Have you ever wondered how the generations before us used to pass time when there was no way to pass time like we have today?
Smartphones and the internet have taken over the world by storm in recent years and so if you want to escape this day to day life, and experience a quiet time away from everything to relax, you should try out primitive camping.
But easier said than done, what exactly is primitive camping, how can you prepare for primitive camping, and what are the things necessary for primitive camping? We are going to answer all these questions in this article. So, let’s get to it.
What Is Primitive Camping?
So, what exactly is primitive camping? As the name suggests, it is a primitive form of camping that means camping from the earlier days.
In this camping, you won’t get basic features that you get in your day to day life, or in campsites like the internet, telephone network, electricity, running water, etc.
So, does this mean that if you want to experience this type of camping, you have to get off the grid? The answer is no. For experiencing primitive camping, you can just go to some specific campgrounds that offer primitive camping. There are several campgrounds here in the US where you can experience primitive camping.
Why Choose Primitive Camping?
Primitive camping, as you know now, is a great way to relax and relieve some stress. In today’s busy world, you generally go by without taking a break and rest for a while.
Even in camping, people tend to drift off individually with their phones and the internet. In these times, taking time off mobile phones and social media and enjoy a simpler life can be quite an appealing aspect.
In primitive camping, there are no distractions like the sound of huge generators or big RVs and best of all, there is no crowd.
Things Needed For Primitive Camping:
There are several things that you need to have with you if you want your primitive camping to be comfortable and have a good experience. Let’s see what they are.
1. Basic Camping Equipment:
The basic camping equipment that you need for any camping trip like a tent or hammock (as per your choice), rainfly, mosquito net, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc. have to be brought.
The tent or hammock that you will carry has to be based on the site that you are camping on. You always have to check on your site beforehand and should choose your mode of camping as per your preference.
A mosquito net is a must if you are going for primitive camping. You don’t know what conditions you are going to get on your site, so it’s best to stay prepared.
Rainfly, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are also important because they make sure that you have a comfortable night in the wild. Make sure that you have good quality materials because in primitive camping you don’t get a second chance at comfort.
Keep in mind that you want all your equipment to be lightweight, because, in primitive camping, you may have to carry these types of equipment for a longer time.
2. Lots Of Supplies:
Food and water have to be carried in plenty when going for primitive camping. As, we have already said you never know if you will get running water, so always carry extra water. Also, if the weather is hot, you may get dehydrated very fast. Then, you will need extra water to keep your breath.
Similar is for food. In primitive camping, the whole day is usually spent preparing for all activities like cooking, the setting of tents, etc. So, at the end of the day when you are completely drained of energy, the extra food can provide you with the energy you need to get going and enjoy your camp.
3. First Aid:
As we said, primitive camping is very different from general camping in campgrounds. There if you are faced with a difficult situation, you need to have the means to get out of it. If you have a cut, or you fall sick, having an emergency first aid kit with basic medicines and bandages can come in handy.
4. Composting Toilet:
Okay, you probably won’t be getting toilet facilities in primitive camping. Also, it isn’t like you can just take a dump in the open. Some people tend to avoid primitive camping altogether because of this very reason.
So, to avoid such problems you can use a composting toilet with you. You can just set it up somewhere at a distance and be ready for camping. Always bring a toilet that doesn’t require any electricity to run on.
If you want to buy a composting toilet, we have an article with a review of all the best composting toilets available in the market 4 Best Portable Composting Camping Toilets: Best for Comfort.
5. Cooking Equipment:
If you aren’t a fan of packed food and like preparing your meal, you can carry some cooking equipment with you. You can carry a gas stove and some utensils to cook your food.
If you are a fan of grilled food, you can have tongs and oven mitts with you only. Then you can cook your food over a campfire because you are likely to get fuelwood for the campfire in plenty for the campsite.
6. Fuel-Powered Generator:
This is for those who just can’t live without electricity. If you have a fuel-powered generator with you, you can fulfill almost every necessity of yours by using electric equipment. Like if you want a heater or a fan, you can produce electricity to make them run.
Carrying a generator, however, may be a difficult task for primitive camping because you have to carry it around. But if you are camping in numbers, you can certainly carry a small generator.
7. Miscellaneous:
Apart from all these, there are several other types of equipment that you can carry to keep with you if you are going primitive camping. These aren’t necessary, but they will come in handy for you.
- Battery Powered Lamp. In a place where there is no electricity, the night can be very difficult if you do not have a headlamp with you. You have to buy battery-powered ones and also, they have to be small in size.
You can look for the best headlamps, in our article 11 Best Camping Headlamps: Make Your Night Camping Memorable. - Sunscreen. It is a great addition to your backpack. A sunscreen can take a very small space, but if you are going hiking or trekking, or even if you are working near your tent, under the sun throughout the day, sunscreen can take care of your skin.
- Map and Compass. Since you are venturing into unknown territory, and you don’t have the internet on your phone for GPS, a map and a compass can be your friend in need. You have to know how to read a map first though.
- Portable Heater. A portable heater that runs on means other than electricity is another thing that can be very helpful to you. In winter, it becomes a necessity but in other seasons, it is a good thing to have, but not necessary.
Tips For Primitive Camping Enthusiasts:
If you are a primitive camping enthusiast and want to try it out, you can surely make do with some of the tips and tricks that we are going to share with you.
1. Always Clean Up Your Mess
You are responsible for the mess that you create and so you must clean up your area after you are done camping. You can have a lot of wastes like, ashes from a campfire or human waste of your dump, or the mess of the food that you take.
You should try to burn all the human wastes and food, and clean up the ashes and bury it in the ground, or spreads them through the ground. This will help the person coming camping after you. Also, do not pollute any water body with your waste materials.
2. Stay Away From Water
You must set up your camp away from water bodies. You must place your camp at least 150 m away from water bodies like lakes and rivers. This will also help you in saving yourself from the bugs and mosquitoes that are often found in water bodies.
3. Try To Go Off-Grid
While there are means by which you can access every facility you want even in primitive camping, but try to stay off-grid and relax for a bit. Accept nature’s challenges and face them, and you will realize that you are having a lot of fun and feeling excited.
4. Have Some Necessary Skills
If you are planning to go primitive camping, try to practice some basic skills beforehand in your backyard. Skills like fire-starting skills and map reading skills are very rudimentary but often people don’t realize how challenging it can be if you don’t have practice.
So, before you go primitive camping, learn these skills either from an expert or the internet.
5. Be Sharp And Instinctive
Finally, we advise you to be sharp with your instincts. Primitive camping, unlike other camping trips, can throw a lot of unknown challenges at you. So, try not to get worried and be calm and innovate with your ideas. You won’t be having internet, so it can be a good exercise for your mind.
But in doing so, you are going to have a thrilling adventure and a lot of good memories.
Where To Do Primitive Camping?
Alright, now that you are familiar with primitive camping, what you need for primitive camping, and what has to be done for making primitive camping successful, here are some places in the States that you can check for primitive Camping.
- Yosemite National Park Camping, California
- Joshua Tree National Park Camping, California
- Grand Canyon National Park Camping, Arizona
- Assateague Island Camping, Maryland and Virginia
- Glacier National Park Camping, Montana
- Yellowstone National Park Camping, Idaho
- White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
- Olympic National Park, Port Angeles
All these places offer primitive camping, and you can get great deals on booking campsites if you reserve a spot a few months before camping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Finally
Now then, you must be eager to go primitive camping knowing the fun associated with it. But it is always best to let others know where you are going and what and how you have planned things.
Then in case of an emergency, you can seek help and get it easily. We tend to enjoy it a lot whenever we go for primitive camping and there is no reason who you wouldn’t as well.
Do share your adventurous and thrilling primitive camping stories and tell us how it went, through the comment section below.
As per usual, Happy Camping friends!
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