AutoCamp Changes in 2024

AutoCamp Changes in 2024

Let’s review the AutoCamp changes in 2024 and get a sense of how AutoCamp is evolving as a company.

Well, summer is almost over (boooo!), and for many of us, the best months to be outdoors are coming: fall, early winter (yaaaaayyyy!!!) If you’re like me, there is no hiking in 90+ degree heat. That’s what oceans (AutoCamp Cape Cod), rivers (AutoCamp Asheville, AutoCamp Yosemite, AutoCamp Joshua Tree) are for! But fall and winter…that’s great for ALL the AutoCamp locations!

2024 has brought some changes to AutoCamp, and we wanted to fill you in on what we’ve learned.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: 2 New Locations to Open

First, both AutoCamp Asheville and AutoCamp Sequoia are scheduled to open. FINALLY. Both have had delay after delay. Right now, AutoCamp Asheville is scheduled to open in September, and AutoCamp Sequoia is scheduled to open in October. It’s pretty safe to bet that these are not ideal opening times. It would have been better to be open well before the summer season.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: Cape Cod Loses the Mini-Basecamp

AutoCamp Cape Cod used to have a “Mini-Basecamp” which was an Airstream plus a “teepee” kind of tent. Those are gone and not coming back.

Interestingly, their property map still shows mini-basecamps. We’ll be checking this out in person, but you can’t reserve a mini-basecamp anymore.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: Can’t Bring Alchohol?!?!?!

One of our top Pro Tips is to bring your own! However, we’ve been told that once AutoCamp Cape Cod gets a permit to sell beer and wine, we won’t be allowed to bring our own. That’s not going to fly! I’m not an IPA or light beer drinker, for example. I like Belgians, which you pretty much can’t find at most places anymore. I want what I want. How will they police and stop this? My money says they won’t.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: X Suites are Now Cabins

Whaaaaatttt???? Yeah, they’re now calling X Suites CABINS.
This one is frustrating. Why?
Because they already have a very specific structure called a CABIN that is nothing like an X Suite!

First, the big picture.

X Suite

It’s a tiny house on wheels. Ultra modern (we love them!).

Cabin

This is exactly what you’d expect a cabin to look like! It’s not on wheels, by the way. 🙂

Now, the nitty gritty.

Here is the interior of the traditional cabins:

Here is the interior of the X Suite:

So, you can see why we’re really scratching our heads as to WHY they would call an X Suite a Cabin!

On the same topic, AutoCamp Sequoia is rolling out BUNK ROOMS.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: New Lodging Type – Bunk Rooms!

Ok, now this is cool – they’re rolling out a new type of lodging we haven’t seen at the other locations: Bunk Rooms!!

This is smart. This really fills a gap in the AutoCamp offerings. While the Airstreams supposedly fit/sleep 4 people, it would be insanely tight. Even with very small kids, there is nowhere to put things! These are not typical Airstreams – they have no storage!

It will be interesting to see how the Bunk Room is different from the Cabin, which itself has 2 bunks. In the photo, above, it’s clear this is one shared room. The Cabin has a bedroom with a door. On the outside of the door are 2 bunks. So, the Bunk Room clearly has less privacy than the Cabin.

Another observation: that is a bench seat with ONE snack tray! How is that “space for the whole family.” You 3 … eat outside while I eat inside! 🙂
Of course, AutoCamp focuses on living – and dining – outdoors. However, sometimes weather does not permit. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the room looks like.

The Bunk Room is described as “Featuring either one king or two queen beds, plus a set of twin bunk beds, our Bunk Rooms offer a classic boutique hotel experience, with space for the whole family.”

The Double Bunk Room actually sleeps six, but note this write up: “Our most spacious room, our Double Queen Bunk room sleeps 6 and features two queen beds, plus twin-sized bunk beds. The private ensuite bathroom offers a walk-in shower and vanity area. Outside, relax with a glass of wine on your private patio, which includes a fire pit and dining area.”

NOTE: no kitchen! No seating for eating!

The King Bunk Room sleeps four: “Enjoy a cozy, boutique hotel experience in our King Room, which sleeps 4 and is perfect for those who need a little more space. Each room features a plush king bed and twin-size bunk beds, perfect for kids. A private modern bathroom offers a walk-in shower and vanity area. Outside, relax with a glass of wine on your private patio, which includes a fire pit and dining area.”

Same room, just different bedding.

CONCLUSION: The Bunks are going to be one step above a tent. They offer climate control and a bathroom – which the tents don’t have – and solid sides. Other than that, it will be more similar to a tenting experience where everything is happening outside.

AutoCamp Changes in 2024: Conclusion

It’s been a big year for AutoCamp. Of course, the biggest change is finally getting Asheville and Sequoia open… when they do! That will leave Hill Country to be the last of the “new” AutoCamps that were announced on July 26, 2022 to be opened in 2023. And Hill Country won’t be open until “2025”. Yeesh!

We’re about to do a short visit at AutoCamp Cape Cod. We are eager to see the grounds to see how the vegetation has matured, how the septic smell issue is going, and what happened to the mini-basecamps. We’ll report back soon!