My First Time COWBOY CAMPING!!

I went camping with no tent!! Cowboy camping! This may be common to some, but it’s a pretty big deal to me! It would be super risky to go camping without a shelter in the Pacific Northwest regardless of the season, but since I was in Arizona I figured it was time to finally give cowboy camping a shot! The appeal of cowboy camping is to sleep directly under the stars and be totally immersed in the nature around you. For this video I headed out to the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest, and I left my tent at home! My first time camping with no tent! Cowboy camping in the wild west! Hope you enjoy.
*This video was originally published on June 12, 2022 on REI’s Miranda in the Wild KZbin channel, which is now an independent channel you can find at / @mirandagoesoutside
Intro: 00:00
Searching for water in the desert: 1:55
Cowboy camping set-up: 5:37
First night cowboy camping: 7:10
Thoughts on cowboy camping: 8:02
IMPORTANT NOTE on Leave No Trace as practiced in this video -
Leave No Trace principles recommend camping at least 200 feet (60 meters) from water sources. In the instance of this video, we struggled to find a viable campsite far from water without causing new impact on the area. We opted instead to sleep on hard rock where others had recently camped, but it was not ideal to be this close to a water source. Abiding by Leave No Trace principles is always what we strive to do.
If you’re unfamiliar with Leave No Trace and why it is important to camp 200 feet or more from fragile water sources, follow this link to learn more: www.lnt.org/
We filmed this video in the Superstition Wilderness on the ancestral lands of the Hohokam, Western Apache, Yavapaiv Apache and possibly other indigenous nations.
Gear I used in this video -
NEMO Tensor: www.rei.com/product/199935/ne...
NEMO Disco 30: www.rei.com/product/163035/ne...
NEMO Switchback: www.rei.com/product/141846/ne...
NEMO Fillo Elite Pillow: www.rei.com/product/170457/ne...
Gregory Facet 45: www.rei.com/product/203239/gr...
NEMO Moonlight Chair: www.rei.com/product/186577/ne...
Shorts (Jelly Shorts!): www.rei.com/product/185823/th...
Trekking Poles: www.rei.com/product/202395/bl...
Hiking Shoes: www.rei.com/product/166582/al...
Camp Shoes: www.rei.com/product/131755/te...
Become an REI Member: www.rei.com/membership
Miranda in the Wild is an REI Co-op Studios production!
Producer: Rainer Golden
Producer: Miranda Webster
Videographer: Abby Hagan
Editor: Jenna Neish
Additional Editing by Miranda Webster and Katie Van Fleet
#backpacking #cowboy #camping #hiking #naturelovers #adventure #wanderlust #rei #mirandainthewild

[@jennifermaudru2239]

Ooh, I’ve got a Nemo disco too. Absolutely LOVE ❤ it for the ventilation options One thing I love about cowboy camping is the star view above. Solid 10/10

[@fredir3596]

@ 3:51 I could see it in your eyes before you mentioned your migraine. I started having migraines in my late 20’s. I did all the things the doctor recommended but they still came on. Eventually, the migraines became less frequent. I hope you are so lucky.

[@emilyledoux3678]

I have chronic migraines too & sometimes it makes backpacking really tough when I get one on a trip. Thanks for talking about it in this video!

[@AmyMahan-kh5zp]

So cool that you checked out my backyard!

[@poordirtyhappy9704]

I always bring a ground cloth. Keeps the dirt at bay.

[@dkratville]

I add a simple mosquito net when I leave the tent at home. Only use it if I have to and it is super light.

[@rei]

That's a great suggestion that's easy to pack and carry!

[@Mike-01234]

I remember once went camping with a friend when we were kids slept outside without a tent all night long hear buzzing in my ears. When we woke up, we were so bit up welts on our necks and head. My friend had a bit welt right on his nose. We didn't think much about bugs at night, but they will find you.

[@filmic1]

Neat blog!

[@ljrandom147]

I love cowboy camping

[@robertmarsing8086]

You got a Gila monster on film!?!?! Do you know how incredible that is? 😲😁

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Having lived in Arizona for a few years there is no way I'd do that after seeing camel spiders and Mexican red tarantulas. Completely enclosed tent or nope lol.

[@turnerj456]

I just got back from backpacking in Superstition and we cowboy camped

[@randybass8842]

I'm in Arizona and I've hiked that trail many times, but only as a day hike. The other hikers were helpful, but probably scratching their heads wondering why you didn't bring enough water with you. That tends to be the standard here, and not being dependent on something labeled as a creek to have water in it. I have followed La Barge creek all the way back to Canyon Lake, and there's more and more water as you go. That whole area of the Superstition Mountains is beautiful in whichever direction you go.

[@GangsterReviews]

I approve

[@vanyvero2007]

I wish I could join you guys!! It would make me feel safe having people with so mich knowledge lol

[@rei]

We'd love to go outside with you, Vanina! Check out www.rei.com/events for options near you.

[@RCshowmen]

@@rei REI doesn’t offer them but the USMC Gore-Tex Bivy is the best way to cowboy camp. Just replace the bug net window and enjoy the sky.

[@J47470]

Arizona, my state💪

[@Cowgirl77Hikes]

Ranked rockstoo.

[@Scorpionwitch]

The only real thing you have to worry about is rattlesnakes crawling into your sleeping bag with you because its warm...

[@CommissionerManu]

Pulls string: “There’s a snake in my… bag?!”

[@allenlebaron8993]

that’s gotta be the biggest tall tale from southwestern backpackers. on all of our ranches we cowboy camp and have never had issues, i think it has happened a handful of times and everyone online likes to say they have had an experience with it to fit in. im sure you’ve never actually been cowboy camping if you think it’s anything more than a 1 in a million chance. i’ll continue to sleep outside 10 percent of the year without the issue and if it ever happens i’ll come back and say you were right. but you probably aren’t.

[@Scorpionwitch]

@@allenlebaron8993 It was a tongue-in-cheek "Wait, what?!" comment. You took my attempt at humor too seriously. Not to worry, it wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

[@TexasRanger-lf6jc]

Under the stars and over a rug I do not care about the snakes and bugs.

[@ChurroWaffels]

Is sleeping without a blanket on the bed of a truck in the middle of nowhere considered Cowboy Camping?

[@darstar217]

I’m going to say yes, that counts 😀

[@GTFBITK]

That's better because you don't have to worry about ground critters.

[@danielpittman889]

Probably qualifies, but I'd say it's more redneck camping than cowboy camping. Yeehaw!

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

Where is the cowboy cap?

[@t42coffee]

As someone who lives in Aus are creeks supposed to have water in them?

[@LLAP2266]

They do in winter

[@MrJuzt1n]

No cowboy coffee?

[@zerotarget6182]

Miranda is fine. 🥰

[@romererunamerika9437]

so funny backpacked and cowboy camped there as a kid maybe 100 times. did you find the Dutchman's mine?

[@takumifujiwara7160]

no tent doesnt mean cowboy camping

[@allenlebaron8993]

what is cowboy camping then? it’s sleeping under the stars with no shelter. a sleeping bag isn’t shelter as it won’t protect you from rain or snow

[@takumifujiwara7160]

@@allenlebaron8993 cowboy camping is another term for time period camping. doesnt matter if u have a shelter or not. all of your possessions and tools need to be time period correct, usually around the 1800’s. this was simply just camping without a tent with all modern gear and clothing

[@TexasRanger-lf6jc]

​@@allenlebaron8993agreed, this is just ultralight camping.

[@FC-fx7zu]

It's Cowgirl Camping [for the gals]! 💃🏕💗

[@GTFBITK]

Fires up hornpub