Camping means different things to different people. Some people will never visit a public campground where sites are lined up in neat rows and accessed by paved lanes. They consider true camping an exercise only enjoyed in the wilderness – where there are no electrical, water, and sewer hookups. The most extreme among them do not even consider RVing camping. Real camping is with a tent.

The point of this post is not to pick sides in the ‘what constitutes camping’ debate. Rather, it is simply to point out that there is a lot to be said for true wilderness camping. Being out in the wilderness is an entirely different experience. It is worth trying if you have never done it before.

A Different Kind of Peace and Quiet

One of the things serious campers most appreciate about the outdoors is the peace and quiet. Do not misunderstand, there are some very peaceful and quiet campgrounds out there. But the one thing they all have in common is lots of people. And where you get lots of people together, you also get noise.

Even the quietest public campground cannot compare to the peace and quiet of the wilderness. There is a unique kind of tranquility to enjoy when you are in the middle of nowhere, with no one around but your animal friends. Quiet nights take on a whole new meaning. The stillness becomes tangible. And for some, this is the only way to camp.

All About the Outdoors

True wilderness camping appeals to some people because it’s all about the outdoors. There are no public pools for swimming. There are no game rooms for the kids and tennis courts for the adults. The wilderness is just that: wilderness. Time spent camping in the middle of nowhere is time spent with nature in raw form. For people who camp mainly because they love the great outdoors, the wilderness offers everything they could want.

A Lack of Amenities

Of course, true wilderness camping means doing without all the amenities you find at public campgrounds. RVers have to be willing to run a generator, take it easy on the batteries, or do without electricity altogether. They must be careful about water usage. And of course, they cannot let the sewage tank fill to overflowing.

Weather is also a bigger issue in the wilderness. RVers have to invest in things like AirSkirts RV skirting, space heaters, and extra propane tanks. Tent campers do not need those extra accessories, but they must be willing to put up with precipitation and fluctuating temperatures.

Time Spent with Family

The lack of amenities in the wilderness does have one advantage: it encourages time spent with family. At a public campground, it is easy for the kids to do one thing while mom and dad to something else. Families can spend just as much time apart as they do at home. When you are out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but nature to keep you occupied, things are done together.

Families go hiking together in the wilderness. Dads spend hours teaching the kids to fish. Moms encourage the whole family to take in glorious sunsets and enjoy hours in front of the campfire telling stories and eating s’mores. It’s a wonderful thing.

Wilderness camping is not necessarily superior to campground camping. It is just different. For some people, true wilderness camping is the best way to enjoy the camping experience. They love the isolation and access to nature. They do not mind a lack of amenities and the extra inconvenience. And you know what? That’s okay.