How to Work Remotely at a Campsite: A Guide Not Just for Digital Nomads

Learn how to work remotely effectively and enjoyably while camping. Take care of your safety and the best working conditions.

Remote work has become a standard and norm for many employees. Combining professional duties with the possibility of changing the place of residence means that many people decide to move their home offices to unusual places. One of them is a campsite - for many it is associated primarily with relaxation in the bosom of nature. Nothing stands in the way of it becoming a space for remote work. Choosing a campsite as a place to fulfill professional duties, however, requires careful preparation and the right approach.

How to combine effective work with spending time in nature? We present practical tips and proven advice that will help you easily organize a remote office during your stay at the campsite.

Choose the right place to work and relax

Start by choosing a place that will suit you both as a place to relax and a place to fulfill your professional duties. Unfortunately, not all campsites are adapted to remote work.

The key is to find a location that offers a stable internet connection – this can be difficult in remote areas, such as mountainous or forested areas. Before you book your dream camping spot, be sure to check other guests’ opinions about the internet accessibility or ask directly with the campsite owners or reception.

If you have a choice, consider camping near a city or a smaller town, where you can be sure that the telecommunications infrastructure is more developed. You can also buy a mobile router with a SIM card - this will provide you with internet access in most places with mobile network coverage. Also, make sure that the campsite offers access to electricity - modern campsites have no shortage of places with electricity. In less urbanized locations, this can be a problem.

Organize your work space

To work effectively remotely, it is necessary to prepare an appropriate space, also at the campsite. The workspace should be ergonomic and ideally separated from the rest area (if possible).

If you’re traveling in a camper, consider turning one of its corners into a mini office. If you’re staying in a tent, create a comfortable outdoor space. For this purpose, try to get a stable table, a folding chair, and a canopy. You can also look for such places in the common areas of the campsite.

Lighting your workspace is an important issue. It will be difficult to find professional office lighting at a campsite. It is a good idea to get LED lamps with battery power. Solar lamps or portable power stations are better for working after dark. A roof will help protect electronic equipment from unexpected rainfall and changing weather conditions.

Remember about technological solutions

Working remotely in the bosom of nature requires the use of appropriate technological tools. First of all, equip yourself with a laptop with a long battery life. A good idea is to buy a large-capacity power bank that will allow you to charge your devices several times. Another option is a portable power station. It allows you to connect several devices at once and is easy to transport.

We’ve already mentioned that it’s worth having a mobile router with a SIM card, which will work in many places. A slightly more expensive but reliable option that provides internet access in more remote locations is Starlink – a satellite internet system . This is a good solution for digital nomads, which provides a stable connection almost everywhere.

Modern campsites can offer the option of using a public Wi-Fi network. Before you decide to do this, make sure you download a VPN program to your device that will take care of secure encryption of your business and personal data and give you access to servers located in different countries.

Avoid file storage problems by using the cloud. This way, you can access your data from any device, and if your hardware fails, you minimize the risk of data loss. Use popular tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Plan effective work

If you decide to work while camping, remember to be flexible and disciplined. It can be helpful to create a daily schedule that includes time for work, rest and recreation. Set work and relaxation times – adjust them to the requirements of your employer, clients or moments when you are most productive.

Many people prefer to work in the morning, before the outside temperatures get too high. If you choose a foreign campsite in a different time zone, make sure to coordinate your schedule with the online activities of your colleagues and clients. Regular breaks help you work efficiently. This is easy to do when you are surrounded by nature. Even a short walk around the neighborhood will help you relax and recharge.

Prepare for unforeseen challenges

People who have experience working remotely in the bosom of nature are certainly aware that every day can bring new challenges. Newcomers should therefore learn the most common problems that can arise when performing professional duties remotely and effectively make life miserable.

One of the biggest problems that workers without a permanent office face is the lack of stable internet. Even if the campsite offers Wi-Fi, the connection quality can leave much to be desired, especially when many people are using it at the same time. So it’s worth having a backup plan, which is mobile internet.

If your job requires you to regularly participate in video conferences and client calls, be aware that working in the great outdoors doesn’t always mean peace and quiet – the sounds of nature, other people talking, or loud music played by other campers can all disrupt your concentration. The solution is noise-cancelling headphones that will help you focus on your work.

Working outdoors can also be difficult due to weather conditions. It’s always a good idea to have an alternative place to safely hide your electronics.

Have fun and enjoy the charms of nature

Don't forget about the biggest advantage of remote work at a campsite, which is the opportunity to be surrounded by nature and commune with it. Use your time after work and breaks for walks, exploring the area, longer hikes, active cycling or relaxing in a hammock. This form of rest will not only improve your well-being, but will also have a positive impact on productivity and creativity.

Working remotely while camping is certainly an inspiring and interesting experience that combines professional duties with the opportunity to travel to completely new places. In order to combine business with pleasure and avoid stress and uncertainty, it is worth preparing for it properly and maintaining a flexible approach.

Choose the right place, take care of your work tools and enjoy the opportunities offered by digital nomadism at the campsite of your choice.