Tepee Campgrounds

Tepees, also spelled teepees or tipis, are outdoor shelters that provide warmth and comfort to dwellers and campers all year. Native Americans used tepees as shelters and homes because of their durability and portability. Many tepees are equipped with an indoor fire pit or ring for cooking and heating. Tepee campgrounds come with tepees already set up -- offering campers an opportunity to experience staying in a tepee while enjoying various outdoor recreational activities.

  1. Identification

    • A tepee is a cone-shaped tent originally built with animal skins or birch bark. The American Indians of the Great Plains inhabited and popularized tepees. Durable and transportable, tepees are made of four main parts: a set of poles, canvas fabric, an inner canvas lining and a canvas door. Ropes and pegs are also necessary for binding the poles and closing the coverings. Tepees have smoke flaps and an opening at the top to enable constant airflow as well as to enable smoke to exit.

    Campgrounds

    • Experience staying in a tepee by reserving a spot in a tepee campground. Various tepee campgrounds are located in Ray, North Dakota; Kanab, Utah; and Sedona, Arizona. The dwellings are often painted on the outside with different patterns and colors. Some campgrounds offer tepees decorated with Navajo rugs, wooden chests, dream catchers and blankets. Various tepee sizes may be available. An 18 foot tepee can fit one to four guests, a 20 foot tepee can fit four to six guests and a 28 foot tepee can fit up to 15 people.

    Activities

    • Tepee campgrounds have outdoor recreational and educational activities for campers. Choose a campground that includes activities you can enjoy during your trip. Typical activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking and bird-watching. Campers can bring their own or use the camp's gear like boats, life jackets and paddles. If you want to learn more about Native American culture, then opt for tepee campgrounds that offer educational and cultural activities like tomahawk throwing, historical tours, archery and educational seminars about Native Americans.

    Amenities

    • Tepee campgrounds offer amenities for campers to enjoy. Compare the amenities that several tepee campgrounds offer before making a reservation. This way, you can choose one that best fits your needs. Amenities may include cabin accommodations, on-site restaurants, a marina, RV parking, boat rentals, a fish cleaning station, a bait and tackle shop, gas service and hiking trails. Some campgrounds even offer cultural exhibits and activities like Indian Village tours and Native American shows and performances.