Most people only think about camping on weekends and holidays unless they are on vacation. While those are prime times for camping, getting out into nature can happen on weeknights, too. If you have a little flexibility in your weekday schedule or can take some PTO, you may find that you love the differences and perks of weeknight camping.
Weekday camping can start as early as Sunday afternoon when campers going back to school and work start to leave campsites and campgrounds.
Why Weeknights?
We tend to think of camping as a significant effort that involves locating our gear, loading the car, and stopping to get last-minute stuff on the way out of town. Even with that, we spend half the drive wondering what we have forgotten.
When you think about it, getting ready to go camping can be stressful, which is the opposite of why you went camping in the first place. We make a fair generalization in saying that most people go camping to get in nature, have fun, and do some relaxing, too.
When it comes to weeknight camping, the vibe is different. You can do similar activities that you would do on a weekend camping trip – such as go swimming, check out a restaurant, curl up with a book, or stretch out under the stars – but you are likely doing them with much fewer people around. This gives you a better ability to escape for a few hours to relax and recoup. Weeknight camping is, arguably, the most relaxing campout that gets you back to nature.
If you’re only going for a quick weeknight, you won’t need as much gear as you would for a full weekend’s worth of camping. Many who go weeknight camping throw their stuff in the car that morning and head straight to their camping spot after work. And that’s one of the things that makes it so appealing. It’s for those last-minute people who realize they need an escape from the craziness of life ASAP.
If you plan to travel beyond the immediate area or are wanting to pitch a tent, you may have to skip out of work an hour or two early. Then the following morning, you can simply change clothes, pack up, and head back, getting to work right on time or just a little late, as their schedule permits. Trust us when we say that one night out in nature will do some serious good for your mind and body.
Or, you may opt to take PTO for either the outward-travel day or inward-travel day so you can travel at a leisurely pace and perhaps take in an attraction or two while away. This is the vibe if you’re looking to turn your weeknight camping trip into a mini-getaway.
Why Weeknight Camping May Be Right For You
Here are some of the reasons that we love weeknight camping, and we think you will too.
Less Traffic
During the week, local traffic tends to concentrate during morning and afternoon rush hours. If you can plan your departure and arrival times around those rush hours to avoid the traffic, your life will be much easier.
Another bonus of going camping on a weeknight is the traffic at and around the place you’re visiting. The volume of sightseers and tourists is lower during weekdays, and you’re likely to find a lot fewer campers on those days. This means that you are usually able to travel further with the time you have available. You may even be able to take more scenic, traffic-laden routes that you would typically avoid altogether.
Fewer Crowds and Lower Fees
Another bonus of going camping on a weeknight is that you may find off-peak rates during the week for things you want to see and do. You also have a better chance of getting the specific campsite you want, as well as getting into the bathroom or shower without waiting, being able to reserve a horseback or zip-line ride at the last minute, and so on.
Attractions often have off-peak rates as well. Lower crowds mean you can go at the time you want and progress at your own pace – not to mention, you are more likely to be able to take all the photos you want without others in the picture.
If you have wanted to try out that spring-fed swimming hole that is always crowded, visit the museum that gets too noisy when filled with people, or eat at that vineyard restaurant where there’s never an open table, including it on a weeknight camping trip, can be the successful way to go. Chances are good your experience at these places will be better too, without all the crowds.
Different Demographics
Due to school and camp schedules, families and college students tend to camp and visit scenic attractions on weekends and holidays. From Sunday through Thursday nights, campers and visitors include more grown families, adult couples, and singles. This often means a quieter atmosphere with fewer distractions, which is perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway from the busyness of life.
Travel Further
By camping during the week, you can go further from home. Leaving for a campsite on a Friday after work means you can only go so far before running out of time to get the tent set up.
By taking a little extra time off on the day you leave and come back, you can go as much as a couple of hundred miles further and have time to do a little sightseeing along the way.
Remote Working
While most of us go camping to get away from work, some may find working from a campsite for an evening to be a pleasant change of pace. Being out in nature can spark creativity. It can also be an excellent way to catch up on those personal business activities that never seem to get done, like editing photos or reconciling accounts.
So shake things up a bit and take your work to the best place – the great outdoors.
Food Options
Due to the demand for quick after-work meals, heat-and-eat meal options are widely available from restaurants, grocery stores, and delis during the week. Consider small local markets closer to your campsite that may have fun options unique to the locale you are camping.
Tips for Planning a Weeknight Camping Trip
Now that you know some of the reasons why weeknight camping may be your new favorite thing, here are some KOA expert-approved tips on how to make your weeknight camping trip run smoothly.
1. Map out the geographic area suitable for a one-night getaway
If you have just one weeknight to escape, then planning the destination is very important. First, you want to consider the time at which you can leave work. Map out how far you can reasonably drive in order to arrive at your campsite at a time that still allows you to set up camp and enjoy.
2. Identify which campsites and campgrounds are located within the mapped area
Research the amenities of each and develop a detailed list of suitable locations for your weeknight camping forays to make location selection a lot quicker and easier. It’s a good idea to make a long list ahead of time and then, when the opportunity arises, you can just pick one of the campgrounds off your list to try out. Here is a complete look at all the KOA campgrounds across the United States and Canada.
3. Choose the best campsite for your needs and interests for the weeknight camping trip you are about to undertake
Since this trip will be short and sweet, you want to ask yourself what you’re hoping to experience so that you can choose accordingly. Do you want to submerge yourself in nature and be completely secluded? Do you instead prefer close access to bathrooms and electrical outlets? Are you going to visit a particular attraction, go swimming, or try a specific restaurant? Be sure to choose a campsite near what you want to see.
4. Reserve your camping spot
This is less essential to do in advance than weekend trips, but why risk a problem that may throw a wrench in your trip? Reserve your camping spot online or call the campground and speak to an employee.
5. Check the forecast
Weather plays a much bigger role than many people think on a camping trip. If inclement weather is possible, you may want to switch to a camping spot on higher ground with more tree cover to protect against rainstorms. You will also want to take protective gear for sleeping and probably an extra change of clothing. It’s always better to be prepared so that you can still be able to enjoy your camping trip even if the weather rains on your parade.
6. Pack light
You do not need as much as you might take for a full-blown weekend camping trip. Your needs should be minimal and include sleeping gear, bottled water, simple snacks, a change of clothes, toiletries, and a flashlight.
If the weather at your camping spot is good and you do not fear sleeping under the stars, skip the tent. A sleeping bag (or sleeping pad) and a pillow are enough.
Plan quick to-go meals before heading out on your trip or get takeout dinner on the way. This allows you to skip packing all the cooking gear so you can avoid packing cooking gea When it comes to food on a weeknight camping trip, our motto is the more simple, the better.
If you need snacks for a hike or tend to get hungry late at night, keep them simple – trail mix, granola bars, apples, and bananas, for example.
Get coffee and breakfast at the campsite snack bar or pick it up on the way back.
7. Bring water to ensure you do not run out
Even if your campsite has drinkable water, it is best to bring your own, including bottled water, for taking along on a hike.
8. Keep a basic first-aid kit in your car
It’s also a good idea to have other items like insect repellent, sunscreen, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer just in case.
There are so many beautiful things to enjoy about weeknight camping including less traffic on the roads, more campsites available, quieter campgrounds, and a change from the regular weekly routine. Keep your life interesting, exciting, and adventurous by trying out a weeknight camping trip this summer!
Leslie is a freelance travel and health/wellness writer who gets butterflies from telling stories and sharing information with readers across the globe. Her voice comes from a place filled with passion and dreams.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind her writing takes her on.
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.
