How to Book a Pop-Up Escape This Summer
- Campspotter
Big summer vacations are so last year. In 2025, it’s all about the Pop-Up Escape—quick, affordable, soul-refreshing getaways that don’t require months of planning or a second mortgage.
Campspot and Pilot surveyed nearly 2,000 campers who agree: these 1 to 3-night camping trips within easy driving distance are the new go-to for fun, flexibility, and mental refresh.
Below, we’ll show you how to plan your own, and we’ve even put together three sample itineraries to get you started.
So What Is a Pop-Up Escape, Anyway?
Picture this: You finish work on Friday, toss a duffel in the trunk, and hit the road for a quick 1 to 3-night camping trip somewhere beautiful and relaxing. It’s far enough to feel like an escape, but close enough to not stress over plane tickets, pet sitters, or PTO.
And the perks? Oh, they’re good:
- 78% say they’re less stressed within just two nights of camping
- 1 in 3 already feel more calm as soon as they leave for their trip
- Budget-friendly: 76% spend less than $500 total
Whether you’re craving lake views, mountain air, or coastal sunsets, Pop-Up Escapes are the kind of travel that fits your schedule and your wallet—and gets you back into nature when you need it most.
See Why Pop-Up Escapes Are Trending
How to Book a Pop-Up Escape in 3 Steps
1. Pick Your Destination Radius
Start with what’s within a 1–4 hour drive. Think state parks, nearby lakes, or cute small towns you’ve always wanted to explore.
2. Choose Your Stay
Cabin? Tent site? RV hookup? Use filters on Campspot.com to find campgrounds with availability for your dates and amenities that match your vibe (showers, kayak rentals, dog-friendly…whatever your heart desires).
3. Plot the Fun Stuff
Don’t feel the need to over-plan. In fact, 69% of road-trippers prefer to embrace the freedom of a loose (or no!) plan. But it’s a good idea to map out a few food stops, nature spots, or quirky roadside attractions. Budget $50 to $150 for activities, meals, and fun extras.
3 Pop-Up Escape Itineraries You Can Steal
Get inspired with these three budget-friendly escapes that deliver serious summer vibes, without the stress (or cost) of a traditional vacation.
🛶 The $425 Lake Escape – Upstate New York
Vibe: Tranquil mornings by the water, cozy cabins, and the kind of small-town charm that makes you want to leave your phone behind.
Tucked into the forested hills of Upstate New York, this getaway is perfect for slowing down and soaking in nature. Picture mornings spent kayaking across glassy lakes, afternoons lounging with a book under the pines, and evenings filled with starry skies and campfire crackles.
- 2-night stay at a lakeside campground: $160
Brookwood RV Resort: starts at $59/night
Brookwood RV Resort
Brookwood RV Resort offers the best in Adirondack family camping with 85 scenic campsites. Parking and the setting up your motorhome or fifth wheel can be done with ease thanks to their spacious sites. But that’s not all, even if you don’t have your own RV you can still enjoy the facilities of Brookwood RV Resort and the beauty of the Northern Lake George and Adirondack area with their camping cab
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Cable TV
- Playground
- Ice Cream
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Garbage
- Laundry
Schroon River Lodging and Campground: starts at $65/night
Schroon River Lodging and Campground
Schroon River Lodging and Campground is truly a crown jewel with nearly a mile of beautiful Schroon river frontage! The park is in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, which provides an outdoor paradise for nature enthusiasts. Their beautiful full-service RV resort resides along a mile of the breathtaking Schroon river with spacious, scenic sites directly on the river. People come from all over
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Pool
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Playground
- Volleyball
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Dump Station
- Laundry
- Pavilion
- Kayak rental to paddle at sunrise or sunset: $40
- Picnic haul from a local farmstand (think heirloom tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and crusty bread): $50
- Coffee and ice cream in town at Amity Coffee or Gannon’s Ice Cream: $25
- Gas (roundtrip): $50
Don’t miss:
- A waterfall-studded walk along the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park
- A morning hike at Moreau Lake State Park
- A stroll down Saratoga Springs’ Broadway for cute shops and live music
⛰️ The $410 Mountain Recharge – Colorado (Near Estes Park)
Vibe: Pine-scented air, dramatic peaks, wildlife sightings, and campfire meals with a view. Colorado magic on a budget.
Just outside of Estes Park, this mountain retreat drops you right into the heart of the Rockies. Prepare for hikes that start just steps from your tent, elk grazing in the distance, and crisp alpine mornings that make your camp coffee taste extra satisfying.
- 2-night campground stay with mountain views: $130
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park: starts at $39/night
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park
Located just minutes from the beautiful valley town of Estes Park in Colorado is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park: Estes. Situated in the midst of the Colorado Rockies and the Roosevelt National Forest, this is the perfect Campground and RV Park for your family to explore nature at its best! Your family is sure to enjoy nature at its best. Book your spot today for the best view of the stars, being surr
- Pool
- Hiking
- Dog Park
- Arcade
- Mini-Golf
- Playground
- Basketball
- GaGa Ball
- Jumping Pillow
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Laundry
- Pavilion
- Special Events
Winding River Resort: starts at $59/night
Winding River Resort
Find the perfect vacation at Winding River Resort near Grand Lake, CO. Cabin Rentals and camping options are surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest. This mountain setting delivers an array of activities, including horseback riding, snowmobiling and hiking. If you’re interested in boating, fishing and water sports, the nearby Grand Lake, Lake Granby
- Fishing
- Playground
- Ice Cream
- Basketball
- Sports Field
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- General Store
- Dump Station
- Garbage
- Laundry
- Pavilion
- Entry to Rocky Mountain National Park: $30
- Campfire groceries (local sausage, s’mores, and maybe a six-pack of mountain-brewed beer): $60
- Lunch at Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ or Bird & Jim: $30
- Gas (roundtrip): $60
Don’t miss:
- A sunrise hike to Gem Lake
- Hike around Bear Lake
- A scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road for unbeatable panoramic views
- Donuts at Donut Haus, or coffee/wine at Coffee on the Rocks
🌊 The $490 Coastal Recharge – Oregon Coast
Vibe: Misty mornings, dramatic cliffs, salty breezes, and the kind of soul-soothing scenery that only the Pacific Northwest can deliver.
This is the road trip you dream about. Campgrounds tucked just behind the dunes, beach bonfires at sunset, and sleepy towns where time slows down. Wake up to the sound of waves, snack your way through local farmers markets, and explore tidepools teeming with sea life.
- 3-night campground stay: $175
Holiday Farm RV Resort: starts at $55/night
Holiday Farm RV Resort
Located in the scenic McKenzie River Valley, just an hour east of Eugene, Oregon. Holiday Farm RV Resort features beautiful, private sites in a magnificent woodland setting. The Park is just off Highway 126 at milepost 46.5, one mile from world famous Toketee Golf Course. You'll find an abundance of memorable activities, with hiking along the river or in the nearby Three Sisters Wilderness Area,
- Dog Park
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Internet Access
- Garbage
- Laundry
Diamond Lake RV Park: starts at $52/night
Diamond Lake RV Park
Diamond Lake Resort evolved from a small fishing lodge built in the 1920s, to a modern family resort that offers year-round service. It is a favorite summer spot for fishing (rainbow trout), hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding and in the winter it is famous for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. All year round it is a wonderful place to take in the beauty of nature
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Laundry
- Bonfire gear rental (wood bundle + s’mores kit): $25
- Lunch at a local fish shack like Luna Sea Fish House or Big Fish Cafe & Dinner House: $40
- Farmer’s market haul for campsite cooking: $50
- Gas (roundtrip): $100
Don’t miss:
- Tide pooling at Cape Kiwanda
- A walk through the charming town of Manzanita
- Whale watching from the cliffs of Depoe Bay
Plan Your Next Pop-Up Escape
The best part about a Pop-Up Escape is how easy it is to make it happen. Just pick your spot using the free Campspot mobile app, pack your bag, and hit the road.
Image Credit: Adobe Stock users rmbarricarte, Lana, Crin