I paid $300 to try glamping in a 45-square-foot camper. I thought it was a major upgrade over a tent, but I wouldn't do it with another person.

Monica HumphriesJul 24, 2022, 16:44 IST

The author and the tiny trailer she spent two nights glamping in.Monica Humphries/Insider

On a recent solo trip to Moab, Utah, I stayed in a teardrop camper instead of a tent or hotel room.
The RV wasn't much bigger than a queen-size mattress, but I thought it made camp luxurious.

Moab, Utah, is known for its dramatic landscapes, towering arches, and dark skies. When I visited for the first time, I wanted to spend every moment outdoors, so I decided to camp.

The author under an arch at Arches National Park.Monica Humphries/Insider

Moab, Utah, is known for its dramatic landscapes, towering arches, and dark skies. When I visited for the first time, I wanted to spend every moment outdoors, so I decided to camp.

I'm an avid camper, but my camping accommodations are rarely more than a nylon hammock or the tarp flooring of a tent. This time, I wanted to try something new.

My typical camping setup.Monica Humphries/Insider

After scrolling through Vrbo, local blogs, travel sites, and Google, I found a small teardrop camper on Airbnb.

The teardrop rental logo.Monica Humphries/Insider

Together, the stay cost $334 for two nights for the camper and the campsite.

The teardrop camper parked at Ken's Lake Campground.Monica Humphries/Insider

On check-in day, it felt odd pulling into the campsite without any gear. I didn't have — or need — a sleeping bag, tent, or camping stove.

Ken's Lake Campground in Moab, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider

I knew the trailer would be small, but it felt even tinier in person.

The trailer was hardly bigger than a queen-size bed.Monica Humphries/Insider

The camper had a door on each side and a fan in the ceiling.

A wide-angle photo of the interior of the teardrop camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

There was no floor or room for standing. Besides the mattress, the only other thing inside the camper was a shelving unit.

The camper had enough storage for a few nights.Monica Humphries/Insider

Near the head of the bed, I enjoyed a skylight and the use of a small ledge.

The trailer had a skylight and ledge.Monica Humphries/Insider

Outside of the camper were more amenities to make camping a breeze. At one end, a pull-out nook came with a cooler and solar panel.

At one end of the camper, there was a storage space for a cooler.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the other end of the teardrop trailer, a garage-like door opened to reveal an entire kitchen setup.

The back opens up to reveal a kitchenette.Monica Humphries/Insider

I thought the kitchen was fully equipped with a stove, sink, and all the cooking necessities.

The back of the camper opens to reveal a kitchen area.Monica Humphries/Insider

It felt like every detail of the experience was thought out, which was ideal for a traveler like me.

Arrows point to the awning and rugs that came with the trailer.Monica Humphries/Insider

While I thought the camper was a huge upgrade over my typically-used tent, it did not come with a place to shower.

The bathroom facilities on Ken's Lake Campground.Monica Humphries/Insider

While the experience showed me the luxuries of glamping, I wouldn't book this tiny of a camper with another person.

The author in the camper's bed.Monica Humphries/Insider

The two nights were some of the easiest camping nights I've had. I'll consider booking glamping trailers and campers for future trips where I'm traveling by train or plane. But if I'm taking my car or traveling with another person, I think I'll stick to my tent.

The author in front of the small camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

The two nights were some of the easiest camping nights I've had. I'll consider booking glamping trailers and campers for future trips where I'm traveling by train or plane. But if I'm taking my car or traveling with another person, I think I'll stick to my tent.

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I paid $300 to try glamping in a 45-square-foot camper. I thought it was a major upgrade over a tent, but I wouldn't do it with another person.

Moab, Utah, is known for its dramatic landscapes, towering arches, and dark skies. When I visited for the first time, I wanted to spend every moment outdoors, so I decided to camp.

I'm an avid camper, but my camping accommodations are rarely more than a nylon hammock or the tarp flooring of a tent. This time, I wanted to try something new.

After scrolling through Vrbo, local blogs, travel sites, and Google, I found a small teardrop camper on Airbnb.

Together, the stay cost $334 for two nights for the camper and the campsite.

On check-in day, it felt odd pulling into the campsite without any gear. I didn't have — or need — a sleeping bag, tent, or camping stove.

I knew the trailer would be small, but it felt even tinier in person.

The camper had a door on each side and a fan in the ceiling.

There was no floor or room for standing. Besides the mattress, the only other thing inside the camper was a shelving unit.

Near the head of the bed, I enjoyed a skylight and the use of a small ledge.

Outside of the camper were more amenities to make camping a breeze. At one end, a pull-out nook came with a cooler and solar panel.

At the other end of the teardrop trailer, a garage-like door opened to reveal an entire kitchen setup.

I thought the kitchen was fully equipped with a stove, sink, and all the cooking necessities.

It felt like every detail of the experience was thought out, which was ideal for a traveler like me.

While I thought the camper was a huge upgrade over my typically-used tent, it did not come with a place to shower.

While the experience showed me the luxuries of glamping, I wouldn't book this tiny of a camper with another person.

The two nights were some of the easiest camping nights I've had. I'll consider booking glamping trailers and campers for future trips where I'm traveling by train or plane. But if I'm taking my car or traveling with another person, I think I'll stick to my tent.