With so many different types of camping, you might be left with a bit of anxiety while trying to plan a cabin camping trip. If you’ve gone camping in the past, then you can let out a sigh of relief because you’re already on the right track.
Though the basics of what to take camping remain pretty much the across the various types of camp experiences, there are few things to consider when you’re going to be staying in a cabin. So, let us help you out with that.
Intro To Cabin Camping for Beginners
If you’re completely new to camping, then cabin camping is a great way to get started. And if you’re an experienced tent camper, then you’ll find cabins to be a nice alternative to tents.
The best thing about cabin camping is that you don’t have to worry about the weather messing up your plans.
What To Expect When Camping In A Cabin
Since you’re new to spending the night in a cabin, and possibly camping in general, we want to let you know what you should expect from the experience.
What you get inside you cabin varies from one campsite to the next. Sometimes it’s just the basics – dining table with chairs, platform bed with mattresses.
Some cabins are wired for electricity, so you get a refrigerator and kitchen appliances. You might even get air conditioning and/or heating.
If you’re really lucky, then you’ll have a private bathroom. Just know that most of the time you have to use a shared toilet facility with other campers.
Sometimes you’ll get a fire pit, outdoor grill, and picnic table.
The best way to know what’s included with the cabin is to ask when you book, or follow up afterwards.
Cabin Camping vs Glamping: What’s The Difference?
Glamping is luxury camping, such as in a yurt. This is not the same as cabin camping because you tend to have more modern amenities when you’re on a glamping trip.
In fact, glamping is a lot closer to a hotel stay than camping because you don’t have to bring things like bed sheets with you when you’re a glamper. You also tend to get your own private bathroom when glamping.
The truth is that cabin camping is basically tent camping, except that you’re in a sturdy structure with four walls.
What To Pack For Cabin Camping
Now that you know what to expect from your experience, and how it compares to glamping, we need to make sure that you don’t forget anything for your big trip.
If your cabin can be reached by car, then you don’t really need to be concerned about how much you pack or how heavy it is.
But if you have to trek to your cabin, then you’re going to need to pay attention to what you pack and how much it weighs to keep things light.
So, use our list of things to pack below but remember to adjust as needed for your situation.
Items you’ll want to pack:
- Bedding linens
- Towels (bath and possibly hand towels)
- Games to play at night or on rainy days
- Kitchen and cooking supplies (utensils, pans, etc.)
- Toiletry kit (don’t forget the toothbrush and soap!)
- Clothes for hiking and other recreation activities
- First aid kit
- Firewood or axe
- Food and water (don’t forget the can opener, napkins, cooking oil & spices)
- Flashlight
- Matches
- Cooler, with ice
- Tarp (in case you need it)
- Rope (in case you need it)
- Dish cleaning supplies
- Your clothes – don’t forget the undies and socks!
- Swimsuits, if there’s water nearby
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Solar charger for your phone/devices
- Compass and map of the area
- Supplies for your pet, if you’re bringing the fur baby with you
- Shower caddy, for when you have to use the shared shower facilities
- Shower shoes to keep your feet free of bacteria in the shower
- Grill with propane or other grill supplies, if no grill is provided
- Grate to cook over the fire, if there’s fire pit
- Camp chairs, if none are included
- Lanterns, for outdoor lighting in the evening and inside if there’s no electricity
Final Thoughts
You should treat camping at the cabin the same way that you would when you’re in a tent.
Take care to leave no trace and remove all of your trash when you leave the cabin.
Remember to observe quiet hours in case there are other campers staying nearby. Just be a good human and take other people into consideration – don’t play loud music, stay outside being loud late into the night, etc.
And make sure that your fire is fully out before you head in for the night.
Thank you I am going camping and this really helped:).
A lot depends on if the cabin has A/C, electricity, and even a refrigerator.
My State (NJ) has some State Parks with cabin camping and they do have all the above, so much easier since I only need to keep things cool for the ride there and don’t need to bring solar charging.
If your cabin has a half-bath or better, you’re going to love it as it approaches yurt amenities.