Cowboy Camping: A Remarkable Experience
If you want to get in touch with mother nature, what better way is there than hiking into it and setting up camp? But you can take it a step further and cowboy camp. What is cowboy camping, you ask?
Cowboy camping is the act of sleeping under the stars with no tent or shelter. In other words, you go to sleep with the stars overhead, completely exposed to the elements and all nature has to offer.
Sound dreamy?
Well, to some it does, but others may experience anxiety and feel vulnerable without that thin sheet of nylon separating them from everything they perceive may do them harm out in the wild.
While there are precautions you should take when it comes to cowboy camping, or any camping for that matter, most fears are, in all actuality, irrational. That being said, knowing how to cowboy camp safely is step number one. Below, we will discuss everything you need to know to ensure you have an optimum cowboy camping experience.
How to cowboy camp
There’s no secret method when it comes to cowboy camping, and you likely have everything you need, assuming you have camped before. However, there are extra considerations and precautions to take for your comfort and safety.
Gear Required
Again, you probably have everything you need already, but we will go ahead and review the essentials while also highlighting a couple of extra items you may want to take along on your cowboy camping excursion. We’ll start from the ground up.
Groundsheet
A groundsheet is a piece of material typically used to protect the floor of your tent from wear and abrasion. However, even though you will not be using a tent while cowboy camping, a groundsheet is recommended if you are using an inflatable sleeping pad.
A groundsheet will protect your delicate air pad from punctures. A piece of Tyvek cut to fit will work perfectly. However, if you use a foam sleeping pad, you will probably be okay without a groundsheet.
Sleeping Pad
In my opinion, a sleeping pad is a necessity when sleeping on the ground. Not only does it provide cushioning, but it serves as insulation between the cooler ground and yourself.
There are foam pads, air pads, and self-inflating air pads. Each has their own advantages which I won’t cover here, but read my article on sleeping pads for more information.
Sleeping Bag or Quilt
A sleeping bag or quilt is used to keep you warm, typically when camping. There are many options available, but most importantly, use one with an adequate temperature rating for the temperatures you will be camping in.
Not sure of the difference between a sleeping bag and quilt? Read this article to find out.
Pillow
While a pillow is not necessary, they can certainly add much needed comfort. And you don’t need a dedicated pillow. Many people opt to use their backpacks or a stuff sack filled with clothes.
Bug Bivy or Net
A bug bivy is a mesh shelter supported by a pole or poles that is used to protect someone from bugs. They are sized just big enough to fit a single person with their sleeping bag and pad.
If you are concerned about bugs but don’t want to obstruct your night-time view, a bug bivy, like this one from Outdoor Research, is a good idea. Or you can use a bug net, which provides more headroom, but will need to be strung up overhead, typically via a guyline.
Emergency Shelter
When cowboy camping in an area with unpredictable weather, having an emergency shelter can save your life. This can be a lightweight survival shelter, or you can carry your tent to use in the event of an emergency.
Selecting a campsite
Picking the right spot to set up camp, whether with a tent or cowboy style, is crucial for your comfort. What you want from a tent site is still true for cowboy camping, but again, there are some extra things to consider.
Flat and Clean Area
As always, a flat spot is the best place to set up camp. You don’t want to be lying on a slope that is going to have you sliding off your sleeping pad. This will make sleeping a more difficult task and staying asleep will be nearly impossible.
You also need the area to be clean. Watch out for rocks and sticks that can not only damage an inflatable pad but can also cause discomfort when laying on.
Avoid Water
The idea of camping by a stream is alluring, but it comes with risks that may be best to avoid.
First, animals come to streams and ponds to drink. If you are nervous about animals walking into your camp, especially with no tent separating you from them, laying where they come to drink isn’t a good idea.
And standing water can attract pests, like mosquitos. Even if you are safe inside your bug bivy or net, camping where these bugs multiply may be regrettable since you won’t be inside the mesh the entire time.
Block Wind
Without a tent, wind can be uncomfortable when trying to sleep, not to mention a hazard. Cowboy camping beside a large object, such as a boulder, can shelter you from the wind. This will help you stay warmer, especially on those cooler nights. You can also bring a tarp and set it up as a barrier against the wind.
Additional tips
Lastly, before venturing out on your cowboy camping adventure, there are some additional things you should know. Here are a few tips.
Check the weather
Checking the weather is usually a given before any camping trip, but if you are going to be going without a shelter, knowing the forecast is a must. Ultimately, the weather will dictate if you need a shelter or if you are going to go camping at all.
Look at your local forecast for the area you are planning your trip. Start checking it around three days in advance. Anything beyond that and the forecast is less dependable. Also, in higher elevations the weather can be much more unpredictable, so once again, be sure to be prepared with an emergency shelter at a minimum.
Know the bugs
Bugs can dampen your enthusiasm on a camping trip, especially when cowboy camping. In the warmer months, bugs are going to be abundant, so knowing what to look for is beneficial.
Different kinds of bugs can be found at different locations and higher elevations. Mosquitos are some of the biggest nuisances we think of when out in the wild, but black flies can be terribly annoying as well.
And while technically an arachnid, be aware of ticks, especially when camping near taller grasses or dense forests.
Avoiding wildlife
Being exposed to wildlife while cowboy camping can make you uneasy, but there are things you can do to reduce the chance of having late night visitors:
- Cook away from your campsite
- Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in
- Use bear bags or canisters (these are for more than just bears)
- Don’t camp at a water source
Some animals, especially bears, are attracted to scents. Most of us won’t follow the above listed guidelines, but following them will make it less likely you wake up to footsteps or the sound of nibbling on your gear.
Check out my guide on hiking in black bear country for more details on avoiding and handling these encounters.
Preventing condensation
A problem cowboy campers run is that condensation tends to collect on sleeping bags when exposed to the air. When warm air and cool air meet, little water droplets form. Given the difference between the temperatures of your body and surrounding air, condensation can oftentimes be expected.
To at least cut the amount of condensation, camp under a tree. Trees suck up moisture from the air, thus potentially drastically reducing how much moisture settles onto your gear.
Where can you cowboy camp
Cowboy camping is allowed anywhere dispersed camping is, which is most national forests. As far as I know, there are no rules saying you must camp in a tent. However, some parks, like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, require you to stay in a shelter along the Appalachian Trail.
Always check with the park office or the local ranger station to verify dispersed camping is allowed. You can usually find this on their website, but a phone call never hurts when it comes to getting the most up-to-date information.
Advantages of cowboy camping
Now that we have covered the how-to and logistics, let’s highlight some of the reasons you might be interested in giving cowboy camping a try.
No tent setup or breakdown
Cowboy camping makes setting up and breaking down camp much easier considered there is no tent to pitch and pack back up in the morning. This saves you time and potentially frustration, not to mention the satisfaction of arriving at your campsite and only having to roll out your sleeping pad and lay your sleeping bag on top. Done.
Less gear required
Unless you are being cautious, you don’t need a tent. No tent means no rainfly or tent stakes and guylines. Depending on your sleeping pad, you may not even need a groundsheet. Less gear means less weight to carry if you are hiking into your campsite, which makes your hike easier.
Better views
Having the opportunity to fall asleep looking at the stars is what makes cowboy camping worth it. Even more so if you are far enough from city lights where you have views unspoiled by light pollution. You might find yourself in awe of how many stars you can see when you aren’t surrounded by tall buildings and streetlights.
Disadvantages of cowboy camping
There are disadvantages to cowboy camping, as well. Whether these outweigh the advantages are for you to decide. However, if properly prepared, you can alleviate or at least minimize these disadvantages.
Mental uneasiness
The mental uneasiness is the biggest hurdle to get over to start enjoying cowboy camping. You may feel vulnerable without the protection of a tent. However, think of your tent as nothing more than pulling the blanket over your eyes when you were a scared kid sleeping in your bedroom. The blanket didn’t actually protect you, and neither does your tent. It just makes us feel more secure.
The truth is that there are few things in the wild that will do us harm, so pull the blanket down from your eyes and enjoy the moment.
Exposure to the elements
When cowboy camping, you will be exposed to wind and rain. There are ways to minimize or completely block the wind if you find the right spot, but protecting yourself from the rain may be more difficult.
When there is potential for rain on your trip, you should play it safe and at a minimum bring a tarp you can setup over your pad and sleeping bag. This tarp needs to cover the area of your groundsheet as well to keep water from puddling under your sleeping pad.
There may be a few natural shelters you can utilize, like a crevasse under a rock, but these are harder to come by. You best bet is to have some shelter if there is any potential for rain.
Exposure to bugs and wildlife
Bugs and wildlife are likely the biggest contributors to anxiety when cowboy camping, even though they are highly unlikely to bother you. Sure, you will hear the snap of sticks or the rustling of leaves, but the animals causing these noises will keep their distance.
And “creepy crawlers” will be all around and it’s possible something will crawl on you during the night and you won’t even notice, even if you are awake. Grandaddy long legs are what I have encountered the most, but these can do you no harm. If you are concerned about insects or spiders or whatever, use a bug net. You still get the advantage of a great view without the worry of something crawling on you.
Getting comfortable with cowboy camping
Being hesitant to cowboy camp is not uncommon. Many people jump right into it, but if you want an easy transition, here are a few things you can do to slowly build your confidence.
- Sleep in your tent with the doors open
- Cowboy camp in your yard
- Sleep under a tarp
Sleep in your tent with the doors open
Your tent provides a sense of security, whether real or perceived. Leaving the doors open partially exposes you to things outside of your tent. This can be a small confidence booster, or a beginning step to cowboy camping.
Cowboy camp in your yard
Many people have camped in their yards before, but have you ever done so without a tent? This is a great way to ease your way into cowboy camping. You have the comfort of your home right there so you can always bail if needed.
Sleep under a tarp
Sleeping under a tarp is much like sleeping in a tent. You still have shelter over your head, but depending on how you set up your tarp, you can be exposed on all sides. I think this is a great way to move into cowboy camping, because at this point, all you have to do is remove the tarp and you are there!
Conclusion
Cowboy camping is nothing to be afraid of. Thousands and thousands of people do it every year without incident. Work your way into it if you need to, but don’t let fear keep you from this experience. If you don’t think cowboy camping is for you … well, you never know until you try.
