several decades ago. Camping with my family was a boring and elaborate ordeal. No thanks! My dad loved camping maybe because he grew up on a farm? So glad DH didn’t grow up to enjoy camping. I’m fine with rustic cabins and indoor bathrooms with hot water. Helena on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387341 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:55:15 +0000 Helena 2387341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina, the last time I did provincial park camping, we stayed in a yurt and that was muuuch better than tenting!! That said, I'm not a camper and haven't been in years. I think it's fine to skip it and do hotels instead ChristelJ on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387325 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:00:26 +0000 ChristelJ 2387325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a refrigerator magnet that says "I love not camping". My husband can't get enough of it. We've gone tent camping together a couple of times, with kids in tow. It seems that for the adults it is an endless series of chores. I'm much happier when we rent a comfortable beach house on the coast, which we do every October. MsMaven on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387302 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 05:29:33 +0000 MsMaven 2387302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We used to go camping at least once a year, usually to Yosemite--our favorite place. Stopped when kids got to mid-teens. Mr. M took them on backpacking trips for several days--hiking in to a remote spot. I never did. Preferred to be closer to restrooms and campground stores.  I liked it. Would never do it now. Back then, in my 40s, I usually slept great, especially after a day of hiking or rock climbing.  Those days are long gone--but still have great memories. Nothing like being at a high altitude campground on a summer night with a full moon. Pardon me while I go look at the old camping photos.  cat2 on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387300 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:39:07 +0000 cat2 2387300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can’t stand camping. Happily my husband has friends who want to go camping or fly fishing with him and that keeps him from pushing me to go. The one time I actually didn’t hate it was when we did a short glamping trip to the coast, where I could enjoy the beach and still have a hot shower. Janet on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387290 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:35:16 +0000 Janet 2387290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Growing up, my only camping experience was Girl Scout camp, which I really enjoyed. But it was an organized group camp — a good introduction! My parents were not outdoorsy that way. I don’t think I really camped until my 30s when I traveled a bit on my own, and then the first year my husband and I were dating, we backpacked through Zion for four days. That’s *true* camping! It was exciting and exhausting and I’m glad we did it. Since then I’ve done a lot of car camping by myself — or tent camping with a site in a state or national park, and sometimes boondocking in undeveloped areas (in the states the Bureau of Land Management encourages low-impact camping in many parts of the west). Fifteen years ago, I bought a tiny teardrop camping trailer and towed it across the USA and back, for 2+ months, camping solo and photographing along the way. The trailer is basically little more than a tent on wheels. A perfect shelter to sleep in campgrounds or dispersed camping sites plus I carried a little cook stove and essentials for small meals. I don’t tent camp much anymore but I wouldn’t rule it out — we still have all our gear. Ten years ago, I did tent camp when I rode the RAGBRAI bike ride across the state of Iowa (500 miles in a week), but the tents were provided and set up by a local company that also provides meals and portable showers each night. It was a blast, but sleeping on the ground after riding 70 miles in a day may be a thing of the past for me now. In 2020 during the early months of the pandemic, my husband and I bought an Airstream trailer and have taken it on large and small adventures, with the dogs. It’s fancy camping! We prefer dispersed camping rather than campgrounds for the solitude. We use Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts to find interesting places to stay along the way. Jenni NZ on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387244 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:02:31 +0000 Jenni NZ 2387244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I didn’t grow up camping at all. A motel was as downmarket as my office clerk father would go But my husband grew up in a family where there were 4 kids and a “mini camper”- which is a sort of trailer pulled behind a car, with a canvas top, so cheaper than a caravan. They went all over NZ in that. So when we were dating we used his “pup tent”- a very small tent just big enough for two. And later bought a very large tent for our family of 5. We have also travelled around the UK twice, once without kids once with all 3, in campervans. I think about 2004 (aged 43 by then) was when I started to prefer a small cabin or a motel. Since 2010 I do love resort hotels!- but around our own country a motel is fine. It can be nice waking up in a tent but the older I get the less I like it I suppose. So I really only did it for about 20 years. Suz on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387226 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:56:50 +0000 Suz 2387226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think we fashion lovers are probably a self-selecting group. :)  Mostly urban girls at heart.... But Sal shows we do have our intrepid sisters! LaPed would be another!  I do enjoy sleeping in a cottage right on the beach...and it doesn't have to be high end. But I would so much rather have a bed and I just don't want to set up camp, take it all down, stay outdoors with bugs, rain, etc.  judy on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387208 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 15:25:08 +0000 judy 2387208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Definite no for me on camping.  I did do it for a brief time 35 or so years ago.  I love nature...who doesn't, really...but the campgrounds were very tight quarters with noisy people.  I did not find it relaxing.  And having to drag all the cooking stuff to the outdoors...?  No, it just didn't make sense to me.  Still doesn't!  Irina on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387196 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 13:38:44 +0000 Irina 2387196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you all for your responses. It seems that I’m in a good company of women who don’t particularly enjoy camping :) Dee on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387168 Sat, 31 May 2025 23:18:16 +0000 Dee 2387168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've camped in a tent as a young adult and then with my own family in a pop-up camper for many years when my kids were young. I found this type of vacation has its pros and cons. On the pro side: there's access to some wonderful provincial and state parks; many with great beaches, nature trails, free activities for kids, and canoe rentals. I found it a wonderful way for the family to bond, especially around a campfire, and its rather an inexpensve way to vacation as family. The cons are; its not as fun when rainy, having to use public showers, bugs, raccoons, snakes, bears, noisy neighbors and its just plain hard work doing up meals, setting up and taking down etc... You really have to love nature and the great outdoors to put up with the cons. However, my children absolutely loved it and we have many fond memories of all these camping holidays and can even laugh now about those difficulties. Peri on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387162 Sat, 31 May 2025 22:09:23 +0000 Peri 2387162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ No camping for me. My idea of roughing it is a hotel with only one sink in the bathroom that I have to share with my husband. Tales from the wild!  I like some beautiful nature during the day but it better be followed with a night in a luxury hotel or I'm not going! Olive Green on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387146 Sat, 31 May 2025 14:59:00 +0000 Olive Green 2387146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, I camped a lot when tree planting as a young woman, we lived out in dome tents for a few months in spring, in the mountains. It was bliss. Lived in a grass hut in India, loved it. Have slept out in a bedroll in the desert, tents, pop up campers, tow trailers and a motorhome. Trekked… Hated the motorhome. All the chores of home plus terrible driving characteristics. Got rid of it last year.  The older I get, the more I appreciate a good hotel when I get tired of roughing it, would not have occurred to me as a younger. I think a nice cabin would suit about now! The real upside to camping is the reset of living with the sun, rather than staying up with artificial lights. Very calming for me. Slow living.  Sal on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387138 Sat, 31 May 2025 05:48:14 +0000 Sal 2387138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a tentative yes. I like cabins and am happy to share bathrooms, kitchens, dorms - and be very basic! I also loved our camping trip in a rooftop tent. I found it so relaxing. I also loved the beach shacks with a walk in the night to the bathroom. I sleep well in these places - usually better than a hotel or at home when worrying about work. My main need is a comfortable surface to sleep on. And I prefer a more remote spot rather than a crowded camping ground. Carla on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387132 Sat, 31 May 2025 04:02:36 +0000 Carla 2387132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DH did field research (forestry/wildlife) in northern New Brunswick and lived in a ‘tent camp’ from April through November 3 years in a row during grad school. During those times I’d drive 3 hours to a town where he would pick me up, and then drive another hour or two in a pick-up truck over bush roads to spend 3-5 days with him and give his research assistant a break.  I enjoyed the days in the field doing the things needed to collect data, but the whole camping experience was not enjoyable!  The black flies could drive a person mad!  We lost food to critters.  Had to sleep in the truck or move camp when bears got pesky.  Shirts had to be buttoned up, and gloves and a hat with a bug net worn - no matter how hot it was.  The sleeping tents were nylon dome tents with lots of netting, but other than a thin foam layer between the floor and the sleeping bag - you were sleeping on the ground.  When it got cold, we slept on cots in the research tent which was a canvas prospectors tent with a small wood stove inside.  Personal washing was done in a river - and it was always freezing. <div> </div><div>We did camp for ‘fun’ when we travelled to British Columbia and Vancouver Island.  We mostly camped on beaches in the dome tent used as a sleeping tent when doing the research.  We still have that tent, and the sleeping bags.  The DS’s used the sleeping bags when they went to band camp (multiple years) - but slept in bunkies - not tents. All that to say I’m not a fan and I don’t think you’ve missed anything, Irina by not camping.   </div><div> </div><div>Staying in B&B’s and small inns or boutique hotels is more my jam :-D</div> Aquamarine on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387128 Sat, 31 May 2025 01:48:21 +0000 Aquamarine 2387128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I camped a few times with my husband and young children, and hated every minute of it. The bugs, the hard ground, the midnight treks to the bathroom….no thanks.  Suz on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387125 Sat, 31 May 2025 00:36:09 +0000 Suz 2387125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Camping is hugely popular in my area, as Angie says. But when I was growing up, my parents were not into it -- vacations were spent with extended family in their homes, and in a motel or two on the drive there -- and so while I tried camping a few times as a teen and young adult, I never really felt it was a real holiday. (I did encounter a bear at close range though.)  I love hiking and anything outdoors as long as I can be in my temperature controlled house with a clean private bathroom and delicious food that is not freeze dried by nightfall. :)  I felt the same guilt with our kid but sent them on wilderness trips so they could learn to do it and they do enjoy it but also don't mind that I do not!  Angie on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387121 Fri, 30 May 2025 23:48:55 +0000 Angie 2387121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Camping is very popular here in the PNW of the US too.  I've done camping and canoeing trips in Africa in EXTREME conditions  that I suspect few can relate to here - unless you've done the same types of African trips. Glad I did them in my 20s. They were incredible adventures that made me stronger! I choose not to do them again ;)  I LOVED pony camp as a teen!!! You were dirty for days. Up at the crack of dawn to look after the horses, and stayed up late yakking with friends. Swam, hacked, showed, and rode horses all day. Those were the best camping trips! Done school camping trips as a child. Enjoyed them too!  Generally, I'm not interested in camping or glamping these days. Would rather do something else with my time off.  Echo on "Camping - do or don’t" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/camping---do-or-don%e2%80%99t#post-2387119 Fri, 30 May 2025 23:37:58 +0000 Echo 2387119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Around where we live, many people have campers and a permanent camping "space" at some nearby campground. But I never understood why anyone would want to go camping but not actually GO anywhere. But to each their own, I guess. Dh was keen on camping when we were first married, so we tried it. We had an okay trip to the western US that way, but once we had children? Do you realize how difficult it is to camp with a BABY? Ugh, never again, is what I said after the first time. We tried it one more time, in a camping cabin, when they were older, but that, too, was miserable (at least for me!). I am definitely NOT a camping sort of person. I want somwhere clean, comfortable, and with private running hot water to land in at the end of each day.