5 ms·
I mean sure, here in Sweden there are big camp sites that are essentially grass parking lots where people squeeze in their camper vans or sometimes even tents l
by Grustaf 4y ago
I mean sure, here in Sweden there are big camp sites that are essentially grass parking lots where people squeeze in their camper vans or sometimes even tents like sardines. They have amenities, maybe even a mini golf course!, but that's a completely different thing. Nobody would compare that to actual camping, and most people think it's crazy and make fun of it.
But what shocked me in the US was that there are "nature" camp sites where you more or less drive up to a designated, single tent spot where you pitch your tent. It's baffling and seems to entirely defeat the purpose of camping in nature.
- dmurray 4y ago"Nobody goes there any more, it's too crowded".
- Grustaf 4y agoHaha, yeah. Well they seem to enjoy the crowdedness, it's a weird subculture.
- tauroid 4y agoIn the UK at least (apart from Scotland), wild camping is only legal with permission from the landowner (even in national parks), so most people use campsites to avoid the possibility of being driven off by a ranger or angry farmer.
- archi42 4y agoSame in Germany; actual wild camping with a tent is not allowed. However, there is some provision to allow sleeping in the wild (sometimes called "biwakieren", using a bivouac or similar basic shelter; e.g. a tarp). When my SO and I did a multi-week cross-country trip we went for whatever designated camping sites was close by and pitched our tent there (except Berlin, there we went for a Airbnb). Though for us this mostly replaced switching hotels every other day. We then did local stuff around there, like canoeing, hikes, museums,... However, we did spent some nights in the wild, with camp beds (US: cots) placed next to the car. But when you don't know the general area, finding a good spot for that proved rather difficult. Entering forests with a car is usually verboten, and close to main roads there will at least be a lot of morning traffic; OTOH we had a pleasant conversation with some elder locals on a morning hike when we found a spot near a nice fishing pond in a small forest (yes, yes, driving there was erlaubt, not verboten). They only regretted not having some coffee for us :)
- Grustaf 4y agoThat's depressing. But is there wild camping in Scotland then? Would be amazing.
- Nursie 4y agoYes, Scotland allows wild camping. If you're considering going to Scotland and are thinking of that sort of thing, you should also look up the concept of a "Bothy" or "Bothies", which tend to be in mountains. They are a sort of refuge/simple transient accommodation. Generally small, quite basic huts in the deep countryside and remote places, where you can stay without booking and for free, but just overnight while you're on your way around.
- Grustaf 4y agoPerfect, exactly like here, thanks!
- bin_bash 4y agoThis is such an odd thing to gatekeep. What “purpose” does camping in nature serve exactly?
- Grustaf 4y agoThe key is in the word "nature", lots of people enjoy being in more or less wild nature. And camping, wild camping in American, is about self-sufficiency and simplicity. You only use what you carry on your back, and you don't bring more than you absolutely need. I'm not saying you shouldn't put your tent on a crowded lawn, or next to your car, if that's you want to, but it obviously doesn't serve the same purpose as hiking up the mountains and putting your tent next to a brook, miles away from anyone else.
- unmole 4y agoI don't think you answered the question. What is the purpose?
- Grustaf 4y agoI did, it's the first paragraph. > lots of people enjoy being in more or less wild nature > camping [is] about self-sufficiency and simplicity
- titusjohnson 4y agoProving to yourself that you are better than a housecat, and still contain some vestigial instincts for survival.
- Grustaf 4y agoIs it really that hard to imagine that some people genuinely enjoy being outdoors? It’s extremely popular.