Picture this: you’re sprawled out on your back, no tent over your head, just a billion stars so clear you feel like you’re falling upwards. Cowboy camping is that old-school, stripped-back style of sleeping outside—no tent, no walls, just you and everything from the tiniest field mouse to the Milky Way. That sounds risky, right? Or maybe it sounds perfect. Either way, it’s a way of camping that makes traditional tent pitching look downright fussy. Sometimes, to really get away from it all and feel alive in the wild, fewer barriers are the secret.
What Is Cowboy Camping?
Cowboy camping means sleeping right in the open, without any tent, sometimes not even a tarp. It goes by a few names: wild camping, bivvy sleeping, or just plain sleeping out. But the real idea is the same—you make a bedroll (maybe a mat and sleeping bag) and have nothing but sky overhead. Cowboys in the American West made this famous, rolling up in their blankets and saddling up under the stars after a long day riding. Even today, plenty of hikers and backpackers, from the US to Europe, swear by cowboy camping for its simplicity and pure connection to wild places.
Why go cowboy camping when you can have a cosy tent? Tents bring comfort but also isolation. Cowboy camping kicks down the walls—literally. You’re exposed, sure, but you get the wind brushing your face, nocturnal animals scuttling nearby, the ever-changing scent of the wild, and, if you’re lucky, the sight of shooting stars. For many seasoned campers, that exposure isn’t a downside, it’s the payoff. And here’s a fact: in a 2021 survey by Outdoor Research, about 28% of backpackers in the western US have ditched the tent at least once and tried cowboy camping.
Still, cowboy camping isn’t about bravado or proving you’re tough. It’s about connection and comfort—about not missing the sunrise because you were zipped in a tent, or being able to spot satellites and constellations without peeking through mesh. A lot of people say they sleep better this way, more in tune with natural rhythms. Research from Stanford in 2017 even backed this up: sleeping in natural light cycles, with no barriers, helps reset your circadian rhythm and deepen sleep. It might be the gritty, wild camping you imagine, but it’s also the kind that makes you feel more human and less trapped by gear.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Cowboy Camping
Let’s get honest—there are pros and cons. Cowboy camping can be spectacular. Think about it: less stuff, lighter backpack, no tent poles or stakes to pack up when it’s pouring rain. It’s quicker to set up and take down—you just lay your sleeping mat, shake out your sleeping bag, and you’re home. You get front-row seats to every sunrise and can listen to dawn birds calling long before the day’s crowds show up. You’ll blend into your surroundings a lot more, too. A tent’s eye-catching, but a low-profile sleeping bag can be pretty stealthy, especially if you’re wild camping where discretion matters.
But, of course, the wild’s not always gentle. Bugs are probably the biggest hassle—mosquitoes, gnats, or ants can make you wish you’d packed your tent after all, especially in places like Finland in June or the Scottish Highlands. The answer? Many cowboy campers swear by a lightweight bug net or head net, or they choose spots where bugs are less of a problem—dry ridges, breezy plateaus, late in the season, or after a frost.
Here’s a quick guide to common cowboy camping challenges and some ways to beat them:
| Threat | Solution |
|---|---|
| Insects | Bug net, permethrin spray, pick breezy spots |
| Dew/rain | Bring a tarp or bivvy sack just in case |
| Cold ground | Use an insulated mat, groundsheet |
| Wildlife | Don’t sleep near animal trails; store food away |
| Privacy | Pick hidden shelters like bushes/rock outcrops |
Weather is the one thing you can’t beat. There’s nothing fun about cowboy camping when you’re waking up soaked by a sudden downpour or being sandblasted by wind. Most cowboys judge their chances with a quick look at the sky and maybe a glance at their phone’s weather app. If there’s even a slight chance of bad weather, a lightweight tarp in your pack is a solid backup. Getting caught unprepared isn’t dignified; it’s damp and miserable. So, veteran cowboy campers always check forecasts and have an escape plan—sometimes that means moving spots in the middle of the night, but often it means enjoying a rare, clear night that most tent campers never experience.
Gear and Essentials for Cowboy Camping
Can you cowboy camp with just a sleeping bag? You could—lots of people have. But a little smart gear makes the experience way better. First off, the basics: a good sleeping bag fit for the temperature, a compact but cushy sleeping mat (semi-inflatable if you want), and a groundsheet or even a rubbish bag for emergencies. This isn’t the place to skimp—a wet or cold night will put you off outdoor sleeping for life. Brands like Therm-a-Rest or Sea to Summit make mats that pack tiny but insulate well.
Even minimalist cowboy campers often carry a bivvy bag—a waterproof sack that goes around your sleeping bag. Modern bivvies, like those from Outdoor Research, can be as simple as an emergency foil liner or a zipped-up breathable, bug-proof shell. It keeps your bag dry in short rain showers, stops wind, and keeps insects out. Some dedicated cowboy campers go for a mesh bug bivvy with a rain cover just for the pillow area, so they get fresh air but avoid creepy-crawlies diving into their ears.
Here’s what a pretty standard cowboy camping kit looks like:
- Sleeping mat (insulated foam or inflatable)
- Sleeping bag rated for the night’s expected low
- Groundsheet or ground tarp
- Bivvy sack (waterproof/breathable, or mesh if bugs)
- Bug head net—in buggy areas
- Good headlamp or torch (plus spare batteries)
- Packable rain tarp—lightweight, just in case
- Dry bag for clothes—doubles as a pillow
- Layers and hat (temperatures can drop fast by dawn)
Sounds like quite a list, but compared to normal camping, it’s feather-light. The point of cowboy camping is to keep it simple. You want to feel unrestricted, close to nature, and not weighed down. Most of the gear is dual-purpose—your groundsheet protects against mud and dew and doubles as somewhere to cook or eat. That dry bag of clothes? Shove it under your head and you’ve got a pillow fit for a king. Never underestimate the difference a good pillow makes to a night out in the wild.
If you want to upgrade your experience, plan smart: look for lightweight, compressible down bags if you expect colder weather, or a lighter synthetic bag for damp places. In dusty or snowy areas, go with a full-coverage bivvy. And here’s a tip: position yourself on high ground so dew drains downhill, not into your sleeping bag. Pro tip: some campers scatter pine needles or leaves for an extra-soft, natural mattress. Of course, be respectful; leave-no-trace is law for cowboy campers.
How to Choose Your Spot and Stay Safe
Picking your cowboy camping spot is an art. You’re looking for perfect balance: good shelter but not boxed in, close to views but not exposed to wind, discreet if possible, but not so hidden you’re next to an anthill or along a deer path. Pay attention to animal tracks—waking up nose to nose with a curious fox or, worse, being sniffed out by wild boar isn’t an ideal start.
Safety is first (and second, and third). Scope out your area before dark. Is the ground sloping? Avoid dips (cold and damp pool there), and keep away from river edges—you’d hate to get caught by rising water or a nosey badger. Sprawling sandbanks might look inviting, but they’re often colder and more exposed. Under trees offers shelter from dew and drizzle, but if weather’s bad, wind can snap branches—know your trees: avoid sickly looking limbs. And here’s a weird fact—many long-distance hikers in the Sierra Nevada prefer open meadows, because they dry out fastest and you’ve less chance of something crawling over you in the night.
Here are some tried and tested safety tips for cowboy camping:
- Keep away from obvious animal trails or watering holes.
- Store all food and smelly items away from your sleep area in a bear canister, odor-proof bag, or just hang it up high.
- If in open country (think Montana or Lesotho), keep your profile low and stay alert for weather changes.
- Use a reflective strip or bright object you can see from a distance so you can find your camp in the dark.
- Never cowboy camp during lightning storms or in open, exposed areas with no shelter nearby.
- Leave absolutely no trace—pack out every scrap, even microtrash.
In much of Europe (including my home, Ireland), rules about wild camping are stricter than the US or parts of Scandinavia. Always check the local laws, and get landowner’s permission if you’re not sure. In places with a strong tradition of the “right to roam,” like Scotland or Norway, cowboy camping—if done respectfully and briefly—is usually fine. Ireland is a bit trickier, but with common sense and good manners, a discreet overnight in the hills is rarely a problem. If you’re in doubt, ask locals. Most are happy to share a story or two and might even tell you their own favourite sleeping spots.
The freedom you get with cowboy camping is unbeatable, but it comes with responsibility. You’re out there, no barriers between you and wild places. Most first-timers find that once they try it, the lure of the open night sky—stars, cool air, and the silence that’s only broken by wind and owl calls—is something you can’t get from inside a zipped-up tent. It’s simple, yes, but it taps into something ancient and, maybe, a little bit magical. Next time you’re out, roll out your mat, stuff a spare fleece under your head, and let the wild world do the rest.