Camping in urban parks as a public health-oriented therapeutic landscape experience accomplished through...

Driven by growing public health awareness, individuals are increasingly seeking to break free from daily routines and engage in camping activities within urban parks as a strategy for enhancing well-being. This study investigates the mechanisms through which camping in urban parks contributes to campers' health and well-being, with a particular focus on its role as a public health intervention. We critically reassess the concept of "therapeutic landscapes," which has often overemphasized material aspects while underestimating the significance of subjective perception. Using qualitative methods, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 21 campers, we examine the therapeutic dimensions of camping. Additionally, questionnaire data from 338 samples collected in Xi'an, China (2024-2025) were analyzed using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to explore the relationships between environmental factors, individual perceptions, and therapeutic outcomes. The results indicate that camping in urban parks functions as a therapeutic experience and serves as a proactive public health strategy through facilitating self-transformation. The therapeutic process involves a transformative journey, beginning with escape from daily stressors, progressing through reflective introspection, and culminating in the reconstruction of life meaning. SHAP analysis reveals that therapeutic outcomes are significantly influenced by individual perceptions and environmental features, underscoring the relational nature of health promotion in such settings. These findings contribute to the expanding literature on therapeutic landscapes and public health, offering a valuable framework for designing nature-based health interventions and sustainable leisure practices in urbanizing societies.