Desert Camping Checklist – 21 Essential Items You Will Need To Survive
The essential items needed for surviving in the desert.
Camping in the desert is a completely different experience from camping in the woods or on the side of a mountain. There are obstacles that you will have to overcome that are unlike anything you will experience anywhere else in the world. In this article, we break down everything you will need to go camping in the desert.
Clothing
One of the wildest factors of the desert is the wild fluctuations in the temperature. The days can be scorching hot while the nights can be freezing cold. Since the sand doesn’t retain the heat of the day the way soil does, a camper can be surprised by the unexpected temperature fluctuations. The following items are essential to being properly clothed while camping in the desert.
Breathable Long Sleeve and Long Pant Compression Garments – These garments aren’t the sort of thing you put on to keep warm. These are designed to wick sweat away from your body and offer protection from harmful UV rays. These can be worn under your t-shirt and shorts.
Thermal Underwear (Long Johns) – As we mentioned earlier, the nights in the desert can be extremely cold, even in the summertime. You will need a set of heath-retaining garments to survive the chill of the night.
Wind Breaker Jacket – Heavy wind gusts can be a real problem when camping in the desert, especially when they blow coarse sand against your skin. Windstorms can leave your skin feeling chapped and burnt. A protective jacket can save you in such a situation.
Wide Brim Hat – These come in a variety of fashions for men and women but essentially you are looking for something to keep the sun off of your head and your face. This can be a fishing hat or a simple sun hat. These hats also come in UV protection models. Regardless, you need something to shield yourself from the sun as much as possible.
High-Ankle Terrain Boots – These can be work boots or hiking boots. Basically, you want something that will protect your feet and support your ankle while traversing desert landscapes. The high ankle design can also serve to keep out sand and desert bugs and scorpions (depending on where you will be camping).
Wool Hiking Socks – These socks are designed to keep your feet warm and dry. This is essential when dealing with unpredictable temperatures that can leave your feet feeling hot during the day and cold during the night. Also, it is important to have socks that will prevent moisture buildup on your feet which can lead to athletes foot.
Shelter
Once you’ve properly clothed yourself, you will need to focus on shelter. There are a variety of ways you can camp in the desert but we will focus on the minimal, essential items for adequate shelter.
Waterproof Pop Up Tent With UV Protection – The list of tents that are available to campers is long and it’s only limited by how much you are willing to spend. However, if you are planning on camping in the desert, you will want to look for a small tent (typically a model that sleeps 2 people at the most) that is graded for protection against wind and UV rays. You might be wondering why you would want a waterproof tent for camping in and environment that has little water. These models are perfect for keeping out sand and unwanted desert critters. The wind-breaking technology can help to shield you from wind and sandstorms and the UV protection is critical to lasting against the sun. It is also important to get a tent that is small and easy to manage so you won’t exhaust yourself carrying it around on the desert terrain.
For our article on selecting the perfect tent for camping, check out our article HERE.
4 Season Sleeping Bag – Be sure to get a sleeping bag that is rated for summer months and colder climates as well. You never know the sort of temperature you will encounter when sleeping in the desert so it is best to be prepared for them all.
Bivy Sack – If you want to limit the amount of gear you will have to carry on your desert camping trip, I bivy sack can be a convenient combination of sleep sack and shelter. These are single person sleeping sacks that serve to keep campers warm while sleeping and as a compact form of shelter.
Gear
Camping gear is a slippery slope. You can try to prepare for every situation, which can lead to a lot of extra weight that you will have to lug around through the desert. Or you can take the “minimalist approach” and only bring the essentials with you. Your overall success for camping in the desert will depend on how equipped you are for whatever obstacles you encounter. The following are the essential equipment to survive for a short period of time in the desert.
Backpack – This is another one of those things where you can spend as much or as little as you would like. Be sure to get something that is comfortable all while offering enough room to pack all your other camping gear.
To see our guide for selecting the perfect camping backpack, check out our article HERE.
Water container – If you search the Internet, you will find varying reports of the minimum amount of water you can drink per day and still survive. Many sources seem to agree that 32 ounces per day are enough to keep you going. However, if you are planning on camping out in the desert where the sun and the heat will accelerate your dehydration, the minimum amount is skewed. Just know that when you are camping in the desert, you are on a timer to dehydration and as soon as your water supply runs out, its time to start packing up. A single gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. This substantial weight must be factored in when planning your camping trip and its not something that you can short yourself on. Find a water container that can accommodate your hydration needs.
Ski/Snowboard Goggles with UV Protection – We realize that you aren’t going to be seeing any flurries while living out in the desert. However, normal sunglasses don’t offer the level of protection that these masks offer. These goggles can block out the sun and protect your face from the wind and sand that blow around in the desert.
Sunscreen/Lip Balm – You will want protection from the sun in the form of a higher SPF.
Package Meals – Unless you want to load up a cook set and fuel to cook with, you will need to pack some easy to consume, package meals. Consider meal bars and protein bars.
Gloves – These can offer protection against the coarseness of the sand and they can keep your hands warm if the temperature drops at night.
Compass/GPS – Oftentimes, the desert landscape can be lacking in landmarks. It’s easy to get turned around or completely lost if you’re not careful. This is why you will need a compass (at a minimum) or a GPS unit to make sure you can get home safely. If you choose to use a GPS unit, make sure the battery is FULLY charged before you embark on your camping trip.
Toilet Paper – There probably won’t be many leaves to wipe with in the desert. You’ll be glad you had some toilet paper.
Ziploc B
Multi-tool – These little devices are a must-have for camping, regardless of the terrain. They can be a pocketknife, a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. In an environment as unforgiving as the desert, you would be wise to have one of these nearby.
First-aid Kit – If you’re camping in the desert, odds are you are pretty far away from medical attention in the event of an emergency. You will want to have a general first aid kit on hand in case you are injured in the desert. This will buy you some time while you make your way back to your vehicle and begin making your journey to the hospital.
Flashlight and batteries – The moon can actually be brilliant in the desert night sky. Sometimes, the nights in the desert can seem bright as day. However, if it’s cloudy out, you are going to want to have a flashlight on hand so you can maneuver in the dark.
This is a basic list of essential items that you will need to camp in the desert. Like we mentioned before, you can go as deep into the rabbit hole as you want, depending on how much you are willing to spend and what all you are willing to carry. However, these items are the essentials that you should obtain before you embark on a desert camping trip.