12. Luxury camping
Luxury camping
For some camping purists, a backpack, pocket knife and two sticks could be considered a heavy of outdoor essentials, but to a growing number of luxury campers, a list of necessities could include a travel espresso machine, laptop and three-piece sushi set with chopsticks.
"There's a whole new variety of campers out there who want to do it their own way – luxuriously," said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
the mid-1990s, Profaizer said, an increasing number of baby boomers, families and young couples to add comfort, convenience and pampering to their outdoor adventures. The Chattooga River Resort near Clayton, Georgia, caters to this new type of camper.
James Harpe, 50, and his wife camped at the resort last spring and were surprised by the level of detail. Even the bathhouses get the deluxe treatment, outfitted with "marble and tile nothing like we expected," Harpe said. "One night we decided we wanted filet mignon, sweet potatoes and corn and it was there when we got back," said Harpe. "One other night we had trout and wine."
Minutes from the mighty Chattooga River, and by natural rhododendron fields and fern forests, the campsite offers specialized room service for whitewater rafters and other campers in search of rest. Craig Ewing, who founded the camp in June 2000 with his wife Mary, wanted to offer an alternative to exhausted rafters who used to spend hours backpacking the area in search of the perfect camp site after a day on the water.
In the past six years, Profaizer said she's seen a trend across the country to add comfort to modern camping and renovate facilities with new equipment and office technology. "We're seeing wireless Internet being as usual as fire rings these days," said Profaizer.
The 2002 annual Natural Operations & Economic Survey study, commissioned by the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, shows that 90% of RV parks and campgrounds have invested in improving and expanding their facilities. Upgrades and additions increased electrical amperage to campsites, landscaping, restroom additions and remodeling, cable TV and phone hookups at campsites, and recreational amenities like splash pools, walking trails and fitness facilities. One thousand sites .
While luxury camping might sound like a gala event, some die-hard "roughing it" fans find the new trend . "It's a whole different type of experience pitching your own tent," said Kate Tucker, manager of GORP Travel, the booking division of the online outdoor activity information site GORP.com. She said the planning and packing that go into the "roughing it" style of camping is exciting. "It's almost like you make your own adventure," she said. "It's definitely hard work, but I also think that it's very rewarding to hike all day and make your own food and find a campsite and make a fire. It you to get back to the basics."
But Profaizer luxury camping, saying that it also offers a venue for experiencing nature. Campers, luxury or not, still have to deal with the elements, she said. "You're never going to get rid of mosquitoes totally. It still rains, so you're going to still get mud on occasion." And in spite of the bug bites, she said, "it's a great way to see the country and a great way to relax." The Harpes, who spent $600 on camping, catering and souvenirs during their six-night stay, looked back on their time in the Chattooga River Resort with fond memories.
"Everyone a good time, it was like a big gathering. It isn't like camping at a public ground; you felt like you were part of a group. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing treated us like we were family." Harpe said.