Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

Close to Home: A Guide to Major City Urban Camping

Molly Harris
By
A tent is set up among trees sporing fall foliage at the edge of a green space in a city.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Camping can be a wonderful pastime but it can require quite a lot of gear as well as travel to get away from home in some cases. That’s why urban camping is such a great alternative for those who are just getting into camping or who can’t slip too far away from their home in the city. Not to mention, some urban camping experiences require a lot less gear, so there’s no need to invest in a lot before you take off.

Not only does urban camping make for a great staycation when you need a change of scenery, but can’t get away. Urban camping will also give you the ability to pop home easily anytime you want to be back in the comfort of your home again. Start by trying out these urban camping sites for a fun introduction into the niche.

Recommended Videos

Liberty Harbor, New York City

Looking down a street in New York City with skyscrapers in the distance.
Pixabay / Pixabay

New Yorkers who want to pull out their tent or rent an RV for a weekend can pull it out and set it up at Liberty Harbor. The RV park is just across the Hudson River in Jersey City and is even accessible by public transit. At just $110 per night, this urban camping site is quite affordable and affords city dwellers who call the Big Apple home an easy outlet for connecting with nature.

Read more: New York City Travel Guide

Governors Island, New York City

A large event tent is set up on an expansive deck on Governor's Island overlooking New York harbor with the skyline in the distance.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Those living in New York City who do not have a tent, a sleeping bag, or other essential camping gear might need another alternative. That’s why Governors Island is worth considering. This glamping site will outfit you with everything you need to have a luxurious stay outdoors without leaving home for long. Ride bikes, barbecue, and listen to your surroundings while just a short ferry ride from the city. Governors Island is one of the easiest staycations that will feel like you’re much farther away.

Kirby Cove Campground, San Francisco

A tent glows from within in a night shot with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another excellent camping location just outside of a major city is Kirby Cove. Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just across the bay by the bridge, Kirby Cove allows nature-seekers to set up camp for just $30. From the campsite, guests can explore the massive redwood trees in the Muir Woods, that is if they can pull themselves away from their campsite view. The sites are located atop a bluff that overlooks the bay and the city making it a bucket list-worthy camping destination for many. You will, however, have to plan far in advance or be open to a spontaneous trip based on a cancellation since there are only five campsites.

Read more: San Francisco Travel Guide

The Vaudeville!, Chicago

An aerial shot of downtwon Chicago with Lake Michigan visible in the distance.
Pixabay

This urban camping site, The Vaudeville!, is actually right in the center of Chicago. Inside this truly urban campground, you can pitch a tent and enjoy outdoor activities all without leaving the city. Rent a kayak and float down the Chicago river, bike around town, or visit with the farm animals on-site such as chickens and goats. Of course, you can always get home within about 10 minutes should you forget something.

Read more: Chicago Travel Guide

Blue Hills Reservation, Boston

The Boston skyline as seen from the harbor.
Pixabay

Finally, the Blue Hills Reservation which is less than 15 miles outside of Boston is another excellent urban camping destination. This nature park has more than 8,000 acres and 125 miles of trails. That means anyone in need of some forest therapy can easily get to wooded areas and enjoy the great outdoors within easy reach of Boston. There are even laid-back cabins with nothing but the essentials, so you don’t even have to pitch your own tent if you prefer. Just pack some clothes and get out of town.

Read more: Boston Travel Guide

Topics
Molly Harris
Molly Harris
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Molly Harris is a freelance journalist, cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Lonely…
Ditch the GPS: How to navigate using a map and compass
Don't worry, it's really not that difficult to find your way or location the old-school way
Fingers holding a map and compass in the outdoors

GPS devices and GPS apps for your phone and even navigation watches with GPX files are nearly foolproof today. But what about when you run out of battery or your waterproof device isn't as waterproof as you had hoped? Even worse, what if you spend your entire trip with your head buried in your GPS without taking the time to get to know your surroundings?

Here at The Manual, our number-one backpacking essential for every outdoor adventure is the humble map and compass. It's no use just buying these items and stuffing them into your backpack. First, you need to learn how to read a topographic map and know what all the twisting bits do and what the numbers mean on your compass. It can all look quite confusing, so we're going to demystify the art of how to navigate using a map and compass and let you go old school, ditch the GPS, and get to know your surroundings intimately.
Know the parts of the compass

Read more
A beginner’s guide on how to read a topographic map
Learn how to read and navigate with a topographical map from an expert
Reading a topographic map

Before you’ve packed your bags and before you’ve gassed up the wagon, there’s the little issue of figuring out where you’re actually going to go and -- more importantly, if you're going to be outdoors -- the type of terrain that's there.

One of the best ways to do that is to peruse a map of the region that goes a little further than just showing you a layout of the park. A topographic map introduces you to the peaks and valleys and gives you an understanding of how difficult the terrain might be in the area where you’re headed. It was originally developed as a way to depict counties and cities before the U.S. military used it in World War I.
Where to begin

Read more
These are the essential outdoor knots every outdoorsman should know
A well-versed arsenal of knots is a must-have for any outdoorsman
A reef knot is tied against a tree

There's almost no end to what you can achieve armed with a length of rope and an arsenal of outdoor knots to tie it together. If heading into the backcountry, you should always be prepared for survival. While part of that is carrying the right gear, you must know how to use it effectively. You wouldn't take your woodcutting axe without giving it a few practice swings at home, so why would you expect to tie the right knot without practice?

There is an adage among those who don't know what to do with rope: if you can't tie knots, tie lots. If you don't know what you're doing, keep tying until your rope feels secure. It works, sometimes. But in a significant way, these people are missing out. Knots, like backcountry navigation skills or making a fire, are part of being an outdoorsman. Outdoor knots come in different shapes and perform various tasks; some are quick, some secure, and others are designed to be untied quickly. These eight are the essential outdoor knots to learn first, so grab a rope and upskill your outdoor self.
Bowline knot

Read more