If you love camping and are up for a big adventure, here are 15 extreme camping spots to discover!
There are two types of people – those that love camping and those that don’t.
And whilst for many pitching up a tent in the forest during summer is as adventurous as they’ll be, there are daredevils who seek out the most thrilling, dangerous and extreme camping spots across the globe.
From camping off cliff-faces to setting up in the riskiest weather conditions possible, here are some of the most extreme camping spots in the world.
Because when you gotta sleep, you gotta sleep!
1. Death Valley, California, USA
Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, and during the summer temperatures top a whopping 120 degrees!
If you can stand the heat, it does have its camping benefits, though. Its dark sky is perfect for stargazing, and the desert boasts a rich wildlife scene.
Just remember to bring a GPS – in 2009 bones that were found ended up belonging to a family of German tourists that got lost years prior – creepy!
2. Laojun Mountain, Henan Province, China
In 2016, a group of brave tourists in China set up around 100 bright and colorful tents on Laojun Mountain.
The trail of tents was 3,300 feet above the ground and was literally consumed by clouds – making for a spectacular and terrifying sky-high spot to camp in!
3. Antarctica
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Fancy battling extreme cold, snow storms and violent winds as you try to tuck into bed? Antarctica sure is one spot for crazy camping – you can’t even bring food to your site or use the bathroom to avoid attracting polar bears!
The best way to guarantee an experience camping in this icy land of extremities is by joining a research team and setting up home for months on end. However, some cruise ship passengers are offered the option to camp out for one night.
We’re guessing one night is enough.
4. Amazon Rainforest
Camping in the Amazon Rainforest? Sure go for it, if you’re willing to collect and clean your own water from natural sources. Plus, setting up a mosquito net is vital to avoid catching the deadly disease that is malaria.
Oh, and don’t forget to give your sleeping bag a good shake every night in case it’s filled with creepy-crawlies!
5. Great Sail Peak, Baffin Island, Canada
Some brave adventurers take camping one peg up and decide to set up hanging off the face of a cliff.
It may be a bit of a rocky (and terrifying) night’s sleep but waking up to epic mountainous views like that may make it worth it.
6. Erg Admer, Algeria, The Sahara Desert, Africa
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For true seclusion, set up camp in Africa’s Sahara Desert at the remote Erg Admer campsite in Algeria. Prepare for the extremes – it gets exhaustingly hot during the day and bitterly cold during the night. Not to mention those pesky sandstorms!
Watch out, because your extreme camping tents may literally move as you snooze due to the shifting sand dunes. You may get lost by falling asleep!
Do yourself a favor and hire a local guide who knows the area well and can teach you the ancient tales of the desert.
7. Zone of Death, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, USA
This camping area doesn’t scare with extreme weather or sky-high pitching spots. No, there’s only one reason why the Zone of Death makes this list and that’s because this certain 50 square mile area legally allows for anyone in the vicinity to get away with murder.
Perhaps one to avoid…
8. Waldseilgarten Höllschlucht, Pfronten, Germany
Head to the German Alps to spend a night strapped to a portable sleeping platform on the face of a cliff. Or, for an even more unique camping option, you can slumber dangling in a hanging tent, suspended from a looming tree.
To find a less-terrifying choice of tent, head to 4wd Supacentre for all your camping needs.
9. Hang Sơn Đoòng, Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam
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Scared of heights? Maybe a night spent in the world’s largest cave is more your cup of tea.
At 5.5 miles long, 650ft wide and 500ft tall, the Hang Sơn Đoòng cave in Vietnam is so vast it even has its very own climate. This one’s pricey, though – expect to part with an upwards of $2,300 for the pleasure of camping in it.
10. Pemberton Icefield, British Columbia, Canada
Another cold camp spot for the list is British Columbia’s freezing Pemberton ice caps.
Several frosty grottos are available for keen campers willing to brave the cold for stunning scenery, including the submerged Appa glacier.
11. Pedra Riscada, Minas Gerais, Brazil
In 2016, adventurers Sasha DiGiliuan and Felipe Camargo made history when they climbed and slept upon Brazil’s famous Pedra Riscada rock formation.
If you sleep like a starfish, this spot may not be the one for you!
12. Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Source: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/
California’s Yosemite National Park famously draws in rock-climbers from around the world who scale the soaring cliffs of rock formations like El Captain.
Such daredevils must stop midway to nestle in for the night in specially-adapted bivouac tents, which are essentially tents clipped to a rope dangling thousands of feet above the park.
13. Sahale Glacier Camp, Washington, USA
Located on sky-high mountain tops with epic views of Sahale Glacier and the surrounding snow-capped peaks, the Sahale Glacier Camp isn’t the easiest of places to camp.
But with views like that, it’s sure to be one of the most extraordinary – so grab those hiking boots!
14. International High Line Meeting, Italy
This extreme camping spot may be the most challenging to reach of all on this list. Why?
Well, to get there you must walk on a tightrope strung between mountains in the Italian Alps! And then you must be happy enough to spend the night snoozing in a hammock suspended high above expansive canyons.
A group of the world’s most extreme athletes and daredevils meet and attend this annual meeting of sorts, making it a very exclusive sleepover indeed. Good luck getting an invite!
15. Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal
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It may just be the base camp of Mount Everest, but at 17,600 feet of altitude and with freezing, frigid temperatures, a night spent here is no easy feat.
We dread to imagine what the rest of the camping experiences are like on an ascent up Mount Everest.
Is Extreme Camping for You?
Whilst these extreme camping spots aren’t for everyone, there’s no denying that camping in such unique locations is an experience like no other.
Next time you plan a camping trip, why not up your adventure game a few notches? If you’re not quite ready to snooze suspended from a cliff face quite yet, there are ways to be more exploratory without risking your life!
Try camping on a mountain trek, or in an open swag tent so you can stare up at the stars. As they say, the best things in life are out of your comfort zone!
Ready to start planning? Check out our 10 simple camping hacks to get inspired!
