What is a bunkhouse?

A bunkhouse is a type of low-cost housing. It is usually associated with a ranch or other rural establishment, and often intended to house temporary workers, such as migrant farm laborers, forest fire fighters, hunters, or park rangers. A bunkhouse may be considered a form of "dormitory" since it provides separate sleeping areas (bunks) for many occupants in one building. A bunkhouse is usually a simple accommodation for people who love the great outdoors.

In contrast to most forms of low-income housing which provide only one room per person, the bunkhouse offers shared space where inhabitants eat and socialize as well as sleep. In general there is no privacy because all occupants use common bathrooms and kitchen areas; however some more expensive versions do exist that have bathroom facilities for each small bedroom.

Bunkhouses are usually found in state parks and national forests. They may be an important part of the funding for the park, since occupants will (hopefully) spend money on food and beverages at nearby businesses. In some cases there is no fee charged to stay at a bunkhouse, but most will require payment of between $5 and $15 per person per night. Many areas also accept volunteer work in lieu of payment.

The ideal bunkhouse provides clean bedding; hot showers; indoor toilets with running water; basic cooking facilities (sink with cold water only); tables or counters for preparing meals; a refrigerator for storing food; a stovetop/oven combo unit for cooking, utensils (plates, cups, silverware); and a shared source of electricity with other bunks. Some (usually the larger ones) may also include other features such as a TV/DVD player, ping pong table, horseshoes, or laundry access.

Types of bunkhouses

There are three basic types of bunkhouses

Commercial/government-run public use areas run by state agencies

Commercial bunkhouses range from bare bones to almost luxurious in their amenities. The "best" commercial bunkhouses will usually cost between $5-$15 per night; concessions will be about $10-$20, and the privately owned bunkhouses will generally cost between $15-$25 per night. Government-run commercial facilities are often located at federal or state parks; concessions can be found at both government and private campgrounds. Privately-owned for profit bunkhouses will usually be found at private campgrounds; sometimes they're part of larger lodging services such as ski resorts in winter months.

Concessionaire-operated public use areas at private campgrounds under contract with federal and state agencies
Privately owned for profit facilities that aren't part of any campground

These are usually located at private campgrounds. They can also be found as part of larger lodging services such as ski resorts in the winter months.

There are some other popular types of bunkhouses that we will go over below:

Concessions: These are usually a lower quality than both government run and privately owned facilities, because they tend to offer a low price to compete with privately owned commercial facilities. Concession bunkhouses usually have multiple families or groups of people staying in the same bunkhouse. Prices for staying at one of these bunkhouses will run about the same as privately owned commercial bunkhouses. They tend to be located at state parks.
Coed Bunkhouses: These are generally set up for groups like scouting organizations or fishing clubs. Because of this, they will most likely not allow singles or couples (unless you are part of a group staying there). Because many groups use these facilities, they often run on a first-come, first-served basis. There may also be an age requirement for people who can stay in the facility [e.g., minors must be accompanied by an adult]. Prices can vary from free to very expensive depending on what is included and who operates it.
Shelter: Bunkhouses are considered to be a form of shelter, not lodging. Shelter is defined as "a place offering protection from danger, exposure, or evil" (dictionary.com). This would classify bunkhouses as being safe places for hikers to stay at while traveling along trails.

Bunks usually have no privacy curtains so everyone must be willing to share their space with others who use the same room/bunkhouse . There are no TVs in most cases because the only time anyone will be there is while sleeping and some might consider watching TV while sleeping to be counterproductive.

What do you really get?

The best accommodations for any bunkhouse will usually depend on the price paid; the more money you pay, the nicer your accommodations will be (though this is not always true). In general, you want to look for bunkhouses that have individual rooms with multiple beds. Some rooms may have their own bathrooms available guests' use along with communal showers. In general, a bunkhouse should have decent beds or cots with fresh linens and enough space to walk around the room freely. There should be electricity in the common areas along with adequate lighting to see by. The bunkhouses should preferably have a dining area where groceries can be stored and cooked on a stove or grill (if guests provide their own food). At least one communal shower and bathroom facility is preferable with at least two for larger bunkhouses.

In addition to sleeping accommodations, some of the nicer bunkhouses may also include a TV room that features several TVs all hooked up to cable TV or even satellite dishes for rental or purchase if available. Some will have surplus of DVDs or videos for rent while others might have board games and card games available for those who want to stay entertained without the use of electronics.

Most bunkhouses will provide linens and pillows; some might even provide towels and toiletries. Those that don't may charge a small fee (ranging from $0-15) to cover expenses like laundry and replacement costs.

Many places also allow people to camp on their property either in designated areas or right around the bunkhouses themselves. The latter is more common as it provides additional income for those who run these types of facilities, but there's always the potential for danger if guests aren't careful (like falling into a fire pit).

Location of bunkhouses

Bunkhouses are usually located in close vicinity to campgrounds; if they're not part of the campground itself, then they'll at very least be within easy walking distance. If you're staying at a privately owned facility which is separate from any other lodging or service that requires paid admission (such as a ski resort) then it'll either be at ground level or accessed by elevator.

Will bunkhouses provide showers and other toiletries?

You will most likely have to bring your own soap, towels and toilet paper. But some establishments offer these services for additional charges, so do check before you make a booking.

Are there any activities available at bunkhouses?

Some bunkhouses have recreation rooms where guests can play pool, watch TV or just relax by the fireplace. Others may provide equipment like mountain bikes, skis and snowboards which you can use free of charge during your stay (however, one must later return said items after using them). In certain cases, you might even be allowed to sled down a nearby hill!

How much do bunkhouses cost?

This mainly depends on the location, amenities and quality of your chosen bunkhouse. Generally, you should expect to pay around US 30-70 dollars per night for a spot in a shared room. If there's only one single bed available, then be prepared to pay more than that. Also remember that prices are usually inclusive of VAT (value added tax).

What happens if I arrive later than expected?

If possible, always call ahead before you leave for your destination - otherwise you risk not being able to check in until the next day! It's also important to note that some establishments may charge extra fees for late arrivals or "overtime" stays - so again it would be best to call ahead to avoid any surprises.

Will you enjoy staying at a bunkhouse?

Yes! Bunkhouses are great for groups of friends or families who want to spend time together while camping. You can book a bunkhouse with extra beds if you are planning for an overnight stay, as they are perfect for accommodating larger groups. You can enjoy the quiet evening with your family around an open fire. Some bunkhouses are even equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and running water, making them ideal when you don't want to stay in a tent or a camper. You'll get all the outdoor experience while being able to return to the safety of a cabin during the night. Depending on where you plan on staying, some may also provide other facilities like pools, barbecues and playgrounds.

The exact definition of a bunkhouse is not clear, as there seems to be no exclusive agreement on what it means or looks like. Generally speaking, a bunkhouse offers budget accommodation for guests to stay in overnight. They usually consist of small rooms with two or three beds in them, which can accommodate up to four people (not including children under the age of 12). You'll commonly find bunkhouses next to campsites and holiday parks, but they tend to vary regarding size and comfort level. It's also noting that you cannot book a bunkhouse online; instead, you need to make your reservation by contacting the owner directly.

Reasons why you should stay in a bunkhouse

Cheaper alternative to hotels

The only downside is that not every National Park has one (you will have to do some research beforehand). But if they do have one, I would recommend booking it as soon as possible because they always fill up fast! Once booked, you can usually cancel for free. However, if not cancelled, the fee is non-refundable. Being much cheaper than hotels, bunkhouses are an attractive option for those with a tight budget.

Easy to book and offers great value for money

Most bunkhouses are centrally located, which makes it easy to visit the town or city's attractions. Most of them also offer free breakfast during certain hours. They will always have a fully equipped kitchen where you can enjoy your meals, as well as a living room with TV/couch and internet connection (usually at no extra charge). A lot of bunkhouses offer dinner as well depending on availability.

Environmentally friendly

Typically, bunkhouses are centrally heated and water is supplied from tanks fed by rainwater. Many of them use solar panels and hot water systems that run on low-energy light bulbs or other environmentally friendly sources.

Low prices, great value

Typically, bunkhouses are very affordable and offer a great deal for the money. It is possible to share a room with other people in order to cut down on costs even further. The price will vary depending on how much you want to pay for a night's stay at a bunkhouse. If you plan on staying for a week or more in one area, ask the manager there about long-term discounts!

An easy way to meet new friends

A really great thing about staying in a bunkhouse is that by the time everyone has gone to sleep for the night, you have probably made some new friends from all over the world who are staying in the same cabin as yourself. It's just too bad these friendships are sometimes temporary and will most likely end up fading away once the trip does. There was even one instance where I had planned a day of hiking together with several bunkmates a few days after we checked out. But they ended up cancelling due to unforeseen circumstances so we never got to hang out. Oh well, it was still a short while we had together.

Also, bunkhouses are almost always multi-lingual zones as well so just learning the basics in one more language on top of your own is all you really need to do to communicate with others. Just keep in mind that they might not always know every word or phrase that you know but with body language and context clues it can be easy enough for everyone to understand each other (and if anything just using hand gestures are universal).