Driveway Glamping: Get Away From It All, Without Leaving Home

The entire goal of camping is to get closer to nature, so consider trying it at home. (AstroStar/Shutterstock)

As the price of fuel continues to head for the moon, driving the car, SUV, or RV to a faraway campground becomes less appealing. So don’t leave home—just get out of the house.

Camping has always been a traditional pastime in the United States, but according to a recent study commissioned by the state of Wisconsin, it’s now more popular than ever. A whopping 48 million households went camping in 2020—an increase of 6 million from 2019. Camping takes many forms, from backpacking to staying in million-dollar RVs, but the one thing they all have in common is spending time someplace away from home, enjoying the views and new experiences. However, with fuel prices currently significantly higher than those of a year ago, driving a car, much less a gas- or diesel-guzzling RV, almost any distance dampens the appeal of discovering distant and exotic campgrounds. We offer a possible solution: Stay home.

Why travel when you can turn your yard into an overnight adventure campground? (Courtesy of Alvantor)

Most people rush inside when they get home from work or school, making the front or backyard a semi-unfamiliar area that is fair game for a campground. It’s also a safe bet that few have spent the night in their yard on purpose. A day and night spent in your own yard will provide a new appreciation of what goes on outdoors, especially after the lights go out. Even in heavily populated neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to see nocturnal wildlife going about their normal routine. If you have access to night vision binoculars, break them out after the campfire. Bring regular binoculars, too, in order to do some daytime birdwatching, but avoid the temptation to spy on neighbors—it rarely ends well if you get caught!

Consider stringing solar-powered or battery-powered lights to give the campsite a festive atmosphere. (Courtesy of Coleman)

With that in mind, a stay-at-home camping trip begins to make sense. To do it right, you need to set ground rules, such as that once you’re out of the house, you stay out—no trips inside to raid the refrigerator, check social media, or watch TV allowed. There can be exceptions, of course, but the idea is to treat the yard as the campground; once you’ve arrived, you are there for the duration of the vacation.

Who says you have to use a sleeping bag? Consider inflatable furniture for daytime lounging and sleep-time duty. (Courtesy of Intex)

So, how do you do it? Start by deciding how much you want to rough it. If you have an RV or camping trailer, from a fifth wheel to a pop-up, it’s not cheating to use it. In fact, doing so makes camping a breeze, as you’ll have almost everything you need in the driveway or backyard. The next level involves a tent, from a traditional Whiteduck bell tent to a clear Alvantor bubble tent with a view of the stars. No tent? No problem. A tarp strung from trees provides protection from the elements. Hardcore backpackers may even opt to forgo a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars in a hammock or in a sleeping bag on the ground.

Some camp stoves allow you to bake, broil, and fry just like you do in your kitchen. (Courtesy of Skookie)

With the accommodations set, next comes the question of meals. If you don’t have a camper equipped with a galley (kitchen), consider a cooler, such as the RTIC 45-quart model, to hold ice, food, and beverages, and a camping stove like the Camp Chef Outdoor Oven and Skookie, which lets you do everything from frying food on the upper burners to baking cookies in its oven—all in the wide-open outdoors of the wilderness or your yard. While you could cook over a fire, it’s probably best to go slowly so as to not have to learn too many new skills or risk upsetting the neighbors.

A campfire is a must, but consider a self-contained unit to ensure safety as you make s’mores. (Courtesy of Solo Stoves)

All proper camping calls for sitting around outside, but comfort counts, so consider inflatable seating like that from Intex, which converts from a sofa to a bed, or a do-it-all camp chair like the Sport-Brella, which reclines and has drink holders and an overhead umbrella. String a few battery-powered LED lanterns, like those from Coleman, in the trees to provide light after the sun goes down. No campout would be complete without a campfire, but in the interest of safety and avoiding another way to alarm the neighbors, consider a portable fire pit, such as the Bonfire from Solo Stove. Weighing just 20 pounds and crafted from stainless steel, it uses hardwoods rather than expensive propane; just make sure to use the spark shield for maximum safety. If any of the campers aren’t familiar with the wonders of enjoying a messy yet oh-so-delicious s’more while singing camp songs, now is the time to initiate them into the club. Afterward, use the telescope you borrowed from the house earlier to do some serious stargazing.

If you have a traditional tent, use it as your cozy backyard quarters. (Courtesy of White Duck)

The call of nature can sometimes be drowned out by the call of the restroom; this is one example where the “don’t go into the house while camping” rule can be bent. There are portable restroom systems available, but once again, it’s best not to test the patience and understanding of the neighbors by using one in the front yard. Another worthwhile rule is to limit or outright prohibit cell phone use and electronic games. This is supposed to be a vacation, so you need to find ways to remain happily occupied.

Since many campgrounds have pools, barbecue grills, and games like horseshoes, if your yard is so equipped, the driveway glamping rules allow their use; if not, consider investing in a few outdoor games. Several other notable gear suggestions include a battery-powered fan to ease the heat of summer days and nights, a battery-powered lantern, bug repellant, compact flashlights with fresh batteries for all campers, and a ukulele.