Last Updated on 06/2026 by Mom Goes Camping
There’s a lot of crossover between backpacking, camping and glamping. For example, I sometimes bring my portable espresso maker (definitely a glamping item) camping but sit on the ground instead of camping chairs.
Below is a breakdown of backpacking vs. camping vs. glamping. See which items you do on your trips. If they mostly fall into one category, that’s the type of camper you are.
| Backpacking | Camping | Glamping | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | Minimalist tent, tarp or hammock | Family tent | Yurt, cabin or treehouse |
| Sleeping | Foam or self-inflating pad and sleeping bag | Inflatable mattress, sleeping bag and inflatable pillow | Cot with mattress, blankets and pillow |
| Food | Dried food | Canned food and instant meals | Dutch oven and cast iron meals |
| Water | Filter water | Jugs of water | Faucet with potable water |
| Cooking | Canister or alcohol stove | Campfire cooking and large canister stove | Wood stove and oven with hotplate |
| Refrigeration | No refrigerator | Cooler | Electric cooler |
| Utensils | Spork | Nesting or folding utensils | Kitchen cutlery set |
| Dishes | Eat from steel or titanium pot | Plastic or silicone bowls | Graniteware, ceramic or wood tableware |
| Coffee | Instant coffee | Portable coffee filter | French press or portable espresso maker |
| Kitchen | Cook on ground | Cook on picnic table | Portable camp kitchen |
| Washing dishes | Lick dishes clean and rinse | Bucket sink or campground washing station | Sink with plumbed hot water |
| Clothes | One change of wool or synthetic clothes | Lots of layers, cotton or whatever you have | Wool and down clothes for each day |
| Bathroom | Cathole | Outhouse | Plumbed WC |
| Shower | No shower | Communal campground shower or solar shower | Shower with hot water |
| Transport | Walk or hike to camp | Drive to camp | Taken by guide |
| Fees | Free or park permit | Site fee, vehicle fee, electric hookup | Nightly or tour fee |
| Entertainment | Talking to other backpackers | Music, games, campfire stories | Performances, portable projectors |
| Seating | Sit on ground or foam pad | Folding camp chairs, picnic table | Adirondack chairs, high-end folding chairs |
| Temperature control | No AC or heating | Electric fan, campfire | Air conditioning, wood or gas heater |
| Power | Rechargeable batteries or power bank | Portable solar charger, campground electric hookup | Electric hookups |
| Lighting | Headlamp | LED lamps and flashlights | Lanterns |
| Connectivity | Personal locator beacon or satellite messenger | Phone signal | Phone signal and wifi |
Which Style Is Right for You?
The comparison table above shows what each style involves. But the harder question is: which one fits your life right now?
Start with glamping if:
- You’re new to spending nights outdoors and want to see if you actually like it before buying gear
- You’re traveling with a partner or friends who have very different comfort levels
- You want a special-occasion outdoor experience without the learning curve
- You have young babies and aren’t ready to troubleshoot sleep logistics in the backcountry
Glamping is often dismissed as “not real camping,” but it’s a genuinely smart entry point. You get exposure to nature and outdoor rhythms without the barrier of gear knowledge. Many lifelong campers started in a luxury tent or a yurt.
Start with car camping if:
- You want a real outdoor experience but prefer a safety net (car nearby, restrooms, fire ring)
- You have kids between ages 2–8 who need predictability and don’t hike far
- You’re on a budget — car camping is dramatically cheaper than glamping and requires less gear than backpacking
- You want to test gear before committing to carrying it
Car camping is the sweet spot for most families. It’s where you figure out what you actually need, what your kids actually tolerate, and what kind of camper you actually are. Almost every experienced backpacker started here.
Work toward backpacking if:
- You’ve done several car camping trips and want more solitude
- You’re comfortable troubleshooting gear problems on your own
- You can hike comfortably for 5+ miles carrying a load
- Your kids are old enough to carry a small pack and walk a few miles independently (typically 7+)
Backpacking is not a harder version of camping — it’s a different activity with a significant gear and skill learning curve. Don’t rush the transition. A bad first backpacking trip because you weren’t ready can put you off the whole thing for years.
What Does Each Style Actually Cost?
What Does Each Style Actually Cost?
Cost is one of the biggest factors people don’t think about until they’re already committed.
Glamping: $100–$400+ per night depending on the property and amenities. No gear required — that’s the point. Great for a one-time experience; expensive as a regular habit.
Car camping: $20–$50/night at most campgrounds. Upfront gear investment of $300–$1,000 for a family getting started (tent, sleeping bags, cooking kit, chairs). Once you have gear, per-night costs are very low. A solid family camping checklist helps you avoid buying things you don’t need.
Backpacking: Free to $30/night (most backcountry permits are low cost). But gear investment is real — lightweight backpacking gear built for carrying costs $500–$2,000+ to outfit one person properly. Shared family gear helps. See our backpacking meal planning guide for one of the most controllable costs: food.
Backpacking vs. Camping vs. Glamping FAQ
Which type of camping is best for beginners?
Car camping is the best starting point for most people. You have your car nearby with extra gear, you’re usually at a campground with restrooms and other campers around, and you can bail to a hotel if something goes sideways. It’s the style that teaches you what you actually need — and what you don’t — before you invest in more specialized gear.
Which is best for families with young kids?
Car camping wins for families with children under 7. The mix of restrooms, manageable distances, and the ability to bring comfort items from home (extra blankets, their favorite pillow, a camp chair for the adults’ sanity) makes it the most forgiving option. As kids get older and more capable hikers, backpacking opens up. Our complete guide to backpacking with kids covers the transition timeline.
Can you go straight from glamping to backpacking?
Technically yes, but it’s a big leap. The glamping-to-backpacking jump skips the car camping stage where most people develop practical skills: setting up a tent efficiently, cooking over a camp stove, learning what they actually need to sleep well outdoors. It’s worth spending a few car camping nights between glamping and backpacking.
Is regular camping and tent camping the same thing?
Usually, yes — “camping” most commonly means sleeping in a tent or similar shelter at a campground. But it’s a loose term. RV camping, cabin rentals, and car camping are all sometimes called “camping.” In this post, we use “camping” to mean tent-based car camping at a designated site.
How much does gear for backpacking cost compared to car camping?
Car camping gear runs $300–$1,000 to outfit a family from scratch, but much of it lasts for years and the per-night cost quickly becomes very low. Backpacking gear is more expensive per person because lightweight materials cost more — budget $500–$800 per adult for a functional starter setup. The good news: a lot of beginner backpacking gear works for car camping too, so the collections overlap.
What other differences between backpacking, camping and glamping can you think up? Let us know in the comments section.
