You remember the last time you tried to sleep on the ground. Maybe it was a family camping trip years ago, or something more recent. The hard earth, the cold that crept in before dawn, the walk to a bathroom that felt a mile away. For a lot of people over 55, that memory is enough to keep them indoors. But something has shifted. In 2025, over 52 million households in North America camped at least once, and a growing number of them are older adults who have no interest in sleeping on the ground or cooking over an open fire. They are rediscovering camping by removing the parts they never liked in the first place.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Before beginning any new outdoor activity or travel plan, consult a qualified medical professional regarding your physical readiness and any health considerations specific to your situation.
Modern camping, for many older adults, is not about enduring discomfort. It is about bringing enough of your home comforts with you so that being outdoors becomes genuinely restful, not a test of endurance. The goal is a good night’s sleep, a comfortable place to sit, and a warm meal — all while surrounded by trees or water or open sky.
Why Comfort Matters More Now
There is a reason the camping industry now talks about “glamping” — glamorous camping — as a separate category. It accounted for 29% of all camping experiences in 2025. But the word itself can be misleading. It is not about silk sheets or chandeliers. It is about a mattress that does not leave your hips aching, a chair that supports your lower back, and a shelter that stays dry and warm. For people in their 60s and 70s, these are not luxuries. They are the difference between a weekend that leaves you refreshed and one that leaves you stiff for a week.
The body changes. Joints that once tolerated a foam pad now demand something more substantial. Sleep becomes harder to come by, and a cold night on the ground can ruin the next two days. The research backs this up: 81% of campers report better sleep, reduced stress, or improved recovery after spending time outdoors. But that only holds if the basic conditions are right. If you are cold, uncomfortable, and tired, nature does not feel healing. It feels like a chore.
What Modern Camping Actually Looks Like
The biggest change in camping over the last decade is not the gear. It is the expectation.
Campgrounds now offer clean bathhouses, reliable Wi-Fi, level campsites, and even dog parks and fishing docks. You do not have to dig a hole or haul water. You park, plug in, and set up your living space. For many older adults, this means an RV or a camper van. But it does not have to be a massive motorhome. A small teardrop trailer or even a well-equipped tent with a cot and a thick sleeping pad can achieve the same result: a comfortable, dry place to sleep that is off the ground.
The key is to stop thinking about camping as a list of hardships to endure. The goal is to be outside, comfortably, for as long as you want. That might mean a folding chair with armrests that let you stand up easily, a portable heater for cool evenings, or a proper camp kitchen with a two-burner stove. Each of these removes a small frustration. Together, they make the experience sustainable.
Comfort is not a luxury when you are over 60. It is what allows you to stay outside long enough to actually benefit from being there.
– No Ordinary Homestead
The Real Hesitation: What You Think You Need
Most people who say they are “too old for camping” are not rejecting the outdoors. They are rejecting the version of camping they remember from their 20s. The cold tent, the damp sleeping bag, the terrible camp coffee. That version is optional now.
The hesitation usually comes down to three things: sleep, bathroom access, and temperature control. All three have straightforward solutions. A good camping mattress or cot solves the sleep problem. Most modern campgrounds have clean bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. And a small propane heater or a quality sleeping bag rated for the right temperature handles the cold. Once those three are addressed, the rest is just details.
Many campgrounds now offer “glamping” cabins or yurts that come with real beds, electricity, and heating. These are a good middle ground for anyone who wants to try camping without buying any gear at all. You book, show up, and sleep in a real bed while still being surrounded by nature.
What to Look For in Camping Gear
Not all camping gear is made for older bodies. The industry has started to notice, but you still have to look carefully. Here are the distinctions that matter.
Shelter
A tent is fine if you get one you can stand up in. The stooping and crouching that comes with a low tent is hard on knees and backs. Look for a tent with a peak height of at least 1.8 metres (6 feet). If a tent is too much trouble, a pop-up camper or small trailer eliminates the bending entirely. You walk in, stand up, and sleep on a real mattress.
Sleeping Surface
A sleeping bag on the ground is the single biggest reason people quit camping. A cot lifts you off the ground, keeps you warm, and makes getting in and out of bed far easier. A self-inflating camping mattress with a thickness of at least 10 cm (4 inches) is the next best option. Both are vastly better than a thin foam pad.
Seating
Standard camp chairs are often too low and too soft. A chair with a higher seat height — around 50 cm (20 inches) — makes standing up much easier. Look for one with armrests and a sturdy frame. The chair is where you will spend most of your waking hours, so it is worth getting right.
Cheap folding chairs with thin fabric and lightweight frames. They can collapse under you, especially if you lean forward or sideways. A broken chair in a remote campsite is not just an inconvenience; it can cause a fall. Spend a little more on a chair with a weight rating well above your body weight and a frame made of steel or thick aluminium.
Options Worth Considering
If you are starting from scratch, there are three pieces of gear that make the biggest difference. These are not the only options, but they are the ones that address the most common pain points.
A Cot That Gets You Off the Ground
A cot is the simplest upgrade you can make. It lifts you off the cold ground, provides a flat, firm surface, and makes getting in and out of bed much easier. Look for one with a weight capacity of at least 135 kg (300 lb) and a frame that does not sag in the middle. Some cots now come with a built-in mattress pad, which saves you the trouble of buying a separate sleeping pad. The discus-style folding cots are popular because they fold into a compact circle and are easy to carry. But any cot with a stable frame and a flat surface will do the job.
- Keeps you off the cold ground entirely
- Easy to get in and out of compared to a sleeping bag on the ground
- Provides a consistent, firm sleeping surface
Note: Cots take up more space in a tent than a sleeping pad. If you are in a small tent, measure the floor space before buying.
A Chair That Supports You Properly
A good camp chair is the difference between a relaxing evening and a stiff back. The zero-gravity style chairs are popular because they recline and take pressure off the lower spine. They also have a higher seat height than standard camp chairs. But they are heavier and bulkier. A simpler option is a director’s chair with a solid armrest and a high back. The key is to test the seat height. If your knees are higher than your hips when you sit, the chair is too low. Aim for a seat height of 45–50 cm (18–20 inches).
- Higher seat height makes standing up easier
- Armrests provide leverage for getting in and out
- Reclining options reduce pressure on the lower back
Note: Zero-gravity chairs take up more space in the car. If you are tight on storage, a director’s chair folds flat and is easier to pack.
A Portable Heater for Cool Nights
Cold is the fastest way to ruin a camping trip. A small propane heater can take the chill off a tent or a camper. But this is an area where safety matters. Only use a heater designed for indoor use, with an automatic shut-off if it tips over. Never run a heater while you sleep. Use it to warm the space before bed and again in the morning. The Mr. Heater Buddy series is a common choice because it is small, runs on the small propane cylinders, and has a low-oxygen shut-off sensor. But there are other brands that work just as well.
- Takes the edge off cold mornings and evenings
- Small and easy to pack
- Runs on widely available propane cylinders
Note: Always ventilate the tent or camper when using a propane heater. Crack a window or leave the door slightly open. Carbon monoxide is a real risk in an enclosed space.
Narrowing It Down
The right gear depends on how you camp, not on what looks best in a catalogue.
If you are tent camping, a cot and a good chair are the two most important purchases. If you are using an RV or a camper van, you already have a bed and a seat, so your focus shifts to comfort items like a mattress topper, a quality camp chair for sitting outside, and a heater for cool nights. If you are renting a cabin or yurt, you need almost nothing beyond a chair and a sleeping bag for the bed.
- Modern camping is about comfort, not endurance. A good night’s sleep and a warm, dry space are the foundations.
- Start with three things: a cot or thick mattress, a chair with a high seat and armrests, and a safe way to stay warm on cool nights.
- Campgrounds have changed. Clean bathrooms, level sites, and even Wi-Fi are now common. You do not have to rough it.
Closing Thoughts
Camping at 65 or 70 is not the same as camping at 25. It should not be. The point is not to prove anything. It is to spend time in a place that slows you down, lets you breathe, and reminds you what quiet sounds like. A comfortable chair, a warm bed, and a hot meal do not take anything away from that. They make it possible to stay long enough to feel it.
If you have been thinking about camping again, start small. One night. A campground with a bathroom. A chair that does not hurt. See how it feels. You might be surprised at what you were missing.
References
KOA’s 2026 camping trends report — data on camper demographics, motivations, and the rise of comfort-focused camping.
KOA’s 2026 North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report — comprehensive survey data on camping participation, spending, and the growth of glamping.
No Ordinary Homestead article on comfort camping — practical perspective on why older adults are choosing comfort over roughing it.
