Cowboy Camping (What It Is and What You Need to Know Before Trying It)

Camping like a cowboy is an entry-level sport for people who have never gone camping before. The best way to get started is by reading about the activities that are essential to your experience, and what you need to know before trying it out.

Cowboy Camping is a new way of camping that involves sleeping on the ground and cooking in a Dutch oven. The idea behind this type of camping is to experience the outdoors without being encumbered by the weight of heavy gear or having to carry water for drinking and cooking. Cowboy Camping can be done with very little gear, but it does require some planning.

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Camping conjures up ideas of sleeping in a tent, having supper over an open fire, and cooking marshmallows for the obligatory s’mores dessert.

Glamping is a new style of camping that has lately emerged, although it is more of a luxury form of relaxation than roughing it in the woods. But what do you think of when you hear “Cowboy Camping?”

Prepare to experience one of the most realistic forms of camping ever.

What is Cowboy Camping all about?

Cowboy camping is just sleeping outdoors in a sleeping bag without a tent or any type of net to keep bugs, insects, or animals at bay.

It’s been connected with wilderness backpackers, and it’s not near a family campsite. Those locations feature far too many facilities, beginning with a recreational vehicle (RV) with a bed and, in most cases, a restroom.

That won’t fly with cowboy camping! It’s just you, a few pals, a sleeping bag, and a starry night sky. When you shut your eyes while outside, you may hear some noises you’ve never heard before, but when you glance up, the hundreds of glittering stars that make up your natural ceiling will take your breath away.

You will be able to witness the first hints of the sun rising and hear the early birds singing away as you wonder what they are saying early in the morning. You’re enjoying the great outdoors without the aid of a mobile phone tower, a television, or even a laptop computer.

Are you up to the challenge?

Do You Want to Go Cowboy Camping?

While the majority of campers think that cowboy camping is not for everyone, they all seem to agree that everyone should give it a try at least once. The experience is beyond words, but there are things you can do ahead of time to make it a magical night rather than a terrifying, bug-filled nightmare.

Cowboy Camping’s Advantages and Disadvantages

Look for a region with a bear population that isn’t well-known. Even the most experienced camper would find it difficult to shut their eyes and drift off to sleep knowing that they may be startled awake by a grizzly bear.

While most people like cuddly tiny creatures, seeing them on their home territory will be different. Many of us only come into contact with little semi-wildlife species at pet stores — mice, rats, gerbils – or in our own backyards.

While getting a glimpse of a squirrel or raccoon as they run past is exciting, do you really want to wake up to one chewing on a nut while watching you sleep? If you approach too near to a cute little deer, it will be more terrified of you than you will be of it.

Bringing insect spray isn’t cheating, and if you’re going to be outdoors in the elements, it’s usually a necessary. With sections of your body exposed to the elements, you can find yourself scratching places you never imagined an insect could discover, even with the help of a biology book.

Another factor to consider is the weather, which you should plan for and treat carefully. Check the weather forecast for the location where you’ll be doing your first cowboy camping trip. If there’s nothing but rain in the forecast, particularly if it’ll involve thunder and lightning, don’t be afraid to postpone.

Some of the advantages of cowboy camping include not having to haul as much stuff around with you. All you’ll need is a sleeping bag and your own body. If the location you are at is not working for you, you can pick up and try another location at any time.

The Hazards of This Type of Camping

Aside from the concerns outlined in the preceding paragraph, there are additional risks you may encounter that may not make cowboy camping worthwhile for you.

Make sure you properly inspect a location before laying down your bedding and attempting to sleep.
Set a camp well away from any open bodies of water. Insects and mosquitos like to congregate in these areas.
Avoid sleeping too near to an open fire, as enticing as it may seem. Although it may seem warm and inviting, if the wind picks up even slightly, flying embers might cause chaos and ignite a fire as you sleep.
When you wake up after falling asleep on your first night of cowboy camping, be sure to shake out your sleeping bag. This manner, you can ensure that no snakes or spiders have crept in while you were sleeping.
Bring a ground cover with you so you don’t have to sleep on damp ground.
Prepare a backup plan in case it rains or you find yourself in an area with too many animals.

None of the hazards described above will discourage you from attempting cowboy camping if you are an adventurous person. Even if you have reservations, those who have gone cowboy camping at least once say that the panoramic view of nature that you get is amazing.

When you have hundreds of stars as your ceiling and the morning light as your wake-up call, all other worries seem to fade away. Here are some suggestions for getting ready for cowboy camping.

12 Points to Consider Before Your First Cowboy Camping Trip

1 – Choose an appropriate place for your journey. It may be a destination you’ve always wanted to visit or one you and your pals determine would be a memorable vacation.

2 – Choose the season so you can have a fair indication of what to anticipate from the weather. Winter and summer may bring snow and heat, while spring and autumn may provide you with a greater opportunity to camp due to warmer, more agreeable weather.

3 – Make sure you have enough clothes to keep you dry and comfortable. The easiest method to deal with this circumstance is to dress in layers.

If you’re wearing thermal long johns or a big sweater, you can always remove something, but if you don’t have such items, you can be shivering all night.

Topping it off with a wind and rain-resistant jacket in case the weather changes unexpectedly is a good idea.

4 – Footwear is vital for two reasons: you will be walking more and maybe trekking, therefore you want your feet to be as comfy as possible.

You want to concentrate on locating the ideal campground, not on calculating how far you have to walk because your feet are hurting you.

It’s also important to keep your feet warm at all times. When your feet are at a comfortable temperature, your body will follow suit, allowing you to enjoy your journey more fully.

5 – If you need your morning coffee to get you going, don’t worry about giving it up. It’s even simpler than using your Keurig to make hot coffee while camping!

Bring a pot of coffee, a jar of coffee, some bottled water, and your favorite coffee cup. Using the fire pit, bring the water to a boil, then add a few teaspoons of coffee and steep for a few minutes.

6 – Aside from coffee, what else should you carry to avoid being hungry? Look for items that don’t need to be refrigerated, are pre-made, or are frozen and will be thawed by the time you want to eat them. Some suggestions are:

Breakfast:

Bacon that has already been cooked and is not refrigerated is available at most grocery shops.
You may bake your own biscuits or muffins ahead of time and carry them with you on the journey.
Overnight oatmeal in a mason jar would be compact and filling, and would last you all morning.

Lunch:

Bringing a loaf of bread isn’t too difficult, and you’ll be pleased you did if you pack a jar of peanut butter.
Apples or crackers with a slice of your favorite cheese are easy to have on hand.

Dinner:

When you’re out cowboy camping, a good old spaghetti meal is the most convenient option. Bring a big saucepan with enough water to cover your pasta box to a boil. When it’s done, toss in a jar of your favorite tomato sauce and heat it up with the pasta until it’s well warm.
If you’re traveling with a cooler, the classic cowboy meal of franks and beans is always a good option. This journey will be complete with a package of hot dogs and a can or two of baked beans (just remember to have a can opener).

Snacks:

Bananas, apples, and grapes may be eaten as sweet snacks at any time of day.
Candy bars and nut packs are fantastic pick-me-ups that are small enough to fit in your pocket.
When you pick up a bag of trail mix at the grocery store and carry it about while hiking a path or two, you’ll understand why it’s named that.

Whatever you choose to begin with, make sure you dispose of all foods after each meal. You don’t want anything lying around that can attract wild animals, particularly if you’re sleeping outdoors.

7 – Almost every article on camping preparation stresses the necessity of keeping hydrated. You won’t have to worry about keeping a case of water cold, which is particularly important if you’re camping in the winter.

The most important thing is to be able to grab a bottle of water and stay hydrated while out in the elements on your camping vacation.

To keep your blood sugar from dropping too low, freeze a couple small bottles of orange juice and consume them at breakfast or during the day.

8 – Bringing bug repellant with you won’t make your vacation any less of a cowboy camping adventure. It simply means that you will not be the one slapping mosquitos off of oneself or itching every few minutes.

9 – You may want to get a little first aid kit from the nearby dollar shop or drugstore. You never know when you’ll need a bandage or some peroxide to fight an infection.

10 – Bring a roll of paper towels and one or two big plastic bags with you. If you don’t have access to a garbage facility, you may always put everything in a plastic bag and throw it in the closest trash bin you come across.

One seasoned camper stuffed his excess clothing into a garbage bag and used it as a cushion.

11 – You may also want to carry a small book or notepad with you so you can write down notes about your excursion, such as the location, animals you observe, and your sentiments as you interact with nature.

12 – Even if you don’t plan on chatting on your phone while camping, make sure it’s fully charged before you arrive at your campsite. You’ll want to take advantage of every spectacular picture opportunity while soaking in nature’s beauty.

If you’re going to try your hand at cowboy camping, some campers recommend starting small and sleeping outdoors in your own garden. Just remember to be safe while having fun.

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