Quick answer: Sleeping under the open sky with no shelter is usually called cowboy camping. Sleeping under a tarp is tarp camping, and in a hammock it is hammock camping. The name is informal. What matters is the exposure: no protection from rain, dew or insects, and the same lightning and food storage rules as a tent, since the National Weather Service says tents give no lightning protection anyway.
The term comes from sleeping out like a cowboy on the range. Thru-hikers use it for clear nights when a tent feels like work.
This guide explains the terms and the honest risks.
Related: tent camping gear checklist, do you need a tent and camping in the woods without a tent.
The Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cowboy camping | Sleeping in the open with no shelter |
| Tarp camping | Sleeping under a pitched tarp |
| Hammock camping | Sleeping in a hammock, usually with a fly |
| Bivy | A waterproof sack over the sleeping bag |
What You Give Up
- Rain and dew. REI notes condensation forms on cool surfaces at night; your bag is that surface without a tent.
- Insects. No mesh.
- Wind. Nothing to break it.
When It Works
Dry forecast, no thunder, low bug pressure, and a backup such as a tarp or vehicle. Put a footprint or groundsheet under the pad, since Marmot notes damp soil and abrasion are the threats from below.
Honest Limits
The terms are informal and vary by region. This guide cannot judge your local conditions; weather and insects decide whether cowboy camping is pleasant or miserable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cowboy camping?
Sleeping in the open with no shelter.
Is it safe?
On dry, bug-free nights with a backup, usually. Lightning and wildlife rules still apply.
What is tarp camping?
Sleeping under a pitched tarp.
What is a bivy?
A waterproof sack over the sleeping bag.
Will my bag get wet?
Dew and condensation collect on it. A bivy helps.
Do I need bug protection?
A head net or bivy with mesh in bug season.
Where should food go?
Away from where you sleep, in a locker, vehicle or container.
What if thunder starts?
Go to a building or hard-topped vehicle.
Do I need a groundsheet?
It protects the pad and adds a damp barrier.
Is it legal?
Same rules as tent camping for that land.
Bottom Line
Camping without a tent is cowboy camping; under a tarp it is tarp camping.
You give up rain, dew and insect protection, and the lightning and food rules stay.
Sources: National Weather Service, Lightning Safety; NPS, Shenandoah Food Storage; REI, How to Prevent Condensation in a Tent; Marmot, What Is a Tent Footprint (manufacturer guide).