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For most campers, the joy of taking their children or new campers to the wild outdoors is exciting and elicits all sorts of memories for them. Parents love to take their kids to a place where they camped as a child and share memories of their own childhood. However, there are times when a full-blown camping trip is not possible. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy a great time with your kids still. If you are not able to get out to the wilderness, then the I would suggest you try to camp in your backyard without a tent.
Benefits Of Setting Up Camp In Your Backyard Without A Tent
Camping in your backyard has quite a few benefits that you may not have considered previously. This is especially true if you are taking someone camping for the first time or if you have small children.
- It Can Be A Test For Kids & First Timers – Camping without a tent can be quite a new experience for anyone. By giving it a try in your backyard, you can find out if this is even something you and your kids will enjoy.
- Much Simpler – The process of planning an actual camping trip can be quite tedious. On the other hand, a backyard camping trip can be done at the spur of the moment. You will not need to plan ahead of time for supplies or booking campsites.
- You Are Already Home – You never know when something may go wrong, especially with small children. In this case, you are already just a few steps from your house, and you will not have to pack up and leave.
- Camping In Your Backyard Without A Tent Can Be Done On The Spur Of The Moment – As I said before you can decide you want to be camping and just do it. No need for a lot of planning or getting all your gear ready. Just grab your sleeping bag and head outside.
- A Feeling Of Safety – Again for small children of first time campers the will likely feel safer in their back yard. Camping in the wilderness can be intimidating even for experienced campers. Trying everything out in your back yard gives everyone a chance to enjoy the experience without the extra fear.
- You Will Save Money – You will not be spending money on travel expenses, extra supplies, and possibly paying for a camping spot.
Five Methods Backyard Camping That Do Not Need A Tent
In the summer when the stars are best seen at night, it is a fun time to lay down in the yard and look at the night sky, waiting for shooting stars to streak by. If a body of water is not near, then the number of mosquitos should be at a minimum and a full-blown tent is not necessary.
There are many alternatives to pitching a tent and they can make everything feel more adventurous.
Sleeping Under The Stars
The most basic option for you to camp in your backyard without a tent is to sleep under the stars with no shelter. Sleeping under the stars can be as simple as using a pillow from your bed and throwing a blanket over yourself. However, I would recommend using a ground cloth, air mattress, and sleeping bag. Obviously, this option should only be taken on nights with perfect weather and no chance of rain.
How To Set Up For Sleeping Under The Stars
A ground cloth is used to help protect your air mattress or sleeping bag from sticks, rocks or thorns that may be on the ground.
- First spread the ground cloth out on the ground.
- Next, if you are using an air mattress, blow up your mattress and put it on top of the ground cloth.
- Finally, spread out your sleeping bag, climb in, and enjoy the night.
Pros:
- Extremely simple
- The least expensive option
Cons:
- No protection from the weather
- You will get wet if dew settles overnight
What You Will Need To Sleep Under The Stars
- Ground Cloth – This can be as simple as an old sheet or blanket from your house or you can get a small tarp that will fit under your air mattress.
- Air Mattress – If you already have an air mattress that you use for guests, then you can use it. There are also several options for camping air mattress. You can CLICK HERE to see a great budget option for a camping air mattress.
- Sleeping Bag – If you are camping in the warm nights of summer you should not need a heavily insulated sleeping bag. However, you should pick a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable.
Cowboy Style
If you are looking to camp in your backyard with out a tent but you want a little more protection from the elements, then you could use a bedroll, just like the cowboys used to do. Essentially, this is still sleeping under the stars, but you are adding a little protection from the elements with a bedroll or a bivy sack.
How To Set Up For Sleeping Cowboy Style
- First you can spread the ground cloth out on the ground. If you are using a canvas bedroll, you may not need a ground cloth, but it is not going to hurt to use one.
- Spread your bedroll or bivy sack out on the ground.
- Next, if you are using an air mattress, blow up your mattress and put it inside the bedroll or bivy sack. In this case you are going to need a lightweight backpacking mattress.
- Finally, add your sleeping bag to the bedroll or bivy sack, climb in, and enjoy the night.
Pros:
- Still pretty simple
- Added protection from the elements
Cons:
- You will have to buy additional gear that you may not have already
What You Will Need To Sleep Cowboy Style
- Ground Cloth – This can be as simple as an old sheet or blanket from your house or you can get a small tarp that will fit under your air mattress.
- Air Mattress – An air mattress is a choice for comfort here. However, if you choose to use one, you will need a smaller/lightweight backpacking mattress for this set up.
- Sleeping Bag – If you are camping in the warm nights of summer you should not need a heavily insulated sleeping bag. However, you should pick a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable.
- Bedroll or Bivy Sack – There are many options available for bedrolls and bivy sacks and the prices vary. However, we recommend a using a great canvas bedroll if you have a little more money to spend. A more budget conscious option would be a Lightweight Compact Bivy Sack.
Use A Hammock To Camp In Your Back Yard Without A Tent
Maybe sleeping on the ground just is not your cup of tea. If this is the case, you could always set up some hammocks to camp in your back yard without a tent. Again, here you have the option of sleeping under the stars with little protection from the elements or you could get an enclosed hammock. Another option is to pitch a tarp over the hammock to provide some protection.
How To Set Up A Hammock
- First, you must attach your hammock to some trees or posts. There are kits you can buy that will allow you to hang your hammock without damaging the trees. If you do not have any trees available or no large trees, do not worry. You can always get a hammock that attaches to a frame.
- If you are not using an enclosed hammock but would like some protection from the elements, you would next pitch a tarp over the hammock.
- Finally, add your sleeping bag to the hammock, climb in, and enjoy the night.
Pros:
- Hammock camping gets you up off the ground
- Using an enclosed hammock or pitching a tarp over the hammock adds protection from the elements
Cons:
- There is an added expense of buying hammocks and possibly tarps
- If you do not have trees available, this method is more difficult
What You Will Need To Camp With A Hammock
- Hammock – You have a few different options here depending on your preferences.
- Basic Hammock – Again there are numerous options of hammock available, but we find this Kootek Camping Hammock to be a great budget choice for campers.
- Enclosed Hammock – These hammocks are like bivy sacks that hang from trees and range from enclosed mesh hammocks that keep bugs at bay to fully enclosed hammocks.
- Frame Hammocks – These are self-contained hammocks that do not need trees or posts to be used. A great example of a frame hammock can be found by CLICKING HERE.
- Hammock Hanging Kit – This kit allows you to hang the hammock from trees without doing any damage. Often, these kits are included with the hammock, but it is something you should get if your hammock does not have one.
- Sleeping Bag – If you are camping in the warm nights of summer you should not need a heavily insulated sleeping bag. However, you should pick a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable.
Use A Tarp Lean-To Shelter To Camp In Your Backyard Without A Tent
You can pitch a lean-to tarp shelter in lieu of a tent to keep yourself safe from the elements. Tarps can be reasonably priced and come in use for multiple reasons. Therefore, you can find other uses for the tarp after your quasi-camping trip.
How To Set Up A Tarp Lean-To Tarp Shelter
The tarp lean-to is one of the most basic tarp shelters you can pitch. It is also a great choice for first timers and children to gain experience.
- First you will need to tie a guy rope between two trees approximately five from the ground. Make sure you pull this line as tight as you can.
- Next, Fold a few inches of tarp over the line and tie guy lines to the corners of this folded area.
- Stake these guy lines to the ground in front of the tarp but do not tighten completely.
- Then, pull the remaining side of the tarp out at about a 30-degree angle and stake the tarp to the ground. At this point, you will want to tighten those two guy lines.
- To finish, you will need to set up your sleeping bag as if you were sleeping under the stars only put it under the tarp. You could also throw your bedroll under the tarp.
Pros:
- This tarp pitch is simple and can be set up fast by about anyone
- Good wind and rain protection from one side
Cons:
- No Floor
- There is only protection from the elements on one side
What You Need To Pitch A Tarp Lean-To
- If you buy a tarp specifically made for camping, it will likely include everything you need for the tarp shelter itself. A great low-cost option is the Aqua Quest Defender Tarp.
- If you are on a tighter budget or believe tarp camping will be a onetime event, a standard tarp will do. In this case you will need the following in addition.
- Some Paracord to make guy lines
- 4 Stakes
- 2 Trees or Poles
- You will also need your set up from sleeping under the stars or cowboy style.
Pitch An A-Frame Tarp To Camp In Your Backyard Without A Tent
Pitching an A-Frame set up with your tarp is not all that different than a lean-to tarp shelter. You are gaining a little more security and protection from the elements.
How To Pitch An A-Frame Tarp Shelter
As I said earlier, pitching an A-Frame Tarp Shelter is not that different from a lean-to. This set up is still quite easy and is a great option for first timers and kids to help with.
- To start, you will tie a guy line stretched tight between two trees approximately 3 to 5 feet off the ground. The height you tie the guy line will depend on the size of the tarp you are using. You want to have enough room to get inside once everything is pitched.
- Next, you will put the tarp over the guy line and even it up until the middle of the tarp is over the line.
- For the final step of pitching the tarp, pull each corner out tight and stake it down firmly. If you have enough stakes, you should add additional stakes at the proper stake out locations.
- When your tarp is pitched, just set up your sleeping bag just like if you were sleeping under the stars only put it under the tarp. You could also throw your bedroll under the tarp.
Pros:
- This tarp pitch is simple and can be set up fast by about anyone
- Good wind and rain protection from both sides
Cons:
- No Floor
- The ends are open so rain can come in if an opening is facing the wind direction
- If the ridge guy-line is not tight, the tarp will sag
What You Need To Pitch An A-Frame Tarp Shelter
- If you buy a tarp specifically made for camping, it will likely include everything you need for the tarp shelter itself.
- If you are on a tighter budget or believe tarp camping will be a onetime event, a standard tarp will do. In this case you will need the following in addition.
- Some Paracord to make guy lines
- A minimum of four stakes
- 2 Trees or Poles
- You will also need your set up from sleeping under the stars or cowboy style.
It Is Completely Possible To Camp In Your Backyard Without A Tent
Many of the experiences of camping can be replicated while staying home. A simple charcoal grill can be used to cook burgers and hot dogs to eat around a lantern while stories are told. You can also get a portable fire pit and have a backyard fire (as long as this is legal in your area). Grab one of these pits and roast some marshmallows over the fire for s’mores.
If you have the desire, you can camp in your backyard without a tent. After all, there are times that going up to a remote location to set up a tent and enjoy nature is not a possibility. So, get out to you back yard and have some fun.
Featured Photo by Heather Mount on Unsplash
