18 ingenious tricks to make your bushcraft camp more comfortable

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👉 The key facts from this guide

You love being in nature, but you know that frustrating moment when the hard ground and annoying mosquitoes ruin your fun?

The wilderness calls, but without the necessary comfort, your outdoor adventure can quickly become unpleasant.

This is where my 18 tried-and-tested camp tricks come into play, which will revolutionize your camping life and give you a feeling of luxury in the great outdoors.

For over 8 years, I have been researching and testing outdoor techniques, and after countless projects and camping adventures, I have compiled the best tips for you.

Ready to turn your bushcraft camp into a 5-star outdoor hotel?

Let's go!

1. The ultimate natural mattress trick

Forget sleeping pads! Collect soft spruce branches and lay them overlapping like roof tiles. The tips should point towards the head end. Cover everything with a layer of fern. Voilà! You're floating on cloud nine in the middle of the forest.

2. Stone hot water bottles for cozy nights

Heat fist-sized stones in the fire. Wrap them in several layers of cloth and place them in your sleeping bag. Caution: Not too hot, or the sleeping bag will melt! Enjoy the warmth like in a deluxe sleeping bag.

3. Leaf Pile as an Insulating Mat

Collect a large pile of dry leaves under your sleeping bag. It insulates perfectly against the ground cold and you will feel like you are on a fluffy cloud.

4. Natural Insect Repellent

Collect Punk Wood (rotten dry wood) or dried mugwort. Shape small cones and light them. The smoke repels annoying insects and you feel like you're in a mystical forest temple.

5. The Brilliant Forest Shower

Pierce the lid of a water bottle. Hang it above you and enjoy your outdoor shower. Don't forget to sing!

6. Toothbrush from Nature

Take a fresh hazel twig and chew on one end until it frays. Use this natural brush end to clean your teeth. Fresh breath, right in the wilderness! Find more tips on outdoor hygiene in my detailed guide.

7. Deluxe rain protection for the shelter

Collect large burdock leaves. Overlap them and secure them with blades of grass. This will reinforce your shelter and keep you dry even during downpours. A roof that does nature proud!

8. Natural Sun Protection

Braid yourself a hat from grasses or large leaves. Looks cool and protects better than any sun hat from the city!

9. Forest Sofa 2.0 - your outdoor lounge

Stack logs in a U-shape and secure them with long stakes. Place a few logs on the ground for distance from the earth. Fill the gaps with branches, leaves, and moss. Cushion everything with a layer of fern. Your forest lounge is ready!

10. The Stone Reflector for the Campfire

Place large flat stones behind your fire. They reflect the heat and you save wood. Moreover, it looks incredibly cozy. More tips for the perfect campfire can be found in our article.

11. Earth refrigerator for fresh food

Dig a hole about 50 cm deep. Place a container or a bag inside. Put your food inside and cover everything with leaves or branches. The cool earth keeps your food fresh.

Fact is: This really works and I have done it many times!

12. Natural refrigerator in the stream

Sink a waterproof bag with food in the cool stream water. Weigh it down with stones. Nature's deluxe refrigerator! But be careful that no curious fish steals your snacks.

13. Improvised Vegetable Peeler

Find a large seashell and sharpen the edge on a stone. Voilà, you have a mini vegetable peeler! Perfect for roots or wild herbs. The snail would be proud of you.

14. Stones as Pot Holders

Place three flat stones in a triangle to position your pot over the fire. Stable and without additional weight in your backpack. Your forest kitchen set-up is complete!

15. The Magical Drinking Water Purifier

Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it in the sun for 6 hours. The UV radiation kills germs. Not only scouts will enjoy the taste!

16. Morning Dew Collector

Grab some clean cloth (in an emergency, a dirty T-shirt will do). Now pull the cloth over the morning dew. Then wring out liters of dew. Tastes better than any energy drink and you'll feel like a survivalist!

17. The atmospheric oil lamp

Find yourself a container - a shell, a snail shell, a stone hollow, or one formed from clay. Pour old fat or oil into it. Insert a piece of cotton as a wick. Light it and marvel at your outdoor lantern. Atmosphere like the old Vikings!

18. The Fir Branch Broom

Bind several fir branches into a bundle. Voilà - your camp broom keeps the ground clean and smells wonderful! Who says you can't be tidy in the forest?

Conclusion: How These Hacks Improve Your Camping Life

With these tricks, you can turn any camp into your personal outdoor paradise. You'll save weight in your backpack and get to know nature even better.

Try the camp hacks and you will see your bushcraft camp with new eyes. The forest is not only my home, but now also your 5-star hotel.

Get out there and let the adventures begin!