Ever wondered which camping style matches your adventure spirit? Whether you’re dreaming of sleeping under the stars or cruising in a mini-hotel on wheels, there’s a camping option designed just for you. According to the Kampgrounds of America (KOA) 2024 Camping Report, the sector has grown significantly over the last five years, with around 11 million more households camping in 2025 compared to 2019, each choosing different ways to experience the outdoors.

To build this guide, we explored what real campers had to say across forums, YouTube reviews, and camping communities. We looked at what works for beginners, families, solo adventurers, and those seeking luxury in nature. The result? A complete breakdown of 15 different types of camping that’ll help you pick the perfect outdoor experience.

15 Different Types of Camping Styles You Should Try

1. Tent Camping

Tent camping remains the most popular and accessible camping option for outdoor enthusiasts. You pitch your tent at a campsite, whether it’s a developed campground with amenities or a remote backcountry location. This camping style gives you the freedom to explore nature while keeping things simple and affordable.

Setting up camp with a tent means you’re truly sleeping outdoors. You’ll hear every sound, feel the morning breeze, and wake up closer to nature than almost any other camping type. Modern tents come in all sizes, from lightweight one-person shelters to massive family cabin tents with multiple rooms.

The beauty of tent camping is its flexibility. You can car camp at established campgrounds with bathrooms and showers, or you can venture into dispersed camping areas where it’s just you and the wilderness. Either way, you’re getting an authentic outdoor experience without breaking the bank.

2. Car Camping

Car camping is perfect for beginners and families who want outdoor adventures without sacrificing comfort. You drive straight to your campsite, park nearby, and set up camp. Since you don’t need to carry everything on your back, you can bring coolers, camp chairs, grills, and all the extras that make camping more comfortable.

This camping style works great at established campgrounds where you’ll find amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms. You can even sleep in your vehicle if you prefer, or set up a tent right next to it. The convenience factor makes car camping ideal for weekend getaways and family trips.

Many campers love car camping because it lets them test their gear and build confidence before trying more challenging camping types. You’re still enjoying nature and sleeping outdoors, but your car acts as a safety net and storage unit.

3. Backpacking and Backcountry Camping

Backpacking takes camping to another level of adventure and self-reliance. You carry everything you need in your backpack and hike into remote wilderness areas only accessible by foot. This camping option rewards you with solitude, stunning views, and a genuine connection to nature that developed campgrounds can’t match.

The key to successful backpacking is packing light and smart. Every ounce matters when you’re carrying your shelter, sleeping system, food, water filtration, and cooking gear for miles. That’s why backpackers invest in ultralight tents, compact sleeping bags, and minimalist camp stoves.

This camping style requires more preparation and physical fitness than other types, but it opens up incredible possibilities. You can explore national forests, hike sections of long-distance trails, and camp in spots most people never see. Just remember that backcountry camping means no amenities whatsoever.

4. RV Camping

RV camping combines the freedom of outdoor exploration with the comforts of home. Recreational vehicles range from compact campervans to massive motorhomes with full kitchens, bathrooms, beds, and climate control. It’s no wonder many people call RVs a “house on wheels.”

When you camp in an RV, you can hook up to electrical, water, and sewer connections at campgrounds. This means hot showers, a real toilet, a working kitchen, and sleeping in an actual bed. You’re protected from weather, bugs, and wildlife while still enjoying beautiful outdoor locations.

RV camping is ideal for families, retirees, and anyone who values convenience over roughing it. The setup is minimal compared to tent camping. Drive in, level your RV, connect the hookups, and you’re ready to relax. Many RV campers travel for extended periods, exploring different regions without ever leaving their mobile home.

5. Glamping

Glamping, short for “glamorous camping,” lets you experience nature without giving up luxury. Think safari tents with real beds, yurts with heating and electricity, or treehouses with full bathrooms. This camping style attracts people who love the outdoors but aren’t interested in sleeping on the ground or cooking over a campfire.

Glamping accommodations are usually already set up when you arrive. No tent assembly required, no sleeping pad inflation, no camp stove troubleshooting. You show up with your personal items and settle into a space that feels more like a boutique hotel than a campsite.

This type of camping has exploded in popularity because it removes the barriers that keep some people from enjoying nature. Couples celebrating anniversaries, families with young kids, and anyone seeking a unique vacation experience find glamping strikes the perfect balance between outdoor adventure and modern comfort.

6. Hammock Camping

Hammock camping offers a minimalist, comfortable alternative to traditional tent camping. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you suspend a hammock between two trees and drift off while gently swaying. It’s lightweight, quick to set up, and keeps you elevated away from rocks, roots, and critters.

Modern camping hammocks come with bug nets, rain tarps, and insulation systems that make them viable for multi-season use. Many backpackers prefer hammocks because they weigh less than tents and pack down incredibly small. Plus, you can hang a hammock almost anywhere with suitable trees.

The camping community loves hammocks for their versatility and comfort. You avoid the struggle of finding flat ground for a tent, and the gentle rocking motion helps many people sleep better. Just make sure your camping location has trees spaced properly for hammock setup.

7. Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping means setting up camp on public land outside of developed campgrounds. You’ll find dispersed camping opportunities in national forests, Bureau of Land Management land, and other government-managed areas. There are no designated sites, no facilities, no amenities, and often no fees.

This camping type rewards adventurous spirits willing to embrace self-sufficiency. You need to bring everything, including your own toilet system, and pack out all trash. In return, you get solitude, flexibility in where you camp, and often spectacular views that campground campers never experience.

Dispersed camping requires more planning and Leave No Trace knowledge. You must understand fire restrictions, camping regulations, and basic wilderness ethics. But for campers seeking freedom and isolation, it’s one of the most rewarding camping styles available.

8. Winter Camping

Winter camping challenges even experienced outdoor enthusiasts, but it offers incredible rewards. Any camping when temperatures drop below freezing counts as winter camping. You’ll encounter snowy landscapes, peaceful solitude, and a completely different outdoor experience than warm-weather camping.

Success in winter camping depends on proper gear. You need a four-season tent rated for cold weather, a sleeping bag designed for below-freezing temperatures, insulated sleeping pads, and layered clothing systems. Cold-weather camping also demands knowledge about preventing frostbite, staying hydrated, and managing condensation in your tent.

Despite the challenges, winter campers rave about the experience. There are fewer bugs, no crowds, pristine snow-covered scenery, and the satisfaction of mastering outdoor skills in tough conditions. Many start with winter car camping at established sites before attempting backcountry winter adventures.

9. Cabin Camping

Cabin camping bridges the gap between hotels and traditional camping. You sleep in a hard-walled structure with a roof, door, and usually a bed. Most camping cabins at campgrounds include electricity, basic furniture, and heating or air conditioning. Some have full kitchens and bathrooms.

This camping style works perfectly for beginners nervous about sleeping in tents, families with young children, or anyone wanting to enjoy campground activities without the setup hassle. You still get the campfire experience, outdoor recreation, and nature immersion, just with more comfort and convenience.

Cabin camping lets you test the camping lifestyle before investing in gear. Many people start here, enjoy the outdoor experience, then gradually transition to tent camping or other styles as they build confidence and acquire equipment.

10. Survivalist Camping

Survivalist camping strips away modern conveniences and tests your wilderness skills. Campers bring only essential survival gear like a knife, fire starter, and minimal food. The goal is learning to thrive in nature using bushcraft techniques, foraging knowledge, and resourcefulness.

This challenging camping type isn’t for beginners. It requires extensive outdoor skills, survival training, and understanding of local plants, water sources, and shelter-building techniques. Most survivalist campers practice these skills gradually, starting with short overnight trips near civilization.

While extreme, survivalist camping teaches valuable lessons about self-reliance and wilderness awareness. Even casual campers benefit from learning basic survival skills that could prove critical in emergency situations during other types of camping trips.

11. Overlanding

Overlanding combines vehicle-based camping with off-road adventure. Overlanders modify trucks, SUVs, or vans with camping gear, roof-top tents, and equipment for self-sufficient travel. The journey matters as much as the destination, often involving remote dirt roads and wilderness exploration.

This camping style emphasizes self-reliance and exploration. Overlanders typically carry extra fuel, recovery gear, navigation tools, and supplies for extended trips. They camp wherever the journey takes them, from established campgrounds to remote dispersed sites.

Overlanding has grown into a vibrant community with specialized gear, events, and routes. It appeals to adventure seekers who want the comfort of vehicle-based camping combined with the excitement of exploring difficult-to-reach locations.

12. Truck Bed Camping

Truck bed camping offers a simple solution for camping in your vehicle. You transform your pickup truck bed into a sleeping area, often using a truck bed tent or camper shell. It elevates you off the ground, provides protection from weather and wildlife, and requires minimal setup.

Many truck bed campers appreciate the versatility this camping option provides. Your truck remains functional for daily use, but converts to sleeping quarters for weekend adventures. You can camp almost anywhere your truck can go, making it popular among hunters, fishers, and road trippers.

This camping style sits between car camping and RV camping. You get more protection and comfort than tent camping, but with less investment and maintenance than an RV. It’s especially popular among solo travelers and couples seeking simple camping solutions.

13. Motorcycle Camping

Motorcycle camping merges two passions: riding and outdoor adventure. Riders pack lightweight camping gear onto their motorcycles and hit the road for multi-day trips. Space and weight limitations mean packing light and choosing compact gear becomes essential.

This camping type attracts riders who love the freedom of the open road combined with overnight adventures. Motorcycle campers typically stay at campgrounds with amenities since carrying extensive gear isn’t practical. The focus is on the riding experience with camping as the overnight solution.

The motorcycle camping community shares tips for securing gear, choosing the best lightweight equipment, and finding motorcycle-friendly campgrounds. It’s a unique way to combine two outdoor activities into memorable adventures.

14. Kayak and Canoe Camping

Kayak and canoe camping, sometimes called paddle camping, lets you access remote waterside campsites unreachable by road. You paddle during the day, exploring lakes, rivers, or coastal areas, then camp on islands or shorelines at night. Your boat becomes your gear hauler and transportation.

This camping style offers advantages over backpacking since you can carry more gear and heavier items without the physical strain of hiking. Many paddle campers bring fresh food, comfortable chairs, and extra luxuries that backpackers would never carry.

Paddle camping requires skills in both paddling and camping. You need to understand water safety, weather patterns, tides (for coastal paddling), and navigation. But for those who love being on the water, it opens up an entirely different category of wilderness camping experiences.

15. Workamping

Workamping combines camping with part-time or seasonal work, usually at campgrounds, RV parks, or outdoor resorts. Workampers receive free or discounted campsites plus wages in exchange for tasks like managing check-ins, maintenance, hosting, or leading activities.

This camping option has become popular among retirees and remote workers seeking affordable ways to travel and experience different locations. Workamping positions vary from a few hours weekly to full-time commitments, giving flexibility to match different lifestyle goals.

Many workampers move between locations seasonally, enjoying summer positions in northern states and winter gigs in warmer climates. It’s a lifestyle choice that merges work, travel, and camping into a sustainable way of exploring the country.

How to Choose Your Camping Style?

Start by honestly assessing your comfort level and outdoor experience. Beginners should consider car camping or cabin camping to build confidence before attempting more challenging options like backpacking or winter camping.

Think about who’s joining you. Family camping with young kids demands different considerations than solo adventures. RV camping or glamping might suit families better, while experienced hikers might prefer backcountry camping.

Consider your budget. Tent camping and car camping are the most affordable camping types, requiring minimal gear investment. RV camping demands significant upfront costs plus maintenance. Glamping offers luxury but at premium prices.

Physical fitness matters too. Backpacking and winter camping require good conditioning and stamina. Car camping and RV camping work for all fitness levels. Choose a camping style that matches your abilities and gradually work toward more challenging options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular type of camping?

Tent camping at established campgrounds remains the most popular camping style. It offers an authentic outdoor experience while providing access to amenities like bathrooms, water, and fire pits. Car camping closely follows as a beginner-friendly option that lets families bring extra gear and comfort items.

What’s the difference between camping and glamping?

Camping typically involves setting up your own shelter (tent, RV, hammock) and handling your own meals, sleeping arrangements, and camp setup. Glamping provides pre-set accommodations with luxury amenities like real beds, electricity, and sometimes full bathrooms. Glamping removes the work while keeping the outdoor setting.

Is RV camping really camping?

This question sparks debate in the camping community. RV camping provides outdoor experiences and nature immersion, but with significant comfort and convenience. Whether it “counts” as camping depends on your definition. Most agree that if you’re sleeping outdoors away from home and enjoying nature, you’re camping regardless of your shelter type.

What camping type is best for beginners?

Car camping at established campgrounds offers the best beginner experience. You’re close to your vehicle for safety and extra supplies, campgrounds provide amenities, and you can test gear without committing to difficult terrain or remote locations. Cabin camping works even better for those nervous about sleeping in tents.

Do I need special gear for different types of camping?

Yes, different camping styles require specific gear. Backpacking demands lightweight, compact equipment. Car camping lets you bring heavier, more comfortable items. Winter camping needs cold-rated sleeping bags and four-season tents. RV camping requires the vehicle plus hookup equipment. Start with basic tent camping gear, then expand your collection as you explore different camping types.