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How To Get Wifi While Camping

How To Navigate Without Wifi

Ep. 117: Cheap Truly Unlimited Internet for Your RV | camping tips tricks how-to

One of the main reasons why someone would want the internet while camping is navigating. Fortunately, many apps allow for offline caching of maps so you dont need the internet to navigate. Google Maps also has this feature.

Look at the following if you want to see how to do this:

2. Click on Select Your Own Map to find an area to make a map from.

Drag and expand the box to the area that you want to capture. You may need to download several separate maps depending on how large an area you are traveling in.

Examples Of Campgrounds With Wifi

Your state will vary on the documentation thats out there as to what campgrounds have WiFi. Ill put my WiFi research for some major states here:

If you are lucky enough to live in Texas, the Texas State Parks Department has compiled a list of campgrounds with WiFi here.

California doesnt have a list that is maintained for all the state parks, but others have compiled lists. An example of one privately compiled list is here.

Oregon doesnt offer WiFi at their State Parks. But AllStays has compiled a list of privately owned campgrounds, many of them RV parks that do have WiFI. The list of Oregon parks that have WiFi is below in this section.

AllStays also maintains a list of WiFi-supported campgrounds for Colorado that you can see in this section.

How To Easily Setup A Device For Streaming Tv While Rv Camping

This article is an UPDATE to our original article TV While RV Camping. We have had many people tell us how happy they are with the Apple Device that we suggested and how it allows them to watch TV While RV Camping! However, we have also received MANY QUESTIONSregarding this product and how it works. We LOVEgetting questions from you all! Thats why we are here to help YOU! Thats also why we decided to write an UPDATEfor you all. This is How to Easily Setup a Device for Streaming TV While RV Camping! Questions youve asked, answers we have!

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Why Use A Mobile Hotspot While Camping

  • Mobile hotspot devices offer more data than hotspotting off your phone and they dont drain your phone battery.
  • All data plans we recommend are contract free. Without the burden of a month-to-month service contract, you can buy the mobile hotspot device upfront and just activate service for the months you camp.
  • The drawback to a mobile hotspot device is that it doesnt work in areas without cell phone receptionyou have to be close enough to a cell phone tower to get a signal.
  • Using a cell phone booster can strengthen your signal in more remote campsites and National Parks with weak cellular signals.

If youre planning on doing a lot of backcountry camping, a mobile hotspot device may not work. For example, if youre boondocking in the backcountry and youre 100 miles from the nearest cell phone tower, you may only be able to get online using a portable satellite dish, which is expensive and slow. But if youre content to save online activities for when youre staying in established camping areas, a mobile hotspot device might be great.

Travelers who rely heavily on internet access for working remotely or staying connected during long trips will benefit most from getting a mobile hotspot device. Occasional campers may not need a dedicated device for internet access while camping and could get by with hotspotting off their cell phone plan.

Other mobile hotspot options include the Verizon 5G Hotspot will deliver a steady connection in many camping areas.

Glocalme G4 Pro Mobile Hotspot

How To Get Wifi While Camping

Dont want to fuss with contracts or add a line to your current data plan? Then the GlocalMe G4 Pro Mobile Hotspot is the best WiFi hotspot for camping that you can get. Its attractive-looking touchscreen WiFi for camping thats about the size of an iPhone 11 Pro. Available in gold or black, it comes with 1GB of 4G LTE data, and it works in over 100 different countries!

In addition to that, this device also has a built-in Google Maps app for navigating, which is a huge plus for travelers and campers who lose their way easily. Moreover, this portable WiFi hotspot for camping offers 15 hours of battery life and has a built-in USB-C port for fast-charging other devices. It also supports up to 5 simultaneously connected devices.

  • What We Love:
  • Its a nice pay-as-you-go hotspot that comes with many advanced features.
  • Pros:
  • Works in over 100 different countries
  • Comes with 1GB of 4G LTE data
  • Built-in Google Maps app
  • 15 hours of battery life
  • Built-in USB-C port
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    How To Watch Netflix Offline

    Since Netflix is the most popular of the streaming services, well start here. It also happens to be the one of the easiest to download and watch offline while camping. Before we get into the How lets look at what devices support offline Netflix viewing:

    • iPhones
    • Kindle Devices
    • Not Supported: Mac laptops

    It seems basically every device EXCEPT Mac laptops are compatible with offline Netflix viewing . So, if you have a Macbook, it looks like you are SOL. For everyone else,

    HERES HOW TO DOWNLOAD NETFLIX SHOWS + MOVIES:

    1. Open the Netflix App and Find the Available for Download Tab or click the Downloads icon and then select See What You Can Download

    2. This will give you a full list of everything that is download-able. Super handy as not absolutely everything on the app is approved for online viewing.

    3. Select the show or movie you want, Select Download

    4. You can check on the progress of your download by returning to the My Downloads tab

    OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR OFFLINE NETFLIX VIEWING:

    1. Some TV shows have download caps this means you may only be allowed to download a certain number of episodes or seasons at a time. If you want to add more episodes, youll have to go in and delete the ones youve watched before adding more.

    3. If your device is in the list above and for some reason is not allowing Netflix downloads, it could be that a device update is needed

    4. You may have up to 100 Downloads at a time Expiration of downloads vary by licensing

    Getting Wifi From Portable Hotspots While Camping

    Sometimes its not easy to justify getting a new cell phone plan just so you can tether. If you are planning on tethering a lot, such as if you are in an RV and are driving across America, or if you are on a long car-camping road trip, then you might consider a personal WiFi hotspot.

    Many cell phone providers sell personal WiFi Hotspots, all with varying data plans.

    You can use a WiFi Hotspot as your WiFi for your RV, which can always be available if you need it.

    Often, these are called MiFi devices.

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    Verizon Rv Internet Hot Spot & Plans

    The very first hot spot and mobile internet plan we got was from Verizon. We actually bought a Verizon JetPack hot spot a few years ago from Amazon. Then we went to our local Verizon store in Denver and told them we needed to buy a data package for the hot spot.

    Neither of us had our cell phone plans through Verizon, although we could have gotten that too and bundled it. However, they did offer a pre-paid data plan specifically for the hot spot. We purchased that and were able to reload it with however much data we needed. So for example, we could buy 20 GB of data, and then we it ran out we could just reload with more.

    It was a good option when we were just traveling on weekends in the RV or for extended vacations. However, once we started traveling and living full-time in our RV we realized we needed an unlimited plan so we didnt have to keep reloading.

    How To Stay Connected Anywhere

    RV Internet Access on the Road – Stay Connected While Boondocking

    No single internet option will cover you 100 percent of the time, so to stay fully connected, consider using a combination of the above options for increased reliability.

    Heres the setup that we use to run two different businesses while traveling in the U.S. and Canada:

    • Unlimited data on our Verizon smartphones
    • Unlimited data on an AT& T hotspot
    • A cell phone signal booster
    • A WiFi extender to use at RV parks and campgrounds

    This setup covers us most of the time we travelwhether we are boondocking or camping in an RV park.

    Mix and match these options to best fit your needs. If youre planning on spending most of your time boondocking, you could skip the investment of a WiFi extender. If you dont need a constant internet connection, you can choose between a cell phone booster or unlimited data on a hotspot device.

    Taking the time to properly set up an internet connection makes traveling in an RV full-time possible. In the age of remote work and virtual schooling, the ability to stay connected almost anywhere allows us to see the world and still support our families.

    Depending on your needs, your RV WiFi will come with an upfront cost, but its all worth it when you can take a work-related video call from your hammock while boondocking in a scenic location.

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    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 phones 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.

    National Carriers And Tethering Your Cell Phone

    Another option is to use your cell phone service to gain internet while out and about in nature. Most major providers and carriers, such as Verizon and AT& T, will offer an internet hotspot option.

    A tethering or mobile hotspot through your cell phone will allow you to access the internet on devices, including and other than, your cellphone. In essence, your phone is creating a WiFi network that other devices can connect to, typically with the use of a password.

    Using this type of connectivity may be expensive, is not optimal for camping in extremely rural or backcountry areas where service is limited, and will quickly drain your cell phones battery.

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    The Best Signal Booster For Camping Wifi

    When we first started working and traveling back in 2012, cell boosters were relatively new to the mainstream and the ones on the market were NOT effective. Plus the cellular network in general was not as robust. So more often than not, wed get stuck looking for the closest coffee shop, fast-food restaurant, or library to fill our camping wifi needs.

    Fast forward to today, the cellular network in the U.S. has both further reach and faster speeds, and there is finally a cell phone signal booster that actually works!

    Use A Hotspot Database

    How To Get Camping Internet Service

    Many apps can help you find hotspots for free Wi-Fi in your area. Some apps have extra features that can help you find them. The Facebook app, for example, has an option for finding nearby Wi-Fi hotspots. Some websites and apps are designed with the sole purpose of providing a database of free Wi-Fi hotspots. A couple of examples are NetSpot and WiFi Map.

    Again, be sure to use cybersecurity best practices when accessing free Wi-Fi networks. Be cautious about transmitting personal or financial information while on any network you find on one of these apps.

    This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Verizon is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.

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    Our Pick: Mobile Hotspot Device + At& t Prepaid Data Plan

    Our top recommendation for getting Wi-Fi while camping in is getting a mobile hotspot device and pairing it with a prepaid data plan. This is the most flexible option, allowing you to buy a device upfront and then just activate service for the months youll be using it, rather than having a year-long contract.

    Using a mobile hotspot like the AT& T Nighthawk LTE along with one of AT& Ts prepaid data plans is a great choice for camping and RV. AT& T recently slashed the price on their prepaid plans and doubled the datawhich is a win, win, anyway you look at it. If you like Verizons network but are looking for something cheaper, check out Visibles $40 per month data plans, which include unlimited hotspot data.

    How To Get Internet In The Most Remote Locations Using Satellite Internet

    Cell signal is still cell signal. If there isnt a cell tower for several miles, and if there is no cabled internet to be found, are you out of luck?

    There is one more option for you: Satellite internet.

    Satellite internet is the most costly out of any of the other options talked about in this article, but it allows the greatest freedom since satellites are visible from most of the planets land surface. It works very similarly to how your satellite tv works.

    If you are hoping to game while in the middle of nowhere though with satellite internet remember that latencies for satellite internet hang around 500ms. In other words, you really cant game online with satellite internet, unless you want to start a lag-fest.

    ***Update***: The satellite internet field is about to get a HUGE update that will be a GAME changer for remote internet options. Gaming with low latencies with satellite internet could actually be possible. More importantly, its a whole lot more affordable. Read about Starlink below.

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    How To Work Offline Without Wifi

    In our connected world, it may seem completely impossible to survive without the internet. Many desktops and laptops, however, are still designed with the ability to work without the internet. Smartphones have a harder time without an internet connection, but if youre trying to get some work done, you probably are using your laptop anyway.

    Best Ways To Improve Your Wi

    RV Internet: How to Get RV WiFi So You Can Stream and Work Remote

    Camping is all fun until you cant upload that cute photo on Instagram or video call your family due to a weak Wi-Fi signal. Good internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity for most people. Even though some prefer putting away all their gadgets to just have some break from the buzz of the internet, most people still want to be in a position to use the internet. How to get a strong Wi-Fi signal while camping, therefore, becomes the big puzzle.

    Its no doubt that given a choice, most people will always choose a camping site that has Wi-Fi. This is not just for nomads who work remotely but even people who are on a holiday. Even though some campgrounds provide Wi-Fi, in most cases, it sucks. And honestly, sometimes you are better off without the internet than have a connection that takes 30 minutes to load a page. Argh! Nobody wants frustrations while they are supposed to be having a good time camping.

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    The Importance Of Internet Service While Traveling In An Rv

    In todays society, the internet is as essential as breathing for most of us. It increases in value when you need to keep working, either while taking a short camping trip or if your full-time RV lifestyle relies on a good internet connection to keep your cash flow positive.

    Most people do have cellphone plans that include a set amount of data every month, but if you need to be online for hours every day using their cellphone as a hotspot wont cover their internet needs.

    The biggest mistake newbie campers make is to believe a campground when they say their free Wi-Fi works great and you wont have to worry about connecting to the internet at their park.

    Why is this a mistake?

    The majority of RV parks and resorts understand the value of offering free WiFi to their guests. Being able to advertise their free internet service to entice a camper to stay at their park is why they have it, but the reality of how well that service works is debatable.

    The Best Portable Wifi Devices For Remote Learning And Working

    inCamping/by Roofnest Team

    With Zoom meetings and remote learning still overwhelming your familys day-to-day, its time to get out of the house for a change of scenery.

    Youre probably tired of being tethered to the walls of your home office. Why not make use of being remote and take work and school on the road?

    Theres nothing like waking up surrounded by towering mountains, rolling plains, or vast expanses of desert to reset your mental health after a hectic week.

    But to really bring the outdoors into your day, youre going to need a strong portable WiFi device.

    If thats the case, a portable WiFi device is perfect for you. There are tons of portable internet setups that make remote learning and working feasible for your family while camping and Overlanding this spring.

    Weve rounded up some of our favorite devices that will get you out of your home office and back into nature without having to constantly search for a signal.

    So go ahead, make your office the coolest travel experience yet.

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