I stayed in a camper instead of a tent on a recent trip to Utah.
I thought the RV was more luxurious than a queen-size mattress.
I wouldn't choose this trailer if I traveled with someone else.
It's known for its dramatic landscapes, towering arches, and dark skies. I decided to camp after visiting for the first time.
Nature is a lure for many travelers. There are multiple national and state parks in the town. Hiking, rafting, four-wheeling, and mountain biking are all available here.
I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible after I arrived on the train. I decided to go to camp.
My camping accommodations are usually a nylon hammock or tarp flooring of a tent. I wanted to try a new thing.
I used to go on camping trips with my brother. I usually sleep in a tent or hammock on the weekends in Colorado.
The experience of being a camper is not without its drawbacks. I don't get a lot of sleep thanks to thin sleeping pads, and I don't like running water.
I started thinking about glamping when I realized I wouldn't be able to bring all my camping gear with me on the train. A camping experience with more amenities than a tent is called glamping.
It felt like a dream to upgrade my camping experience with a mattress and running water.
I found a small camper onAirbnb after scrolling through a lot of websites.
I tried to find the best cabin rentals in the area, but couldn't find them. I found massive five-wheel RVs, yurts, and vintage trailers on the website.
There is a tiny trailer for rent through Red Rocks Base Camp. It seemed like a practical size for one or two people to stay in the camper and it was one of the more affordable options I saw.
The process of booking a brick-and-mortar home was different from the process of booking a camper onAirbnb.
I was responsible for finding and paying for the location where the host was going to deliver my trailer, according to the listing. I researched camping spots in the area before I booked the apartment.
I booked a campsite at Ken's Lake Campground after reading positive reviews. I told my host where I was going to be camping. For the two nights, the trailer cost $286. The costs were paid for by the Insider.
My booking was confirmed and I was done. I arrived at the campground on check in day.
The camper and campsite costs $334 for two nights.
The price was reasonable.
I had to pack a tent and all my camping gear when I traveled to Moab. When we camp, my roommate and I usually take an entire trunk's worth of gear, with a luggage limit of 60 pounds. The tent is almost 17 pounds.
It would have cost me the same as the camper to rent camping gear. The price for a one- to three-day camping rental is $230. Since I would be in a hot climate and interviewing people for work, I thought a trailer with running water and a bed would be a better way to stay cleaner.
If I were going to sleep in an air-conditioned room, I would probably find something around $400. I didn't want to compromise on location and access to nature.
It felt weird to pull into the campsite without any gear. I didn't have anything to sleep in.
My trailer was ready for me at Ken's Lake when I woke up that morning.
I picked up my rental car and went to the campsite. My little one was waiting.
The check-in process was very easy. I didn't have to provide a credit card for damages or use a code to get in, I just met with the host and used a code.
I arrived to an unlocked trailer with camping chairs already arranged near the fire pit and rugs at the entrances of the trailer. The host did it all for me, so I thought I would have to do it myself.
I knew the trailer would be small, but I didn't think it was that big.
The camper was approximately 45 square feet. The entire interior of the camper can be visualized as a queen-size mattress.
There was a door on one side and a fan on the other.
A thick band of sweat formed when I stepped out of the rental car after arriving at the campsite.
I wondered if the fan could keep me cool in the high 80s and low 90s. I realized this was a stupid thought. Cool nights are common in most arid climates. I stayed in the 40s.
When I woke up, I felt warm. The fan above wasn't enough to keep me cool so I opened the doors to let in more air.
If I traveled with another person, I would need to have two doors.
A second door would prevent someone from crawling over one another to get out of the camper.
There was no place to stand. The only other thing in the camper was a shelf.
I kicked off my shoes when I got inside the camper. There was no room to store my shoes in the trailer because of the mattress taking up most of the space.
There were bookshelves at the foot of the bed. There was a press-and-unlock knob on each door handle.
I thought it was a lot of storage. I would have to pack lighter if I traveled for weeks or had another person's belongings crammed into the shelves.
There is a small ledge near the head of the bed.
I liked the skylight the most in the camper. The national parks service says that the national parks have some of the darkest skies in the country. There was a light show in the sky when I was a few miles away.
I was able to see the stars thanks to the skylights.
There were more things to do outside of the camper. There was a cooler and solar panel at one point.
I was able to charge my phone and laptop during the trip because of a solar panel.
It would have been helpful if I had planned to cook my own meals.
An entire kitchen setup can be seen at the other end of the trailer's garage door.
I used the kitchen space to shade from the two locked handles that lifted the door.
The camper does not have a fridge, but it does have a stove with propane and a sink with hot and cold water. I had enough water for ten days according to the listing.
The kitchen had a stove, sink, and all the cooking essentials.
I didn't think it would have a kitchenette for the small space.
Everything I needed to cook a camping meal was supplied by the host. I found pots and pans, cutting boards, spices, paper towels, lighters, and everything else I needed to make most meals.
Every detail of the experience was thought out, which made it ideal for a traveler like me.
I wouldn't have to buy anything other than groceries if the host had made it that way.
Two outdoor rugs were added to help wipe off sand.
It was nice to not have to pack a tent or double-check that my propane tanks were full.
I thought the camper was a big upgrade over my tent, but it didn't have a shower.
I used Ken's Lake Campground for other amenities because I thought the camper was well equipped.
There were no sinks or showers at the campground. I didn't think about the shower situation before I arrived, but I saw a few places where travelers can pay for a shower.
I didn't have time to explore national parks and ghost towns. The shower places were closed by the time I was done with my activities.
I wouldn't book this camper with another person because of the experience.
Two people could manage a small space. With the hot temperatures and sweat that comes with camping, I was relieved that I had the whole bed to myself.
If I travel with a friend or partner, I would prefer a larger space.
The two nights were very easy to sleep in. I'll consider booking a glamping trailer or camper for future trips where I travel by train or plane. I will stick to my tent if I take my car or travel with someone else.
On a camping trip, washing my face or brushing my teeth can be difficult. I have to juggle a water bottle between my hands or find a place to put my toothpaste.
The camper had a sink that made it easy to wash dishes.
It gave me some of the best rest in nature. I don't think I'll get a good night's sleep when I go camping. I can't get comfortable even though my camping pad is thick.
For those small luxuries and future trips where I'm not able to pack my 17-pound tent or camping solo, I'll consider glamping. I'll probably camp in my tent if I'm driving or with a friend.
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