Most of my most cherished camping adventures have taken place in the high country. As soon as winter had well and truly been banished when I lived in the Rocky Mountains, you could find me enjoying the solitude of an alpine lake or base camping in a remote mountain pass before summiting a Colorado 14er at dawn. The wilderness at high altitude is pristine, the views unparalleled and more often than not, I’d have the entire place to myself.
Many of the best mountain ranges and National Parks offer bucket list-worthy high altitude adventures, but to really get the best out of them, you’re usually going to have to hike in and spend the night. Camping at high altitude is thrilling, but it’s not the same as sleeping on the valley floor. From the weather and conditions to the gear and fuel you need, you’re going to want to do things a little differently once you gain some vertical feet. If you’re heading to the mountains for the first time, read on for our 11 tips for high altitude camping.
