Desert camping can be one of the more difficult environments for campers. Many wilderness areas contain dangerous wildlife like rattlesnakes that could make your experience far less than pleasant if bitten.
Water is another vital resource. Make sure to pack plenty of it, along with a filter just in case a reliable source isn’t readily available.
Water
As deserts don’t provide many sources of drinking water, it is imperative that you plan ahead and bring along enough for your trip. While water may be one of the heavier items in a backpacker’s pack, staying hydrated during hot climates is critical to survival.
Hyperthermia, or overheating, is another serious threat, typically experienced by hikers in hot environments and often untreated it can prove fatal.
When selecting a camping site, try to avoid dry creek beds and riverbeds as these areas can quickly turn into flood zones in a rainstorm. Also keep animals around your campsite in mind, including shaking out shoes before wearing them (to reduce scorpion and rattlesnake risks!). Finally, remember Leave No Trace principles by packing out any trash you come across!
Shelter
Desert camping may appear desolate at first glance, yet its diverse ecosystem supports an incredible abundance of plant and animal life. Desert camping requires more physical preparation than forest camping; you should come prepared for its challenges.
Make the most out of your trip by packing a tarp, which can provide shade from sun and rain and also be easily folded up for storage when not in use. Tarps also make setting up camp easier, as they fold easily away when not needed.
Deserts provide an idyllic escape, yet can also pose significant hazards. Recognizing heatstroke can be tricky; to be safe it is essential that you bring along a first-aid kit so you can respond swiftly if anyone on your team shows symptoms of heat stroke.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be at the top of every camper’s packing list when camping in the desert, alongside water. Without sun protection in arid lands, people run the risk of painful sunburns that could prove crippling to their physical wellbeing. Since shirts and shorts don’t provide enough coverage to prevent this issue from developing further; long pants, jackets or even bandanas could prove helpful as well.
As the desert landscape can often host dangerous creatures, possessing protective gear like insect repellent and snakebite boots is also vital to avoid being sting or bit.
Weather in the desert can quickly shift, from hot sunny days to freezing nights in an instant, so it is wise to pack cold-weather gear as soon as you enter it. Furthermore, it would be prudent not to set up camp near washes that may flood quickly in order to protect yourself and your tent from becoming debris in a rainstorm or being washed away by hidden waterfalls [source: Megroz]. Seek high ground instead.
Food
Deserts may appear barren, but they’re home to diverse plants and animals that make for an intriguing camping experience. Hikers and campers must abide by different rules when camping in desert environments than when exploring other landscapes.
Water should be one of the top priorities when packing for any trip to the desert, as you’ll require ample supplies for drinking and washing in such an arid region. Experts advise bringing at least a gallon per person per day; bring more if engaging in physical activities.
Plan ahead when it rains to protect yourself and avoid flash flooding in the desert, which is prone to sudden downpours and flash floods. When setting up camp in low areas such as ravines or next to cliff walls that could flood, try not to set it too near these as these could flood and create potentially hazardous situations.https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzZt-KHJEhc