How to Go Camping Without an RV or Tent – Expert Advice

Have you thought about going camping but are not sure you want to invest the time and expense of owning your own RV, or for that matter even buying a tent?

I’m here to help you figure out how to go camping without an RV or tent.

I grew up camping. In fact, every weekend my parents and I headed “up north” to our seasonal campsite. I swam in lakes, walked trails, sat around thousands of campfires, and ate even more than my share of s’mores.

Now, as a busy family of four, we don’t get to the great outdoors as much as I’d like. One of the reasons is that we don’t own camping equipment, like an RV or a trailer.

However, I have fond memories of camping even as a teenager and I want to share that with my family.

Whether you’re a first-time camper or just don’t have an RV, this guide is for you.

Here are just a few of the ways I’ve found on how to camp when you don’t own camping equipment!

Rent an RV

For years, Cruise America has been renting RVs. However, from reviews and friends and family, the experience hasn’t been as comfortable as they would like.

Enter RVshare and Outdoorsy. RVshare and Outdoorsy are RV Rental sites powered by RV owners. People who own a 5th wheel, a camper, a motorhome, you name it, list their property for rent. Think Airbnb for camping. Here’s what I love about RVshare and Outdoorsy:

• Cost Savings for family travel
• Qualified RV Owners – Get help from a network of owners
• Insurance for both you and the RV owner
• 24/7 Roadside assistance
• DMV check

Essentially, because you’re renting from the owner directly, they are concerned with making your ride as comfortable as possible. Often your trailers or RVs come fully stocked with everything you need. Be sure to check the description for this.

Additionally, if you want to fly to your destination, and then pick up an RV, you can. You don’t have to rent locally.

Even better, many RV owners will deliver to your camping destination. Simply search for delivery when you’re on the rental site.

Also, thinking you might like to own an RV or camper one day, RVShare and Outdoorsy may be a great way to test the road.

Potential Drawbacks of Renting an RV:

• Cost: RV rentals can be expensive, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Size Limitations: Some RVs may have limited space or amenities, depending on the rental.
• Maintenance: Renters may be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the RV during their trip. This is true with any peer to peer rental as you’re not in a hotel.

Use an Outfitter

Sometimes you might fly across the country and can’t pack all your tenting equipment. If you search for a Camping Outfitter near your destination, especially if it’s a popular outdoor locale, you’ll likely find someone who can outfit you with camping equipment.

For example, L.L. Bean offers a Wicked Easy Camping Outfit in Freeport, Maine.

Another option for an outfitter is using Viator. I’ve seen National Parks trips in Viator that include everything you need to hike and camp.

Potential cons of using an outfitter:

• Cost: Renting equipment from an outfitter can add to the overall trip expenses.
• Availability: Depending on the location and season, outfitters may have limited availability or selection.
• Compatibility: Renters may not be familiar with the specific equipment provided by the outfitter, leading to potential issues during the trip.

Rent a Cabin in a Campground

If you want to go camping, but don’t want to tackle driving an RV or sleeping in a camper, look for Cabin Rentals.

Many campgrounds offer cabin rentals in addition to their camping sites.

When we stayed at CreekFire Motor Ranch, we stayed in a cabin built like a tiny home. It came complete with a picnic table, a fire pit, and a lake view. The cabin was fully stocked with everything we could need to camp, etc. With the number of outdoor activities here, we felt we got a full camping experience.

Read the Full review of CreekFire Motor Ranch Here. 

Many of the National Parks offer cabins as well. We stayed in a cabin during our visit to Mammoth Cave National Park and Custer State Park.

In fact, you can even camp at Walt Disney World, and stay in a cabin rental. Or, as mentioned above, many RVShare owners in the Orlando area will deliver to the Fort Wilderness Campground.

Check out the rates for Fort Wilderness Cabins here.

Many of these places also provide access to traditional camping activities, such as fishing, bike rental, and of course, the makings of a campfire and s’mores!

Limitations of renting a cabin:

• Cost: Cabin rentals can be pricey, especially for popular destinations or peak travel times.
• Limited Availability: Popular cabin rentals may book up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
• Amenities: Cabins may vary in terms of amenities and comfort level, so it’s essential to research before booking.

Go Glamping

If you want a mix between that cabin experience and tent camping, visit Glamping Hub. If you’re not familiar with the term glamping, it stands for glamorous camping.

Glamping Hub lists exquisite glamping places to rent, such as safari tents, houseboats, yurts, treehouses, glamping pods, and so much more.

Similar to a VRBO, Glamping Hub designates that the property must be in nature. You will not find any suburbs or city listings here.

Glamping Hub is a one-stop shop for a vacation rental that gets you into the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury or comfort.

Another peer to peer glamping option is Hipcamp.

Recently I discovered Hipcamp. Hipcamp is a fantastic way to find campsites, ranches, vineyards, public parks and more. Plus, they also have listings for glamping campsites.

We used Hipcamp to find a quiet little place when we visited Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.

To find campsites for your destination, simply enter your desired location and dates. Again, Hipcamp is very much like the Airbnb search, and very easy to use.

If you’re renting a trailer or RV, you can then turn to Hipcamp to seek out campsites. Or, even if you want to camp, but in a cabin, Hipcamp searches these too. They list under glamping, cabins, treehouses, canvas tents, yurts, domes, and RV/Trailer provided. My favorite find so far, a teepee in Colorado.

Where to Go Camping Without an RV

Sometimes learning how to camp without a camper is also learning where to camp.

National Parks & US Forest Serivce

My favorite places to go camping are the National Parks. As mentioned above, you can rent cabins, or rent an RV.

Additionally, I’ve even found National Parks such as Volcanoes National Park that offer glamping and tent options. To find these, visit NPS.gov and find your National Park. Use Plan Your Visit, and choose Eating and Sleeping in the menu options. There you’ll find both campgrounds, options for cabins, and more.

Similar to renting a cabin above, the cons of camping at the National Park Service are reservations. Campsites and Cabins at popular parks may be challenging to reserve, especially during peak seasons

State Parks

Don’t count out State Parks when searching for where to camp. Many state parks offer the same options as National Parks.

One of our favorite state parks was Custer State Park in South Dakota. They had everything from campgrounds to a lodge in terms of accommodations.

RV Parks

Some of the bigger RV Parks will also have options for camping without an RV.

I like using Campspot and The Dyrt as a way to check camping options.

Theme Parks

As mentioned above, places like Walt Disney World have camping options. They are not the only ones.

If you’re heading to a theme park, check to see if they have a nearby campground. Many of the amusement parks and theme parks in the midwest and northeast often offer this as an option for road-tripping traffic. That also means they may have cabins available for those who want the best of both worlds.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

From renting an RV to booking a cozy cabin or trying out glamping accommodations, camping with your family is a great way to spend time together and bond.

By tapping into peer-to-peer rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy, exploring outfitters for camping gear, or discovering hidden gems on sites like Glamping Hub and Hipcamp, you can tailor your camping experience to fit your family’s needs and preferences.

From my own experiences growing up surrounded by nature to the joy of sharing those moments with my own children, I love the magic that comes with camping adventures.

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