Learning how to get internet while camping doesn’t have to be hard. You’ll hear a lot of people say that the entire point of camping is to get away from it all, but I say go camping however you want to go camping.
If you’re able to escape from work or your home office and work in the wild on your camping trip, that sounds like a stellar plan to me! It’s also important to be safe while camping, and staying connected to others helps!
If you are planning on going camping and need to stay connected to the world, then you need to know how to get internet while camped out in the woods.
Affiliate links are used in this post at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure and Privacy Policy for more info.
Can You Get Internet Access in the Woods?
Is it harder to get basic internet while you’re out in the woods? Probably – yes. But it’s not impossible. To get high speed internet while camping, you actually have quite a few internet options to choose from.
How do I get temporary internet when traveling?
Temporary is the key word to pay attention to here. There are cheaper options out there that you can use just here and there, rather than signing up for an expensive option that will lock you into a contract for years.
When trying to decide your options, remember to find something that allows you to “pause” or “cancel” as needed. (and without an extra fee!)
That way, you’re not paying a huge amount of money during the months that you actually don’t need it. Flexible plans and options are key.
How to Get Internet while Traveling
From unlimited hotspots to Internet service plans with your mobile provider, there are options to stay connected while you’re on the road.
Some cost money, some are free – and some are just downright genius.
Book a Campground with Wi-Fi
If your camping plans include needing to work, then it’s really a smart idea to just plan on booking a campsite that has wi-fi internet. You can literally get internet for weeks on end with your reservation, all while camping out in nature.
There is nothing wrong with working while camping – so don’t let the haters get you down.
Having a stable internet connection so that you can work AND play really will ease your stress and worry. Just find a nice campground that has a good internet connection (make sure to read the reviews) and book!
Find a place with WiFi Access
Most places that you travel and stop at while camping will have a WiFi network that you can use. Some will have faster speeds than others, so this is a flexible option at best.
If you need an internet connection for a short period of time, you can often stop at businesses or places and hook up to their wifi for a few minutes or however long you’re there.
Some great places to stop and use the wi-fi while traveling from campsite to campsite are coffee shops, libraries, malls, gas stations, and other public places.
Just remember that these aren’t typically secure internet options, so be aware of what type of information you’re doing as it might be out there for someone to easily hack into.
Invest in a wi-fi extender
Everyone knows that it can be hard to get wifi, so having a wifi extender is a great way to extend your signal and make sure you don’t miss any important calls or emails.
The way that a wifi extender works is that it has a router inside of it that connects to your modem. The wifi extender then extends your signal to other devices around it. This means that if you’re using a laptop, you won’t have to worry about losing reception when you move around.
You can even connect multiple laptops to one wifi extender and share the same internet connection. It’s a pretty great way to get internet service while camping!
It may slow down the speeds, but it can work out to strengthen the signal.
Buy mobile satellite internet
When camping, mobile satellite internet is one of the most popular ways to connect to the internet. It works by connecting to a satellite orbiting above us.
This satellite sends signals down to earth which is picked up by the receiver and sent back to your device. The signal strength varies depending on where you are located.
If you’re near a city, the signal may be stronger. If you’re far away from any cities, the signal may be weaker. There is also no guarantee that you’ll get a signal, either.
You can buy a portable satellite modem that connects directly to your laptop or computer. These devices usually come with a USB cable that plugs into the computer. They also come with a small antenna that attaches to your tent or RV so that it can get the best connection possible.
The downside to these types of modems is they require a clear line of sight between the satellite dish and your laptop or computer. So if you’re in a forest or somewhere else without much open space, you may not be able to use them. It may also have issues with bad weather.
Many campers will pay for satellite internet because it’s usually faster than cellular data. It also works well in remote areas where cell towers may not exist.
They also have packages that allow you to pay per month instead of paying up front.
There are many different satellite internet providers out there. Make sure that you check their coverage before signing up. Satellite internet providers tend to only cover certain states.
Some of these services require you to purchase a dish antenna. This can range from $100-$500 depending on how big your area needs to be covered.
If you do decide to go this route, make sure that you know exactly what you’re buying. Most satellite internet plans come with a contract. You might end up having to buy more than one year at a time.
Use your Mobile Phone hotspot plan
If you have an unlimited data plan with your phone company, this can be a great option to get cell service and internet when you’re camping.
Check and see what internet plan options are available to you. Some companies offer free nights or weeks of service during special promotions.
Make sure that your phone has the hotspot feature on it so that you can tether the internet hotspot. If your phone doesn’t have hotspot capabilities, it’s pointless to pay for it.
You can always start with the cheapest hotspot plan and increase as needed. There is typically a hotspot data limit, so look over your cellphone service plan to see what that entails.
Using your phone as a hotspot means that you’ll be using the data that is part of your cell phone plan, but there are options sometimes to upgrade to unlimited hot spots!
Use a Portable Hotspot
A portable hotspot is another option for getting internet access while camping. A portable hotspot is similar to a regular wireless router, except it has its own battery power source. The portable hotspot that I have is its own little box and charge cord that I carry around with us.
Portable hotspots are very useful because you can take them anywhere. You can even use them inside your car. I will say that I’ve had trouble actually using a hotspot while driving as it has a harder time keeping a reliable connection.
I have a portable hotspot through T-Mobile right now and am actually really pleased with it. I pay a small monthly fee and then can add or take away as needed.
It’s been great for working on the road and even for streaming, etc.
Use Prepaid Internet USBs
Prepaid internet USBs are another way to get internet access while camping. These devices work just like a normal USB stick. You plug it into your computer, and it acts like a hard drive. You can download files onto it and transfer them to other computers.
These devices are pretty cheap and easy to find online. Some even include a built-in SD card reader, which makes things super simple and smooth.
They aren’t as convenient as a hotspot since you need to connect it to your computer every time you want to use it. But if you don’t mind doing that, they are still a good option.
It’s a way that you can work on Google Docs/Sheets and other programs and get your work done.
Is there such a thing as HotSpot Unlimited data?
Let’s be real here. All internet companies will tell you that the hotspot is unlimited, but that’s not true.
More than likely, they’ll start to limit the speeds on your hotspot, so they can say that they’re giving you “unlimited” internet, even though it’s really, really slow.
Will a wifi extender work in a campground?
It can, but it’s not a given. A wifi extender can help, but if you already have inconsistent speeds, using a wi-fi booster may or may not help.
When you think of everyone staying at the RV park all hooked up to the internet, this is why the speeds are so slow!
What is the best way to get internet while camping?
This might be a personal option, but I think having a mobile hotspot device or using personal wifi hotspots are the best way to go.
Yes, you’ll pay an extra charge, but if you need it for work, its’ worth it. (plus, if you itemize your taxes, maybe that additional charge that you’re paying is a tax write-off!)
The initial costs can be steep to getting things set up but having solid internet solutions while camping is great for peace of mind.
How do you find a campground that offers wi-fi?
If you need to have campground wi-fi, google it! Visit the National Parks website and see if they offer it, or call the campgrounds in the area and ask. Nowadays, most people will also leave reviews online since there are so many digital nomads out there that have to have the internet at all times.
When it comes to being sure that you have RV wifi, you have options to make it happen! You don’t have to give up your online activities while camping if you dont’ want to or can’t!
Leave a Reply