Sleeping under the stars, without a tent, sounds tempting. However, can it be done safely?
It’s as safe to sleep without a tent as with one in most areas. Tents don’t protect you from wild animals, people, weather, or other dangers in the wilderness. When sleeping without a tent, precautions should be taken for wet weather and biting insects.
Here are some tips for sleeping under the stars and how to make it more comfortable and safer.
Why People Enjoy Sleeping Without a Tent
Sleeping without a tent can be a tempting idea for people who love nature or the outdoors. Many people enjoy laying out at night to watch the stars, and sleeping without a tent seems like a natural extension of this. While sleeping under the stars can be a great experience, there are some things to consider.
Sleeping without a tent is generally just as safe as sleeping in a tent, with just a few differences. A tent can help you stay dry if it rains. Tents can help keep small animals, such as mice, out of your belongings, but they will do nothing to stop larger animals. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a tent will protect you from biting insects that could otherwise feast on you all night.
However, if you are committed to sleeping under the stars, there are ways around all of these inconveniences.
Choosing the Right Location and Conditions for Sleeping Under the Stars
If you’re going to camp without a tent, you’ll have to be more careful with the weather and location than you would otherwise. You will want to sleep in a campground that is very safe, or in a safe secluded area, and make sure the weather will be dry and comfortable.
Staying Warm and Dry Without a Tent
Make sure to check the weather before you choose to go camping without a tent, and if there is a chance for rain, consider changing your plans or bringing a backup tent. That way you can sleep outside but will have somewhere to retreat if the weather turns. I’ve slept outside on many camping trips but I’ve always had a tent or vehicle available as a backup option.
If the weather is generally expected to be dry but there could be dew, you can still sleep outside if you’re prepared for a bit of dampness. Most sleeping bags are waterproof and will keep you dry, except for your face, which you can either find a way to cover or simply deal with, depending on your personal preference.
As for staying warm, tents provide very little protection and insulation from the cold. They do keep some body heat, but in general, if your sleeping bag is sufficient to keep you warm inside a tent, you will notice very little difference outside the tent.
Animal Concerns
You shouldn’t have anything to worry about as far as animals are concerned unless you are sleeping in grizzly country. If tent camping isn’t recommended in the area you are visiting, tent-less camping is an even worse idea!
However, outside of grizzly bear territory, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, as long as you don’t keep food in your tent. A tent can’t protect you from large animals like bears, but most animals want nothing to do with you anyway. In general, aside from tiny biting insects, if you aren’t safe outside of a tent, you won’t be much safer inside a tent.
Biting Insects and Tents
While your tent isn’t going to provide any protection against large animals, it can keep you safe from the smallest: biting insects such as mosquitoes and no-see-ums (biting midges). Without this protection, you could end up miserable the next day. Your sleeping bag will keep insects away from your body, but your neck and face will still be exposed.
If you want to sleep without a tent, consider using more than one form of insect protection. Spray alone probably won’t keep you from getting bitten. For example, you could use a Thermacell unit as well as spraying permethrin on your sleeping bag. Another option is to wear a physical barrier such as mosquito netting along with a spray of some kind.
Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads for Sleeping Under the Stars
Even if you’re sleeping without a tent, chances are you’ll want a sleeping bag or blankets as well as something between you and the ground, like a sleeping pad or tarp. Just like you would when tent camping, you will need to choose a sleeping bag that is adequate and will keep you comfortable based on the temperature you’re expecting. Try to stick with a waterproof shell and synthetic stuffing if there is any ground moisture or dew.
You will also want to lay on something to help keep weeds, grass, and dirt off your sleeping bag and away from your pillow. This will also help keep you dryer if there is dew, and create a barrier to ground dampness from seeping into your sleeping bag. A tarp or outdoor mat works well. In addition, most people will want a sleeping pad of some kind, such as a foam pad or inflatable pad to cushion the ground and provide a bit of insulation between you and the cold earth.
Conclusion
Whether you are in a remote location, in a campground, or in your own backyard, sleeping outside without a tent can be an amazing experience if you prepare ahead of time and choose a good location and weather.