Stealth Camping Tips

Rules/ Tips

Here are some or rather all of the things I think you should be aware of before you go stealth camping.

Trust me.

1. Never leave a trace. Do not break branches, or cut firewood. No campfires, no moving rocks, no altering the landscape. It might be okay to soften your bed with a bit of leaves, but you should spread them back out before you leave. It should not be evident that anyone was there. Leave NO trace. None.

2. Try to leave the location cleaner than the way you found it. The creators of this site believe in removing a few pieces of litter from each location visited. This is our way of thanking the owner, and nature. 

3. You can try to plan ahead, but you will eventually be stuck in a rural area without a restroom. If you must empty your bowels in the woods, be sure to dig a hole, and then bury it. Usually you can plan around these things, but it will happen to everyone eventually. It can be forgiven; we are animals afterall. 

4. Trust your instincts. If the area looks like a location where you should ask permission, do so. We believe you should always ask the owner if the area has a clear and immediatly obvious owner.

5. If asked, be friendly and truthful about your adventure. Most people would rather share in your journey than cause you problems. Your actions will greatly impact how future adventurers are treated. Do not claim you were not trying to hide if your tent is camoflage. 

6. Make stealth camping one of several options. If there is a cheap or free campground nearby that equally suites your needs, it might be best to use it. This is a judgement call that is left to the reader. 

7. If confronted by the property owner, explain your position, and that you would happily pay a typical camping fee for use of the land. A friendly smile goes a long way; in a remote area the landowner will understand the limitations and challenges of your adventures. 

8. Stealth camping with groups often doesn't work. It works best when solo. When in a group we often let our guard down, talk, and are easier to see. If you are in a group, it is best to find a landowner who can give you permission to camp. 


9.Keep bright colored gear in your tent as much as possible. If you are on brightly colored bike or kayak, you may need to store it in your tent or vestibule, or bring an additional rainfly to cover it. 

10.Choose a tent color that hides well in the area, and choose an area that will hide your tent well. Check the color of the tent and rainfly before attempting to stealth camp with it. In a perfect site, colors probably do not matter. If noticed however, landowners might be more suspicious if they see a camouflaged tent. 

11. If you enjoy reading or writing after dark, find a very dim light. Even the slightest light can easily give away your position after dark. Consider reading or writing under your blanket or bag. 

12. Check your water level before selecting a site. You do not want to adventure far from your site at dusk, leaving your gear hidden behind in unfamiliar territory. 

13. Pine trees can provide soft areas underneith, but they can also provide a sticky mess. Learn which types of trees you enjoy camping near, and discover which blend best with your gear. 

14.If you decide to ask permission to stealth camp, you will have better luck asking if you can "rest" than "camp". Most people envision camping as a longer term experience involving some environmental impact, while you really just wanting a place to sleep. 

15.Select a site that is at least 50 feet from the road or trail.  

16.Be careful selecting a site downhill from an adjacent roadway or trail. Being above an adjacent roadway or trail is often more stealthy. 

17.Some campers try not to select sites near water. The areas usually have more mosquitoes, and you are more likely to be awaken in the night by animals going for a drink. Also, keep in mind how visible your site is from the other side of the waterbody.  

18.Many stealth campers have been found by neighborhood dogs or wildlife because of their smell. You should know the type of wildlife in the area, and know how to stop from being detected. 

19.Unless you want nighttime visitors, do not select a site that is located on a trail, no matter how unkept. 


20.Be prepared to explain why you thought the site was open or public land. You should make sure the owner makes no effort to keep the public out. If there is any indication that you are unwelcome, move on.

21.Use caution when choosing a site during fog, darkness, or bad weather. A well hidden site now might be very visible when the conditions change.

22.Try to leave early in the morning. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to be found. 

23.Consider eating dinner before selecting a site. This keeps the cooking smells away from your campsite, and is one less task to complete at your site.

24.Some campers may want to try and find a restroom before hitting the evening stretch of untamed wilderness.

25.Do not wait too long to start site hunting. Many sites look good in the dark but look worse later.

26.Plan to not leave camp after it is setup. Many stealth campers have mentioned having trouble finding their hidden camping location, especially after dark.

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And remember survival is not a choice but a right earned at birth.

Be the Wolf!