Mid-week Camping

Mid-week camping isn't an option for everyone. Most of us are stuck in the Monday-Friday grind. Its too bad that making a living gets in the way of living.  But if you're retired, independently wealthy, or can take some time off during the week now and then, you may be able to enjoy relatively light traffic and short lines for activities. However, you may still need reservations for developed camp grounds and scheduled events. If you can get away during the week you may be pleasantly surprised at how serene your favorite camp site is without the hustle and hassle of the weekend crush.  Beginning a week-end outing mid-week can avoid traffic and sometimes secure you a better camp site.  We often went out on Tuesday before Thanksgiving to reserve our group camping area in a BLM staging area in the Mojave Desert for our annual "Turkey In The Dirt" Thanksgiving ride.  By Thursday the once deserted desert had sprouted enough motorhomes and trailers to look like a small city.  Of course, if you prefer the social atmosphere of being with lots of people, mid-week camping might not be your cup of tea.

Preparation for mid-week camping isn't much different from preparing for any other outing, except you probably don't have to allow extra time for holiday traffic and long check-in lines. Do call ahead to make sure any special attractions you want to see are going to be open. Not all venues are open during the week, especially in their off season. If you enjoy the excitement of crowds, stick to holiday weekends. But if you'd like a little peace and quiet, make a few mid-week trips. You may find camp stores that are only open on weekends or have limited hours during the week so it is a good idea to find out in advance so you don't rely on being able to buy anything you need any time.

You may find limited access to some resources, such as park rangers or law enforcement during weekday outings to remote areas and some concessions might be closed. If you are boondocking, you will really need to be able to count completely on what you bring with you, so make sure you are prepared.  You may find yourself alone at campgrounds, which can be both a blessing and a curse.  If you like solitude, you'll be in good shape but if you're more socially minded you might find it a little lonely.  Some folks feel a little vulnerable when boondocking alone.  If you happen to be in that group you might want to coordinate your outings with some friends or prepare some extra security measures to ensure your comfort level.

You will probably find road traffic lighter going to and from your camp ground, fewer campers when you arrive (giving you a better selection of camp sites), and fewer people on the trails, lakes, and streams.  Local shopping will probably be less crowded.  On rare occasions you may find some campgrounds that are only open weekends, so it is good to call ahead or check the camp ground's web site.  Seasonal closures are quite common and some places may "ease into" the off season with restricted availability.

Enjoy the serenity!