Cowboy Camping: Sleeping Under the Stars Without Regret

Ditching the tent entirely is the ultimate weight saver, and on a clear dry night it is pure magic. But cowboy camping has rules if you want to wake up happy.

Pick your night and your spot carefully.

• Check the forecast twice for rain and wind
• Camp away from dew-heavy meadows and low hollows
• Keep a bivy sack or tarp ready as a backup
• Seal your face against bugs if they are out

Under a clear sky with a dry forecast, cowboy camping is the best sleep in the backcountry. Just keep a way out for when the weather lies.

Check the dew point before you commit to a night without a tent. A humid valley soaks everything by midnight, and a dry ridge stays comfortable.