Living and working from a tent is tough, but I’ve been trying it out.
The first google result for this query showed me a happy couple playing cards in a backpacking-sized tent.
Don’t take their advice.
The one time I used a backpacking-sized tent it was because my main canvas tent got destroyed.
Here’s a gallery of what it actually looks like living out of a tent. And then below I’ll show what happens when living out of a tent goes wrong.
It’s all fun and games until you come back to this:
And then have to go to Plan B, which is not a very good plan.
I figure I should add my own real life experience so some dummy out there doesn’t buy an REI Quarter-Dome and try to live out of it for fun like some articles suggest.
View Canvas Tent Buying GuideCan You Live in a Tent Full Time?
Living in a tent is full-time is possible. Public lands typically limit you to 14 consecutive days of staying in the designated area.
If you have have access to your own private land or the approval of a landowner, it will make logistics much easier.
I suggest going with one of the best canvas tents and having a backup.
Living in a Tent while Working Remotely
I’m a full-time accountant. And I love the outdoors.
I began working remotely before COVID made it the cool thing to do.
Each year I pushed the “remote” part further and further out.
A few years ago, I started trying to actually work remotely. Like, literally outside.
And then I kept learning about it and kept pushing the limits.
I ended up with a large canvas tent that I could work and sleep in. Read about the best canvas tents to live in.
Assuming you have a reliable vehicle, I think it’s completely feasible to live off public land full-time.
Living in a Tent Full Time: Is it Legal?
Yes. It’s legally possible to live in a tent on public lands. Most areas will require you to move after 14 days and have requirements before reentering the same area.
If you’re camping on private property, there may be certain local laws you’d need to investigate.
So, yes, you can live in a tent.
It’s also apparent that some do not abide by the rules. I’ve seen many obvious permanent residences on public lands.
I’ve seen a teepee with a mattress underneath with culligan water jugs nearby.
I’ve seen the same truck and camper months apart in the same spot when going hiking near Mt Shasta.
Some states seem to be much more lax on the rules than others.
Please do not overstay your welcome, especially in busier areas. Public lands should be shared and not permanently occupied.
How to Live in a Tent Full-Time
If you want to live in a tent, it’s easiest to be able to work remotely.
Then you need to get familiar with how to determine where you can legally camp. I’m still early in this website so I’ll go into more details later.
Some areas are close to towns. I’m not going to give many of those away, but Sedona is nice (the vortex will sooth your mind, or something, amirite Sedona?) Places like Sedona, AZ have public lands available for camping just outside of town. You can “commute” to town and work.
I started out working solely from my tent with a Verizon Jetpack wifi device. However, working from a tent can be difficult due to the variety of weather and temperature.
Note: there is a one-time fee for the device, then you have to work with Verizon to get it activated and added to your plan. It's cheap to add to existing plans.
Working remotely almost always requires internet connection. That can be through a private wifi device or going to public libraries while mixing in a coffee shop or some other establishment.
The Reality of Living in a Tent
You will get frustrated.
Everything takes longer.
Everything is inconvenient.
Everything is dirty.
You’re always thinking about how much water you have remaining. (Read my review of my backcountry Scepter water can).
It’s either too hot or too cold.
You’ll still think it’s kinda sweet to “beat the system” in a way (or that’s me projecting a bit too much).
Your hygiene standards will be lowered. I almost grew enough facial hair to not look like I was 15 years old.
You will need to be okay leaving your tent and trusting people not to mess with anything inside.
You might not actually save that much money.
If you’re like me, you will buy more gear, eat out more on the road, and potentially spend much more on gas if you’re ever heading back to a central location (ie: a storage unit or family/friends).
Where Can You Live in Tents Year Round
Tents are hard to heat and hard to cool. Not many places in the U.S. are suitable.
It’s probably not possible to do this comfortably without camping long-term in one area. To do this legally, you’d have to work with a private campground or landowner which would come with a fee.
Also, if you have a vehicle you can sleep in during inclement weather, that will go far in your comfort.
Related: Read my best waterproof tents for severe weather.
Can You Live in a Tent in Winter
There are canvas tents with wood stoves available. It makes for a great adventure, but it’s probably a bit too much for the average person.
You can also warm your tent with a Mr. Heater Buddy with propane. However, it will take a lot of fuel to keep you warm for days on end.
Tents Where You Can Live In a Tent Legally Year Round
The only tents I would trust year-round would be Canvas tents and most likely walled tents. They take significant time and likely multiple people to set up. You can get a normal Canvas Springbar tent for 3.5ish seasons depending n where you live.
But for winter, you probably need a stove tent or some other heating source.
Can You Live in a National Forest?
Most National Forests limit camping to 14 consecutive days. Then you have to move out
Living in a Tent – Homelessness
If you’re anticipating homelessness, there should be better resources than myself. I’ve never been in those situations, so please seek out help to friends and families and local agencies.
Saving Money by Living in a Tent
I haven’t done any calculations, but between the extra eating out, driving to town, etc, I’m not sure I’m saving a ton of money (except in Cali because rent is obnoxious).
I’ve heard the same from van life friends. It’s just so tempting and easier to eat out than to cook and do dishes. It takes at least 2-3X the time to cook and clean than at an average apartment.
If you’re in a tough financial situation, you’ll have to minimize the times you have to drive to town for food. Ramen is cheap, some store brand chili and soups, bread, or bulk dehydrated food could work on a tight budget.
Bathroom in a Tent? A DIY Backcountry Bathroom
The first time I spent a few days camping off the grid, I did what I normally did in the backcountry. I dug a hole.
However, if you’re camping in the same spot for 14 days, you will make it to day 2 before you think about how many of your shits are lingering around. And multiply that if everyone staying there did it all year round… let’s find a better solution.
That’s why I invested in CleanWaste bags at the moment.
I copied SUV RVing’s (Check out his site!). He has a brilliant DIY toilet that is cheap.
After I created the backcountry toilet stool (no pun intended), then I layout a CleanWaste bag.
I do my business.
Then I put the finished business in the the cargo box because it still will stink.
You don’t want that in your car.
Then the next time I see a dumpster, I toss them in with the rest of my trash.
How Do You Shower on the Road?
I bring a spray bottle, biodegradable liquid soap, wet wipes, and a small towel.
- Fill the spray bottle with water and get your hair wet with using the mist mode. This avoids using excess water.
- Use Dr. Bronner’s biodegradable liquid soap. Dab it in your palms and rub it in your hair. (even though it’s chemically tolerant, I still never do this near water sources, plants, etc. Sometimes you can do this step on an existing road or dead patch of dirt.
- I spray my hair again to mix it in. Then i take a half liter or so of water and slowly wash it out of my hair.
- For the pits and privates, I use a wet wipe with a few drops of Dr. Bronner’s soap. Then I spray it with water to help activate it and scrub.
- Then I use the spray bottle to get as much soap out as possible and finish with a non-soaped wet wipe or two.
- For the rest of my body I spray down and use a few wet wipes to get some of the grime off.
I typically do the pits and privates every other day depending on how active I am. I do the full show whenever it’s sunny enough.
This method worked well enough where my girlfriend hugged me after 2 weeks and was like “wow, you don’t smell bad” – I was quite surprised.
Pro Tip: Bring a Spray Bottle!
- You can spray your skin to help cool you down on hot days
- Tightening the nozzle can clean dishes or other items that are dirty
- It conserves water so you don’t waste the limited water you have on hand
Backcountry Laundry
For laundry, you can either use an established laundry facility or do some backcountry laundry.
My back country laundry involves filling a dry bag with a few clothing items, adding water and biodegradable soap. Then I kneed it (no idea if that’s the right word). Basically, I try to get all the clothes wet with soap. I then drain it, add a little more water, and drain it again.
I do this mostly underwear and socks. It’s not a great method for bulky clothes.
Conclusion: Try It Out
Youtube and blogs can only do so much. Get out there and explore and push your limits. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll have good stories to tell around the next campfire.
If you’re looking for a canvas tent, I recommend reading my full Kodiak Flex-bow 10×10 review.
