Cave Camp
Where explorers are made
The essentials
Sleeping underground is a different game. Your setup depends on the cave, the temp, and the terrain.
Cave camping isn’t like surface camping. Whether you’re on a tarp on the ground or tucked into a porta-ledge or hammock, your system should match the cave’s environment — dry or wet, warm or cold, tight or spacious.
Your basic loadout should include a camp stove, a sleeping bag rated for the cave temperature, a camp pillow if you like comfort, tarps for drips, filters or brought-in water, a pee bottle depending on the rules, and wag bags are non-negotiable. You should never leave waste in a cave. Different regions have different protocols, but the golden rule is simple: take only photos, leave only footprints. Your camp gear doesn’t need to be extensive, but it does need to be reliable, compact, and respectful of the underground.
ground setup
Sleeping on the cave floor means dealing with moisture from above and below.
Moisture is in almost every cave, even in “dry” caves. I recommend using a Tyvek sheet, clear window seal wrap, or an old tent footprint as a ground barrier. Tyvek and window wrap are lightweight, durable, and pack down small. Add a sleeping pad based on the conditions: insulated for colder caves, regular for mild temps, or none at all if you’re on soft sand or dry soil.
For extra protection, I bring a light tarp or more winsow seal wrap and string to hang above as a drip shield. It’s like an underground rainfly that keeps you dry through the night. This setup is simple, compact, and covers most cave scenarios without overcomplicating your kit.
suspended setup
When the ground’s not an option, sleeping off it is your best move.
For caves where the floor is too wet or unstable, a hammock or portaledge is your go-to. Hammocks are lightweight, compact, and easy to hang with the right anchor points. Portaledges are bulkier, but if you can haul one in, they’re great. You’ll want a tarp or rainfly overhead since dripping ceilings are usually the reason you’re suspended in the first place.
I always carry a little trad gear for these setups. A few nuts or a small cam can be perfect for natural anchors if bolting isn’t an option. If you find a solid crack or feature to clip into, you’re golden. It’s a bit of extra weight, but worth it when you need a dry place to sleep.