Cannabis And Camping: Exploring Nature With A Green Twist
It's almost impossible to come back from a camping trip feeling worse than when you left. Connecting with nature and other people by spending time in the elements will leave you with a clear mind and a renewed soul. Many find that adding cannabis to the equation brings the experience to even greater heights. Discover all about cannabis camping.
Picture this: you’re sitting around a crackling campfire with the stars twinkling overhead. The leaves of nearby trees are rustling above and the sound of your friends’ laughter fills the air. What more could you want? Well, many people might call this the perfect evening, just as it is. However, others might find that adding some cannabis into the equation elevates the experience to a whole other level of enjoyment and tranquillity. If this sounds attractive to you, then continue reading to discover why pairing cannabis and camping go hand in hand and how to pair them in the best and most memorable ways possible.
Why combine camping with cannabis?
Spending time in nature provides a long list of important benefits. Research suggests that merely hanging out in or near the forest exposes us to airborne terpenes released by trees (Cho et al., 2017). As we inhale them, they do wonders for our mood and mental state as a whole. On top of this, so-called forest bathing helps to ease stress by activating parasympathetic nervous system activity and suppressing sympathetic nervous system activity, promoting relaxation (Furuyashiki et al., 2019).
Heading out in nature with friends also comes with the mood-enhancing effects of socialising. Throw cannabis into this equation, and you’ll suddenly find yourself swimming in bliss. The herb, much like forest trees, also contains boatloads of terpenes, and passing a joint around a circle of friends helps to bolster social bonds.
Cannabis and camping
Combining cannabis with camping certainly helps to enhance the experience of sleeping outdoors. However, instead of simply jumping in the car with a bag of weed and hoping for the best, you should carefully plan your excursion to set yourself up for success. There are many different things to consider, including where to camp, what to bring, what to do while you're there, and how to stay safe along the way. Check out the tips below to turn an average cannabis camping experience into a perfect one.
Find a cannabis-friendly place to camp
First things first, you’ll want to find a cannabis-friendly area to camp. If you’re lucky enough to live in a country that has legalized the herb, you’ll likely find campsites that welcome weed smokers with open arms. If you don’t have this luxury, don’t worry—you have a few other options.
First, you can simply turn up at any campsite with the intention of leaving the area when using the herb. Simply go for a stroll in the nearby woods or hills before heading back to camp with a buzz.
Second, opt for wild camping. While illegal in some regions, some countries have laws that allow citizens to set up camps in wild places. While you’ll lack the basic amenities of toilets and showers, wild camping comes with a lot more freedom—including the option of blazing up at will.
Finally, if all else fails, simply put up a tent in your back garden! This home not far from home will allow you to smoke within the boundaries of your own property, savour the feeling of being outdoors, and give you the choice of retreating indoors if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Essentials to bring
So, you’ve figured out where you’re going to camp. But what should you bring along? Find out below:
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Tent and sleeping gear: You’ll need a sturdy tent to shield yourself from the elements, along with an appropriately thick sleeping bag for the climate you’re in. An air mat and pillow will add extra comfort.
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Appropriate clothing: Are you camping in Norway in the spring or Spain in the summer months? Make sure you have the right clothing for the occasion, particularly in cooler areas.
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Cooking system: A belly filled with warm food will keep you energised in the evening. Bring a small gas stove, a pan, a plate, and the right cutlery.
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Food and drinks: It goes without saying that you’ll need a lot of food, snacks, and drinks to keep both the munchies and cotton mouth at bay.
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Chairs and table: Comfy chairs and tables are a must for a group cannabis camping trick. Everything from rolling to eating is much easier with a sturdy surface and from a seated position.
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Torches and lanterns: You’ll need a source of light when the sun goes down. Head torches are particularly useful and will keep your hands free to cook food and roll joints.
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Bin bags: Leave no trace. Bring enough bin bags to discard every last piece of your rubbish and throw it in the dumpsters on the campsite if they’re available. If not, bring your rubbish home with you.
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Weed and smoking supplies: Make sure you bring enough weed to keep you suitably elevated! Of course, you’ll also need adequate supplies of rolling papers, along with lighters, a small ashtray, and perhaps a vape or pipe.
Smoke Shop
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Cannabis campsite activities
There are many different activities you can participate in while camping, and they become all the more fun when high. Check out some of the most enjoyable options:
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Go hiking: Many campsites are located near hiking trails. Put on a light pack and go and explore the mountains and forests.
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Play frisbee: It’s a simple activity, but throwing a frisbee around can bring a surprising amount of joy.
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Go fishing: Try your hand at bottom fishing at nearby lakes or fly fishing if there are any suitable rivers or streams nearby.
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Wild swimming: Taking a plunge into surrounding lakes will put you in direct contact with nature and give you a real buzz, even without weed!
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Bird watching: Grab some decent binoculars and enjoy observing the nearby avian wildlife.
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Make s’mores: Assemble some crackers, marshmallows, and roasting sticks and conquer your munchies.
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Stargazing and astrophotography: Many campsites are positioned in rural areas, making both stargazing and astrophotography mind-blowing activities to take part in.
Share the experience with others
Some people simply love solitude. However, cannabis camping really comes into its own when enjoyed with others. Bring your closest friends along, or at least those who have an equal appreciation for the herb and the activities you enjoy. Nothing beats sitting around a campfire with your closest companions and putting the world to rights.
Safety and etiquette tips
A camping trip can quickly go south if you abandon both safety and etiquette. Regarding safety, make sure you don’t set any fires in regions where they’re outlawed and could spread, and always make an effort to properly extinguish them before bed. Likewise, always pair up if anybody needs to head out to the woods at night on a wild camping trip. Finally, if anyone gets too high, take care of them and put them to bed after bringing them back down to earth.
In terms of etiquette, things can vary depending on where you camp. In a busy campsite, don’t blast music late into the night. If you’re on a campsite that doesn’t explicitly allow cannabis smoking, leave the premises when you smoke to avoid potentially upsetting your neighbours. Finally, don’t leave any trace of rubbish behind.
Strain selection
Strain selection for cannabis camping boils down to personal preference. Tell all of your friends to bring the buds that they enjoy the most. Some will prefer soothing and stoning effects, whereas others enjoy cerebral and creative highs. Both types of strains also come into their own during different activities and times of the day. During the morning and afternoon, consider lighting up some Amnesia Haze Auto or Green Crack F1 Auto to keep the energy high. At night, enjoy some Granddaddy Purple or Pink Rozay buds for some relaxing vibes.
You could also experiment with edibles and tinctures. Although they produce a much stronger and longer-lasting effect than smoked cannabis, they won’t release obvious aromas into the surrounding area.
Granddaddy Purple Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds) Feminized
Into the wild: Your green journey continues
As you embark on your cannabis-enhanced camping trip, remember that the goal is to connect with nature, other people, and yourself. Preparing well removes any stress from the experience, allowing you and your friends to leave civilisation behind for a while and plunge into a memorable and enjoyable experience. Wherever you decide to camp, remember to exercise the proper etiquette by respecting those around you and not littering. For all of your smoking needs, from rolling papers and grinders to seeds themselves, head over to the Zamnesia store for those critical cannabis camping supplies.
- Cho, Kyoung Sang, Lim, Young-ran, Lee, Kyungho, Lee, Jaeseok, Lee, Jang Ho, Lee, & Im-Soon. (2017, April). Terpenes from Forests and Human Health - https://link.springer.com
- Furuyashiki, Akemi, Tabuchi, Keiji, Norikoshi, Kensuke, Kobayashi, Toshio, Oriyama, & Sanae. (2019, December). A comparative study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on working age people with and without depressive tendencies - https://environhealthprevmed.biomedcentral.com
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