Dry camp

Dry camping shifts the focus from camping directly at water sources to selecting sites based on terrain, views, or strategic position, then carrying sufficient water to meet all needs until the next reliable source. These needs typically include cooking, drinking, and basic hygiene for the evening and following morning.

Dry camps can be particularly useful on ridgelines, desert stretches, or in areas where flat, durable, and low-impact sites are located away from streams or lakes. They may also reduce crowding at popular water-adjacent camp areas, contributing to lower localized impact.

Planning for a dry camp involves estimating personal water consumption under given conditions and adding a margin for contingencies. Hikers often calculate backward from the intended camp to determine how much water to take from the last source, accounting for the remaining distance and elevation as well as night and morning usage.

While dry camping can feel less convenient than camping next to water, it provides flexibility and can offer quiet, scenic locations that might otherwise be overlooked.