Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Dean Anderson
Is there anything more relaxing than a good old fashioned camping trip?
From long hikes to nights spent lounging around a crackling campfire, camping is one of the best getaways there is.
While all forms of camping are fun, walk-up camping is one of the best methods there is.
So, what is walk-up camping exactly? We’re here to answer that question, and help you plan out the best possible walk-up camping trip you can take.
Here’s everything you need to know about walk-up camping
What is Walk-Up Camping?
Walk-up camping is what you think it is. You walk up to a campsite, set up your tent, and you’re ready to enjoy a little time reconnecting with nature. You don’t have to worry about check-ins or reservations.
Walk-up, or no-reservation, camping generally works on a first-come-first-serve basis. That means that if you’re camping at a campground and what to guarantee yourself a decent site, you’ll need to show up before everyone else.
Walk-up camping can be fun and freeing because you can set up shop pretty much wherever you like.
That said, if you’re planning a trip over a holiday weekend or to a popular site, you may want to consider making a reservation anyway.
When camping at a walk-up campground, you’ll also be able to bring your car to the campsite with you. So, you won’t have to worry about lugging heavy camping equipment to and from your campsite.
Walk-Up Camping Tips
If you’re planning your first walk-up camping trip, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure your excursion goes as well as it can.
Here are three surefire tips that will help you make the most of your walk-up camping experience.
Try to Stay Flexible
Part of the charm of walk-up camping is the unknown. When you show up at the campground, you don’t know where you’ll end up or what you’ll run into, and you can’t guarantee anything.
And, sometimes, things don’t always work out the way you want them too. So, if you’re planning a walk-up camping trip, it’s important to remember to stay flexible.
Research Other Campsites
Camping is full of unexpected challenges — that’s just part of its charm.
So, before you leave, you want to make sure you do everything you can to prepare yourself to handle whatever challenges might pop up. That includes finding a new campground.
There’s always a chance the campground you plan on visiting will fill up before you get there. So, before you head out for your trip, look up a few other campgrounds in the area.
By having a backup campground in mind, you won’t have to worry about wasting time trying to find somewhere to go it your first option is already full.
Get There Early
As we said before, walk-up campsites work on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, the best way to make sure you get a spot is by getting to the campsite before everyone else.
Before you leave for your trip, take some time to do a little research. Figure out how early the campsite you’re planning on visiting opens, and plan your trip around getting there around that time.
If the campground you’re planning on visiting also takes reservations, you may want to call ahead to make sure it isn’t completely booked up.
Hitting the Great Outdoors
Now that you what is walk-up camping, it’s time to start planning your next big adventure.
Need some new gear to help you conquer the great outdoors? We’ve got you covered.
Check out a few of our reviews, articles, and buying guides to find all the latest gear to make sure your next camping trip is the vacation of a lifetime.
Eight years ago, I took a risk and left a miserable office job to follow a lifestyle career that involved my love for the great outdoors. I’ve taken my love for camping, hiking and travel to the next level by running my small campground with a friend near Portland, Oregon. It’s for way less money but this has truly been a dream come true and the running involves lots of family and friends.
The next evolution of that was to get online and start allcampingstuff.com. At our campground, I spend a lot of time setting up camping equipment for customers and disposing of the garbage products they leave behind. If I can help just a few people with advice on good camping gear, then this website venture will be worth it.
So, if you want to avoid the duds and spend your money wisely you’ve hopefully come to the right place.
