Stealth Camping

In contrast to the conventional and darker use of the term “stealth camping”, we use it to describe an enhanced and more natural version of “minimal impact camping” in legal, dispersed-camping areas.

Stealth camping, for us, models the behavior of solitary migrating land mammals or the way primitive scouts and native hunters would camp. It is essentially low impact, minimalist camping on all levels. This means that we do our best to maintain the natural rhythms of the landscape and the wildlife by minimizing our shelter footprint, noise, nighttime light use, and maximize the use of muted earth tones and low profile colors. In this way, we are able to harmoniously share the space with our plant, animal, and human friends without disturbing them.

In general, our stealth camps are performed in backcountry wilderness areas and wild private land, often without regularly maintained trails, and sleeping areas may be spread out depending on suitable, flat spaces without disturbing the plants and animal habitations.

Our preference is to sleep under the open sky with only a ground cloth/tarp, sleeping pad, and a blanket or sleeping bag. As such, most tents will not be appropriate for stealth camping. In the case of rain we setup simple tarp shelters.

We understand however, that there are a number of different shelter options available on the market which may be suitable for stealth camping as long as they fit within the main guidelines of:

• minimal footprint: as close to the dimensions of a single sleeping bag
• maximum dimensions 3ft x 3ft x 7ft
• low profile colors

Examples of such options aside from the basic ground cloth and mat may include hammock shelters, bivy tents, tube tents, and some low profile single person tents. If you have questions about your specific shelter setup call or email us.

RECOMMENDED STEALTH CAMP MINIMUM GEAR LIST

• Tarp (8ft x 8ft or similar)
• Sleeping Bag (30 degree rating for most conditions)
• sleeping pad
• appropriate clothing layers
• hat (wide brim recommended)
• stainless steel canteen/water bottle (additional containers recommended relative to conditions)
• water purification method of your choice
• bandanna or handkerchief
• pocket knife
• fixed blade knife (recommended 4″ minimum)
• food appropriate to length of stay
• gas stove (if you plan to cook or heat meals)
• pot or equivalent cooking set
• camera
• notepad
• extra bags for storing materials or packing out trash
• fire making materials of your choice (we generally default to friction fire methods although modern backups are welcome)
• cordage (550 para chord or equivalent bank line are good choices. We recommend a minimum of 50ft)
• Folding saw
• heavy duty 55 gallon drumliner