Tent camping vs car camping—where do you fall?

Dec 261 min read

We've only ever done car camping because I have a bad back and sleeping on the ground sounds like torture. My kids keep asking about 'real camping' with a tent. Is it actually that different? Am I depriving them by staying in a cabin or doing the car camping thing? Genuinely curious how other dads navigate this because I feel like there's some gatekeeping happening around what 'counts' as camping.

11 comments196 views

Comments(11)

AAndy S.RegularDec 29

Tent camping with kids is a completely different beast from car camping—more exhausting but also kinda magical? They'll remember it way more vividly. That said, with your back issue maybe start with a hybrid: tent at an established campground with bathrooms and a short walk back to car so you're not sleeping in the actual dirt.

MMarcus W.RegularDec 26

Tent camping hits different when they're 6+. Under that I'd say car camping is fine, but once they want to actually DO stuff (hike, explore, build fires) tent camping makes it feel earned. That said your back matters more than their vibes so don't destroy yourself

GGreg H.RegularDec 28

Not depriving them lol. Car camping is legit camping. We do both - tent camping when we're actually going somewhere with hiking, car camping when we just want to chill. Kids don't care about the semantics as much as you think

CChris P.RegularDec 28

Dude your kids will care way more about having snacks and parents who aren't miserable than about whether the tent has a floor. Do what works for your family. The 'real camping' is just marketing anyway.

GGene K.RegularDec 28

Start with a backyard test run in the tent. Seriously. We did this and our kids were so hyped about 'sleeping outside' that it took pressure off the actual camping trip being perfect. Plus if your back seizes up you're literally 20 feet from the house

DDan M.RegularDec 27

I have a bad back too and I found those self-inflating camping pads make a HUGE difference. Still not a mattress but way better than ground. Might be worth trying for a backyard campout first to test it

AArchie M.RegularDec 28

Do it dude. Your back will hate you but honestly tent camping is such a different vibe. Kid gets to do the whole setup thing, feels like actual adventure not just 'we parked near trees.' Worth one bad night's sleep

CChris N.RegularDec 29

tent camping is different but not necessarily better just different—more immersive, cold, harder to sleep. If you find a campground with rental cabins or glamping setups that's the sweet spot. Tent vibes, actual bed for your back.

RRandy S.RegularDec 29

You're not depriving them. Car camping IS camping. Seriously. But if your kids are really into the tent idea, maybe compromise with a pop-up tent in the backyard first? Gives them the 'real camping' vibe without you having to sleep on the ground and aggravate your back. We did that and the kids were so hyped they didn't even want to go to actual tent camping after.

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JJared C.RegularDec 29

lol 'real camping' like you're not already doing the hard part. Tent camping is just car camping but with way more bugs, no ability to grab forgotten stuff, and everyone's cold at 2am. Do car camping and let them think it's the real deal.

PPat H.New DadDec 28

The back thing is legit though. I ignored my back issues for years trying to be the 'tough dad' and now I'm paying for it. A good air mattress in a car-camping setup is not cheating—it's being smart about your body. Your kids will have just as much fun and you won't be limping around the rest of the week.