Whether you’re an accomplished camper, or newly aspiring outdoorist, camping is a great way to recharge and connect with nature — and there’s plenty of different ways to do it. This list of 10 different kinds of camping covers everything from glamorous campsites to testing your boundaries in survival mode. While every form of camping is exciting in its own way, you’ll have to decide which to try first!

Let’s take a look at the various types of camping. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that all the various options have something wonderful to offer. Note, there are no hard and fast for definitions, but this is meant to help get some clarity about generally what is meant by each style of camping. Let’s see what style of camping resonates most for you!

1. Glamping

This luxurious form of camping takes place at a campsite with huts, domes and other kinds of housing that often have kitchens, beds and even full bathrooms. Some glamping destinations even have hot tubs and fire pits! If you’re looking to be surrounded by nature, but still enjoy a good shower and nice, comfy mattress to sleep on, glamping is the way to go.

2. Van Life

While most forms of camping are done over a short period of time like a week-long vacation or fun night with friends, van life is a lifestyle. This is perfect for those who love to camp and travel so much that they want to do it every single day! These nomads convert vans into tiny homes on wheels. They’re avid travelers, and either go the adventure alone or with one partner (there isn’t room for much else in a tiny van).

3. RV Camping

Campers who love to travel, but don’t love the idea of van life, might like RV camping. This adventure can last however long you’d like it to. Some choose to travel across the country in their RV for months on end; for others, it’s a week-long vacation up the coast. Another great thing about RV camping is that you can bring as many people as you want — to a point, of course.

4. Tent Camping

Tent camping is the most basic kind of camping that almost everyone knows about. It can take place just about anywhere, like your favorite campground across the country or your own backyard. This experience is 100% what you make of it. You can bring portable grills, coolers full of food and a speaker to play music, or you can leave it all at home and find your food in the wild.

5. Hammock Camping

Why sleep on the hard ground when hammocks exist? All you need to hammock camp is two trees and a safe, sturdy hammock to sleep in. However, it’s always smart to bring a tent in case of rough, windy weather.

6. Cowboy Camping

Sleeping under a star-filled sky is surely a bucket list experience — if it’s not on yours, you might want to reconsider. Cowboy camping is all about sleeping in nature, no shelter required. Most cowboy campers choosing to camp in the desert during the cooler season. This can save you from unwelcome bugs and precipitation while you sleep. However, it’s always safest to bring a tent in case the rain decides to wash in, or the bed bugs decide to bite.

7. Survival Camping

It’s all in the name. This form of camping has you fighting for survival with nothing but nature — and maybe some tools for safety. You’ll have to hunt for your own food, find ways to cook it and build your own shelter. When headed out to push your boundaries and see what you’re capable of, make sure you have a way to contact others in case of an emergency.

8. Hiking and camping

Hike-in camping are campsites that require you to hike to get to the campsite. These hike-in sites tend to be considered primitive because there are little to no amenities such as toilets, running water, or electricity. If you are willing to hike-in to your campsite, these campsite are more remote and private than campsite that you can drive up to at campgrounds.

9. Cabin camping

For beginners, cabin camping is the perfect introduction to the outdoors. You get all the perks of enjoying nature without the hassle of setting up a tent or worrying about the weather. It’s basically a fancier version of tent camping.

But unlike tent camping, cabin camping offers you a lot of variables to select from. You can choose from a basic 1 room cabin with nothing more than a bed with a mattress and electricity for lighting and heating, all the way up to ones that offer beds with bedding, a full appliance kitchen, and even air conditioning.

That is why it’s a good idea to take the time to read up on the cabin and the amenities offered. For example, if you want a more rustic experience in the woods, an air-conditioned cabin probably won’t be the best choice. Therefore, research will ensure it includes everything you want, as well as all the things you don’t want!

10. Winter Camping

Winter camping may be your next challenge if you’re an experienced camper who wants to take it to the next level.

Any temperature below freezing is considered winter camping. But with lower temperatures come many different challenges. Firstly, you need gear that is designed to withstand the cold.

You cannot use your summer camping gear in winter. That is a mistake you do not want to make. Even if you wear 5 layers, you will still freeze. Therefore, you have to invest in or borrow quality winter gear. Or get gear that is suitable year-round. Once you have all the right gear, you will get the chance to enjoy winter wonderland, solitude, and a sense of adventure.

Recommended reading:First Time Camper Checklist