Journey vs. Destination: Comparing Overlanding and Car Camping
If you’re into outdoor adventure, you’ve likely heard the term “overlanding.” With the surge in outdoor recreation following the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of overlanding has really taken off. But what exactly is it? Isn’t it just car camping with an off-road vehicle?
What is Overlanding?
Overlanding originated in Australia, initially referring to driving cattle over long distances. Over time, it has evolved into a form of self-sufficient exploration of the backcountry by vehicle.
What is Car Camping?
Car camping, on the other hand, involves loading your camping gear into a vehicle, driving to a campsite, and setting up your tent. You might camp in a well-equipped campground right off the highway or in a National Park. Whatever your definition of camping, you choose a destination that fits that description to ensure an enjoyable experience.
What’s the difference?
To me, the main difference between car camping and overlanding is that car camping focuses on the destination, while overlanding is about the journey. What do I mean by that? When planning a car camping adventure, you start by choosing your destination—where you’ll camp. The adventure lies in the camping experience itself.
With overlanding, you start by selecting an area to explore. You may not know where you’ll camp along the way, which is part of the adventure. If your trip lasts more than one day, you’ll need to find a place to camp, but often you won’t know the exact spot until you discover it.
When planning an overlanding trip, I start by looking at an area on my maps. I then look for roads and trails that cut through that area. I start to put together a route. Once I have my route established, I then look at the satellite view of the map to mark potential camp spots. Are they suitable for camping or nice areas to camp? I don’t know. I will find that out when I get there. The journey is the adventure. Camping is just a small part of the overall process.
Humans have always had an urge to explore, and overlanding taps into that instinct by taking you deep into the backcountry and fueling your sense of adventure.
