Dry camping makes your vacation a true adventure. Why? Because you are heading out for a camping trip and being able to experience nature in the raw. Dry camping means you may not have water or electrical hookups at your campsite. You can be camping primitively in a tent, or simply without any hookups in an RV.
The benefits are great because you’ll be finding out you can survive well without many of the things you used to think were indispensable. It is amazing when finding how free you are once you unhook from all the electronics. Truly experiencing nature without all the distractions can make a big change in attitude and even in confidence.
An added benefit to dry camping that may surprise you is that they are less crowded and perfect for social distancing. The sites are usually the last to book up which provides you with more reservation opportunities.
Below are some campgrounds and parks where you can experience dry camping.
Afognak Island State Park, Alaska
Parts of Alaska are known as the land of the midnight sun. This gives any camper unlimited opportunity for fun. In Afognak Island State Park there are spruce forests, rugged lands and abundant wildlife. Dry camping is something to try here, with remote cabins that are only accessible by boat, trail or plane. Two of the cabins are only accessible by float plane.
Visitors need to have a way to purify their water and provide their own gas or propane stove so they can cook. You need to gather your own wood to heat the cabin and be polite and leave wood for the next person in. Meanwhile, you can enjoy wildlife viewing with plenty of Kodiak brown bear wandering about as well as Roosevelt elk and Sitka black-tailed deer. Try fishing for salmon, and, of course, have fun hiking. Bring a camera in order to get some fabulous scenic photos of your trip.
Cascadia State Park, Oregon
With 25 first-come, first-serve primitive campsites, you will find a wide choice of places to dry camp here on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains. There are towering Douglas-fir trees that shade you as you hike the trails. You can hike to Soda Creek Falls or head to the sparkling South Santiam River to fish. Explore to your heart’s content. It is the perfect time to enjoy Cascadia State Park.
Arbuckle Primitive Campsites, Florida
With no water or electricity, the five primitive campsites at Arbuckle give you the opportunity to really get out in nature and turn off all the distractions. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. You hike in, and then can enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing or picnicking. The five campsites are Grave Island, Creekside, Isabell, Hidden Hammock and Lakeside.
With a number of hiking trails available, you can move along the Florida Trail System Loop Trail and possibly spot some of the wildlife that make their home here. The terrain varies, from wetlands to dry scrub.
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Mancos State Park, Colorado
The West Campground in Mancos State Park offers near dry camping to get you started in an easy transition into fully dry camping. This campground provides toilets but no drinking water. Camping here is worth it as such a lovely setting nestled in the Ponderosa pines can’t be beat. It is surrounded by scenic mountains and is a perfect spot to get in some fishing in the reservoir.
The West Campground is for tent campers, and each site has a picnic table and fire pit. A boat launch makes it perfect for getting your boat in the water and soaking up the sun. Southwestern Colorado sun is perfect for summer fun, both on the water and off.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
From far above the Colorado River, you will be able to see vertical cliffs and a landscape that provides endless fascination. At Dead Horse Point State Park, the views of the buttes and colorful pinnacles will hold you enthralled. The remote Kayenta Campground places you in the red rock desert with plenty of recreation.
Come prepared for dry camping as there are no showers and little water. If bringing an RV camper, you should fill the water tanks and be prepared. It is 35 miles to the nearest services. But the fun you can have – like hiking, mountain biking, nature study, photography – makes it all worthwhile!
Catalina Island Boat In, Santa Catalina Island, California
Dry camping at Catalina Island is highlighted here due to the incredible opportunities for true seclusion and adventure. There are nine boat-in campsites to choose from, where you can get there only by kayak or boat. The campsites are Rippers, Lava Wall, Cabrillo, Italian Gardens, Paradise, Gibraltar, Goat Harbor, Long Point Beach and Willow Cove. A ranger will check you in, as well as check up on each campground each day.
There is no water, shade or sanitation. Each camper will need to pack out trash and waste. No fires are allowed so any cooking has to be done on a self-contained camp stove or the like. It’s truly a wilderness adventure and will let you become one with nature for a short, pleasant time.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.