And what helped me go from “absolutely not” to “let’s book a campsite.”
TL;DR: I never thought I’d enjoy camping, but here I am—with a comfy car setup, a go-to spot in Utah, and some tips that taught me how to enjoy camping—on my own terms. If you’re not outdoorsy but curious, this one’s for you.
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d willingly sleep in the back of our SUV, in a tent-attached setup, in a national forest, on purpose—I would’ve laughed while slathering on bug spray from the comfort of a cabin porch in Minnesota.
But here I am. And as it turns out, learning how to enjoy camping was more possible than I thought.
Camping, for me, didn’t start with a love of the great outdoors or a childhood filled with roasting marshmallows by the fire. It started with a move to Utah, a husband who’s happiest under a canopy of stars, and a decision to give it a fair shot.
Spoiler: it’s grown on me. A lot.
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First, Let’s Get a Few Things Out of the Way
I did not grow up camping. At all. I’m the kind of person who prefers order over chaos, minimal mess over dirt, and indoor plumbing over, well, just about everything else.
I don’t consider myself “outdoorsy,” but I do like being outside. Big difference.
Also: I have a healthy—sometimes irrational—fear of wildlife (read: snakes), and mosquitoes treat me like their last meal. Safe to say, I wasn’t exactly camping material—at least not yet.
Now, Dan on the other hand? He thrives on it. One of his favorite things to do is paddle and portage through the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota—a far cry from my ideal version of outdoor fun.
He knows that kind of rugged, remote style isn’t for me, and luckily, we’ve found a way to enjoy camping that meets both our styles. It’s not about one of us giving in—it’s about creating a version of camping we both actually enjoy when we go together.
Why It’s Kind of Like Travel
Even though camping didn’t come naturally to me, it turns out the process wasn’t all that different from planning a trip. You still need to figure out dates, pick a place, check the weather, and pack smart.
It’s just a different kind of itinerary—and, for me, a very different kind of lodging. But once I saw it through that lens, it felt a little less intimidating and a little more like something I could figure out.
Why Utah Changed My Mind About Camping
Utah summers are dry, sunny, and surprisingly bug-light compared to the lakeside humidity I grew up with in Minnesota. That alone made camping here feel more doable. Add in the sheer number of places you can go—national parks, national forests, mountain trails, high deserts—and it’s easy to find a spot that feels just remote enough. Having Utah as the backdrop made all the difference in learning how to enjoy camping, especially as a first-timer.
Most importantly: I gave myself permission to camp our way—not the Instagram way, not the rugged survivalist way, not even the let’s-just-wing-it way. Just… the way that worked for us.
Wild Lupines near our camp site 
The setting sky during a night of camping 
A gorgeous sunset reflection on the reservoir of our campground
I know that not everyone has Utah’s landscapes in their backyard—and I’m not suggesting you need to move here to enjoy camping. I didn’t start liking it until I did, but what helped most wasn’t the location—it was shifting my mindset. You can absolutely start with a nearby campground, a weekend of dry weather, or even a backyard trial run. Talk to friends who like to camp, or chat with someone at your local outdoor store—they’ll likely have great advice for beginners. Camping close to home is a great way to get started and build confidence on your own terms.
Our Setup (and How It Helped Me Enjoy CAMPING)
We sleep in the back of our Volkswagen Atlas with an air mattress and use a tent for storing gear. It’s about as cozy as car camping gets—no sleeping on the ground, no freezing at night, and just enough room to stretch out. It might not win any wilderness awards, but it’s how we figured out how to enjoy camping without sacrificing comfort or sleep.
Our campsite all setup 
The tent we use for camping 
Our air mattress setup in our VW Atlas
We’ve kept our setup simple but consistent. Once we landed on what worked, we stopped reinventing the wheel. Our favorite site in Utah—which we return to every year—has drive-in access, real bathrooms, and a peaceful reservoir nearby. It checks all the boxes for what we need: comfort, scenery, and just the right amount of quiet. We keep the exact spot to ourselves, but I’m always happy to share a few hints if you’re looking.
What We Look for in a Campsite:
- Drive-in access (no hauling gear on a trail)
- Some trees for shade and privacy (but not too many—hello, bugs)
- No built-in shelter (birds love to nest there = messy)
- Real bathrooms (non-negotiable)
- Something to do nearby: a hike, a lake, a view
- Lower elevation = warmer nights and fewer bugs. (Our sweet spot in Utah is 7,000–8,000 feet—comfortable temps, minimal buzzing.)
- It’s less than three hours from home (making it feel more like a getaway than a haul).
- We go for two nights (because all that prep isn’t worth it for just one night).
Our campsite before we got all set up 
The pop-up shade tent we use 
A walking path at our campground 
Some of our camping gear all packed up
Where to Start: Planning Your First Camping Trip
If you’re new to camping and feeling overwhelmed by where to begin, you’re not alone. The logistics can feel like a lot, but starting with the right resources (and mindset) helps take the guesswork out of planning.
Helpful Resources:
- Recreation.gov: A go-to for reserving campsites on federal lands—especially national parks, forests, and BLM areas.
- The Dyrt: Think of it like Yelp for campgrounds. It includes photos, camper reviews, and filters to find a site that suits your style.
- State and local park websites: Many have beginner-friendly campgrounds and easy-to-navigate booking systems.
- Google Maps satellite view: Super helpful for previewing site layout, checking how shaded or open a site is, and spotting proximity to restrooms or lakes.
- Read the reviews + look at photos: The campsite description might not tell the full story—reviews from real campers are often more honest about things like noise, privacy, bug levels, and bathroom cleanliness.
Think of choosing a campground like picking a hotel—read the reviews, check the photos, and filter for your comfort level. Wherever you live, these tools can help you feel more confident when choosing a site—and that’s half the battle.
Still unsure? Start with a one-night local stay or camp in your backyard to test out gear and comfort levels. There’s no wrong way to ease into it—and that flexibility is key to learning how to enjoy camping your way.
Beginner Camping Tips That Helped Me Stick With It
Let’s be honest—it wasn’t love at first site. But a few key things made camping more than bearable. They taught me how to enjoy camping. Here’s what worked for me:
1. Get comfy
Sleeping on the ground is a hard pass for us. We’re at the age where comfort counts, so we turned our SUV into a cozy setup with a legit air mattress. No rocks. No roots. No regrets. Add in a cozy blanket or two, good pillows, and you’re golden.
2. Choose the right setup
Drive-in sites, shade, privacy (but not too much tree cover), and real bathrooms are my camping must-haves. I’m not trying to win survival points—I just want to be comfortable.
Enjoying some time just relaxing 
Dan ready to eat his s’more 
Lunch with a view 
Playing cards in the afternoon shade 
Spending some time reading 
Making coffee the old school way 
Making breakfast at our campsite 
Getting ready to make s’mores 
Roasting marshmallows 
Stargazing at night
3. Keep it fun and easy
We bring cards, a book, and s’mores ingredients every time. It’s like a slower weekend getaway—just outside. We hike, read, chat, disconnect from our phones, stargaze, and unwind.
4. Have the right mindset
Be open to the idea that it won’t be perfect. A little chaos is part of the deal. But if you expect the unexpected, you’ll handle it better when something goes sideways.
5. Learn as you go.
After every trip, I jot down a few notes: what worked, what didn’t, what we forgot. Every time, we get a little better at it.
When Camping Goes Off Script: What We Learned From Our Worst Trips
Camping hasn’t always been picture-perfect—some trips went sideways fast (though luckily, never off the mountain).
Once, we tried camping in the Wasatch Mountains at about 9,000 feet. Dreamy in theory… until the flies showed up. So many flies. I powered through setting up camp but lasted maybe an hour before admitting defeat. Dan was a good sport, helped tear everything down, and we made a beeline to Eight Settlers Distillery for dinner. He definitely deserved (and needed) a cocktail after that ordeal.
Another time, we camped near Mirror Lake at around 10,000 feet. Stunning by day—glass-like water, peaceful trails—but a mosquito nightmare by night. I was practically eaten alive and spent most of the evening hiding in the car.
Both trips were reminders that no matter how beautiful the view, scenery can’t always beat practicality. These missteps helped us figure out what really matters in a campsite—and how to enjoy camping a little more each time.
The view from our campsite at Mirror Lake 
Our setup at the Mirror Lake campground
How to Enjoy Camping: Final Thoughts and First Steps
Camping isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay. But if you’ve been curious or convinced it’s “just not your thing,” I hope this gave you permission to try it your way. No rules. No tests. Just you, the outdoors, and a setup that makes sense for your comfort level.
Like travel, learning how to enjoy camping takes a few tries. It didn’t click overnight for me either. But with each trip, I figured out a little more—what gear we actually use, how much planning feels right, and which trade-offs are worth it for the view or the quiet.
And that’s the magic of it: stepping away from routine, waking up somewhere new, and discovering a place you might’ve never stayed otherwise. You don’t always need a plane ticket to explore.
Still not sold? That’s okay too. There are plenty of ways to enjoy nature without sleeping in a tent:
- Rent a yurt or cabin
- Try a camper or RV
- Book a glamping setup like Under Canvas
Next, I’ll be sharing our go-to camping gear and a few easy meals we always bring along.
Got a favorite beginner-friendly campsite or game-changing camping tip? Especially if it helped you learn how to enjoy camping? I’d love to hear it for our own next camping trip—leave a comment or message me anytime.
With joy,
Bri
Great post, Bri! And amazing timing… I have been thinking about doing car camping and possibly getting a tent that attaches to my vehicle. I’ve been binge watching some YouTube videos about it lately. I’ve also been watching videos about teardrop campers, which is pretty cool as well – anyways, it was exciting to see this post! I love your tips. Hope you are doing well!
Thanks, Aimee!! I love that the timing worked out. Sounds like you’re in the deep-dive phase, which is always a lot fun! Our set up has definitely helped me to ease into camping but we’ve also been talking about small campers too! So I totally get the appeal. Can’t wait to hear what you end up trying. Let me know if you ever want to swap notes! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well too!