Camping With Cannabis: A Guide to Getting High in Nature

Embarking on a camping trip is an exhilarating experience, offering a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and connect with nature and close friends. For weed lovers, combining cannabis with the great outdoors can elevate the experience to new heights. But before you rock up to the closest campsite and start firing up bongs and blunts, there are several things you need to consider to make the experience as memorable and peaceful as possible. Explore the world of camping with cannabis below!

Is Camping 420-Friendly?

Cannabis and camping truly go hand in hand. However, due to the continued prohibition of marijuana in many parts of the world, most campsites have strict policies against cannabis consumption. With that said, if you’re lucky enough to either live in or travel to a place that has legalized the herb, such as parts of the United States, it won't be too difficult to find weed-friendly campgrounds. 

For example, Camp Kush, located in Colorado, was converted to a 420-friendly destination in 2018. Likewise, Joyful Hot Springs Spa, also in Colorado, even features a dedicated smoking pavilion. Several campsites across Michigan, Oregon, and Maine also welcome cannabis use.

In Europe, cannabis is decriminalised in Portugal, legal in Spain, and largely socially tolerated in the Netherlands. Do your research, and you’ll likely come across campsites in these destinations that allow visitors to smoke on-site.

What Are the Risks of Smoking Weed While Camping?

The most notable risks of using cannabis while camping have to do with safety and legality. Do all in your power to minimise these risks, and you’ll drastically increase the odds of a pleasant cannabis camping experience.

• Understand Local Regulations

First things first; before booking a campsite, you should make it your priority to understand local regulations. Skip this important point, and you risk ruining your night and facing anything from a slap on the wrist to a night in a cell. Things are quite complex in the United States, where the legality of cannabis varies across states and even among local jurisdictions. For example, many keen adventurers often wonder if you can smoke weed in a national park. Unfortunately, these lands belong to the federal government, a branch of the United States government that continues to prohibit cannabis use. Some state parks, such as those in California, have also banned all smoking due to wildfire risks.

It’s your responsibility to conduct thorough research before heading to any campground in the United States, Europe, or elsewhere if you’re planning on camping with cannabis. Do this, and you’ll enjoy peace of mind the entire time you’re there. If you don’t have the luxury of such a place nearby, consider heading to any old campsite and going for a hike up nearby hills or into neighboring forests whenever you want to blaze.

• Follow Fire Safety Protocol

As stated above, some campgrounds prohibit any type of smoking—some won't even let you make a fire. This is due to an elevated fire risk in these areas. Though it might seem somewhat dramatic to some, a tiny spark can be enough to set a forest ablaze in certain areas. So follow your campground's fire safety rules, and be mindful of where you ash your bongs and joints.

• Prepare for the Climate

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of camping in cold weather without the proper clothing and sleeping gear, you’ll know the importance of this point. Temperatures can drop surprisingly low during the night—even in summer. Things get much more rough in spring, fall, and, of course, winter. Make sure you have enough layers of clothing and the appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions you're planning to go cannabis camping in. Also, bring multiple pairs of socks and underwear, and consider bringing a tarpaulin to keep your tent from getting wet.

• Don’t Overdo Things

Cannabis camping has the potential to open up a whole new way to experience nature. However, things can quickly go awry if you overdo it or don't use your best judgement. Take a sensible approach, especially if you’re considering taking edibles or going for nighttime walks. Go low and slow, and be aware of your surroundings. You don't want to get so stoned that you get lost or hurt!

Necessary Gear for Camping With Cannabis

Next up, we’re going to cover essential cannabis camping gear. Gather everything listed below to stock up for your adventure. Remember, getting cold, hungry, or running out of bud too soon will only detract from the experience. Preparation is the key to success!

• Sleeping Gear & Appropriate Clothing

Let’s reiterate an important point: you should over-pack when it comes to clothing and sleeping gear. You’ll have a much more comfortable time if you take more clothes than you need, as opposed to not having enough. You don’t want to spend what could have been a relaxing evening shivering and considering bailing on the trip.

• Cooking Gear, Food & Drinks

When camping with cannabis, the munchies aren’t going to solve themselves! Snacks such as trail mix and energy bars are light and portable, but nothing beats a belly full of warm food while sitting by the fire. Bring a gas stove, cutlery, pans, bowls, and any food ingredients of your choosing. While many campsites have taps for water, it’s always a good call to bring along something tasty and refreshing, such as fruit juice, to keep cotton mouth at bay.

• Chairs and Table

Sitting on grass and logs will suffice during heat waves, but you’ll end up with muddy and soggy clothes at any other time. Bring a camping chair along to stay as dry and comfortable as possible. A fold-out table also works wonders when it comes to cooking and rolling joints.

• Light Sources

You’ll need to keep things illuminated once the sun sets to keep the party rolling. Consider powerful lanterns to place inside your tent and in the center of communal areas. Headlamps are also super useful and will free up your hands when it comes to cooking and rolling.

• The Right Weed

You can’t go cannabis camping without weed! Make sure you bring enough along for you and your friends to enjoy without running out too quickly. It’s also a good idea to bring a mix of different strains; pack energising buds for hiking during the way, and stoning strains for evenings by the fire.

How to Elevate Your Camping Adventures with Cannabis

You’re now aware of where to camp with cannabis, and you know what to bring along. Next, we’re going to cover some tips to help you get the most out of your experience. Let’s get into it!

• Start With a Few Drops of Cannabis Tinctures

While some cannabis users prefer smoking joints, others like to take their cannabis orally. A small dose of a tincture will keep you elevated for a few hours. Just know that it’ll hit harder, and last much longer, than inhaled cannabis if swallowed immediately. If you want a faster-acting and more subtle effect, hold the drops under your tongue for a couple minutes before swallowing. Because tinctures don’t emit any smoke or suspicious odours, tinctures are also a good idea if you want to experience the effects of your favorite herb at a location that doesn’t tolerate smoking weed, or smoking in general.

• Be Discreet

If you’re lucky enough to have access to a weed-friendly campsite, you can simply lie back in your hammock and enjoy a joint right on your pitch. If you don’t have this luxury, then make an effort to respect the campsite rules and those around you. Opt for edibles or tinctures in densely packed campsites, or simply leave the area to a secluded spot in nature for intermittent smoking sessions.

• Share a Blunt With Friends

It goes without saying that passing a blunt around a group of friends makes for a memorable experience, spurs good conversation, and strengthens social bonds. Get a campfire going, put some music on, spark up that blunt, and pass it around. It'll surely make for a night to remember!

• Don’t Forget the Games!

Many cannabis campers are content with gazing at the night sky or the embers of a campfire. However, if you want some added stimulation, playing cards and board games are great options. More physical activities such as Frisbee or simply throwing a baseball back and forth are also surprisingly entertaining. Nature itself also provides a lot of pleasant activities; go for a hike up the nearest hill, forage in the forest, or paddle in a cool stream. Just remember to always respect your neighbors—don’t get too loud and be aware of their space.

Which Cannabis Strains Are Most Suitable for a Camping Trip?

The cannabis strains you bring along on your trip hinge on the preferences of you and your companions. Keep in mind, too, that you’re not limited to one strain. As mentioned, different varieties can be more suitable for different activities or times of the day. During the daylight hours when you want to explore or engage in upbeat activities, consider the likes of Royal Jack Auto, Royal AK, and Sour Diesel to get you motivated. When it comes to relaxing by the campfire and hitting the hay, Royal CBDV Auto, Special Kush 1, and Haze Berry have your back.

Finding a Cannabis-Friendly Campground

Depending on where you live, you may find it easy, or quite difficult, to secure a cannabis-friendly campsite. But if you’re willing to travel, it’s still a possibility. However, if you’re not able to get to such a destination, then simply modify your experience at a standard campsite. Use proper etiquette by taking tinctures or edibles, or simply leave the location intermittently to go and smoke. Likewise, you can always wild-camp out in the forests and hills. You’ll be able to smoke in peace here. Just make sure you don’t set up in a fire-prone location, and remember to leave no trace, campers.

DisclaimerIt’s no secret that humans have a huge impact on the planet. While smoking cannabis often draws us closer to nature, it can also cause us to accidentally (or intentionally) contribute to this mess.

At Royal Queen Seeds, we encourage you to leave no trace. Whether you’re camping in the woods, chilling on the beach, or enjoying time at your local park, always take your rubbish home with you.

Also, consider fire risks; never flick burning ash onto areas of dry vegetation.

Stay Cultivated.