Five Tips to Enjoy Camping Without a Tent
Five Tips to Enjoy Camping Without a Tent
Camping is becoming much more popular in recent years thanks to a whole new generation of people starting to appreciate the outdoors. There is nothing quite like heading out into the woods and spending time under the stars. One of the best things about camping is the freedom. When you camp in the wild, all the problems of the “real world” seem to float away. Camping without a tent is particularly fun, but it takes a bit of foresight and preparation. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about “roughing it” under the stars:
Always build a sustainable fire
Fire is very important and that even goes for the summertime. No matter how warm it might be, you need to build a campfire anyway. The reasons are many but the obvious one is warmth. Even in the summer the nights can sometimes be quite cold. The last thing you want to do is be rummaging around in the pitch black night trying to gather fire wood. Even if it doesn’t get cold, you still need a fire to help out with wildlife. Most wild animals will naturally avoid the fire and help to keep your campsite safe.
Come prepared for cold
The fire is one thing, but a great sleeping bag is even more vital. The last thing you want to do is get caught outside with no warmth to help you when it gets cold. Bring along a warm sleeping bag no matter the time of year. You are far more likely to use it than not to. Also, bring a range of clothing types. Don’t bring your whole closet, but make sure you have something for unexpected changes in weather. This is extremely important when you are camping under the stars. (Here’s a nice sleeping bag if you don’t already have one!)
Be sure to bring a tarp
Bad weather is almost sure to hit if you don’t plan for the occasion. A tarp is the most basic form of protection from rain that you can easily bring along. If you really want to go camping without a tent, you absolutely must pack a tarp in case of bad weather. You will be shocked at how many times you end up using this wonderful item. Rope is a great and necessary addition as well.
Familiarize yourself with basic shelter building
The odds of you finding yourself lost or in trouble are probably fairly slim if you camp in the same places, but you just never know. Having a solid foundation of survival is a good idea for all of us. Shelter building is not all that complicated. In a few minutes on YouTube you can learn the basics of lean-to shelters and weather proofing yourself. You will be quite glad the first time you actually have to use it. If you are camping regularly without a tent, that might be sooner than you expect.
If you’re camping out in the wilderness, you might need to know how to hide your footsteps! Check out our neat camping tips here!
