Camping is all about taking a break from your routine and just relaxing and recharging in the great outdoors. Many campers right now want to try back country camping where there is no electricity – just you and the outdoors. It might seem overhwelming in the beginning, but when you know what to do and handle different situations, you’ll find that camping without electricity is even more rewarding!
Be one with nature and truly relax at the backcountry with these beginner tips for camping without electricity!
Be Prepared
The key to achieving any successful trip is to come prepared. This is even more important if you’re planning to camp traditionally. Make sure you do research about your chosen campsite. You know there’s no electricity, but is there a source of water? Where’s the nearest place you can ask for help in case of emergencies?
Also, make sure you pack right to cover everything – all the things you’re going to need for sleeping, cooking, eating, bathing and entertainment. It would be helpful if you make a checklist and use it while packing.
Plan Your Meals
Plan your meals ahead and keep everything simple. Consider the lack of power so you’ll be cooking over a campfire, a grill or an electric stove, depending on what you prefer. Plan your food per day throughout your trip and go for recipes that are easy to cook. If possible, do most of the preparation at home. Pack your cooler right and be sure that you cook perishables first.
If you plan to cook over a fire, be sure you have everything needed to create one.
Bring Drinking Water
In the backcountry, when there’s no electricity, there’s usually no source of drinking water, too. It’s important to check if your chosen site has a water source. If there is, it’s usually fine for bathing and washing dishes, but not for drinking.
Bring clean drinking water that will last throughout your entire trip. You can bring water in gallons or in smaller individual bottles.
Bring a source of light
You’ll need a source of light to move around the campsite, especially at night. You can light a campfire, but you can’t move it around or bring inside your tent. Be sure to bring a flashlight, a lantern, some candles and some extra batteries.
Keep warm
No matter what season you’ll be camping, it’s important to prepare for cold nights. Bring a wool sweater, wool socks, thick blankets, extra bedding, sleeping pads and a thermal sleeping bag.
Camping without electricity gets easier over time – just follow these simple but effective tips!
Daniel J. Smith is a survival expert. Having lived the outdoor life since he was very young, he loves sharing his expertise about camping, hiking, traveling, RV living and many more. He has also started his own company called OutBright, which will soon be selling products that cater to campers, hikers, travellers and all outdoor-loving adventurers.