A Beginner’s Guide to Backcountry Camping

What is Backcountry Camping

Have you ever fantasized about sleeping directly under the night sky, your view unbothered by the glow of city lights? What about having direct access to natural water sources like lakes and clearings? Well, backcountry camping makes all of this possible. It is the activity of camping deep in nature, away from cities and even campground amenities. 

So, that RV park or cabin rental wouldn’t qualify. Backcountry camping allows you to be “one with nature” and requires you to rely on yourself and your survival instinct. It’s living at its simplest. 

You’ll enjoy things like vast open green spaces, fresh air, vibrant night skies, and, depending on where you are: mountains, coastlines, or deeply forested areas. 

If you enjoy nature and desire to unplug from the world legitimately, backcountry camping is the way. 

What You’ll Need

Again, backcountry camping requires you to rely on yourself and anyone else joining you. So, you’ll need to have a good grasp of survival skills and the right tools. Here are a few things that you want to take with you if you’re backcountry camping as a beginner.

• Information on park rules – Depending on where you decide to camp, you might have to adhere to specific rules and may even need camping permits, especially backcountry camping in a natural park. 
• Foods you don’t need to cook – Since you won’t have easy access to electricity, you need to have food items that will be easy to eat without preparing them. Foods like peanuts, seeds, and dried fruit are great examples of foods you can use while backcountry camping. 
• Gas cooking system – There may be those nights or days where you want to cook. If so, there are options like gas, specifically propane canisters, attached to burners that allow you to cook if you’re away from electricity. 
• Shelter – You’ll need a way to protect yourself and any companions from the elements. Both a tent and tarp are options. The first is more durable, while the latter is sometimes easier to manage. You also can use your vehicle and attach a tent to the roof and even install an awning.
• Camping tools – You never know what situations you might find yourself in, so it’s helpful to have the right tools. For example, a camping ax allows you to collect wood to start a fire, while a survival shovel can help you in tent construction. Sit down and make a list of what you might need, and then find quality versions of those items. 
• Safety and first aid equipment – Unfortunately, accidents happen, and camping for beginners can involve injury. Minor cuts and scrapes can become a severe issue if you don’t have the correct tools to handle them. 
• Sleeping gear – While you likely won’t feel like you are in a four or five-star hotel, you can still be comfortable sleeping during backcountry camping. From air mattresses to sleeping bags and blankets, you have various options to ensure your overnight stay is a comfortable one. 
• Lighting – Since you’re away from the city’s lights, it’s crucial to have a way to light the area around you. 
• Water and waste management – Water is integral to almost everything we do, and that doesn’t change for those who are backcountry camping. You need to think about how you will store water and handle waste, so you may want to consider getting a water tank or trash bag. 

Depending on the type of backcountry camping experience you want, you may decide you need additional items like trail chairs or fire extinguishers. 

Backcountry Camping Tips for Beginners

Before you load everything into your car and head into nature, there are a few things you can do to make the trip the best it can be for you and any companions:

Have everyone’s emergency contact information – It’s essential always to have the name and phone numbers of any emergency contacts and insurance information if an unforeseen event happens. 

Tell someone where you’ll be – You always want someone to know where you and your companions will be located. So, make sure you’re telling someone you trust the route if you get lost and need assistance. 

Plan out your route ahead of time – It helps to organize and plan out your hiking and camping route before you set off for the trip. Also, you want to pick a spot with the appropriate difficulty level for beginners, so do your research ahead of time. 

Ensure your supplies are safe before you go – Whether you have a rooftop tent or a gas cooking system, make sure all of your camping items work before you set out on your backcountry camping adventure. If something isn’t operating correctly, you can either get it fixed, purchase a new one, or postpone the trip if necessary. 

Always have a backup navigational tool – You may be tempted to rely on the GPS on your phone, but don’t! Cellular service is not reliable in areas that facilitate backcountry camping. Therefore, it’s crucial always to have a paper map to help you navigate the site. 

Be prepared for anything – Anything can happen when you’re backcountry camping. As a result, you’ll need to prepare for anything. This can include checking the weather ahead of time, understanding the landscape (to protect yourself against natural phenomena like landslides or avalanches), and knowing the potential wildlife in the area. The more you prepare for the unexpected, the better off you’ll be. 

Backcountry camping is an exceptional experience, and if you take all the necessary steps to prepare, you’ll genuinely be able to enjoy the nature around you. But to indeed have the best time, it helps to have the best gear, plan out your route, avoid traveling alone, and always let someone know where you’re going. Those small actions can help you have a good and safe time, hopefully inspiring you to make backcountry camping a regular activity. 

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