Well, you dreamt of going outside to spend time alone or with the company of friends at the campsite.
Okay… But now you see there is no connection here. Why do you need internet while camping? For work or studies. But these are holidays.
But let’s admit it… it is nice to have Internet while camping. WiFi can help you to find a destination via a navigator, or you can work over a period online.
At least, it is just a pleasure to listen to your favorite podcasts or music while fishing or meditating on the grass.
So, how to get wifi when camping? There are ways!
How to get wifi when camping: Internet connection
More than 80% of those traveling in RVs desire internet while camping. And about 60% of them work while traveling.
The good news is that there are many ways to access the internet while camping, and we’ve listed the finest ones. Accessing the internet while camping is crucial, regardless of whether you want to go camping for enjoyment or to work from home.
Think about if you’ll need internet access before your next camping trip. Compare your options for establishing and sustaining a connection if this is the case.
When you go camping, you should spend some time appreciating the outdoors. But you may still want to have some connection to the outside world.
Consider some options to get a WiFi connection over the camping period in this article.
Choose a campsite with WiFi
Do campsites offer WiFi? Is the WiFi extender free or strong enough for you to connect?
Finding a campsite with a WiFi extender is one of the simplest methods to access the internet while camping. There will be no need for you to carry your own portable WiFi router or discover another connection method.
You could instead travel to the campgrounds and figure out how to connect to that network there. Then, as long as you’re close enough to the campsite, you may access the internet whenever you want.
You will have access to the internet whenever you need it, whether you want to check your email in the morning or phone a cousin at night.
If you want to choose a camping spot with WiFi, think about where you want to set up camp. Going to campgrounds with WiFi is a terrific alternative if you want consistent internet access while you’re on your trip. You don’t need to bother about setting up your own internet to enjoy the outdoors.
Examples of campgrounds with WiFi
Depending on the state, the campsites suggest variations of connection. Texas has a list of all campgrounds with WiFi that you can search for on the Internet. We cannot say that California has such a list, but even though it is not open access, you will be able to find them if you search.
Oregon doesn’t offer WiFi at their State Parks. So, better be ready to use a cell phone connection, maybe, as we also could not find anything in the research. But AllStays has compiled a list of privately owned campgrounds, many of them RV parks, that do have WiFi.
How to find additional campsites with a WiFi
During my investigation, I discovered that AllStays is a fantastic tool for finding specific facilities across all campgrounds in a state. All kinds of parks, both public and private, are included in the search.
In this instance, I observed that it was really simple to locate any campground with WiFi in every state.
Is WiFi available at KOA campgrounds?
If you prioritize some of the basic facilities, such as internet access, you can think about staying at a KOA campsite as many of them include WiFi.
Although KOA isn’t recognized for having the nicest views, especially for in-town campgrounds, they are highly suitable and practical in many circumstances.
Stay near the Internet cafe
Finding camping close to a café or other location with free WiFi is another choice to think about. Although you won’t be able to access the internet while at camp, it won’t be too far away.
If you need internet access as a backup, looking for a local cafe can be a wonderful alternative. It’s possible that you won’t always need to utilize the internet. But if you need one, you already know where to go to obtain one.
You can use it as an excuse to buy enough coffee or tea for the day if you utilize a cafe to access the internet while camping. Going to a cafe for breakfast might make starting your day a lot easier if you don’t want to rough it as much.
Can you build WiFi into a trailer?
Consider adding WiFi to your RV if you want to be able to access the internet wherever you go camping. Many RVs come equipped with WiFi, or you can install it after you purchase the vehicle.
In either case, this choice offers more freedom compared to relying on other sources for WiFi while camping. You can still have an internet connection even if you opt to leave your starting point. You might now have to run your RV in order to access the internet.
Additionally, the connection might not be as reliable as visiting a café or a campground with WiFi. Nevertheless, since you won’t have to take the internet into account while choosing your travel destinations, it can make organizing your vacation easier.
Install modem to your RV
Can I get portable WiFi without an Internet provider?
A WiFi extender can boost your internet connection if your modem has one. The coverage area and overall connection quality will both improve with the extension.
You can use one with your RV WiFi even though many people use them in their houses. Can you get portable WiFi for a camper?
Yes, as we said, it is one that is used at home. You’ll then be able to receive a stronger signal inside and around your RV. And you could even be able to keep the connection when some distance from your car.
Now, on a path, for example, you might not be able to carry the connection that far. However, if you want a reliable connection, it can be an excellent choice. If you’re camping with others who also need to use the internet, it may also be helpful.
Cell phone
If you pay for the Internet connection and cell service on the cell phone, here are the options for how to get a mobile hotspot:
- Browse on your phone
- Tether other devices to it
- Use its mobile hotspot
Your cell phone should be able to connect to the internet if you don’t need to do anything extreme. Many smartphones have the capability to provide WiFi using your cell phone plan. This technology is often called tethering.
There are a few details to work out if you wish to tether your laptop or another sort of equipment to your smartphone:
- Make that tethering is permitted by your mobile service provider.
- Make sure your cell phone plan supports tethering.
- Because tethering rapidly depletes your phone’s battery, be sure you have a method to keep it powered.
- Ensure you have enough information.
But you can also link your laptop or tablet to your phone. It has unlimited hotspot data. A mobile hotspot device employs a wireless connection, whereas tethering uses a cable to connect the devices.
You should think about all of your browsing options. The battery life on your cell phone should be sufficient to maintain the connection, though.
Additionally, you should confirm that the area where you will be camping will have cell phone coverage and internet access.
Tethering and cell phone service providers
iPhones and Android devices have supported tethering from the beginning of the smartphone era.
Since many cell phone carriers didn’t like the concept of consumers utilizing their smartphones for large quantities of data usage (at least for free), several mobile phone providers now charge an extra monthly cost to use your phone as a hotspot.
AT&T usually charges about $15-20 a month, depending on the plan. It includes an unlimited connection for devices.
Verizon charges $20 per month.
T-Mobile is free, with 3 GB with the base Magenta plan. Magenta Plus includes 20 GB of hotspot data, and you can pay $10 additional for additional gigabytes of data.
You might still be in luck if you don’t want to spend extra money but yet want to utilize your phone’s internet while you’re camping. You may share the internet on many smartphones with a USB cord. Numerous cell phone companies don’t charge an additional fee for this feature.
You can utilize your smartphone’s hotspot capability without paying extra if you’re tech-savvy and don’t use apps like that, however, doing so clearly violates many cell phone providers’ terms of service.
Some cellular service companies don’t even charge you more when you use the hotspot feature.
We use Google Fi, and if you don’t use a lot of data, it’s a great alternative that can be much less expensive than other mobile phone plans.
If you frequently need WiFi when traveling, picking a smartphone data plan with free hotspot features may be beneficial to you.
Buy an Internet USB
You can purchase an internet USB if you don’t want to search for cell phone plans that provide a reliable mobile hotspot connection. It is a compact device that connects via the same USB port as numerous other accessories and gadgets.
A 3G connection is typically used to connect to the internet via the USB. It can be used to access the internet so that you can browse or check your email, although it might not be sufficient for many activities. The USB might not function properly in wilderness locations or along footpaths.
It can, however, be a great choice for getting a signal at your campsite. After that, you can carry out your tasks without concern about the connection. You can buy unlimited data for WiFi access.
Get a portable WiFi router
Recently, portable WiFi routers became more popular. The cell phone tower and connection used by your phone or internet USB can also be used by a portable WiFi router.
They might, nonetheless, be more dependable than the alternatives. That may be useful if you need to make a video call or complete important tasks.
They do, however, require a connection to your mobile network. You might be unable to connect to the router if you venture too far into the wilderness.
To view the coverage area, make sure to check your internet service plan. The portable router can then be tested to make sure it will function where you intend to use it. You can take a look at some of the alternatives if it doesn’t work.
Best providers
You’re trying to find the best possible combination of antenna range, battery life, compatible devices, and coverage support. The best in your situation can differ slightly from others, but let’s look at a few ideas first, so you can see your alternatives.
Although you might be tempted to simply purchase the cheapest hotspot offered by your mobile phone service provider, it is worthwhile to look into other possibilities since many of them offer more functionality than your current cell phone service provider.
Netgear Unite
Simply put, this is a mobile hotspot device without a SIM. You must utilize a GSM SIM. Since it is unlocked, any GSM provider can utilize it.
Mighty WiFi global spot
The Mighty WiFi has its own data plans; thus it doesn’t need an external phone plan.
This modem employs “virtual-sim” or “cloud-sim” technology, which essentially allows it to move between many cellular service providers.
The benefit of a gadget like this is that you can pay à la carte and purchase as much internet for as long as you need it without being locked into a contract (particularly if you just want to go long-term camping for a few weeks or a month).
For instance, you may get a 7-day pass that allows you to use 1 GB of internet each day, or you could buy 5 GB of high-speed internet.
GlocalMe G3 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
Is one of these hotspots where you may buy plans straight from them. If you like, you can also use it as a standard, unlocked WiFi hotspot and supply your own SIM card. It defaults to using a cloud-sim like the Mighty WiFi.
As an alternative, you can get the MiFi gadgets straight from a cellular operator. However, they don’t appear to be rated quite as well.
An overview of mobile hotspots
A cell hotspot (MiFi) device might come in handy if you’re traveling in an RV or camping in your automobile. But keep in mind that your experience with your hotspot can differ.
Depending on which cell towers are nearby and which ones your MiFI can connect to, your mobile hotspot may receive a signal while your smartphone is unable to receive any, but the opposite is also true — your cell phone may experience a signal while your MiFi does not.
Satellite Internet
You might wish to look for satellite internet service providers if you want to camp for a while. In comparison to other options, satellite internet for camping will offer a superior connection.
Since satellites can be seen from the majority of the planet’s land area, satellite internet offers the most freedom for the money of any of the other solutions discussed in this article.
It functions pretty similarly to how satellite television does.
You don’t need to worry about having a nearby cell phone tower because it uses satellites. You also don’t have to look for campgrounds with WiFi. Furthermore, you can still get the internet even if you want to camp in a rural location.
Portable satellite internet might, however, be pricey. You can obtain broadband speeds with an average plan that costs roughly $100 per month.
The price of purchasing or renting internet equipment, which can run into hundreds of dollars, must also be taken into consideration.
Starlink
Starlink is a new satellite internet network pioneered by Tesla. As of April 2021, Elon announced that Starlink will soon be available for larger vehicles (like RVs).
Prices for Starlink are more affordable than any other satellite internet option, and latencies are less than 100 ms, in contrast to standard satellite internet options.
The cost is currently $500 for the equipment and setup and $100 per month for the service, which is incredibly affordable when compared to other satellite providers, especially when you take into account the speeds.
FAQ
While it is helpful to know how to use the internet while camping, you could still have concerns. We are aware that selecting the best approach can be challenging.
In order to assist you in using the internet on your upcoming camping vacation, we have gathered some questions and their answers.
How does Boondocking work for the internet?
You’ll need a cell service provider, a signal booster, or an antenna to access the internet when boondocking. The hotspot can then be configured on your phone, and you can obtain an internet signal by using a signal booster or antenna.
Look at the coverage map of the service provider you choose. Not every supplier offers coverage worldwide. Take into account your intended boondocking location before choosing a provider with coverage there.
How can I get WiFi at camping with no service?
While not all campgrounds offer WiFi, some do. If you plan to rely on campgrounds for your internet needs, keep a few things in mind.
1. location of the campground;
2. level of popularity there;
If the campground you intend to stay at doesn’t have WiFi, you can either adjust your travel plans or opt for a different internet access option.
However, you might want to avoid well-known campground campgrounds as there can be more internet users there, which would make it challenging to use the internet swiftly.
What RV WiFi provider is the best?
The location where you intend to take the RV will determine which WiFi is ideal. You won’t require much of a connection if you choose to stay in campgrounds with WiFi or close to towns. In more remote places, though, you might wish to use cellular service with a strong data plan or satellite WiFi.
Consider your camping options and your online requirements.
You may then ensure that you have enough speed to handle your online requirements. You can experiment until you find a solution if one option doesn’t work.
Can you work from a campsite?
Working remotely makes it simpler to go camping whenever you choose, whether you do it full-time or only occasionally.
Thankfully, you can continue to work while camping, but you might need a strong internet connection.
Of course, you can use the hotspot or tether your laptop to your phone. Additionally, a nearby cafe or the campgrounds also offer WiFi. Additionally, you may want to consider purchasing satellite internet or a phone plan with additional data if you plan to go camping in a rural region.
What cell network has the best Internet access while camping?
When it comes to using the internet while camping, Verizon has the best coverage and WiFi connection. Even in rural locations, the coverage network outperforms other cellular service providers.
If you want to camp close to a city, T-Mobile can be a good choice. Although the network may be excellent and close to major population areas, its coverage could be limited otherwise, but not with T-Mobile.
Somewhere in the center is AT&T. Even better, you may combine T-Mobile and AT&T to use two hotspots and guarantee a stronger connection.
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My name is Olivia Kellison. I have been camping with friends and on my own for a long time. For me, camping is a great way to escape everyday life’s chaos. I started this blog because I have always had a passion for the great outdoors, and here I am gladly sharing what I know with other outdoor enthusiasts. It does not matter whether you are an experienced adventurer, or just planning your first trip, my blog will be of great help to you.