When setting out on a camping trip, it’s easy to focus on what we’ve packed, which route to take for traveling there, and what we’ll do when we get to our destination. After a winter spent indoors, we want our summer camping trips to be perfect. To get there, consider appealing to the senses that we often overlook! Who said some of the best food we’ve had can’t be found during a camping trip or that we’ll keep coming back to a yurt in the woods just for the peace and quiet natural sounds that accompany it? We’ve created a list of campgrounds to delight each of the five senses that may make you reconsider the way you plan your camping trips.
Sight
First off, Mt. Hood Village Resort in Welches, OR is a picturesque RV resort less than an hour from the tallest mountain peak in the state. There are several points in the resort where you can catch a glimpse of Mt. Hood, but the mountain won’t be the only wonder to feast your eyes on during your stay. The campground is surrounded by natural beauty; take it all in on a morning hike through the dense forest or trek along the Salmon River that runs beside the campground’s outskirts. If you’re quiet enough, you might be able to spot some woodland critters along the way.
Just as there are a variety of things to do during your stay, there are several ways to camp at Mt. Hood Village, including tent sites, RV sites, and a selection of vacation rentals. If you’re looking to fulfill your sense of whimsy while camping in the forest, consider booking one of the tiny houses that each bring their own personality and charm.
For those who have always wondered what it’s like camping in an RV but don’t own one, consider renting one with Outdoorsy, the peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, and see what all the buzz is about!
Touch
There’s nothing like the feeling of crashing waves around your feet and the warm sun on your face to relax on a vacation. A great spot to live on island time for a week, and less crowded after the winter rush, is Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina in Big Pine Key, FL.
During your stay at Sunshine Key, get out on the water and relish the warm gulf breezes. Sunshine Key offers various opportunities to get in the water, from kayaking and paddle boards to snorkeling for the adventurous types and offshore fishing and sunset cruises for those looking to take it easy.
The resort welcomes RVers and glampers alike, including a small village of tiny house vacation rentals available for booking. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stay in an RV, the resort has stationary vacation campers to rent, and they’re pet-friendly!
Sound
Next, the riverside yurt rentals at Yosemite Lakes in Groveland, CA are second to none when it comes to taking time to unplug. These rentals are furnished with a simple kitchen, bathroom with shower, queen futon and bunk bed. Outside, the yurts feature private decks with a barbecue grill along with a picnic table and fire ring. Book one of these units and you’ll feel your cares slip away listening to the rushing water of the Tuolumne River just feet from your door.
There’s so much onsite to fill your days with fun, including the hiking trails, mini golf and the newly renovated lodge with all your favorite games. Outside the campground, test the echoes in the caves of Moaning Cavern in Vallecito or explore the soundscape of nearby Yosemite National Park, from the wildlife to the flowing waters (more information at nps.gov/yose/soundscape).
Smell
Most camping trips wouldn’t be complete without a campfire: Meals cooked over the fire, or the campfire itself are some of the best smells of summer. Appropriately named, Tranquil Timbers Campground in Sturgeon Bay, WI is a peaceful RV campground nestled in the Door County woods that offers the perfect setting for your summer camping trip. Both the elite full hookup and premium water/electric RV sites are equipped with fire pits that are just waiting for you and your “camping crew” to unwind under the starlit sky. Be careful with your s’mores, though, or you’ll smell burnt marshmallows too!
From the onsite hiking and biking trails to the swimming pool and arcade, there’s no shortage of fun in store for campers at Tranquil Timbers. For a nearby excursion where you can take the smells of Door County home with you, stop by Heaven Scent Gardens. If your plans are full, you can check out their online store for a scented souvenir anytime at hsgsoap.com.
Taste
Last but not least, exploring the rugged coastlines of Maine opens a world of culinary delights, where the briny aroma of fresh lobster and the taste of buttery clam chowder tantalize the palate at every turn. Mount Desert Island brings in sea-to-table shrimp, scallops, oysters and more that you won’t want to miss. There are several restaurants across the island to choose from that you might have to come back to try them all! Don’t fill up on seafood while you’re in Maine; make room for other treats to delight your taste buds. Sweet Pea Farm hosts tastings of wine sourced from their vineyard, as well as chocolate and other sweets made onsite. You might also check out Café This Way for your breakfast fix. The cafe serves up classics like ham, eggs and potatoes and has vegan and gluten-free options.
Make Mount Desert Narrows Campground in Bar Harbor, ME your home base on your taste quest and get some of the best seaside views. The campground offers outdoor sports, a game room, and swimming pool your family can enjoy between your food-focused adventures and is only a short drive from Acadia National Park. For accommodations, Mount Desert Narrows offers fully furnished cottages, a wealth of RV site types, and ocean view tent sites. Delicious seafood and oceanside camping—the perfect pairing!
Plan Your Stay
These locations are only a few of the possibilities for your sensory camping endeavors. You can make a whole road trip dedicated to one sense alone! Whether you choose the RV site where the crisp scent of pine needles and the sweet aroma of roasting marshmallows dance in the air, a vacation rental where you’re serenaded with the gentle rush of nearby waters, the campground that offers panoramic breathtaking views, or the resort in the Florida Keys where you’ll soak up the sun, sand and sea, there’s no wrong way to relax and unplug on a camping trip spent with loved ones. Take the opportunity to reimagine camping this summer!
