Dry camping aka boondocking or wild camping is one of the best ways to experience nature and enjoy some solitude and peace. Camping without the amenity of electricity or hook-ups needs some preparation as it is important to be equipped and self-sufficient. No matter if you travel in your RV, Travel Trailer, Van, Truck or Tent, this dry camping gear checklist will equip you with the right tools so you can enjoy the outdoor adventure with comfort and ease. And since the leave-no trace practice and taking care of nature is an important part of dry camping, this list includes gear that is eco-friendly as possible as well.
Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator Kit with Nomad 20 Solar Panel
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This is a power house of a portable battery with built-in AC inverter, continuous 300W, 600W surge pure-sine wave inverter, 2.1A USB ports and 120W 12V ports. Charge it at home via wall-outlet and while camping in the wild use the foldable solar panel to recharge the generator battery for endless power. A great off-grid solution to charge your laptop, campera, gopro, phone, lighter, fan, portable gaming devices, kitchen gadgets etc
weBoost Drive Sleek Cell Phone Signal Booster
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This is a great way to improve the signal on your cell phone when dry-camping in remote areas where the cell signal is weak. It can raise the bars significantly and help to keep you connected out in the wild. Now, it can’t turn a zero-signal into a 4G of course, but if there is a faint signal it will boost it up to a usable connection.
Solar Charger for Phone/Gadgets with Flashlight
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A great solution for using the sun to charge a phone, ipod or other USB-powered gadget on the go while backpacking, hiking, kayaking, festival camping or exploring with your bike. This power bank is small and handy, waterproof, shockproof and dustproof and comes with 2 USB slots to charge 2 phones or gadgets at the same time. It is made of eco-friendly material and comes with an integrated flashlight and emergency light and a hook to attach it to a backpack or bag so it can charge wherever you go.
Brightech Waterproof LED Outdoor Solar String Lights
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Use the power of the sun to light up your campsite. These string lights are versatile and beautiful to look at. Hang the string on your vehicle when setting up camp, lay it out on the floor for a romantic evening picnic or use them inside your tent or vehicle.
Luci Solar Lights
This little light is the perfect companion for your camping or backpacking trip and can be used as a flashlight, indoor or outdoor light. This versatile light is inflatable and easy to store, shatterproof, waterproof and comes in different light variations from warm eggshell to bright white or in different colors. It is powered by the sun and charge takes about 8h of direct sunlight, it also can be charged under cloudy skies or incandescent light if needed. Once charged fully, it will stay lit for about 6-12h.
BioLite Wood Burning and USB Charging Camping Stove
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This little wonder-machine turns fire into electricity while cooking your food! Such a great invention. The stove boils 1 liter of water in 4,5 minutes and generates 3 watts of electricity that’s stored in it’s internal powerbank and comes with a USB port for charging your USB devices. It is lightweight and small enough to bring on your backpacking trips.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
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This small device is a life-saver! It removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria and parasites (including E. coli and salmonella, giardia and cryptosporidium as well as microplastics. It has a long lifetime and can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water to make it clean and safe for drinking.
And while it’s a great purchase for yourself of your loved ones, with every LifeStraw product purchased, a donation is made for school children in need to receive safe drinking water.
Solar Shower
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Having the convenience of a hot shower in the middle of nowhere is just a wonderful experience! This simple shower bag by Sprtneer can be filled with water from the river, creek, lake or any other water source (use a water filter if needed), lay it to rest in the sun and a few hours later a hot shower awaits! This bag holds 5 gallons, which is more than enough for 2 people. Using the power of the sun is a great way to save on propane or electricity and allows to use it off-grid which is great for the adventurer, Vanlifer and camping addict alike.
Katadyn Base Camp Pro Water Filter, 10-Liter
We love this water filter because it’s a simple setup, easy to fill from any water source and fills up our hydration packs pretty quick via gravity filtration. No need to hand pump. It packs into a small pouch and is lightweight to bring for any adventure.
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
A great bag for any outdoor adventurer! It comes in different sizes and colors, is very lightweight yet sturdy and allows for easy storage of items and gadgets to keep them safe and sealed from water in any wet situation. We use it when kayaking, backpacking and even bicycling to store our cameras, cell phones and other gear to keep them safe from moisture and water.
Double & Single Portable Camping Hammock – Parachute Lightweight Nylon
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This super strong and ultra light hammock is easy to set-up and a great companion for any outdoor adventure. Great for festival camping, vanlife, truck-camping, cross-country biking, trekking, multi-day kayak adventuring, backpacking, relaxing in the woods or chilling at the beach.
Fatwood Firestarter Burlap Bag
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Fire starters are a great way to get your fire going, especially when it’s damp or wet outside. These fire starters are harvested from the stumps of pine trees that contain a high concentration of natural resin and are 100 percent natural, with no chemical or additives. They are user friendly, clean and non-toxic and SCS Green Cross certified.
Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter with Compass and Whistle
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This little tool is a great way to start a fire in emergencies or when you are out of matches or lighters. It is small and handy while being powerful and strikes up to 15,000 times to make a fire. It even includes an emergency compass and whistle.
Rechargeable Flameless Plasma Beam Lighter Saberlight Sparq
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A great way to light a flame or using lighter-fluid. This invention uses plasma wave technology to light a fire instead of butane or other gases. It can be recharged via USB charger and is windproof, splashproof and waterproof.
Stainless Steel Folding Shovel w/Case Ultimate Survival Technologies
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This little shovel is a must have for campers and backpackers alike. This is a handy little tool for using the backcountry as your toilet. Follow the leave no trace policy, use the shovel to dig a hole, do your business, then use the shovel to cover your waste with dirt. Easy as pie.
GoGirl Female Urination Device
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This handy tool allows a female to easily pee while standing up. It’s great for adventuring out in the wild or even to pee into a designated bottle inside your vehicle or tent during those cold or rainy nights. This practical little funnel is super elastic which makes it comfortable to use while the designed splash-guard makes it easy to pee without splashes or spills. It is reusable, made of silicone and is 100% latex free, moisture resistant, antimicrobial and made in the USA. It folds into a small tube or bag and is a great companion for any camping or backpacking trip.
Thetford Portable Toilet with Biodegradable Eco Smart Holding Tank Solution
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If you are camping with a car, truck, van or RV and want to bring a portable toilet that is small and handy, then this Porta Potti solution is a great way to go. It is small enough to store but big enough for about a week depending on how often you use it. The seat feels just like a regular toilet while the waste is being collected in the lower compartment that is closed-off when not in use. Use the EcoSmart holding tank solution for a greener alternative to deodorize and liquify the waste inside the tank. It’s easy to empty and clean too.
Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet
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If you are travelling in an RV, travel trailer or van and want to be out in the wild for weeks in a row while having your own toilet, then this is the way to go. This toilet separates urine from feces (aka solid and liquid waste) which allows for the solid waste to slowly turn into dirt by ways of composting via a ventilation system. The solid compartment needs emptying only about every 3-4 weeks depending on use while the liquid waste container needs emptying about every 2 days. It’s an eco-friendly toilet system made for RVs, boats and off-grid living.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
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Using 100% biodegradable soap is important when camping. This brand has been around for many years. This pure castile soap is gentle on the skin and can be used for showering, shaving, dishwashing, laundry and general cleaning. It comes in different fragrances with natural essential oils: Peppermint helps clear the mind, lavender is relaxing, citrus is refreshing and rose is soothing. The soap is made from certified fare trade organic and vegan ingredients, free of synthetics or preservatives, it’s certified cruelty-free and produced without animal testing, 100% biodegradable.
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Disclaimer: To support our cause, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. We are not sponsored by anyone and list only gear that we are personally use and love. We selected the items we recommend purely based on personal satisfaction and because we like their quality.
