How has the coronavirus pandemic affected camping in 2020? And if you decide to camp out now that things are opening back up, how can you do it safely?
This is usually the time of year that campers are out in full force — from bare-bones backpackers to folks who roll RV-style — all enjoying what nature and summer have to offer.
And camping is no exception.
So how has the pandemic affected camping this year? And if you decide to take a camping trip now that things are opening back up, what do you need to know before you go?
In the early stages of the pandemic, less was known about the transmission of Covid-19. As a result, people canceled or postponed trips as the country entered full lockdown mode.
CNN Travel talked with three families — two in Georgia and one in Virginia — who love to camp but who all had to cancel their spring trips, either because facilities closed or because of their own concerns about the pandemic.
State and national parks across America closed or restricted activities this spring.
Things are starting to open back up — but in patchwork fashion, very much depending on the location.
It’s a similar situation in Europe. There is no uniformity as to where or whether camping sites will reopen.
The good news for campers around the world itching to get some fresh air and sleep under the stars: There is growing consensus that transmission risks are lower outdoors than inside.
Debi Gouge, a small-business owner and art instructor in Wythe County, Virginia, has longtime love of camping.
„Nature and camping have always been a place where I reconnect and refresh myself. Being out there breathing the air, and enjoying the beauty of the trees and the wind blowing though them is what I love,“ she said. „Also, it inspires me to create and paint.“
So the pandemic has hit Debi, husband Tim Gouge and their nine dogs hard. She’s had to be particularly cautious about staying virus-free because of a lifelong kidney condition.
„I have been very stressed these last few months,“ Gouge said. „Loss of income, not working, the unknown, etc.
„Then my wonderful husband came up with the great idea to give me some peace — day camping. We set up our camper at Claytor Lake, which is within 20 miles of us and spend the days camping, hiking… cooking out — the works!
„And then we come home late in the evening to sleep since we cannot have a pet sitter right now, and next morning, back to the campground.
