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What are the Benefits of Primitive Camping?

Image by James Mahan via iStock

Imagine waking up to birds chirping, with a gentle breeze kissing your face and the scent of dew-kissed foliage filling the air. This is a typical morning when you’re primitive camping. It’s an opportunity to truly connect with nature, escape the digital ties of the modern world, and experience raw, unadulterated freedom. 

Offering a sense of exploration and self-sufficiency, primitive camping can challenge, inspire, and rejuvenate you. Today, we’ll explore the various benefits of primitive camping and shed light on how it can provide you with a life-enhancing and memorable outdoor experience. 

So, gear up and get ready to embark on an adventurous journey into the world of primitive camping!

Table of Contents

Primitive Camping Defined

woman resting laying on hammock at camping site

Image by Vera_Petrunina via iStock

Primitive camping, alternatively known as backcountry or dispersed camping, is a distinct form of outdoor experience that strips down camping to its raw essentials. It’s all about immersion in nature, far from the conveniences and structures of traditional campgrounds.

This style of camping takes place in remote, undeveloped areas. Nature reigns supreme in these places, and man-made amenities like running water, electricity, restrooms, and cellular service are typically absent.

Unlike standard camping, primitive camping invites you to be self-reliant. You bring all your necessities, prepare your own shelter, and depend on your skills to navigate, cook, and manage in the wilderness.

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Primitive Camping Benefit #1: You Can Unplug From the World

bigfoot trailer off road

Primitive camping serves as a gateway to escape from our digitally saturated world, allowing us to unplug and immerse ourselves in the serenity of nature. By choosing to camp in the wild, away from built-up campgrounds and Wi-Fi signals, you can truly reconnect with the environment and experience a sense of peace that the modern world often disrupts.

However, reaching these untouched, remote locations can pose a challenge. Typically, it might involve hiking or biking through rugged terrain, carrying all your gear. But it doesn’t have to be this strenuous. Your options are not limited to what you can carry on your back.

exploring the mountains with sherpa trailers bigfoot

Imagine bringing the comfort of a camping trailer to a secluded spot in the wilderness…

This is where the Bigfoot Teardrop Trailer from Sherpa Trailers comes into play. Designed for off-road adventures, this trailer makes primitive camping more accessible, extending your reach to remote camping locations that were previously hard to get to.

The Bigfoot trailer, equipped with robust 31” 10-50 R-15 tires and a sturdy frame, can smoothly navigate off the beaten path. Despite its rugged exterior, it doesn’t skimp on comfort. Inside, it houses a cabin that comfortably fits a queen-sized mattress, providing a restful retreat after a day of exploring.

As an added bonus, Sherpa Trailers outfits its units with Milestar Patagonia MT tires, which I can personally attest are fantastic for on-road and off-road travel.

milestar patagonia mt review

As you can see above, these tires aren’t for the faint of heart. Their rugged design with large gaps between the treads ensures that the tires maintain excellent grip, even in snow, mud, sand, and other adverse conditions. When you’re towing a trailer, you want it to be well-grounded, and these tires certainly help!

milestar banner 2

What’s more, Milestar has outfitted these tires with some fancy features that make them even more high-performance and durable. For example, there’s cross-directional siping that gives the tread blocks improved strength. There’s also angled biting edges that offer improved traction when you take your Sherpa Trailer off-road.

patagonia mt tread

Heck, Milestar even includes a silica-based compound on the treads to help resist cuts and chips. Plus, you get the advantage of three-ply sidewalls, which further enhance the durability of these tires when you decide to explore rugged trails.

Another feature of note is the unique center tread design of the Patagonia MT tires – the wide center rib gives the tire ample contact with the ground while also improving ride quality. I ran Nitto Grapplers for a long time on my Jeep, and I can tell you that these Patagonia MT tires are a much more comfortable ride.

On top of that, Sherpa Trailers equips the Bigfoot with two doors for cross-ventilation. A vent and a 12-volt fan also help move air throughout the cabin.

bigfoot trailer road close up

Additionally, you can add any number of optional features to make the Bigfoot trailer an even better option for primitive camping. Add a roof rack, an awning room for additional protected living space, or a large rear trailer door (shown above), among many other options.

In other words, with the Bigfoot trailer, you can more easily go primitive camping, but you can do so without roughing it!

Primitive Camping Benefit #2: Explore Areas Most People Don’t Get to See 

Father and mother and daughter play in the river

Image by Hakase_ via iStock

Delving into the realm of primitive camping unveils a gateway to unique locations that many people never get the opportunity to witness. Far removed from the bustle of crowded tourist spots or congested campsites, you find yourself in an unexplored terrain where nature’s authenticity thrives. 

Not confined to the monotony of marked paths or curated views, each step in a primitive camping journey reveals a scene untouched by commercialization. Whether it’s the breathtaking spectacle of an unspoiled mountain range, the tranquil rhythm of a hidden stream, or the enchanting melody of wildlife at dusk, every experience is a testament to nature’s undisturbed beauty. 

Primitive Camping Benefit #3: You Can Practice Your Camping Skills

Adult Woman Preparing and Breaking Firewood in Campsite.

Image by CasarsaGuru via iStock

Primitive camping serves as an excellent platform to hone your camping skills. By its very nature, it urges you to delve deeper into the outdoor survival skills that aren’t often called upon in traditional camping. From setting up a secure shelter to navigating unfamiliar terrain, primitive camping presents ample opportunities to build and refine essential outdoor skills.

Fire building, for instance, is a crucial skill that primitive camping invariably enhances. Unlike traditional campsites with pre-built fire pits or barbecue grills, creating a fire in the wild demands more effort and expertise. Similarly, in the absence of marked trails and signboards, your map-reading and compass skills are put to the test. 

It’s these challenges that nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, fostering self-reliance and confidence in your abilities. Primitive camping, therefore, isn’t just a trip to the outdoors; it’s an enriching journey of skill acquisition and personal growth.

Primitive Camping Benefit #4: It’s Inexpensive

Primitive Bushcraft survival debris hut with campfire ring outside.

Image by James Mahan via iStock

One of the most appealing benefits of primitive camping is its cost-effectiveness. Many primitive camping spots reside on public lands, allowing you to set up camp for little to no fee. Unlike commercial campsites that charge for amenities and facilities, going primitive offers an immersive nature experience without a hefty price tag.

Moreover, the principle of self-sufficiency associated with primitive camping means you bring everything you need with you. From food supplies to camping equipment, managing your resources can significantly reduce costs. Without the need for expensive campsite reservations or the consumption of utilities, your outdoor adventure becomes an affordable escape from the daily grind.

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FAQs

What is Remote Camping?

Remote camping, often associated with primitive or backcountry camping, refers to camping in isolated locations far from populated areas or designated campsites. With remote camping, you get the opportunity to experience nature in its most raw and untouched state, providing a sense of solitude and tranquility that’s hard to find in traditional camping.

What are the Social Benefits of Camping?

Camping, in general, offers several social benefits. It encourages collaboration and teamwork, especially in a primitive camping setup where tasks like setting up camp, preparing meals, or navigating need to be shared. Camping also fosters respect and appreciation for nature, promoting responsible outdoor practices such as ‘Leave No Trace‘ principles.

What are the Challenges of Backcountry Camping?

Backcountry camping comes with its set of challenges. It requires a higher level of self-reliance as you’ll need to navigate, set up a shelter, and cook without the usual amenities. It’s essential to pack the right equipment and supplies, and this can sometimes be a logistical challenge. 

Weather can be unpredictable, and dealing with it requires preparation and adaptability. It’s also crucial to be aware of potential wildlife encounters and know how to respond appropriately. Despite these challenges, many find backcountry camping a rewarding and enriching experience.

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