How to Get Internet While Camping (Top 11 Hacks)

We are all familiar with the feeling of being completely disconnected from our devices while camping. It’s a beautiful thing, but it can be frustrating to know that you have no way to check your email or update your status.

How do people survive without the internet? How would they even know what is going on in the world if they couldn’t use social media?

The truth is, there are many ways for campers to get internet access! In this post, we will discuss how to get internet while camping. It goes over 11 hacks that you can use to ensure that you are always connected, even when you are out in the wilderness.

These 11 hacks will help save your sanity so that no matter where you go, there is internet!

1. Find Open Hotspots
2. Buy an Internet Plan
3. Use Your Phone as a Hotspot
4. Get a Mifi Device
5. Get Google Fi
6. Use Campground WIFI
7. Bring a Portable WIFI Router
8. Rent a Satellite Connection
9. Scan the Area for Free Public WIFI
10. Find an RV Park with WIFI
11. Public Libraries & Coffee Shops

These hacks will help you stay connected while camping! Have fun and be safe out there in the woods!

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How to Get Internet While Camping

As much as we love being in nature, sometimes it’s just nice to have a little piece of civilization with us. You know what I mean. Sometimes it’s fun to be able to send a quick email, check social media, or just watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix before bed.

The good news is that you can do all of these things while camping, but it may take 11 tricks to get there. We’ll show you how to get internet while camping in this post.

1. Find Open Hotspots

The first step is to find open hotspots. There are a few ways to do this. One way is to use an app like WiFi Finder or WiGLE. These apps will show you all of the open hotspots in your area.

Another way to find open hotspots is by using a site like Hotspot Shield. This site will show you the open hotspots in your area. It also has a VPN service that will allow you to connect to these hotspots even if they are password protected.

2. Buy an Internet Plan

Another option is to buy a plan from your cell phone service provider. This may be the most expensive option, but it will also give you access to unlimited data so that you can use all of the devices in your RV or camper at once if needed.

If this isn’t available then there are other plans available that will give you a set amount of data for a specific amount of time.

This is a great option if you know that you will be using more data than your phone plan usually allows. It can also be helpful to have this as a backup plan in case the other options don’t work out or if there is no open hotspot in the area.

3. Use Your Phone as a Hotspot

If you have an iPhone, you can use your phone as a hotspot. This will allow you to use your phone’s data connection to create a wireless network for your laptop or other devices. This is a great way to get internet while camping if you have an iPhone.

On the other hand, if you have an Android phone, there are also ways you can create your own wireless network using your data connection.

However, not all phones support this feature so check with your service provider before trying it out. You could even try one of the many hotspot apps that are available for Android devices.

4. Get a MiFi Device

A MiFi is another kind of portable hotspot device that gives multiple devices access to the internet through one wireless network connection.

If you don’t want to use your phone as a hotspot, you can also buy a portable hotspot. These devices allow you to connect your devices to the internet using a wireless network.

This is a great option if you have multiple devices that need internet while you are camping. If your phone doesn’t allow you to create your own wireless network or if you want more than one device online at once, then this may be an option for you. My preference is Inseego 5G MiFi with WiFi 6 Hotspot!

5. Get Google Fi

You can also get Google Fi. This service uses T-Mobile and Sprint networks to provide fast internet for your devices while on the go or camping in an area with no open hotspots available.

You can even use it at home if there isn’t any wifi available through other methods.

This is a great option because Google has partnered with many companies to provide service in more than 170 countries. So, no matter where you go, there is a good chance that Google Fi will have you covered.

6. Use Campground WiFi

Depending on where you are camping, there may be access to free campground wifi. If so, then all of the devices in your RV or camper can get online just by connecting through that connection.

It’s best if this is available because it makes things really simple and easy to use someones else’s connection.

However, if you are in a place where there is no free campground wifi then this option may be difficult to use because the campgrounds will probably want you to pay for their internet service and it can get pretty expensive when trying to stay online while camping long-term.

7. Bring a Portable WiFi Router

A third option is to bring a portable wifi router. Depending on the model of your device, you will be able to connect several devices at once using this small device.

If you have an unlimited data plan with your phone provider then there are ways that you can use the internet without it counting against your data usage so check into those options as well.

8. Rent a Satellite Connection

If you are in a place where there is no internet access at all, then one option to look into is renting a satellite connection. This will give you fast and reliable service even if the campground’s wifi or local hotspots don’t work out for whatever reason.

One thing that makes this an attractive option is that it can be set up anywhere in the world. You can set it up at your campsite or even back home if you are traveling and want to have internet access when staying somewhere for an extended period of time.

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This is a great option because they’ll bring all of the equipment that you need to get online, so there isn’t any work involved on your part other than setting it up.

If you need internet while camping then these are the best options to look into based on your budget and needs.

9. Scan the Area for Free Public WiFi

Campgrounds are not your only hope for free wi-fi. In fact, you can find a lot of open hotspots in public areas if you know where to look.

Some cities have websites or apps that list all of the free wi-fi spots in the area. This is great because it means that you don’t have to wander around trying to find a spot that works.

Another great option is to use the Google Maps app. If you are familiar with the area then you can type in “free wi-fi” and it will show you all of the spots near you where you can get online for free.

This is a great option because even if there isn’t a great campground wi-fi option near you, there is a good chance that you can find free hotspots in the area.

10. Find an RV Park with WiFi

If you don’t want to hassle with finding hotspots or campgrounds with wifi, then another option is to find an RV park that offers wifi service. This can be a great option if you are traveling with a group of people and everyone wants to stay connected.

Most RV parks offer some type of wi-fi service these days, but it’s important to check ahead of time just in case. This is a great option if you want to be able to relax and not worry about finding a spot with internet access.

11. Public Libraries & Coffee Shops

If you are really in a bind and can’t find any other option for internet access, then one last place to try is the public library or a local coffee shop.

Public libraries usually have computers that you can use as well as wi-fi service. This is great because it’s free and you don’t have to worry about buying anything or making a purchase in order to get online.

Coffee shops are also another great option because most of them offer free wi-fi for their customers. This can be a good way to save some money and relax while you enjoy your favorite beverage at the same time.

This is a great option if none of these other options work out for whatever reason because it’s free, easy to find and there is usually enough bandwidth for everyone.

If none of these work out then another choice would be satellite internet which will give you fast connection almost anywhere in the world.

Smart Ways to Use the Internet While Camping

The internet is a powerful tool, and it can be a great resource when you’re camping. However, using the internet while camping can also be a huge drain on your battery and data plan. Here are some ideas for using the internet effectively:

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Reduce the Streaming Quality

Another way to save data while you are camping is to turn down the quality of your streams. If you like streaming videos then it’s a good idea to change the settings in YouTube or wherever else that you watch videos before you go offline.

This will reduce the amount of bandwidth that is being used, which means less battery drain and more time than you can spend enjoying your favorite videos.

This is a great way to save data and battery life, but it’s also a good idea because you’ll be able to watch more videos before needing to recharge or change out your device batteries.

You could even turn off video auto-play if that is enabled on your phone so that this doesn’t use any data at all.

Download Any Media Beforehand

One of the best ways to save data while camping is to download any media that you want beforehand. This includes movies, TV shows, music, books, and anything else that you might want to watch or listen to.

This way, you don’t have to worry about using up your data plan streaming videos or listening to music. You can just relax and enjoy your favorite media offline.

This is a great way to save data, and it’s also a great way to prepare for your trip. Just make sure that you have enough space on your device to store all of the files.

When Possible, Use Public WiFi

If you need to use the internet while camping, then using public WiFi is your best bet.

Just be sure that you only connect to legitimate networks when possible because hackers are everywhere these days. It’s better to pay for an hour of wifi than it is to be hacked and have your identity stolen.

Did you know that hackers can steal your bank account information? It’s true, so make sure that the network is legitimate before using it.

This is a great way to save data while camping because public networks are typically secure and reliable. You’ll also avoid draining your battery by using public WiFi.

Conclusion

So there you have it! These are 11 different ways that you can get internet while camping. No matter what your needs are, there is most likely an option out there for you. Try out some of these ideas to see which one will work best for you.

But no matter what you choose, just remember it’s best to stay off the grid when camping. You don’t want your experience ruined by trying to have internet in a place where there is none!