Walk-Up Vs Walk-In Campsites: The Differences You Should Know Before Your Next Adventure

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Campers may often hear the terms "walk-up" and "walk-in" being used to describe various campsite options. While this may seem like a mere issue of semantics, it definitely is not. Nor are these two terms interchangeable — at least when they're applied properly. In a nutshell, the primary difference between walk-up and walk-in campsites is that the former refers to how you acquire the site, while the latter describes how you access it.

With that in mind, if you want to book that perfect campsite, then walk-up sites may not be the best bet. This is because walk-up campsites are first-come, first-serve. This means, there is no guarantee you will actually be able to get the campsites when it is time for the long-awaited adventure. Some campgrounds have sites that are designated as walk-up year around. Others require reservations during peak season but may transition to walk-up during the off-season. Others may have a combination of reservation and walk-up, or only reserved sites.

As you plant your camping adventure, it's important to know which types of sites are available. If you are considering a walk-up site, you may want to get an idea of the average availability, so that you can better judge your odds of securing one on arrival. There are some walk-up sites that don't book very often, so in all likelihood, you should be able to get one when you show up. Other sites are quite popular, and you may have to arrive early to have a shot. However, if you're leaving on a last-minute camping trip, walk-up sites are ideal, as you don't have to worry about making an advance reservation nor are you locked into certain length of stay or dates.

Walk-in campsites are those you have to walk to. Most often a parking lot or common parking area will be near these types of sites, but you can't drive your vehicle right up to the camping area. This means you need to be prepared to pack in all your gear. Logistically, this takes a little bit of planning to avoid common camping packing mistakes, such as bringing too much gear or including large, bulky items. Instead, focus on lightweight, packable equipment like the Coleman Sundome Tent and other easy-to-manage necessities.

Since walk-in camping requires a bit more foresight to ensure you have all the camping essentials, and because you won't have your vehicle in camp with you, it's not the best choice if you're camping alone for the first time or are new to camping. Additionally, if car camping is your thing, you can rule out walk-in sites immediately. It's also important to note that some walk-in sites are also walk-up. In other words, they are still first-come, first-serve. That said, many others do require a reservation.

You should also expect fewer amenities at walk-in campsites than you would typically see at their drive-up counterparts. However, if you thrive on simplicity and are right at home utilizing a minimal amount of gear while tent camping, a walk-in site may be the perfect choice for you. Do keep in mind, if that a walk-in site is also walk-up, there is a chance you may not be able to secure it on the day of your planned trip. So, as is the case with any walk-up site, it's always a good idea to have nearby alternatives in mind.