If you’re an experienced camper with such an insatiable appetite for adventure that public campsites no longer cut it, you’re probably looking for the next challenge. Campsite stays are great in their own way, but to really disconnect from the comforts of civilisation, you must go camping off-grid.
Off-grid camping is best for full immersion in the natural world. Usually, it comes at the price of common amenities, hygiene, and decent sleep, but to many experienced off-grid campers, the disconnect is the source of their reward.
However, camping off-grid also comes with a set of unique risks. Detaching oneself from the rest of the world is great but it can also leave you vulnerable to injury without rescue if not careful. To minimise this risk, it’s important to take the necessary precautions.
On this page, we’ll break down the risks of camping off-grid and what you can do to stay safe. We’ll explore what to take, what to leave and how to stay on the right side of the law.
Camping off-grid: where can I camp?
Off-grid camping, or wild camping as it’s commonly known, can be great fun but there are some legalities you need to know about.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is illegal to camp on someone else’s property without their prior permission. Even if you’ve pitched your tent in the farthest corner of a remote field – if it belongs to someone else, that person has the legal right to kick you off.
Conversely, wild camping is legal almost everywhere in Scotland. There are some limits, so always check the legality of your camping spot before pitching. If you’d like to learn more about the legalities of wild camping, be sure to check out the Woodland Trust’s wild camping guide.
For more advice on wild camping as a beginner, check out this beginner’s guide from Pitchup.
Before you set off
Before setting off on your camping trip, there are a few things worth doing.
Let someone know where you’re going
Start by informing someone of where you’re going. In the event of a serious injury, without a satellite phone or strong signal, your only chance of rescue will come from someone noticing your disappearance.
In these unfortunate circumstances, someone at home will need to inform the appropriate authorities of your whereabouts. If you didn’t inform anyone of where you were going or how long for, a rescue party could take considerably longer to reach you – if ever at all. Always inform someone of where you’re going, how long for and when they can expect to hear from you again.
Pack appropriately
If you plan on venturing deep into the wild, you should pack as lightly as possible to save energy. Packing unnecessary luxuries will only slow you down and tire you out; once off-grid, you’ll need as much energy as possible throughout the day, so pack light to stay safe.
That being said, it would be worth stocking up on certain provisions. If you’ve already planned and packed your meals for the trip, consider packing extra snacks just in case. If you get lost, a handful of energy bars might just be enough to get you home.
Beyond food, be sure to check out the weather forecast and pack appropriate clothes. You may feel confident about the weather depending on what time of year you go but, in this country, you just never know.
Remember, if you’re going off-grid, it’s up to you to pack the essentials. Heating and cooking utensils, lamps and more – don’t expect them to come from anywhere else. Want to go meat free? Check out our guide to vegan camping cooking.
Work out your route
The unknown can be daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the territory. To save yourself some pain once you’re on location, work out your route prior to the trip. It would even be worth packing a real map (if you remember them) just in case any digital aid gives up.
Draw your route out on the map itself and list route a set of route markers in case you get lost. The more you plan, the safer you’ll feel off-grid.
While you’re there
While you’re away, enjoy it. The peace, isolation and adventure should be savoured, but be careful when taking risks. The UK’s countryside is full of natural beauty spots, but if you’re traversing unknown terrain, it could be fraught with danger. From getting stuck in uneven marshland to falling off unseen cliff edges, there are myriad ways in which you could potentially injure yourself.
If there are warnings not to enter certain areas, follow the advice and go somewhere else. Beautiful as a spot may be, an Instagram post isn’t worth risking your life over.
Campfires
It may be tempting to light a campfire as the sun goes down, but you should never light an open fire in the wild. No matter how damp your environment may be, a campfire could cause serious harm to the local wildlife or, worse yet, ignite a wildfire.
If you want to cook, consider packing a small propane tank with a suitable stove.
When you leave
Once you’re ready to go home, make sure you pack up everything you brought with you. Natural beauty spots should be treated with respect for the sake of your fellow campers and the surrounding wildlife – always clear up after yourself and never leave any litter behind.
If you really want to re-acquaint yourself with nature and disconnect from the frenetic hustle of modern life, there are no substitutes for a weekend camping off-grid. Just remember to pack appropriately, leave your camping spot as you found it and always tell someone where you’re going.
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