Tag: desert survival

A Survivalist’s Guide to New Mexico’s Most Dangerous Insects

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn insects, New Mexico, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’ve lived in New Mexico long enough to know one undeniable truth: this land does not care if you are prepared, educated, or respectful. It will test you anyway. And if you’re one of those people who parachutes in from some soft, bug-free suburb and assumes “it’s just the desert,” you’re already behind the curve.

New Mexico is beautiful, brutal, and unapologetically lethal to the careless. The mountains, mesas, arroyos, and high desert all come with built-in security systems. Some have claws. Some have teeth. And some—small, quiet, and overlooked—can put you in the ground or the hospital before you even realize what went wrong.

This article isn’t written for tourists or armchair nature lovers. It’s written from the perspective of a survival prepper who actually lives here, sweats here, and respects the dangers that come with calling New Mexico home. These are the insects in this state that can kill you outright, or come close enough that you’ll never forget how fragile you really are.

If you don’t live here, you probably won’t take this seriously. That’s your problem. For those of us who do live here, this is just reality.

1. Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

Let’s start with the most infamous insect-like threat in New Mexico: the Arizona bark scorpion. Yes, it’s technically an arachnid, but out here we lump it in with insects because it behaves like one—sneaky, fast, and absolutely unforgiving.

This scorpion is the most venomous scorpion in North America, and southern New Mexico is well within its range. Unlike the big desert scorpions people expect, bark scorpions are smaller, lighter in color, and far more dangerous.

Why It’s Deadly

For healthy adults, a sting may not always be fatal—but “not always” is not the same as “safe.” For children, the elderly, and anyone with compromised health, a bark scorpion sting can be life-threatening.

Symptoms can include:

  • Severe pain and numbness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Muscle twitching and convulsions
  • Slurred speech and loss of coordination

Out here, emergency medical care may not be close. That’s where people die—not from the venom alone, but from distance, time, and ignorance.

Survival Reality

Bark scorpions climb walls, hide in shoes, and love woodpiles. Anyone who lives in New Mexico knows you shake your boots before putting them on. Outsiders laugh at that habit—until they stop laughing.

2. Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus spp.)

If there’s one creature that outsiders underestimate every single time, it’s the black widow spider. They’re common in New Mexico, especially around sheds, garages, irrigation boxes, and rural homes.

They are not aggressive. That’s the lie people tell themselves right before they get bitten while reaching into a dark corner without thinking.

Why It’s Dangerous

Black widow venom is a powerful neurotoxin. While fatalities are rare with modern medical care, “rare” doesn’t mean impossible—especially in remote areas.

Symptoms may include:

  • Intense muscle cramps
  • Abdominal pain that mimics appendicitis
  • Sweating and nausea
  • Elevated blood pressure

The pain alone can be debilitating. If you’re hours from medical help, that pain becomes dangerous fast.

Survival Reality

You don’t stick your hands where you can’t see in New Mexico. Period. Anyone who didn’t grow up here learns that lesson the hard way.

3. Africanized Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata hybrid)

If you want to talk about insects that absolutely can kill you, Africanized honey bees—often called “killer bees”—deserve your full attention.

They are established in New Mexico, and unlike regular honey bees, they do not de-escalate. They escalate.

Why They Kill

It’s not the venom. It’s the numbers.

Africanized bees respond faster, attack in greater numbers, and chase perceived threats much farther than European honey bees. A single sting may not kill you, but dozens or hundreds absolutely can.

Fatal outcomes occur due to:

  • Massive envenomation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Respiratory distress

Survival Reality

If you disturb a hive in New Mexico, you do not “stand your ground.” You run. You don’t swat. You don’t film. You escape and get indoors. This is not negotiable.

Outsiders think bees are cute. Locals know better.

4. Kissing Bugs (Triatominae)

This one shocks people because it doesn’t look dangerous. Kissing bugs are stealth killers, and New Mexico has them.

These insects are known vectors for Chagas disease, a serious and potentially fatal illness.

Why They’re Deadly

The danger isn’t the bite—it’s what comes after. Chagas disease can cause:

  • Heart enlargement
  • Heart failure
  • Digestive system damage

Many people don’t realize they’re infected until years later, when the damage is already done.

Survival Reality

Adobe homes, rural structures, and older buildings are prime habitat. If you live in New Mexico, you seal cracks, control pests, and don’t ignore unusual bites. This is long-term survival, not immediate drama.

5. Fire Ants (Solenopsis species)

Fire ants are spreading, and New Mexico is not immune. While individual stings hurt, the real danger comes from swarm attacks and allergic reactions.

Why They Kill

Fire ants attack in numbers, stinging repeatedly. For people with allergies, this can lead to anaphylaxis. Even without allergies, dozens of stings can overwhelm the body.

Symptoms can include:

  • Severe swelling
  • Dizziness
  • Breathing difficulty

Survival Reality

You watch where you step. You teach your kids to recognize ant mounds. And you never assume “it’s just ants.”

6. Tarantula Hawk Wasp (Pepsis spp.)

If pain were a weapon, the tarantula hawk would be a biological masterpiece. This massive wasp is native to New Mexico and carries one of the most painful stings on Earth.

Why It’s Dangerous

While the sting is rarely fatal, the pain can incapacitate a person instantly. In desert terrain, incapacitation equals danger.

A person stung while hiking, climbing, or working alone may:

  • Collapse
  • Lose coordination
  • Be unable to seek help

Survival Reality

You give this insect space. Period. No bravado. No curiosity. New Mexico punishes arrogance.

7. Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles spp.)

Brown recluse spiders exist in parts of New Mexico, despite what some people claim. Their venom causes tissue damage that can become severe if untreated.

Why They’re Dangerous

Most bites heal, but some result in:

  • Necrotic wounds
  • Secondary infections
  • Systemic reactions

Left untreated, complications can become life-threatening.

Survival Reality

Clean living spaces. Reduce clutter. Pay attention to unexplained wounds. Survival is about awareness, not panic.

Final Thoughts from Someone Who Actually Lives Here

New Mexico is not for the careless. It never has been.

The insects listed above don’t need malice or intent. They don’t hunt you. They don’t care about you at all. And that’s what makes them dangerous. The desert doesn’t warn you. It educates you through consequences.

People who don’t live here like to downplay these risks. They call it fearmongering. They say, “I’ve never had a problem.” That tells me everything I need to know about how little time they’ve spent paying attention.

Survival in New Mexico isn’t about being scared—it’s about being realistic. Respect the land. Respect the creatures. And understand that out here, even the smallest things can end your story if you’re foolish enough to ignore them.

If that offends you, good. New Mexico doesn’t need your approval.

New Mexico’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn New Mexico, New Mexico Survival Prepper, New Mexico's Worst RoadsLeave a comment

New Mexico’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – A Survivalist’s Guide

I’ve driven through hell and back—flood zones, wildfire-razed highways, sand-covered backroads, and snow-packed mountain passes that eat city sedans for breakfast. But no state has tested my survival driving like New Mexico. When disaster strikes—be it wildfire, blizzard, flash flood, or civil unrest—the Land of Enchantment can quickly turn into the Land of Entrapment if you don’t know how to drive your way out.

I’ve scouted, survived, and charted the most dangerous routes in New Mexico under pressure. If you find yourself behind the wheel during a crisis, these roads can become deathtraps—unless you’ve got the skill, grit, and the know-how to adapt on the fly.

Let’s break it down.

The 5 Worst Roads in New Mexico to Drive on During a Disaster

  1. U.S. Route 550 (Between Bernalillo and Bloomfield)
    Nicknamed “The Death Highway,” this stretch turns deadly during rain. Flash floods from surrounding mesas can submerge sections within minutes. Its isolated layout and sparse cell coverage make it a nightmare for evac routes.
  2. NM-152 (Emory Pass through the Black Range)
    During a wildfire or snowstorm, this winding mountain road becomes a gauntlet. With sheer drop-offs and narrow switchbacks, a single wrong move means a plunge into oblivion.
  3. I-40 Eastbound near Moriarty during Winter Storms
    Black ice is the hidden enemy here. In whiteout conditions, this wide interstate turns into a twisted wreckage pile-up waiting to happen.
  4. NM-128 (Jal to Carlsbad)
    Oil truck traffic dominates this narrow, two-lane highway. Add a chemical spill or sandstorm, and you’ve got one of the most claustrophobic and hostile drives in the state.
  5. NM-4 through Jemez Mountains
    Gorgeous during fall—lethal during forest fires. One road in, one road out. Get caught here with fire behind you, and you’re boxed in.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

You can’t rely on GPS, cell towers, or good luck out here. What you need is practiced skill. Here are 15 survival driving techniques I’ve used more than once to keep rubber on road and soul intact:

  1. Throttle Control on Loose Terrain – Sand, snow, and mud all demand delicate gas pedal handling. Slam it, and you spin. Ease in, and you crawl your way to freedom.
  2. Handbrake Steering – Learn to use your e-brake to make sharp, controlled turns in tight quarters—like mountain passes or urban chaos.
  3. Situational Awareness Scanning – Always look beyond the car ahead. Watch terrain, smoke columns, animal behavior. Everything tells a story.
  4. Brake Feathering Downhill – Avoid overheating brakes on steep slopes. Pulse them instead of constant pressure.
  5. Reverse Navigation – Practice driving backwards in a straight line and around curves. Might save your life in a blocked canyon road.
  6. Underbody Clearance Assessment – Learn to eyeball what your car can straddle versus what’ll rip your oil pan off.
  7. Off-Road Tire Pressure Adjustment – Lower PSI to 18–22 for sand or snow traction. Bring a portable compressor to re-inflate later.
  8. Driving Without Headlights – Use parking lights or fogs if stealth is needed. Don’t silhouette yourself at night.
  9. River Crossing Techniques – Walk it first if you can’t see the bottom. Enter downstream at an angle and don’t stop moving.
  10. Using a Tow Strap Alone – Learn how to anchor and ratchet yourself out with trees, rocks, or even fence posts.
  11. Quick U-Turn Maneuvering – Know your car’s minimum turn radius in crisis—especially useful when you’re boxed in.
  12. Driving with Broken Windshield Visibility – Keep a squeegee and water bottle with vinegar. In sandstorms, it’s a godsend.
  13. Dealing with Road Rage or Looters – Never engage. Keep calm, move methodically. Use evasive turns into alleys, service roads, or dry washes.
  14. Mapping Your Exit Without Tech – Keep a paper topo map in your rig. Fold it. Annotate it. Love it. GPS dies, paper doesn’t.
  15. One-Handed Drive + Weapon Readiness – If you’re in a truly bad spot, practice steering with one hand while the other is…let’s just say, busy managing security.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

So you’re in the middle of NM-128, out of gas, and the next station is 70 miles behind you—burnt down in the last wildfire. Here’s how to get creative:

1. Alcohol-based Emergency Fuel Substitute

If you’ve got access to high-proof spirits (think 151+ proof or denatured alcohol), you can use small amounts mixed with gas in carbureted engines (not modern fuel-injected). It’s dirty, short-term, and hard on the engine—but it’ll buy you a few desperate miles.

2. Siphon with a Paracord Tube

Most vehicles are siphon-proof now—but not all. Use paracord tubing (inner strands removed) to siphon fuel from abandoned ATVs, generators, or lawn equipment. Practice the siphon technique beforehand, because if you mess it up in the field, you’ll drink gas.

3. Solar Heat Vapor Trick (Emergency Only)

In blazing sun, fuel vapors build up in tanks. Create a pressure system using black tubing and a heat chamber (a black bag filled with water). Use it to push vapors into a sealed container and then directly into a small engine. This is very experimental and dangerous. Use at your own risk and only when every other option’s gone.

Final Thoughts from the Road

New Mexico’s beauty is raw, powerful, and absolutely unforgiving. I’ve seen RVs melt into the desert floor, pickups swept away in bone-dry riverbeds that turned to whitewater in ten minutes, and motorists freeze to death just outside Taos when their apps said “mostly cloudy.”

When disaster hits, the roads don’t care about your comfort—they care about your competence. The terrain will test your instincts, and the silence will test your mental game. But with skill, calm nerves, and a vehicle prepped for the fight, you can turn the tide.

Don’t be the person who trusted traffic apps during a solar flare, or the one who believed a rental sedan could “handle it just fine.” Be the one who drives out when others stall. Be the one who lives.

Now, pack extra fuel, top off your water, and learn your roads—not when you need them, but before.

Survival Behind the Wheel: Conquering Arizona’s Deadliest Roads in a Disaster

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Arizona, Arizona roads, ARIZONA SURVIVAL PREPPERLeave a comment

I’ve driven everything from a beat-up Tacoma in the Sonoran Desert to an armored Defender through washed-out jungle roads in Central America. Let me tell you, nothing quite prepares you for the unforgiving terrain of Arizona during a natural disaster. Between flash floods, wildfires, dust storms, and heat waves, the roads here turn from useful ribbons of asphalt into potential deathtraps. If you’re caught off-guard, you could find yourself stranded without help for miles.

I’ve made it my mission to study and conquer these threats. Whether you’re trying to get your family out of a wildfire zone or bugging out during a power grid collapse, mastering survival driving is your ticket to staying alive.

Arizona’s Worst Roads in a Disaster

First, let’s talk about the roads you need to be wary of. These stretches can turn catastrophic fast.

  1. I-17 Between Phoenix and Flagstaff – Twisting elevation changes, steep grades, and choke-points make this corridor a nightmare in wildfire evacuations or winter storms.
  2. State Route 88 (Apache Trail) – This scenic byway turns into a crumbling dirt trap with sharp switchbacks. One rainstorm and it becomes impassable.
  3. US-93 Between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam – A hotspot for accidents even in good conditions. In a disaster? Expect total gridlock or worse.
  4. I-10 East of Tucson – Known for dust storms that hit without warning, cutting visibility to zero.
  5. State Route 264 on the Hopi Reservation – Beautiful, but remote. In a grid-down scenario, help could be days away.
  6. US-191 in the White Mountains – Twists, turns, and limited cell service make it dicey in wildfire conditions.

Now that we’ve covered where not to be, let’s talk about how to get out if you are there.

15 Survival Driving Skills That Can Save Your Life

  1. Off-Roading Basics – Learn to read terrain and navigate soft sand, rocks, and washes. A 4WD vehicle won’t help if you don’t know how to use it.
  2. Water Crossing Techniques – Know how to gauge water depth and current before crossing washes or flooded roads. Cross at a 90-degree angle and avoid water over 6 inches deep.
  3. Escape Route Planning – Always have three exits in mind, even if you’re on a freeway. Use topo maps—not just GPS.
  4. Situational Awareness – Scan 360 degrees every few seconds. What’s the wind doing? Where’s the fire line? Any stalled vehicles ahead?
  5. Driving Without GPS – Learn to use a compass and paper map. Solar flares or cyberattacks could render GPS useless.
  6. Driving in Dust Storms – Don’t slam on the brakes. Pull off as far as you can, kill your lights, and wait it out. Visibility can drop to inches.
  7. Fuel Discipline – Top off your tank when you hit half. Never let it drop below a quarter in a crisis zone.
  8. Aggressive Maneuvering – Practice J-turns and quick evasive lane changes on dirt roads—especially if escape requires avoiding crowds or fallen debris.
  9. Vehicle Hardening – Protect your radiator with mesh, keep a second spare tire, and carry extra fluids. Heat kills engines.
  10. Night Navigation – Learn to drive in blackout mode using night vision or low beams taped down. Great for evading attention.
  11. Driving Through Fire Zones – Close all vents, keep windows up, drive with headlights on even during the day. Avoid rubberized road shoulders—they can ignite.
  12. Manual Transmission Recovery – Know how to clutch-start a vehicle with a dead battery. Push-starting can save your life in a grid-down escape.
  13. Downhill Braking Techniques – Use engine braking instead of relying solely on your brakes. Overheated brakes are common on I-17’s steep descents.
  14. Vehicle Recovery – Carry a tow strap, traction boards, and a winch if possible. Getting stuck in Arizona’s backcountry in 115°F is a death sentence.
  15. Emergency Signaling – In case you do get stuck, use mirrors, flares, and even SOS patterns with headlights or rocks to attract attention.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

If you’re out of fuel in the middle of nowhere, you’re not out of options—yet.

1. Alcohol-Based Fuel Hack

If you’re carrying a bottle of high-proof alcohol (e.g., Everclear), it can work as an emergency fuel in small quantities—especially in older carbureted engines. You won’t get far, and performance will drop, but it might get you a few critical miles. Mix no more than 10–20% alcohol into the tank to avoid engine damage.

2. Solar Still for Water, Not Fuel

While you’re stuck, staying hydrated is top priority. Build a solar still with a plastic tarp, a container, and a few rocks. This won’t get you moving, but it’ll keep you alive long enough to wait for help or hike out.

3. Siphoning Fuel

Carry a length of food-grade tubing. Many stranded cars in a disaster still have fuel. Newer models have anti-siphon tech, but you can still access the fuel tank from underneath with basic tools. Be respectful—do it only in life-or-death scenarios.

Final Thoughts: Drive Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

You can have all the gear in the world, but if you don’t have the mindset, none of it matters. Driving in a disaster isn’t about speed. It’s about control, awareness, and adaptability. I’ve seen people die on perfectly paved roads because they panicked or didn’t understand how their vehicle worked. I’ve also seen a 20-year-old Subaru Outback make it through floodwaters because the driver kept his cool and stuck to the high ground.

Every year, more people move to Arizona without knowing the risks. If you live near Flagstaff, Sedona, Tucson, or even the outer reaches of Phoenix, you need to prepare. Nature doesn’t give warnings that make sense. One moment you’re fine, the next you’re boxed in by wildfire or stuck in a dry riverbed that suddenly becomes a torrent.

So here’s your assignment: take a weekend. Find a safe trail near you. Load your vehicle like it’s go time. Practice maneuvering. Simulate a dead GPS. Drive with purpose. Then review what went wrong.

Because someday it might not be a drill.

And when that day comes, you’ll be glad you learned to drive like a survivor.

Arizona Homestead Lifestyle: A Survivalist’s Manifesto

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Arizona, Arizona Homestead Lifestyle, ARIZONA SURVIVAL PREPPERLeave a comment

Listen up, because I’m not going to sugarcoat this. If you’re thinking about homesteading in Arizona, you better be ready to fight. Not with fists, not with firearms—though you’d damn well better know how to use both—but with grit, sweat, and a raw-boned kind of determination most folks nowadays don’t have the spine for. This isn’t some Instagram-filtered fantasy where you prance around in a straw hat and harvest peaches. This is Arizona. The sun will try to kill you. The land doesn’t care if you live or die. And the government? They’ll either tax you into the dirt or regulate your freedom to death.

But I’m not here to coddle. I’m here to tell you what it takes to thrive.

The Arizona Advantage (and Curse)

Arizona’s got a brutal beauty. It’s dry, hot, and unforgiving—like a rattlesnake that doesn’t warn before it strikes. But it also means low humidity, long growing seasons (if you’re smart), and enough land still available to carve out something real. You can live free here—if you’re ready to work harder than most people have ever dreamed.

Water is the lifeblood out here, and it’s scarce. If you can’t figure out how to manage water, you’re screwed. I don’t care how nice your cabin is or how many solar panels you slap on the roof. If you can’t hydrate your land and your livestock, you’re done before you start.

So you want to live the homestead lifestyle in Arizona? Here’s what you must learn, do, and never forget.

15 Essential Homestead Skills for Arizona Survivalists

  1. Rainwater Harvesting – Capture every damn drop. Set up barrels, gutters, underground cisterns—whatever it takes. It’s legal in Arizona, so use it to your advantage before that changes.
  2. Drip Irrigation Systems – Wasting water in Arizona is idiocy. Learn to run a drip system from rainwater catchment. Mulch deep. Keep that ground moist or your crops will die screaming.
  3. Solar Power Setup and Maintenance – The sun’s brutal, but it’s also your best friend. Invest in a solid off-grid solar system and understand how to maintain it yourself. No excuses.
  4. Desert Gardening – You’re not in Kansas. Learn what grows here: mesquite, prickly pear, tepary beans, amaranth. Native, drought-resistant, calorie-dense crops are your lifeline.
  5. Canning and Food Preservation – When harvest comes, it all comes fast. You better know how to can, dehydrate, smoke, and root cellar or you’ll rot right along with your veggies.
  6. Animal Husbandry – Goats, chickens, rabbits. These are your protein producers. Know how to breed, butcher, and keep them alive when the temps hit 110.
  7. Butchering and Processing Meat – No, the store isn’t coming to save you. You better know how to skin, gut, and preserve meat or you’ll be wasting life—and lunch.
  8. Composting and Soil Building – Arizona dirt is garbage. You’ll need to turn it into something alive. Compost every scrap, use worms, and know how to read soil like a book.
  9. Firearm Handling and Marksmanship – It’s not just your right—it’s your responsibility. Predators, trespassers, and two-legged varmints don’t wait for a call to the sheriff.
  10. Basic First Aid and Herbal Remedies – Closest hospital might be 50 miles away. Know how to stitch a wound, set a bone, and use wild herbs to stop bleeding or cure infection.
  11. Blacksmithing and Tool Repair – When things break (and they will), you need to fix them. Weld. Sharpen. Forge. Don’t be a tool-less fool.
  12. Cob and Adobe Construction – You don’t need fancy lumber when you’ve got dirt. Learn how to build with cob, adobe, and earthbags. Cool in the summer, warm in the winter.
  13. Barter and Trade Skills – In a real crisis, cash is trash. Skills and goods matter. Learn how to trade like your life depends on it—because it might.
  14. Fuel and Wood Harvesting – Even in desert country, you’ll need fire. Learn where and how to gather wood legally and efficiently. Mesquite and juniper are your friends.
  15. Homeschooling and Self-Education – If you’ve got kids, it’s your job to raise ‘em smart and tough. Teach them truth, math, and survival—not the state’s propaganda.

3 DIY Homestead Hacks (Because Clever Beats Rich)

  1. Evaporative Cooling Jug Fridge (Zeer Pot)
    In Arizona heat, keeping food from spoiling is critical. Build a zeer pot with two unglazed clay pots (one inside the other), fill the gap with wet sand, and cover it with a wet cloth. Place it in a shady, breezy spot. It’ll drop temps by 20-30°F—no electricity required.
  2. Rocket Stove From Scrap Metal
    Stop relying on propane. Build a rocket stove from leftover metal piping or bricks. Efficient as hell, burns twigs, and can cook a full meal or boil water without wasting fuel. Great for backup or everyday use.
  3. Wicking Beds From Old Tubs or Troughs
    Use a busted bathtub, livestock trough, or even a plastic tote. Line it, fill with gravel, lay a perforated pipe, and top with soil. Water from the bottom up—it saves tons of water and keeps plants hydrated longer.

Final Warning and Encouragement (Yeah, I’m Contradictory—Get Used to It)

If you think you’ll “try” homesteading in Arizona, don’t bother. This ain’t a try thing. This is all-in, bleed-and-sweat, die-if-you-quit living. Your neighbors will either be tough as rawhide or totally useless. Pick your friends like you pick your firearms: reliable, rugged, and ready when needed.

But here’s the hard truth: there is nothing—I mean nothing—more rewarding than taking your independence back from a system that wants you docile and desperate. Every chicken egg you gather, every tomato you can, every gallon of water you pull from the sky is a middle finger to the technocratic parasites who want you enslaved to convenience.

Homesteading in Arizona is war. A war against the elements, the calendar, the consumer lifestyle, and the lie that you can’t survive without the system.

Well guess what?

You can.

And if you’re crazy, stubborn, and hungry enough—you will.

Welcome to the fight. Welcome to the land. Welcome to the life.

Let the desert burn away what’s weak. What’s left? That’s your real self.

Live hard. Homestead harder.

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Campsites in California for Survival Preppers

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn Best Campsites in CaliforniaLeave a comment

As a survival prepper living in California, it’s essential to have a list of top-notch campsites that double as places of refuge in the event of an emergency. Whether you’re looking to hone your outdoor skills, set up a bug-out location, or simply escape the chaos of the modern world, California offers a vast array of camping spots that can cater to any prepper’s needs. From dense forests and towering mountains to secluded deserts and rugged coastlines, there’s no shortage of perfect places to prepare for any disaster scenario. In this guide, I’ll take you through some of the best campsites across the Golden State that will test your survival skills, provide strategic retreat options, and immerse you in nature.

1. Big Sur – Andrew Molera State Park

Big Sur is one of California’s most iconic landscapes. The rugged cliffs, dense forests, and wild coastline make it a natural fort for anyone preparing for a disaster. Andrew Molera State Park offers campgrounds that are remote enough to give you the solitude needed for prepping, while still offering access to some of the state’s most breathtaking views. With its proximity to both freshwater and saltwater, this site is ideal for practicing your water purification methods or simply enjoying a weekend of bushcraft and fishing.

For survival preppers, Big Sur offers a perfect blend of isolation and natural resources. You’ll want to stock up on fire-starting materials, camping gear, and a solid survival kit to ensure you’re ready for anything.

Pro Tip: If you’re not familiar with the area, be sure to check trail maps and know your escape routes. The area is prone to wildfires, so you’ll need to stay aware of the latest alerts.

2. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of the most well-known national parks in the world, and for good reason. With miles of wilderness, waterfalls, towering granite cliffs, and pristine lakes, Yosemite offers not only a serene escape from modern life but also a powerful environment to test your survival skills. The park offers numerous campsites, from the more developed ones near the valley to more remote options like Porcupine Flat and North Dome.

Yosemite is a goldmine for any prepper. The vast, varied terrain means you can practice everything from shelter building to foraging, hunting, and fishing. The park also has a wealth of wildlife that you’ll need to be prepared to interact with, from bears to small game.

Pro Tip: Stock up on high-energy foods and a map of the park before heading out, as cell service can be spotty.

3. Sequoia National Forest

For any prepper looking to perfect their wilderness survival skills, Sequoia National Forest is the ultimate spot. Home to the largest trees in the world, this forest offers dense, high-altitude terrain perfect for practicing your wilderness navigation, fire-building, and long-term shelter construction. If you’re serious about preparing for an extended bug-out scenario, Sequoia’s vast wilderness offers solitude and endless opportunities for honing your bushcraft skills.

Whether you’re camping along the Kern River or high up in the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia offers an environment where you can live off the land—fishing in the river, foraging in the woods, and navigating the rugged mountains.

Pro Tip: The winters here can be brutal, so ensure your gear is up to the task of cold-weather survival.

4. Pinnacles National Park

If you’re looking for a place that offers a mix of rugged terrain and an escape from the heat, Pinnacles National Park in central California is a great option. Located near the San Andreas Fault, this park offers volcanic rock formations, caves, and an environment that is perfect for practicing shelter construction and navigation.

While Pinnacles may not have the expansive forests of Sequoia, it offers something that many prepper-minded folks might prefer: a more defensible, enclosed location with fewer people. The park’s caves are particularly unique, offering opportunities to practice cave camping or exploring a natural environment for shelter in an emergency.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have a good map of the park and always check the weather before heading out. Summer can get especially hot.

5. Lake Tahoe – D.L. Bliss State Park

Lake Tahoe offers some of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes in California, and D.L. Bliss State Park is one of its prime camping spots. It offers easy access to the lake, where you can practice water filtration and fishing, while also offering dense forests for wood collection and shelter-building practice.

With the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, D.L. Bliss is perfect for preppers who want to test their survival gear and skills in a diverse environment. Whether you’re practicing setting up a shelter, purifying water, or honing your navigation skills, this spot has everything you need.

Pro Tip: Be aware of bear activity in the area. Proper food storage and hygiene are essential.

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Located in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its otherworldly landscapes, vast desert, and unique rock formations. Joshua Tree is the perfect location for preppers who are looking to practice desert survival skills. The park offers a mix of secluded campsites and wide-open spaces where you can hone your navigation, fire-starting, and shelter-building skills in an arid environment.

The park’s remote areas provide the perfect opportunity for an extended bug-out practice session. With minimal distractions, you can immerse yourself fully in your survival preparations.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of the desert heat, especially during the summer. Hydration and sun protection are critical.

7. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert is one of California’s largest state parks, offering a unique survival prepper experience in the desert environment. This massive desert park features miles of rugged terrain, canyons, and wide-open vistas. It’s ideal for preppers who want to practice desert survival skills such as finding water, shelter building, and navigation without the distractions of urban life.

With minimal light pollution, this is also a great place to practice nighttime navigation and gain experience with survival under a night sky.

Pro Tip: Bring plenty of water, as water sources in the desert are limited. Be prepared for extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.

8. Mendocino National Forest

The Mendocino National Forest offers a different kind of challenge for survivalists. Situated in Northern California, this forest provides rugged terrain, rivers, and thick woods that are perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowds. With its varied elevation, you’ll find all sorts of opportunities to test your survival gear and skills.

The forest is less frequented than some of the more popular parks, which makes it a great location for those looking to practice long-term survival techniques. With fewer hikers, it can provide the necessary isolation to test your abilities to thrive in the wild.

Pro Tip: Carry a detailed map and compass. The dense forest can be disorienting.

30 Best Camping Sites for Survival Preppers in California:

  1. Andrew Molera State Park – Big Sur
  2. Yosemite National Park – Porcupine Flat
  3. Sequoia National Forest – Kern River
  4. Pinnacles National Park
  5. D.L. Bliss State Park – Lake Tahoe
  6. Joshua Tree National Park
  7. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
  8. Mendocino National Forest
  9. Lassen Volcanic National Park
  10. Point Reyes National Seashore
  11. Redwood National and State Parks
  12. Desolation Wilderness
  13. Mount Baldy
  14. Mount Whitney
  15. Santa Barbara Backcountry
  16. California Coast Trail – Big Sur
  17. Kings Canyon National Park
  18. Santa Cruz Island – Channel Islands National Park
  19. Mono Basin Scenic Area
  20. Gaviota State Park
  21. Northern California Redwoods
  22. Tahoe National Forest – American River
  23. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
  24. Mono Lake
  25. Figueroa Mountain
  26. San Bernardino National Forest
  27. Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
  28. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
  29. Lassen National Forest
  30. Los Padres National Forest

When Society Collapses, These Are the Only 30 Places in Nevada You’ll Want to Be

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

If you’re a survival prepper in Nevada, you’re already aware that the Silver State offers some of the most diverse and rugged terrains in the country. Whether you’re preparing for a grid-down scenario or simply want to be ready for whatever comes next, knowing where to camp in Nevada is essential. With its wide range of environments—from deserts to mountains, forests to lakes—Nevada offers the perfect backdrop for honing your survival skills, stocking up on supplies, or just escaping into nature. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best campsites in Nevada for preppers, where you can test your abilities, stock your gear, and practice your outdoor skills in some of the most unforgiving terrain in America.

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1. Great Basin National Park

Nestled along the Nevada-Utah border, Great Basin National Park is a prepper’s paradise. With its towering peaks, remote valleys, and diverse ecosystems, this park offers a rugged experience for anyone looking to put their survival skills to the test. There are ample campgrounds and backcountry areas to practice stealth camping, fire-starting, and water purification. Make sure to bring plenty of layers, as temperatures can swing drastically.

2. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Just outside of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is a popular spot for preppers looking for desert terrain that’s not too far from civilization. While it’s close to the hustle and bustle of the city, Red Rock Canyon’s vast network of trails and campsites can give you a sense of isolation, making it ideal for practicing your outdoor skills in a relatively safe environment.

3. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a prime location for preppers looking to practice survival tactics by water. Surrounded by forests and mountain ranges, the area has various campgrounds where you can practice fishing, water purification, and wilderness navigation. It’s the perfect spot to perfect your skills in a picturesque setting, with plenty of opportunities to build shelters and fire-starting stations near the water.

4. Toiyabe National Forest

With over 6 million acres of land, Toiyabe National Forest offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and ecosystems for preppers to explore. From high-desert areas to mountainous regions, the forest is a top choice for those looking to practice survival skills in various environments. The campsite options here are plentiful, so you’ll never run out of opportunities to test your skills.

5. Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a unique and remote location for those looking to practice survival techniques while enjoying the natural beauty of Nevada. Situated in the northern part of the state, Pyramid Lake offers solitude and an environment perfect for survival training. The terrain varies from marshes to rocky outcrops, making it an excellent location for testing your wilderness navigation skills.

6. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

The largest national forest in Nevada, Humboldt-Toiyabe offers a mix of high-desert and alpine landscapes. Whether you’re camping in the rugged mountains or the arid desert, this forest provides an excellent opportunity for preppers to learn and practice skills such as trapping, shelter-building, and wildlife identification.

7. Valley of Fire State Park

If you’re looking for a campsite that allows you to practice your desert survival skills, Valley of Fire State Park is where you need to go. Located just an hour north of Las Vegas, this state park has some of the most striking desert landscapes in Nevada. With its large red sandstone formations, the area is perfect for honing your desert navigation skills and practicing skills like fire-making and water conservation.

8. Lamoille Canyon

For those who prefer mountain terrain, Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains is an excellent choice. The area offers stunning views, alpine lakes, and rugged peaks perfect for practicing shelter-building, water filtration, and creating emergency fire stations. Lamoille Canyon is also remote, making it a great place for more isolated survival training.

9. Bonneville Salt Flats

While known for its historical significance and salt flats, this area offers a surreal, otherworldly experience. The Bonneville Salt Flats is one of the most barren and unforgiving environments in Nevada, making it the ideal place to practice survival tactics in extreme conditions. Use it to test your ability to navigate using basic survival tools like a compass or map.

10. Eldorado Canyon

If you’re looking for an adventurous, yet accessible location, Eldorado Canyon is a great option. It’s a popular spot for rock climbers, but survivalists can also benefit from the area’s varied terrain, which includes caves, crevices, and water sources that allow you to test your skill set in a variety of ways.

11. Cold Creek Campground

Located near the Nevada Test Site, Cold Creek Campground is known for its remote desert environment and relative isolation. It’s a perfect place for preppers to practice extended survival tactics and prepare for isolation scenarios. Use the location for testing gear, making shelter, and honing your skills in tough conditions.

12. Mount Charleston

If you prefer cooler climates, Mount Charleston is an ideal option. Located just outside of Las Vegas, this high-altitude area offers a mix of desert and forest terrains, making it perfect for a variety of survival training. Whether you’re practicing snow shelters or desert survival techniques, Mount Charleston has everything you need to up your prepper game.

13. Walker Lake

Walker Lake offers an excellent opportunity to hone your skills around water sources. The area is remote, which allows you to practice everything from fishing and water filtration to navigation and shelter-building. As it’s an off-the-beaten-path destination, it’s perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and refine their prepper skills.

14. Ruby Mountains Wilderness

The Ruby Mountains provide a classic mountain terrain with high-altitude lakes, rugged cliffs, and forested areas. It’s a prime location for practicing high-elevation survival skills, such as building shelters in snow or relying on your gear to make it through colder temperatures.

15. Bristlecone Pine Forest

For those who enjoy higher elevations and the beauty of ancient trees, the Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains offers an ideal spot. This area is known for the world’s oldest trees, and the serene environment offers plenty of opportunities for stealth camping, trail navigation, and wilderness survival training.

16. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

This hidden gem in southern Nevada is perfect for preppers interested in a unique desert ecosystem. Ash Meadows is home to rare wildlife and a variety of different terrain types, including springs, salt flats, and wetlands. The area’s isolation and unique conditions provide an excellent setting for wilderness survival.

17. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

This is an excellent place to practice high-desert survival skills. With plenty of campsites and hiking trails, Spring Mountains is a place where preppers can test their endurance, build shelters, and master basic survival techniques like fire-building and navigation.

18. Cave Lake State Park

For those seeking a more tranquil environment, Cave Lake State Park offers a mix of mountainous terrain and lakeside camping. It’s a great place to practice your wilderness navigation skills while fishing, boating, and exploring caves. The park is also remote enough to allow for extended survival trips.

19. Shoshone Mountains

The Shoshone Mountains are a rugged and often overlooked part of Nevada, offering a chance to explore the remote high-desert and mountain terrain. It’s an excellent place for more advanced preppers to practice tactics such as hunting, foraging, and navigating extreme conditions.

20. Tonopah

Tonopah is a great location for a prepper looking to experience remote desert living. The town itself is small, but it provides quick access to nearby wilderness areas where you can practice your survival skills. It’s an ideal spot for long-term camping and testing your gear in extreme conditions.

21. Kingston Canyon

Kingston Canyon is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy some solitude while practicing survival skills. The area features stunning mountain views, and the proximity to water sources makes it ideal for testing skills like water purification and fishing.

22. Crescent Valley

Crescent Valley is located in central Nevada and provides a great place for long-term camping. The area offers a unique combination of desert and forest environments, perfect for honing various prepper skills.

30 Best Campsites in Nevada for Survival Preppers

  1. Great Basin National Park
  2. Red Rock Canyon
  3. Lake Tahoe
  4. Toiyabe National Forest
  5. Pyramid Lake
  6. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
  7. Valley of Fire State Park
  8. Lamoille Canyon
  9. Bonneville Salt Flats
  10. Eldorado Canyon
  11. Cold Creek Campground
  12. Mount Charleston
  13. Walker Lake
  14. Ruby Mountains Wilderness
  15. Bristlecone Pine Forest
  16. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
  17. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
  18. Cave Lake State Park
  19. Shoshone Mountains
  20. Tonopah
  21. Kingston Canyon
  22. Crescent Valley
  23. Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  24. Jarbidge Wilderness
  25. Alamo
  26. Desert National Wildlife Refuge
  27. Las Vegas Wash
  28. Virgin River Gorge
  29. Stokes Castle
  30. Desert Springs Campground