You might have very specific activities in mind when you think of camping. You might picture traditional camping scenes in movies, remember your last trip with your family, or imagine your dream camping vacation. However, there are many different types of camping, and each can provide a completely unique experience. Keep reading to discover 16 different ways to camp.

16 Different Styles of Camping

Whether you’re just getting into the camping lifestyle or have years of experience, you can find new and exciting ways to spend time in the great outdoors. From extreme temperatures to casual backyard nights to freeing experiences in solitude, there are many different camping methods to explore. Check out these camping options when planning your next trip.

1. Tent Camping

This camping category might be one of the most popular styles, but it doesn’t always provide the same thrill and unique experiences as some of the other options. For this type of camping, you can pitch a tent anywhere in the great outdoors, typically on flat ground.

2. Hammock Camping

If you’re spontaneous and adventure-seeking, hammock camping offers flexibility and freedom. Hammock camping also involves a simple setup, requiring only trees or standing poles. You don’t need to spend as much time planning, and netted hammocks will help protect you from insects and weather conditions.

3. Car Camping

Car camping is an excellent way for beginners to experience the joy of camping. Go for a long wandering road trip or choose a faraway destination with stops along the way. Each night, find a national park or a historic landmark where you can park your car and get some shuteye. You’ll be protected from bad weather and have access to bathrooms and showers while staying cozy in your car. You also will not need to venture deep into the woods.

4. RV/Van Camping

Van or RV trips can require extensive camping setups and planning skills. You can customize your RV camping experience to your preferences — live a minimalist life with the basic necessities or deck out your vehicle to create a home on the road. You’ll need to find a spot where you can park your vehicle during your trip, and you may want to consider renting a permanent spot at your favorite location so you can visit whenever you’d like.

5. Backpacking

Some camping styles — such as backpacking — involve a more “roughing it” approach. When you go backpacking, you can find your sense of adventure by figuring out how to live from your backpack. The primary idea behind backpacking is to be self-sufficient and plan every item you may need during your trip. This is an excellent way to explore nature while avoiding distractions.

6. Glamping

For those who enjoy nature but prefer to relax in comfortable spaces, glamping — glamorous camping — provides a reprieve from the outdoors during camping trips. You’ll stay in a cabin or another type of accommodation where you’ll have access to beds, electricity, and indoor bathrooms. This option is terrific for families who want to enjoy time together without the stress of setting up or tearing down tents.

7. Survival Camping

Survival camping might be for you if you want to push the boundaries of nature and find out what you can handle. Survival camping involves hunting for food, navigating terrain, preparing for emergencies, setting up ropes, and experiencing extreme weather in locations like mountains and deserts.

8. Wild/Free Camping

Wild camping is any trip where you refrain from traditional campsites and popular terrain. You’ll be relying on yourself for meals and cleaning and won’t have access to running water or bathrooms. You can choose any easy or rough terrain for free camping, but be sure to research the location beforehand to learn about the wildlife and weather so you can pack accordingly.

9. Tarp Camping

Similar to tent camping, tarp camping involves rigging material with guy lines, tent pegs, and quality poles for a stable setup that fits your comfort level. This simple shelter is usually more lightweight than a complete tent kit and gives you the freedom to customize shape and size.

10. Winter Camping

Camping doesn’t have to be a summer-only activity. You can still go camping during the wintertime, and you may enjoy increased solitude and seclusion while on your adventure. Be sure to pack warm clothes and understand the weather and wildlife you might encounter. Also, ensure you are confident in your ability to build a fire and cook your meals.

11. Bike/Motorcycle Camping

For exercise enthusiasts and those wanting to push their physical limits, bicycle or motorcycle camping is the way to go. When you camp this way, you rely on your two wheels to take you to every destination and sleep wherever you please.

12. Kayak Camping

When you want to explore the open water, grab your kayak and make your way down the river. You can set up your campsite wherever you want and only need to plan for the supplies you can carry. Catch fresh meals as you admire the water, and spend as much or as little time in your kayak as you want.

13. Rooftop Tent Camping

Rooftop camping is a convenient way to set up your overnight setup any place you park your vehicle. These tents sit atop your car, and a ladder extends from the entryway for easy access. These compact kits attach to your car roof, making it a space saver for the rest of your supplies.

14. Overlanding

For an off-roading adventure in the great outdoors, overland is the right choice. You’ll need a reliable truck to navigate those hard-to-reach locations, and remember to keep a lookout for new discoveries like waterfalls, sweeping vistas, and rolling hills.

15. Backyard Camping

Although this method is likely the least adventurous, backyard camping is a wonderful way to get outdoors if you can’t travel far. Beginners can use backyard camping as a stepping stone on the way to more adventurous camping styles. You can teach yourself how to build fires, set up your hammock, and cook meals without the stress of being away from home.

16. Bivvy Sack Camping

Bivvy sack camping is a cross between a tent and a sleeping bag. This method is excellent for shorter trips where you want to keep your setup lightweight, as it provides basic protection and minimal privacy.

Find Camping Gear From DutchWare

DutchWare produces high-quality and innovative camping gear using a minimalist approach to production and design. We’re committed to limiting our environmental impact and becoming a good steward of the earth, using recycled packaging and materials wherever possible to craft our products.

We’re always looking for solutions for the hammocking community, and we take pride in the strides we’ve made. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for new ways to test your years of camping experience, you can find the high-quality gear you need for all camping categories from DutchWare. Shop our hammocks and camping supplies for your next adventure.

Check Out These Beginner Hammock Articles

• Which is Better? Hammocks vs Tents
• Underquilt vs. Sleeping Pad: The Pros & Cons
• How To Properly Set Up A Camping Hammock
• Hammock Safety 101

 

Summer’s great weather means it’s the perfect time to take a camping trip to one of the many amazing hammocking destinations throughout the country. Whether you’re looking for a place nearby or somewhere distant to take a road trip to, there’s bound to be something for you.

You can hammock almost anywhere, but each destination has something unique you may not be able to experience somewhere else. Nature has much to offer, including waterfalls, caves, massive forests, beaches, mountains, and more. Where will you hammock next? Check out these summertime camping destinations:

1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park (California)

This park is home to a huge growth of massive redwood trees. If you’ve never seen a redwood tree, you’ve never seen big! Big Basin Redwoods is the oldest state park in California. There’s also a vast number of wildlife species and many waterfalls to find.

2. Florida Caverns State Park (Florida)

While Florida is popular for its beaches, you can find a different experience inland. Explore swimmable freshwater springs and vast cave systems, and take your pick of 38 campsites.

3. Acadia National Park (Maine)

There is much to see at Acadia National Park. You’ll find vast forests, beautiful beaches, rocky inlets, and granite mountains. When you go out for your hike, you likely discover delicious wild blueberries to eat for a snack.

4. Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland and Virginia)

Here, you can enjoy beachfront camping on a beautiful island. Along the amazing coastal landscape, you’ll find herds of wild horses — there are over 300 of them roaming the island.

5. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan)

Along the southern area of Lake Superior, you can find sandstone formations and remnants of shipwrecks. There’s also a 40-mile stretch of beach to explore.

6. White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire)

This forest is a great place to go camping if you’re looking for a backwoods adventure to test your camping skills. There is not a lot of the typical national park infrastructure, but there are numerous wildlife species to see and high peaks to climb.

7. Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Big Bend National Park is the only one on this list that has more of a desert feel. It’s tough in the sweltering summer heat, but if you come early, you can see blooming cacti. This location offers a different camping experience, but the canyons and rock formations are a sight to see.

8. Fall Creek Falls State Park (Tennessee)

You can hike, bike, fish, and even boat at this Tennessee park, but what you really need to see is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. You can even find six other waterfalls throughout the area.

9. Olympic National Park (Washington)

Here, you can find a temperate rainforest alongside coastal land and alpine forests. Moving around the park means you’ll enter completely different ecosystems with each new area. You’ll also have views of the Olympic Mountains.

Check Out These Destination Articles

• 3 Factors That Make for the Perfect Hammock Destination
• 7 States Perfect for Hammocking

Contact DutchWare for Hammocking Gear

The next time you decide to begin an adventure at one of the best places to go camping, turn to us. We are a one-stop shop for all your hammock camping needs. We are a U.S. manufacturer with quality products and fast shipping — contact us today!

You spend plenty of time relaxing in your hammock when the weather is pleasant. Along with swaying under your favorite tree, you can try several other hammock activities for an engaging day outside.

Chill Activities to Do in a Hammock

Whether you need hammock date ideas or want a fun way to spend your day, you’ll enjoy trying these seven things you can do in your hammock:

1. Watch a Movie: Create a “drive-in” movie experience in your backyard. Whether you watch a movie on your laptop or set up an inflatable movie screen, you can relax in your hammock and enjoy some fresh air. For more of a theater experience, invite over a few friends to join you. Remember to bring the popcorn and snacks!
2. Have a Picnic: A hammock picnic is a great date idea that you and your partner will love. Find a romantic spot and then set up your hammock and picnic. Bring along some light snacks and refreshments like cheese, wine, fruit, and petits fours for an unforgettable experience in your backyard or a nearby park.
3. Listen to Music: If you’re looking for a relaxing way to spend your day, grab your earbuds and chill in your hammock as you sway to some good tunes. Whether you prefer classical, lo-fi, or country, you’ll enjoy unwinding outdoors with your favorite playlist.
4. Read: If you have some assigned reading for school or there’s a book you want to read for fun, grab it and head out to your hammock. Regardless of what you read, chilling in your hammock while enjoying the great outdoors will make the experience much more enjoyable.
5. Nap: Taking a nice long nap in a hammock is one of the most relaxing activities available. With your hammock’s comfortable construction and gentle swaying movements, you’ll drift off to sleep in no time and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
6. Tan: Ready to get your summer glow on? You may not think of your hammock as a tanning chair, but they’re so comfortable that they make the perfect spot to sprawl out and soak up some rays. Just remember to refill your favorite cold drink and reapply your sunscreen.
7. Star Gaze: You can use a hammock at any time of the day — including at night. Set your hammock up and enjoy some stargazing with your loved ones. Consider looking at the stars from a distance or through a telescope. Whichever you choose, you can enjoy the beauty of the night sky from the comfort of your hammock.

DutchWare: Your One-Stop Shop for All Your Hammock Needs

Here at DutchWare, no matter what fun activities you’d like to try out, we have the perfect hammock for you. We carry everything from netted hammocks to two-person hammocks. Whatever you choose, you’ll find that our hammocks are high-quality and easy-to-use.

Are you ready to try out some of these chill activities? Browse our hammock collection and reach out to our team with questions.

 

Now that the warmer weather has returned, you’re probably looking forward to spending as much time outside as possible in the coming months. And what better way is there to enjoy the great outdoors than in your favorite hammock?

Of course, the only downside to spending your summer evenings swinging in a hammock is the number of bugs that tend to be buzzing around. Whether they are noisily swarming or incessantly trying to bite you, bugs can ruin a relaxing time if you let them.

This summer, you don’t have to worry about that. Check out some of our tips on how to keep bugs away at night.

1. Try to Camp Away From Water

Whether you’re planning to hang out in your hammock for an afternoon or sleep in it night after night while camping, you’ll want to hang it as far away from water as you can. Camping away from water reduces your exposure to mosquitos and other bugs that swarm around water sources where they lay their eggs.

2. Use a Bug Net

Another method to keep bugs away from your hammock is to use a bug net. There are a few different types of hammock bug nets to choose from:

• Fixed bug net: A fixed bug net hammock is essentially a regular hammock that has a bug net layer attached to it. These built-in nets let you enjoy your hammock with a layer of protection from pesky mosquitos.
• Jungle hammock: A jungle hammock also has a built-in mosquito net. They deliver full protection, which is especially beneficial for those who plan on sleeping in a hammock long-term or for extended periods of time. Many of these hammocks even come as complete shelters.

If you already have a hammock you love, no worries! Most can easily be upgraded with a mosquito net to keep bugs away.

3. Treat Your Hammock With Repellent

While it’s always best to use natural methods first, sometimes those efforts might not be enough. If all other methods fail to keep pesky bugs away, you can try treating your hammock with either a repellent or Permethrin.

Permethrin, which is a chemical, can help keep your hammock mosquito-free. Simply soak your entire hammock in it and then let it dry. When using Permethrin, focus on the hammock material and net, and be careful to avoid direct contact with your skin. Once you’ve applied it, it’s effective and the hammock can even be washed multiple times before you need to reapply it.

Looking for the Perfect Hammock?

DutchWare is your one-stop shop for all your hammock needs. From netted hammocks to hammock packages, we have it all. We specialize in quality materials used to make hammocks for backyard adventures as well as backpacking expeditions. No matter which you choose, you’ll find that it’s innovative, easy to use, and ultra-light for your convenience.

Have any questions? Reach out to us today and we can help you find the perfect hammock.

Check Out These Related Sleeping Articles

• Staying Warm While Hammocking 
• Sleeping Well While Camping
• Hammock Camping in The Winter
• Hammock Sleeping Tips
• 6 Benefits of Hammock Sleeping

Best Hammock Tarp

A hammock tarp, also known as a rain fly or rain tarp, provides waterproof shelter over a hammock in inclement weather. Camping with a hammock and hammock tarp is a great way to experience nature because it offers protection from the elements while allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful sounds of the great outdoors.

The right hammock tarp can keep you dry and warm while enjoying your hammock and sleeping under the stars. Hammock tarps are waterproof and durable, but many are also light enough to carry while backpacking.

Hammock tarps come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. It’s important to choose a hammock tarp based on your unique hiking and camping plans.

How to Choose the Best Hammock Rain Fly

The best hammock tarp for you depends on your preferred rain protection, required wind coverage, and weight.

Be sure to check the weather before you hike to determine how much weather protection you’ll need for a specific hike. Some hammock tarps provide coverage overhead and on all sides to protect from the wind and rain, while others provide simple overhead coverage to protect from rainfall.

Understanding the kind of performance you need from your rain fly will help you decide on the best one.

Different Types of Hammock Tarps and Shapes

Your ideal tarp shape depends on how much coverage you’ll need based on when and where you plan to camp. Some are perfect for cold winter weather because they surround your hammock with shelter that can provide warmth. Others are great for summer hiking and camping because they’re lightweight and provide just enough shelter for light rain showers.

If you plan to camp on clear days in the spring or summer, you’ll only need a basic amount of coverage from light wind and rain showers. However, if you plan to hike and camp in the fall or winter, you’ll most likely face chilly to frigid temperatures and heavy rain or snowfall. In these instances, you’ll need more coverage to keep you warm and dry as you enjoy nature.

As you plan your upcoming hiking and camping adventures, consider the following tarp shapes:

1. Asymmetrical Tarps

An asymmetrical tarp is an ultralight hammock rain fly, and it provides enough overhead coverage to protect from rainfall. To utilize this type of tarp, you must sleep in your hammock diagonally and in line with the tarp’s angle for full overhead coverage.

Asymmetrical tarps are typically the most affordable and common tarp type. They’re lightweight, which makes them easy to carry and set up. They work well for solo camping trips and are ideal for clear days since they offer less coverage than other tarps.

Consider an asymmetrical backpacking hammock tarp if you’re new to hammock camping or plan to camp in fair weather conditions.

2. Square Tarps

Square tarps, also known as diamond tarps, provide more side coverage than asymmetrical tarps, and they’re lightweight. Square tarps are ideal for summer use. While they provide less coverage than other tarps, they allow for more airflow on hot days so you can enjoy nice summer breezes. During mild weather, a square tarp is a great tent rain fly for hammock camping.

3. Rectangle Tarps

Rectangle tarps are larger and heavier than square tarps, and they provide more coverage. They take some extra time to set up and allow for less ventilation, but they provide both overhead and side coverage. They’re also longer than square and asymmetrical tarps, providing more coverage on either end of your hammock.

4. Four-Season Tarps

Four-season hammock tarps provide full coverage from inclement weather and wind. They’re ideal for winter camping because of their weight and additional material. Four-season tarps are the heaviest type of tarps. They require a little more time and effort to set up, but they provide shelter from snow, rain, cold temperatures, and blustery winds.

Four-season tarps include extra material on the ends, which you can close and use as storm doors. When a four-season tarp is closed, it becomes a hanging tent that retains your body warmth and keeps cold air outside. Keeping warm while camping in the winter is crucial — with a four-season tarp, you can sleep comfortably and stay warm even when it’s freezing outside.

5. Hexagonal Tarps

Hexagonal tarps are lighter than other hammock tarps, and they have six sides. The polyester sil fabric is lightweight, durable, and provides very little stretch.

Hexagonal tarps are ideal for spring, summer, and fall camping because of their versatility. They require a little more effort to set up than square tarps, but they offer more coverage.

6. Wide Tarps

Wide tarps come in many of the above shapes, and they provide additional coverage. A wide tarp can keep you and your belongings dry in inclement weather and provide extra space. Wide two-person tarps are great if you plan to hike and camp with a friend or family member.

Different Hammock Tarp Materials

Hammock tarps differ in weight and protection based on their materials. Some rain fly tarps are more durable than others, while other rain fly tarps are more waterproof or easier to carry.

Lightweight tarps are easy to carry because they’re small and take up minimal space when packing. They’re ideal for days when the weather forecast predicts clear, sunny skies with little to no chance of inclement weather. An ultralight hammock tarp is perfect for clear summer days.

If you plan to camp in colder or inclement weather, you should opt for larger and heavier tarps for more durability and coverage. These tarps add a little more weight to your pack and require some additional effort setting them up, but they’ll keep you warm and dry in the elements.

Hammock tarps can be made of the following materials:

• Nylon: Nylon consists of woven nylon threads and is a very durable material. Nylon is durable enough to offer great protection.
• Silnylon: Silnylon consists of nylon threads coated with silicon. It’s waterproof and weighs less than other tarps depending on its thickness.
• Canvas: Canvas is a very durable tarp material, but it’s impractical for backpacking. Canvas is an outdated tarp material originating 100 years ago. Today, there are much better modern tarp options. Some people use canvas tarps for car camping, but it’s not ideal for backpacking due to its heavier weight.
• Silpoly: Silpoly fabric is great for inclement weather because it has a high waterproof rating. It’s also lightweight, which makes it a great option for backpacking.
• Dyneema: Dyneema tarps are known to be the lightest hammocking tarp in the industry.

The type of tarp material that’s best for you will depend on when you plan to camp, how often you camp, how much weight you want to carry, and your budget.

What Size Tarp Do I Need For My Hammock?

Tarps come in various sizes. Your hammock tarp should be at least 6 inches longer than your hammock on each end, which is enough coverage to keep you dry in light rain. However, in cold weather, snow, or heavy rain, you’ll have more coverage and protection with larger tarps.

How to Choose Tarp Ridgelines for Tarp and Hammock Camping

Tarp ridgelines are cords or ropes that hold tarps in place and suspend them over hammocks. Tarp ridgelines allow you to hang a tarp across long distances when you don’t have a favorable tree distance for your hammock and tarp.

A continuous ridgeline consists of a long cord to attach between two trees and a pair of knots attached to your tarp that allow you to slide the tarp along the cord. A continuous ridgeline is easy to set up and allows you to quickly slide your tarp over your hammock to keep it dry in inclement weather.

With a continuous ridgeline, you can secure the line and adjust and center the tarp as needed. Continuous ridgelines provide more structure than separated lines and allow you to suspend the tarp below the ridgeline with soft shackles.

A separated ridgeline consists of two separate lines that attach the tarp ends to the trees using hardware such as hooks and line locks. It’s typically easier to readjust compared to a continuous ridgeline because it uses hardware rather than knots and won’t become tangled.

To make your ridgeline setup process easier, consider the following hardware:

• Tarp Flyz: Tarp Flyz are small and lightweight devices used to secure a tarp to a tree without tying a knot. To use the Trap Flyz, you simply need to weave your line between the device’s eyes, wrap it around your support, and then wrap the remaining line around the antenna shape.
• Wasps: Wasps make it easier to move your line where you want it. To use a wasp, pair it with a continuous ridgeline.
• Stingerz: Stingerz are carabiners combined with a 1.75 millimeter Zing-It or Lash-It hollow braid line. They clip on to tarp rings, making it easy to adjust your ridgeline’s position.

How to Choose Guy Lines

A guy line, also known as a tie-out, is a string or cord that secures a hammock tarp to the ground using anchor points. Guy lines provide structure, stability, space, and ventilation. Without guy lines, the sides of the hammock tarp would simply hang straight down over the hammock more like a blanket than a shelter.

Guy lines come in the following materials:

• Natural fibers: Natural fibers are popular with re-enactors and traditionalists.
• Paracord: Paracord is made of strong nylon cords and is popular among survivalists. Paracord is very strong and can hold substantial weight. It’s also water-resistant, durable, and lightweight.
• Mason’s line: Mason’s line is lightweight, so it’s great for packing light.
• Zing-It and Lash-It lines: Zing-It and Lash-It lines are the most popular guy lines in the hammock community. They’re strong, lightweight, and long-lasting.

Tie-outs pull tarp corners out and secure them in place to create a structured shelter with adequate space and minimal to no tarp sagging. They allow for better air circulation and condensation prevention if you’re using multiple layers because the tie-outs will keep the layers separate. Additionally, they’ll help to keep your hammock tarp stable in high winds and inclement weather.

Metal tie-outs are devices that allow you to secure tarp attachment points to the ground without tying knots. These tie-outs can be much more convenient than standard tie-outs.

The following tie-outs can make securing your tarp easy even in the dark or inclement weather:

• Ringworms: Ringworms include an easy-grip ring tab that simplifies tensioning your guy lines. The ring makes it easy to adjust your lines even when you’re wearing gloves in the winter. Ringworm hooks also work to close your tarp doors to keep cold air out, making them perfect for winter backpacking and camping.
• Tarpworms: Tarpworms make it easy to secure your hammock tarp. To use Tarpworms, you simply need to loop the staked-out cord around the Tarpworm tail and pull the cord again when you’re ready to release it.
• Hookworms: Hookworms are similar to Tarpworms because they allow you to easily remove and rehook tie-outs to your tie-out points.
• Fleaz: Fleaz can serve many purposes. With Fleaz, you can tension your stakes, fasten your guide-outs, or use one as a prussic for your ridgeline.

Purchase Quality Hammock Tarps From DutchWare

Tarp and hammock camping is a fun, adventurous way to experience the wilderness. The best hammock rain fly for you largely depends on when and where you plan to camp. During cold and snowy seasons, you want to choose the best winter hammock tarp, but in milder seasons, you’ll want to go with the best lightweight hammock tarp.

Take a summer hike and sleep comfortably under a lightweight, asymmetrical tarp or embark on a winter adventure and stay warm under a durable winter tarp. DutchWare carries a wide variety of hammock tarps to provide shelter on all of your outdoor excursions. Purchase a durable hammock tarp from DutchWare to take on your next outdoor adventure.

Read These Hammock and Tarp Setup Related Articles

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• Guide to Amsteel Rope – Everything You Need To Know
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• Guide to DutchWare Hammock Hardware