There’s No Shame in Fancy Camping. Here’s How to Get Bougie at Your Next Campsite

I’m normally a committed backpacker. But a recent vacation spent “comfort camping” in Montana made me realize that introducing a few fancy elements into my outdoor experience can really have its virtues.

So if you needed permission, this is it: embrace your bougie side in the outdoors on your next camping trip.

And I’m also here to tell you that you don’t need to own a bunch of fancy gear to make it happen. You can bring what you have from home or even rent gear from a local outdoors shop to make your weekend away feel as restful and comfortable as possible.

In my experience, a fun, comfortable camping trip relies on three key ingredients: good food, plenty of comfort and some engrossing entertainment. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of your weekend away.

(And if you’re looking to really make things as luxe as possible, take a look at our list of places of yurts, cabins and glamping spots in the Bay Area instead.)

For luxe camping, rent what you don’t have

You can rent entire camping packages in the Bay Area from retailers like Sports Basement, REI or Outback Adventures, which offer a variety of bundles. You can also pick up a la carte rental options if you’re just missing a few pieces of gear — or slightly decadent add-ons.

Mateo Sanchez, rental operations manager for Sports Basement, said many campers — from first-timers to far more experienced folks — use rental gear to fill in the gaps as they make purchases over time. It’s also a way to test out more high-end gear before taking the plunge to buy.

Making a reservation for your gear can ensure you’ll get exactly what you want, Sanchez said, but you can also walk into a store and rent equipment on the spot.

And don’t worry if you’ve never even set up a tent before: they’ll help you learn how, before you head out. “You don’t want to get out there in the middle of the night and have to be doing that the very first time,” he said.

The food: level up your camping cuisine

Let’s be honest — the best part of any trip is usually the food. And if you plan ahead and bring along the right stuff, you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your meals while camping.

Jon Turney, a river guide in Glacier National Park and former chef with 20 years of kitchen experience, is truly an expert in this field.

I was lucky enough to sample his cooking myself on a recent rafting vacation, during which his one-pan grilled pork, potatoes and veggies with a side of garlic bread blew my party away — not to mention the next day’s huckleberry pancakes, of which I ate five.

Turney said the key to a good backcountry meal is, as you might imagine, food prep and organization — he works with the group’s kitchen manager, who plans and preps all the ingredients. But his most important tip: “research the area you’re going and work in some local cuisine” (hence the huckleberry breakfast.) “That is always taking it to the next level as a chef,” he said.

The key to making this all happen? Bring — or better yet, rent — a good quality camping stove, so you can not only enjoy your morning coffee before you’ve had a chance to get a campfire going, but so you can cook (almost) like normal in the evenings. You’ll also probably need a cooler to keep your beverages and other refrigerated items cool, so grab some ice on your way into the campsite or plan to buy it there.

If you already have a Dutch oven or cast iron pan, bring it along to get an even cook over the campfire itself, Turney said. “Cast iron is really nice because it retains heat and you can make beautiful meals out of it, which could also be one-pan meals.”

The same goes with utensils (a sharp kitchen knife is a must-have for any chef, Turney said), bowls and any other kitchen items — like your favorite coffee mug — that you might miss while you’re away. And so long as your campground has a way to properly dispose of dishwater, you can wash your dishes just like at home.

The comfort: bring some luxury into your campsite

It’s amazing how a few battery-powered string lights can transform your tent into a cozy refuge. Comfy slip-on shoes like Crocs and several pairs of wool socks never fail to convince my brain I’m lounging in a cozy cabin and not a tent.

For extra coziness, bring blankets you don’t mind getting dirty (and that you can easily wash after,) pillows, a beanie and gloves for colder nighttime temperatures.

While I love my (rather expensive) travel-size Rumpl blanket that I can wear almost like a coat, you don’t actually need specialized camping gear to get comfy in the outdoors.

A big way to add coziness to your camp setup is with lighting. Try the dollar store for string lights, a colorful lantern or fake battery-powered candles that will add some atmosphere. Plus, it’s practical: “You wouldn’t think of it until you’re there, but when you don’t have a light to turn on, that limits your activities once the sun goes down,” said Sanchez from Sports Basement.

For those worried about sleeping on the ground, forget the foam pad — bring that inflatable mattress that’s gathering dust in your garage. Or, if you’re not ready to give up that springy “real bed” feel, try out a rental camping cot.

Hang a clothesline to keep everything dry. Also, consider renting or borrowing a hammock — there’s nothing like an afternoon hanging nap in the sun to help you truly unwind.

While camp chairs aren’t a must, since your site will probably have a picnic table, they certainly help add to your comfort — and will make a huge difference if you’re planning to make and spend time around a campfire.

Speaking of which: if you’re the campfire type, plan to bring or buy firewood. Just make sure to double-check your campsite’s regulations around fires (most state campsites don’t allow you to gather wood from around your site, and federal ones won’t let you bring your own wood), and when you’re done, make sure to drown the fire in water until it’s cold to the touch. 

The entertainment: make your own fun

For some, camping may be entertainment in itself, or maybe you’ve planned a full day of hiking or swimming. But for the rest of us, the fun of camping can be in the wide open time and space to create our own fun.

If you’re near water, consider bringing or renting inflatable tubes to float on or swimming or fishing gear — or look for nearby boat rentals for kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Many campsites have paved bike paths where you can take a leisurely ride to see the sights.

In wide grassy areas, equipment for field games like a Frisbee, bocce or boules, or volleyball can turn your sleepy campsite into an arena for fun-spirited competition.

If you’re in a bird or other wildlife hotspot, consider bringing or renting binoculars, which Sanchez said is one of Sports Basement’s most popular rental items.

Another item that’s popular with renters, Sanchez said: a power station, which allows you to charge devices or lanterns while out in the wilderness.

When camping with friends, I always bring a deck of cards or other tabletop games for some friendly campfire competition. Don’t forget a book or journal to complete your hammock time. This last trip, I even brought a set of watercolors to try to capture the stunning scenery around me.

And try not to feel guilty about wanting to stay entertained while camping. If you have cell service or content downloaded beforehand, there’s no shame in catching up on the latest episode of your favorite show or podcast to make your tent feel a little more like home.