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30 vintage photos of people camping show how different it used to be

30 vintage photos of people camping show how different it used to be
Two women setting up camp in 1956.Harry Kerr/Stringer/Getty Images
  • Camping didn't always involve fancy RVs, watching movies on iPads, or state-of-the-art campgrounds.
  • Camping has evolved from sleeping under the stars to camping out at music festivals and events.

While technology has been incredibly helpful in outdoor adventuring, making recreational camping simpler and more comfortable, there's something nostalgic about how basic the activity used to be.

The decked-out RVs people can now travel in can cost $20,000 to $100,000, but the price of luxury RVs can reach as high as $2 million, according to HomeGuide.

In the 1930s and following decades, however, recreational campers primarily set up simple tents or basic caravans to spend time with their friends and family outdoors. And today, simpler camping can be a great option for families wanting to spend time together — without spending a fortune — as the cost of living climbs.

These photos show what recreational camping used to be like. They might even inspire you to try it for yourself this summer.

Recreational camping looked different 100 years ago.

Recreational camping looked different 100 years ago.
Two friends on a camping holiday in 1930.      Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty

In 1940, the Regional Review called camping "an American tradition," according to a copy of the article shared by the National Park Service.

Starting in the mid-to-late 1800s, people camped for fun in North America, according to Britannica. As people increasingly sought to escape cities, organizations such as the Appalachian Mountain Club began to crop up. At the turn of the 20th century, books such as "The Camper's Handbook" continued to ignite interest, and throughout the century, organized camping grew in popularity.

In 1930, before the Great Depression really took hold, there were more than 3 million campers across the US, The Dyrt reported, citing Terence Young, the author of "Heading Out: A History of American Camping."

While the basic idea of camping was the same as we now know it — sleeping outdoors — the gear was markedly different.

While the basic idea of camping was the same as we now know it — sleeping outdoors — the gear was markedly different.
People camping in France in 1930.      KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Camping originally just involved the campers, the outdoors, and some simple cooking ware. The shelter was simple, too: People would often sleep beneath a sheet held up by sticks and string.

If you went camping like this group in France in 1930, you were unreservedly experiencing nature.

These simple tents were used regardless of weather conditions.

These simple tents were used regardless of weather conditions.
A father helps his son set up a tent during a hunting expedition.      John Titchen/Stringer/Getty

There was usually no electricity for miles, and campers had to make do with whatever heat sources they had — whether that be fires, blankets, or even huddling together for warmth.

The lack of technology made the experience much more authentic.

The lack of technology made the experience much more authentic.
A group of campers talk outside of their tent in 1932.      Central Press/Stringer/Getty

Friends and families would go camping to spend time together outside of their homes.

... but also a lot more work-intensive.

... but also a lot more work-intensive.
A family camps in 1934.      J. A. Hampton/Stringer

There was a lot more manual labor involved with getting set up and making food than in campsites of the future, which might have access to full kitchens or electricity.

Regular morning routines had to be done without a bathroom or mirror.

Regular morning routines had to be done without a bathroom or mirror.
A group of boys shaves outside while camping in 1935.      Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty

Basic grooming was still expected.

Even just making tea could be a chore.

Even just making tea could be a chore.
A group of people make tea from water at a mountain stream during a camping holiday in 1931.      Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty

Campers had to gather everything from the outdoors if they didn't bring water or other supplies with them.

Hammers had to be schlepped to the campsite.

Hammers had to be schlepped to the campsite.
A couple sets up a camping tent in 1936.      Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty

Tent pegs were often wooden, not plastic, and had to be hammered into the ground.

But the work was part of the fun.

But the work was part of the fun.
Two girls set up their camping tent in 1938.      Nick Yapp/Stringer/Getty

Part of the allure of going camping was the authenticity of living outdoors — even if just for the night.

People still found ways to make their camping trips a little more comfortable.

People still found ways to make their camping trips a little more comfortable.
One of the pioneers who founded San Francisco in 1849 in a rocking chair.      Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty

Campers would bring furniture, books, and other items from home to make their time in the great outdoors more comfortable.

Forget the paper plates — some campers brought actual porcelain dinnerware.

Forget the paper plates — some campers brought actual porcelain dinnerware.
A group of women drinks from porcelain cups while camping in 1936.      Alan Webb/Stringer/Getty

While this may seem impractical today, it certainly made for a more sophisticated camping excursion.

Early on, camping was often done out of necessity during long travels. But over time, it became a more common recreational activity for people.

Early on, camping was often done out of necessity during long travels. But over time, it became a more common recreational activity for people.
A mother grills hamburgers over a campsite grill in 1967.      CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

The appeal of having no distractions while enjoying quality time with friends endures.

Boy Scouts went on camping trips every year after their establishment in 1910.

Boy Scouts went on camping trips every year after their establishment in 1910.
A group of Boy Scouts sits around a fire in 1943.      Harry Todd/Stringer/Getty

Campgrounds, as we know them today, weren't really established until the 1930s when the National Park Service developed "Recreation Demonstration Areas," according to the National Park Service.

The Girl Scouts were established in 1912, and wilderness survival was also at their core.

The Girl Scouts were established in 1912, and wilderness survival was also at their core.
A group of girls cooks a meal over an open fire around 1955.      George Heyer/Stringer/Getty

Apparently, the first official mention of s'mores appeared in a Girl Scouts manual in 1927, according to Reserve America.

As the years passed, camping became more involved.

As the years passed, camping became more involved.
Campers set up their tent in 1955.      Richard Harrington/Stringer/Getty

People started bringing more with them on camping trips.

Rather than just setting up tents, people began bringing RVs.

Rather than just setting up tents, people began bringing RVs.
A woman and a girl on a camping holiday in 1960.      Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty

RVs have also evolved a lot. Starting as small cabins built onto the back of regular cars in the 1910s, they eventually evolved into homes, and even mansions, on wheels.

The famous Volkswagen Westfalia Camper was an instant classic for campers and road trippers alike.

The famous Volkswagen Westfalia Camper was an instant classic for campers and road trippers alike.
A woman camping in 1962.      Gerry Cranham/Stringer/Getty

While the VW bus, as it is better known, came out in the '50s, it reached peak popularity in the '70s. It is one of the most iconic road trip vehicles in history, and synonymous with wanderlust.

Having camper vans meant being able to bring more of the luxuries of home, from barware ...

Having camper vans meant being able to bring more of the luxuries of home, from barware ...
Models pose with a Colt caravan in 1968.      Fox Photos/Stringer/Getty

Camping, as a result, became easier.

... to decorative lanterns.

... to decorative lanterns.
Two ladies of the Annual Reunion of Members of the Camping Association of Great Britain and Ireland, September 1930.      Getty/Topical Press Agency /Stringer

Who says camping needs to mean roughing it?

Camper vans also allowed campers to be more comfortable.

Camper vans also allowed campers to be more comfortable.
A woman camping in her car in 1929.      Edward G. Malindine/Stringer/Getty

Instead of sleeping outside, you could have some protection by staying inside your car, or even kick back on a seat that converted into a bed.

One could now avoid truly living in the elements.

One could now avoid truly living in the elements.
Campers set up their caravan around 1930.      General Photographic Agency/Stringer/Getty

Everyone wants to be close to nature ... but not too close.

Once campers were able to have more cover from nature, they did that instead.

Once campers were able to have more cover from nature, they did that instead.
A group of campers in 1978.      Gerry Brents/Stringer/Getty

Camping became more comfortable, meaning campers could now spend days or even weeks at a time in the wilderness.

Camping also became a way to get good seats at events.

Camping also became a way to get good seats at events.
A group of campers outside Wimbledon in 1978.      Evening Standard/Stringer/Getty

People sometimes spent days camping outside ahead of an event.

People would camp to stake out good spots at festivals.

People would camp to stake out good spots at festivals.
Two fans stake out a spot a week in advance of a music festival in 1970.      Evening Standard/Stringer/Getty

Camping is still used as accommodation at modern festivals like Bonnaroo.

By the 1960s, camping was no longer just a necessity — it was a popular recreational activity.

By the 1960s, camping was no longer just a necessity — it was a popular recreational activity.
A family gathers around a camp stove at a campsite in Wyoming in 1965.      Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

However, many campsites were still segregated, meaning only white visitors had access to certain parks and campgrounds.

Writers of the Beat Generation popularized camping the old-fashioned way in the '60s.

Writers of the Beat Generation popularized camping the old-fashioned way in the
A family on a camping holiday in 1922.      Topical Press Agency/Stringer/Getty

The Beat Generation was a literary movement made up of a group of writers who wrote about American culture using a stream-of-consciousness writing method.

Jack Kerouac, a popular writer of the time, wrote about the times he slept outside on the beach in Big Sur, which he later published in his 1962 novel "Big Sur."

The Beat Generation romanticized the idea of living on the road.

The Beat Generation romanticized the idea of living on the road.
Camping in 1959.      Bowden/Stringer/Getty

To this day, their raw stories about traveling constantly and taking odd jobs to survive encourage readers to live more in tune with nature.

Many state and national parks upheld segregation until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, limiting access to these outdoor spaces for Black citizens.

Many state and national parks upheld segregation until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, limiting access to these outdoor spaces for Black citizens.
A family attends a picnic in Washington Park in Chicago, circa July 1973.      Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

However, Black people and families still made use of desegregated parks and campsites or used parks and campgrounds that were designated only for Black citizens. These parks, like Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, became places of community for Black families and received thousands of visitors each year, Atlas Obscura reported.

After state and national parks were mandated to be desegregated, many of the Black-only parks closed or were absorbed by surrounding parks, according to the National Park Service.

Traditional camping will likely remain a popular activity for years to come, regardless of technological advancements.

Traditional camping will likely remain a popular activity for years to come, regardless of technological advancements.
Girl Scout guides working at their camp kitchen in 1924.      Topical Press Agency/Stringer/Getty

In fact, the more dependent we become on technology, the more people might like to retreat into nature for a few days.

Camping may keep changing, but it will never go out of style.

Camping may keep changing, but it will never go out of style.
Two women setting up camp in 1956.      Harry Kerr/Stringer/Getty Images

There's been a statistical rise in camping over the past decade. According to Kampgrounds of America's 2024 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality report, active campers have increased by 68% in the last 10 years, and six out of 10 US households identify as campers.

As families try to find affordable summer activities due to the rising cost of living, we may see even more campers seeking the great outdoors this summer.


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