Wild camping is camping outside of campsites, such as often when wilderness backpacking, but also as an option e.g. when driving through sparsely populated areas, sea kayaking or cruising on small craft too small to provide berths.

Understand

Camping by a lake in Scotland.

Rules on wild camping vary from country to country. While in e.g. the Nordic countries, the right to access allows pitching up your tent nearly anywhere away from built up or cultivated areas, camping in many other countries is allowed only at campsites.

In national parks or similar, wild camping may be restricted to backcountry areas or disallowed altogether, with designated areas offered instead, often for a fee but with some infrastructure.

Depending on destination, wild camping can be too dangerous because of e.g. crime, wildlife or risk of severe weather.

As wild camping more or less by definition means camping without infrastructure, you should be prepared to take care yourself of needs such as cooking, water and toilets. Campfires are allowed in some countries but not in others, and may be problematic because of risk of wildfire.

Budget travellers sometimes sleep rough, i.e. wherever they find a spot, which can mean normal wild camping where possible, but also sleeping with little shelter in less convenient places.

Eat and drink

If camping along a road, you may be able to use restaurants for most meals and just eat light cold meals at your camp. Outdoor cooking is also an option, at least with a camping stove.

In some areas you may get part of your meal by foraging, such as picking berries for your porridge or desert – or even by fishing.

You will need water. With a car, transporting water is not too difficult, and in some countries it is easy to replenish at fuel stations. In some areas there are enough sources of potable water in the wild. Often the water has to be purified, by boiling or by other means.

Water is needed also for washing your hands and your dishes.

If having water or other drinks in bottles, used bottles have to be taken care of.

Sleep

In most areas you want to have a tent or similar, at least a tarp suited as shelter. What kind of tent you need depends e.g. on weather and pests in the area.

Hiking mattresses are necessary for a comfortable night in many areas, in cold climates they may be important also for survival. In emergencies a thick layer of twigs can serve the same purpose.

Sleeping bags are easier than duvets or blankets to carry and use while camping. Note that night temperatures can be low also in many warm climates.

Cope

Without toilets, you can use advice for leave no trace camping.

In some areas you can take care of your hygiene by bathing in a lake or river. Avoid contaminating the water with shampoo and soap.

Stay safe

Depending on where you camp, risk of crime, dangerous animals or cold weather may need to be taken into consideration.