Are you looking for a new way to camp? Then, walk-up camping could be for you.
The idea of walk-up camping can seem very appealing, especially if one has not previously reserved any sites.
Walk-up camping is an informal way that allows people to set up a tent on the ground, usually in a park or forested area, without having reserved a specific campsite.
So, what is walk-up camping? What’s the difference between walk-in camping?
In this article, we’ve got your question covered.
Read on!
What Is Walk-Up Camping?
Walk-up camping is a term used for campsites that do not require reservations. These walk-in campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
For walk-up camping, you walk up to the campsite, and hopefully, you can get any available campground if it’s not fully occupied.
Why Do People Enjoy This Walk-Up Camping?
Many people enjoy walk-up camping because it allows more freedom and spontaneity. You can walk up to a campsite whenever you want, as long as open spots are available.
So, walk-up camping lets you enjoy the freedom of planning your schedule and doing what you want. This walk-up camping experience is completely different from walk-in camping or reserving a campsite month in advance.
What Disadvantages Of Walk-Up Camping?
The main disadvantage of walk-up camping is that you can’t reserve specific campsite months in advance, which makes availability unpredictable. Also, walk-in sites tend to fill up faster on weekends and holidays because most people make reservations at those times.
Sometimes, walk-up camping might mean having to walk or drive around a certain area for hours. So if you feel unprepared for these conditions, walking up camping might not be right for you.
Walk-Up Camping Vs. Walk-In Camping
The difference between walk-up camping and walk-in camping is essentially walk-up camping has no reservation required while walk-in camping does. So walk-in camping is more restrictive, and walk-up camping is more flexible.
Tips For Walk-Up Camping
Some walk-up camping tips are:
- Walk up to the campsite as soon as possible after arriving, around 7 am. This way, walk-up sites will likely be open because most people won’t have arrived yet.
- If you want a walk-in site, but it’s already taken, go to another one on the other side of the campground so long as there are still walk-in sites available.
- Have a backup plan for walk-up camping. If walk-up sites are unavailable, bring a backup plan like camping in your car.
What Are The Best Walk-Up Campsites In The US?
There are a lot of great options for walk-up camping in the US:
- California: Point Reyes, Lost Coast, Yosemite National Park (Check those campsites here)
- Oregon: Crater Lake National Park
- Washington: Olympic National Park
- Utah: Canyonlands National Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park (Check those campsites here)
- Alaska: Denali National Park
There are hundreds of walk-up campsites all across the US, so you can walk up to camp no matter where you go.
Conclusion
Walk-up camping lets you enjoy more freedom over your schedule while reserving specific campsites months in advance ensures you get exactly what you want.
Walk-up camping can be stressful because of the uncertainty and inconvenience. Not having a reservation means not knowing if you’ll get any campsite.
Plus, walk-up campsites tend to fill up faster than reservable campsites, so there’s always the added pressure of making it in time before all walk-in sites are gone.
