Everything You Need to Know About Dry Camping

By Bruno Reed May 30, 2022 Camping

Whether you're spending a weekend in the woods or prepping for retirement, learning how to camp without power, water, and a toilet is vital. With the right equipment and a little know-how, it's easy to learn how to set up a campsite that doesn't require any of these amenities. Here's what you need to know about "dry camping" (that's just fancy talk for camping without these necessities!).

What is dry camping?

To understand dry camping, we should first clarify what it is. Dry camping—also known as boondocking—is when you camp without hookups to water, sewer, or electricity. If you're unfamiliar with RV terminology, a "hookup" is the term used for a connection between your RV and the utilities at an RV park or campsite.

In other words: if you want to get away from civilization for a few days and enjoy nature on your own terms (and save some money), dry camping is for you!

What do you need for dry camping?

The first thing you need for dry camping is your camping equipment. The most obvious items are your tent and sleeping bags, but you'll also want to bring flashlights, first aid kit, toilet paper and sunscreen.

Even if it's not technically dry camping (you have a nearby water source), be sure to pack enough food and water in case your trip runs longer than expected. You can never know what might happen during the day so plan ahead!

Do you need a permit for dry camping?

You don't need a permit for dry camping. It's important to remember that any time you're in the backcountry, you should follow the park rules and regulations. In some cases, this might mean paying fees or obtaining permits. While you might be able to find free campgrounds where no permits are required, they may have restrictions on how long you can stay and whether they offer services like water or bathrooms. You may also need a permit if you want to camp in a campground operated by another entity—for example, if you're going for an RV trip with friends who have an RV but not their own tents and gear.

In some cases—like when camping within park boundaries—you might need a permit from both the national parks service as well as from state agencies responsible for regulating state parks located nearby

How to camp without power.

You can use a generator to charge your battery bank and run your lights, radio, and other items. The generator will be noisy and take up space in your tent that could otherwise be used to store other gear. For this reason, many people prefer solar panels over generators for dry camping.

Solar panels are easy to set up once you find a good spot with plenty of sunlight throughout the day. They don't require much maintenance and can charge multiple devices at once.

If you don't want to spend money on a solar panel, many campgrounds offer amenities like hand crank radios or flashlights so you can still enjoy some entertainment outside of your RV if there's no power available nearby when dry camping with an SUV or van!

How to camp without water.

There are many different ways to get water while dry camping. You can use a water filter, which will allow you to drink from lakes and rivers. If you have a large group of people and lots of equipment, consider using a water bladder or bottle. They’re collapsible and easy to carry around with you when on the move. For smaller groups of people with less gear, try using a purification system or storage container instead.

If none of these options appeal to you, consider bringing along another person who can do all the work for you!

How to camp without a toilet.

When you're out there in the great outdoors, you'll have to use a toilet. But what if there isn't one?

Use a bucket. If you don't have any other option, this is the best way to go about it. Just make sure that you have something to cover your waste with so that animals won't get into it!
Try using a composting toilet if it's available at your campsite or if you can find one while out in nature (or in some parks). They're much more environmentally friendly than other types of toilets and also allow for easy disposal of solid waste when compared with other methods like sawdust toilets or portable toilets.
Use a portable toilet if no other options are available; however these aren't very effective when they come down to how they smell and how long they'll last before needing replacements which makes them less ideal than using composting or sawdust toilets which are both able to break down over time so as not cause problems later on down the line when trying clean up after yourself after having used them for awhile now."

Tips and tricks for dry camping.

Bring extra food and water. If you're dry camping, you'll want to pack extra food, as well as a way to cook it. This can be done by bringing a propane stove or campfire grill (which will usually also require charcoal or wood).
Bring extra clothing and blankets. It's easy to forget how cold it gets at night if your vehicle has stopped running for hours on end—especially when the sun has been beating down on the metal roof all afternoon! Make sure that you have enough clothing with you so that everyone in your family is comfortable throughout the night.
Bring extra toilet paper! No one wants to be caught unprepared when nature calls during a long drive through nowhere land, so make sure that there's plenty of TP tucked away somewhere inside your car just in case something like this happens unexpectedly!
Have some first aid supplies handy too; just because there isn't an urgent need doesn't mean they won't come in handy later down the road while traveling across unfamiliar territory where medical facilities may not be readily available (or even existent at all) nearby.

Having the proper information, equipment and supplies can make your dry camping adventure enjoyable.

As with any outdoor adventure, planning is key. Knowing what equipment and supplies you need before you go will make your dry camping trip more enjoyable. It also helps make sure that everything is in working order so that you can fully enjoy your trip without worrying about whether or not everything will work out as planned.

It's important to have the proper information about how to set up camp and use your equipment before heading out on an overnight trip or two weeks of dry camping in the wilderness. Being familiar with the proper use of each piece of equipment will help make sure that everyone has a good time!