Wild camping is an activity that is taking the outdoor activity world by storm. Whilst camping is a hugely popular thing to do, the idea of camping ‘wild’ makes it that little bit more adventurous. Wild camping is a pursuit that is mainly undertaken by campervanners, as it’s safe and secure staying inside a supportive vehicle, over a lighter, pop up tent! It is however very important to be safe and responsible when wild camping, as you’re spending the night in the home of many beautiful animals and any loud disruptions or mess left behind can cause serious damage to some habitats!
Defining Wild Camping
For many campervan owners, the thought of camping is still appealing and exciting. Whilst you may not be spending the night in a small tent with your favourite sleeping bag, you still get to experience all of the other great things about camping such as campfires, long walks, toasting marshmallows and waking up at the crack of dawn to watch the sun rise and listen to the beautiful bird’s song. So, what is wild camping? Wild camping is spending the night in a random location with no other campers around. Whilst you usually opt for a campsite or location that attracts many tourists and campers, wild camping is choosing a remote location and setting up your pitch somewhere off the beaten track. The beauty of wild camping is the ability to find somewhere peaceful and quiet, enjoying it with your friends or family having no other distractions, as this can also encourage wildlife to continue as it would, giving you the chance to see some beautiful scenes!
Selecting your Spot
It’s extremely important to keep certain rules in mind when it comes to wild camping, as you don’t want to upset anyone or break the law. Wild camping is a fun, exciting activity and you don’t want any angry land owners or farmers knocking on your door in the middle of the night! Try to find yourself a location that is on open land, meaning it isn’t private property. There’s nothing worse than finding out you were camping on someone else’s turf and them getting worked up about it. Similarly, try to avoid selecting a pitch with lots of animals. Whilst it’s a huge bonus to see some wildlife on your stay, you don’t want to distress any poor sheep or cows, so avoid setting up camp in the middle of a field full of them! Remember that this is their home, so they deserve to feel safe and secure there. Finally, think about your surroundings. If you’re close to houses or urban areas, you’ll need to consider pitching in a spot that won’t allow the sound to travel across and have any disturbances, as this could cause complaints!
Interior Must Haves
Whilst it’s really important to concentrate on your location and practical considerations for your wild camping trip, you also need to focus on the interiors of your campervan, to ensure you have a comfortable, relaxing trip. One of the first things to do is to set up your bed. Whether you have a cosy rock and roll bed, or you’re opting for a pull-out bed that can be used as a sofa too, you want to make sure it’s comfortable and ready for you to have a good night’s sleep on. You also need to focus on packing the right food and drink, as wild camping can often have you pitching up in the middle of nowhere, so it’s important to have the essentials on board. Make sure you pack plenty of water and dry foods, this way if you struggle to make a fire you’ll still have plenty of food to keep you going!
Practical Considerations
During and after your wild camping trip, it’s important to be conscious and aware at all times. Whilst your enjoying some campfire toasted marshmallows and some good company, be sure to keep things tidy and litter free. The last thing you want to do is leave litter in the area, as this can be a serious risk for wildlife living in the area. It’s also important to make sure you leave everything as you found it, for example, close any gates that you opened to reach your camping spot and make sure the grass is intact wherever your campervan was positioned. These simple things may not seem very important, but you need to make sure you don’t cause any negative impact on the area you chose to wild camp in!
