7 of the coolest camper designs we could find

This quirky electric camper car, from designer and builder Jay Nelson, is made of fiberglass, plywood, bike parts, and an electric motor. It's not long-distance friendly, as it doesn't reach highway speeds and only gets 10 miles on a single charge, but it's perfect for a fun trip to a nearby getaway spot. It contains a kitchen area, a toilet, storage space, and a bed that sleeps one person or two people who don't mind getting really cozy. Fun fact: the driver sits-cross legged while steering!

Pop-up trailers have long been considered the middle ground between RVs and tents. But they can be unnecessarily tricky to set up and are often too cumbersome to be towed by normal cars. Garrett Finney, a former NASA engineer with more than a little experience designing tight living quarters, created The Cricket to combat those problems. Built with lightweight materials, it can be towed by most family vehicles like SUVs and mini-vans. But what really makes it special is that the interior is easily manipulated so that families can create their own experiences. It sleeps two adults with the option of loft bedding for children.

This crazy contraption, designed by Danish Art Studio N55, may look like a giant insect from a world of science fiction, but it’s actually a pretty cool mobile home that can take campers into remote wilderness areas that don’t accommodate cars. Powered by solar panels and a wind turbine, the Walking House uses four legs (with three on the ground at all times) to travel around at a steady walking pace. It’s also completely self-sufficient with its own wood burning stove, composting toilet, and rainwater collectors. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is whether nearby campers will mistake your entrance for a robot attack!

Axel Enthoven’s tribute to the Sydney Opera House is a gorgeous camper that provides a high-end camping experience for luxury lovers. The lightweight trailer is easily towed behind a standard vehicle and opens up to a fully stocked living space in less than five minutes. It has stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, electric adjustable beds, a barbecue, wine cabinet, a veranda, and an espresso bar. The interior itself is made of high-quality steel, oak, and leather. There will be no talk of “roughing it” with this camper.

This trailer, built by artist Kevin Cyr, is designed in the style of a classic car camper, right down to the faux wood siding and the reflector panels. But this mini-version attaches to a three-wheel bike (kind of like an oversized trailer) and can be ridden out into the wilderness by anyone with enough leg strength to tow it. It sleeps one person comfortably and would be ideal for a quiet solo weekend by the lake.

If you’re headed to the great outdoors and you’ve only got one towing vehicle, it’s a tough choice between land and lake. Do you bring the comfortable camper or hitch up the awesome new boat? With this amphibious vehicle you no longer have to pick just one! The Sealander towable trailer converts easily into a boat so you can spend the day on the water before heading back to shore for a warm, cozy sleep. It comes equipped with a cooking and washing station, fold-out table, sun-roof, and seating for six that converts into a bunk bed.

Why settle for a trailer or RV when you can hit the road in a tiny two-story house! This impressive lightweight metal creation was a DIY project from three friends in Japan who took a standard delivery van and used a hydraulic lift system to open up the space and create a second level. It still looks like a regular box truck on the road, but is easily transformed when it’s time to set up camp. The first floor is all function, with kitchen and bathroom facilities, but the second floor is a cool feng shui–friendly hangout space.