Magazine Article	Articles Archive

Gregory Chisholm remembers the first time he made the trek to a gay campsite. It was roughly ten years ago at a location in New York, and he recalls only a handful of other gay men around. After moving South a few years later, he became a campground regular. These days, he's somewhat amazed at how popular the activity has become. "When I go to a campsite now, men are just everywhere," he said. "Back when I started it was nothing like this-- now you can easily have 900 people or so during a big weekend such as Memorial Day."

View our poll archive

Camping has become one of the growing trends in the gay community over the last decade. The number of campsites in North America has almost doubled since the mid-to-late '90s; roughly half of the states in the U.S. now have one or more. Among the most popular U.S. campgrounds are Sawmill Campground in Dade County, Florida, with 22,000 members; River's Edge in Dewey Rose, Georgia; and the Hillside Campgrounds in Pennsylvania, which is now 18 years old and has the largest facility-- 333 acres - in North America. Canada also has its share of gay campgrounds-- including the male only Camping Plein Bois in Quebec and the family-oriented Cedars Campground in Ontario. While most of the Northern sites are open half a year-- generally from May to early September-- many of the Southern ones, including River's Edge and Sawmill, with their friendlier, hotter climates - host visitors year round. (While the East Coast tends to house most of the big-name campgrounds, the West Coast has its share of sites, such as the Yucca Valley's Starland Retreat and the Triangle Recreation Camp, an hour from Seattle).

Campground owners and spokesmen are aware of the sudden growth and feel the reasons are multifaceted. Many point to the fact that campgrounds are becoming a viable alternate to bars and other meeting places. "River's Edge was started so that men could be themselves-- whatever a person's income level, race, or age he could come here and not worry about being a part of the clique, or wearing the right outfit," said River's Edge manager Jerry Wigger. "I think that's the idea behind the success here and elsewhere."

"If you are sick of the bar scene, it's a great atmosphere, " said Patrick Arena, a Pittsburgh native who has been camping for the last eight years. "I've always found campgrounds to be a healthier environment than smoky bars."

An al fresco alternative

Camping Plein Bois spokesman Serge Richard agrees. "There has definitely been more of a demand for campgrounds over the years, and I think men are using them more and more for social reasons," he said. "I think another aspect is that in bars, many people do drugs and some people want to get away from that. Here people may drink but nothing more serious."

For those campers who like to partake in an evening of spirits, the environment gives them a place where they can do so-- and not have to face drinking and driving afterwards, said Sawmill's co-owner John.

The majority of gay campgrounds offer visitors an option-- areas where they can go bare-assed if they desire. Arena says he is always one of the ones walking around naked. "I've personally never had a problem taking my clothes off," he said. " Most of the places I've been to have some sort of area where you can. I really enjoy that aspect. To me, it's a sensual element. I imagine 75 percent of the people I see are naked, and it's a turn on."

Jeremy Schank, spokesman for the new In the Woods Campground in Georgia, says of those who prefer to stay clothed, a percentage eventually find the bravado to strip down. "Once they do, they don't go back-- they are comfortable."

Another benefit of gay camping is an economic one. Arena likes the fact that campsite visiting makes for a relatively cheap vacation. "For me it's like living in New York and going to Fire Island," he said. " I go to campgrounds maybe six times a summer. They are close enough to me now that I can, and they don't cost much money. It's an inexpensive getaway."

Membership fees for campgrounds are usually $10-12 per year-- and then a per-visit fee. Some visitors prefer to go camping for a single day, while others camp for the weekend or a week. Holidays are also big times for campgrounds.

According to Chisholm, campground visitors can make their stay what they want of it-- whether it's purely rest and relaxation, time alone (or with friends) in the wilderness; or social gatherings. "I live in a big city and sometimes I just like to drive up on Friday and remain until Sunday. My cell phone always seems to go out and, you know, that's not a problem."

The woods are lovely, dark and deep...

It's a fact that many men, as well, go to campgrounds with the thought of sex on the mind-- cavorting around in the woods with other virile campers.

"It's the best of both worlds," said Chisholm. He says when he is in the mood to be alone, he enjoys the solace of a campground, but when he is ready to play, he does that as well. Chisholm admits that he has gone to River's Edge horny and quickly taken care of that itch. "When you are around other naked men and are in the mood, well, nature takes over. River's Edge has relaxed some of my inhibitions. I've done some things here I'd never done before," said Chisholm, including some group sex.

Arena also likes the opportunity to fulfill whatever need he has. "I can make friends at campgrounds, or I can have recreational sex there. It's a playful sex experience. Not some dark hidden places, but places that are well lit and where you can see who you are with," said Arena. He also likes the fact that sex can be easy to find. "I've had sex at many campgrounds. I've been to one that has a barn onsite with a dungeon and a sling inside, with restraints, crosses and other toys. Others sites have a cruising area where you can walk around and meet people."

For Bill, a Georgia bear, the possibility of sex is the main reason he frequents campgrounds. "The hot sex there is something I truly enjoy. I also really like the pools, the hot tubs and walking around naked with the other guys," he said. "It excites me."

While sex goes on, though, Plein Bois's Richards stresses it's not in the open. "Obviously we must have rules. We cannot let people have sex at the swimming pool or in public areas. But sex does go on other places. We find condoms in the forest all the time," he laughs. "If you want to have sex at a campground, you can and you will, but it's not a public bathhouse," said Sawmill's John. River's Edge has its own 5-acre rule, meaning no nookie within five feet of any public area, "but what you do in your own privacy is your own business," said Wigger.

A varied clientele

The makeup of campsite visitors differs. Most campgrounds are male only, although some allow women. Schank admits, like many of the other campground personnel, that he gets a good mixture of single gay men and couples. Of those couples, many are monogamous and others are in open relationships. "We also tend to have more mature men here. We don't have a lot of twinks," he admits.

Chisholm agrees, but adds that he has seen a rise in younger campers the last few years, including his own gay nephew.

Campgrounds often tend to be divided into two breeds of campers - the weekend campers and then the "hardcore" campers, said Sawmill's John. The weekend camper will come up and possibly rent an onsite cabin or a tent. On the other hand, the hardcore campers tend to have their own RVs and trailers and frequently visit other campsites. John and Joey, his boyfriend and SawMill co-owner, have their own motorhome and have been to what they theorize as most of the campgrounds in North America.

One common characteristic among campground visitors, however, is that they tend to be very laidback, said Richards. "Everyone talks to each other here. It really does seem like a family atmosphere, where even if you don't know someone at first you will before you leave," he said.

"It's the naked thing-- everyone is the same when they don't have clothes on," said Chisholm.

Various campgrounds have their own individual amenities-- be it pools, playgrounds, hot tubs, social hubs, restaurants, or plenty of nearby wilderness. Cedars Campground even has its own converted disco, with live high energy music on the weekends. Special events at campgrounds include themed weekends, Pride celebrations, special benefits, Halloween, and more. Sawmill also hosts a commitment ceremony, while Plein Bois stages a popular annual sexy boy contest.

The camping 'circuit'

The success of some of the bigger campgrounds has paved the way for others. One of the newest to open is In the Woods Campground in the North Georgia mountains, down from the Appalachians. "We were obviously inspired by the success of River's Edge," said Schank. "Without them we wouldn't be here nor would others." The campground opened in March and has had a strong beginning. At a time when competition has noticeably risen, Schank was a little surprised when Manhunter Video contacted the location about shooting a porn feature there. The subsequent video was shot at the campground a few months ago. Schank even appeared in it the adult feature-- the recently released Real Men of Small Town, Volume 2. Sawmill Campground has also played home to a few similar videos, including Hot Desert Knight's HDK Roadtrip, Volume 2.

While some might say that campground growth has reached a plateau, owners are optimistic about the future. "I think the industry will continue to grow," said Wegger. "The lifestyle is a great alternative. We get people here from all over the country, some from Australia and Japan. Like most grounds, we get a lot of repeat people but always a lot of new ones as well."

"It's hard to predict the future, but I can say that we continue to grow," said Cedars Campgrounds owner Zada Moyer. " I think people think of gay campgrounds as safe havens-- there is a good deal of comfort there and it brings people back."

Schank admits that not many people are aware of it, but there is a "gay camper" circuit. "It's mostly up north, though, with campers going from site to site. I do see a lot and lot of retired gay men who spend their golden years in their RVs traveling the country going from place to place. They seem to love it. That's a great, great lifestyle.

"I just think the main reason is that camping is fun. You can do anything you want-- it's literally up to you."

Author Profile:  Jim Farmer

Jim Farmer is a freelance writer living in Atlanta.