Woodland Wild Camping Setup:
From YouTube Inspiration to Practical Use
Woodland Wild Camping Setup: From YouTube Dreams to Van Life Reality
Like most outdoor enthusiasts with a weakness for gear and a YouTube addiction, I fell down the rabbit hole watching Haze Outdoors and countless other bushcraft channels. Those misty morning shots in ancient woodlands, the perfect campfire setups under canvas tarps, that unmistakable connection with nature—it had me reaching for my credit card faster than you can say “DD Hammock”. Before I knew it, I’d assembled quite the collection of woodland wild camping kit, all meticulously researched and purchased with dreams of sleeping amongst the trees.
The reality? Life threw its usual curveballs, work got in the way, and despite all my gear acquisitions and YouTube-fuelled enthusiasm, I never quite made it out for that authentic woodland experience. But here’s the thing about good kit—it finds a way to prove its worth, often in ways you never expected.
- One of the lightest hammocks in the world: Packing down small enough to fit in your pocket, and weighing less than 400g …
- Knot free Suspension: The Complete Whoopie Suspension system is incredibly easy to adjust, waterproof, and you will not …
- Single base layer: High Strength ripstop nylon provides a comfortable base, whilst remaining breathable for warm climate…
The YouTube-Inspired Woodland Setup
My woodland system was carefully planned around the Holy Trinity that any Haze Outdoors fan would recognise. Each piece chosen not just for its individual performance, but for how it would work together to create that perfect bushcraft experience I’d watched countless times on screen.
DD Hammock: The cornerstone of woodland wild camping, designed to keep you elevated above damp ground and away from crawling creatures that make British woodlands their home. At under 400g, it packs down small enough to fit in your pocket—a marvel of engineering that would have been perfect strung between ancient oaks.
DD Tarp 3×3: The quintessential shelter for UK wild camping, offering protection from our famously unpredictable weather with multiple setup configurations. Those 19 attachment points allow countless variations—from the classic ridge line between trees to more complex setups for challenging conditions. At 795g, it provides 9 square metres of coverage without breaking your back on the approach.
Snugpak Sleeper Expedition: A serious four-season sleeping bag rated to -12°C, chosen specifically for those brutal British winter nights when woodland camping separates the dedicated from the fair-weather enthusiasts. At 2400g, it’s not ultralight, but the synthetic filling performs brilliantly even when damp—crucial for woodland conditions where moisture is a constant companion.
The beauty of this system was its integration. The tarp would create a weatherproof ridge line setup between trees, with sides pegged down to form a cosy woodland sanctuary. The hammock would hang beneath, keeping me off the damp forest floor. The Snugpak would provide luxurious warmth regardless of what the British climate decided to throw at me.
All meticulously researched, carefully purchased, and then… promptly stored away whilst I told myself “next weekend” for months on end.
Enter the Transit Connect: An Unexpected Solution
While my woodland ambitions gathered dust along with my gear, my passion for landscape photography continued growing—particularly coastal work and those dramatic golden hour shots that make all the early mornings worthwhile. This led to an unexpected solution: a long wheelbase Ford Transit Connect panel van.
The white Transit Connect became my inadvertent adventure companion. Its anonymous appearance makes it perfect for blending in anywhere, whilst the long wheelbase provides just enough space for a surprisingly comfortable setup. More importantly, it offered a way to finally use all that woodland camping kit, just not quite how I’d originally envisioned.
Repurposing Woodland Gear for Van Life
- STORMPROOF: Strong & lightweight 190T Polyester; fully seam-taped with 3,000mm-rated waterproof PU coating
- VERSATILE: 19 reinforced attachment points provide opportuntied for multiple set-ups; on the ground on suspended between…
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT: Weighing only 28oz (excluding pegs & guys), and easily packable for the 100 square feet of covera…
The genius of good outdoor kit is its adaptability, and my woodland setup translated to van life beautifully. The same principles that make gear work in the woods—compactness, versatility, weather protection—prove equally valuable in a mobile photography setup.
DD Tarp 3×3 Reimagined: Instead of being strung between trees, it now creates privacy screens and blackout solutions inside the van. Those 19 attachment points that would have secured it against woodland winds now attach to internal fixing points, creating instant privacy or blocking unwanted light. The woodland wild camper’s favourite shelter became the stealth camper’s secret weapon.
DD Hammock Adapted: Whilst it doesn’t hang between trees as intended, it creates comfortable seating during the day that stows away easily. The same hammock designed to keep me off damp woodland floors now provides comfort in my mobile photography studio, doubling as a gear organiser when deployed creatively.
Snugpak Sleeper Expedition Unchanged: This remains the cornerstone of my sleep system, providing the same four-season performance whether in ancient woodlands or coastal car parks. The -12°C rating that would have kept me cosy during winter woodland nights now ensures comfort during the coldest coastal mornings whilst waiting for perfect sunrise light.
- Built for extremes: Experience unparalleled warmth with the siliconised synthetic insulation of this sleeping bag, craft…
- Comfort-focused design: Embrace the soft-to-touch interior fabric and ergonomic mummy shape of our mummy sleeping bag th…
- Adaptive warmth: The single sleeping bag comes with an elasticated, drawcord-adjustable hood and insulated shoulder baff…
Photography Adventures: Where the System Shines
For landscape photographers, timing is everything, and this repurposed woodland setup has transformed my approach completely. Previously, coastal sunrise shoots meant racing against time—driving from distant campsites, frantically searching for compositions whilst watching the clock, always under pressure to return before gates closed or conditions deteriorated.
Now my approach is entirely different. I can park at coastal locations with plenty of time, scout compositions thoroughly, and wait patiently for perfect light without external pressures. If conditions look particularly promising, the woodland camping kit allows comfortable overnight stays right at the location, meaning I’m positioned for sunrise without ungodly early drives or rushed setups.
Typical Evening Routine:
- Park facing optimal views (where possible)
- Deploy the DD Tarp for privacy using van interior attachment points rather than trees
- Roll out the Snugpak Sleeper Expedition, appreciating its four-season rating
- Prepare camera equipment for quick access
- Make a simple brew on my Jetboil Flash—the same routine I’d planned for woodland evenings
One unexpected advantage is the ability to review and process images whilst still immersed in the environment that inspired them. With my setup including a small power bank, I can download photographs to my laptop, make initial selections, and begin editing—all whilst the scenes remain fresh in memory. It’s a modern twist on the woodland camper’s evening ritual of reflecting on the day’s adventures.
Integration with Complete Photography Kit
The woodland setup integrates seamlessly with my photography gear, creating a mobile system that’s genuinely fit for purpose. My Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack PRO 70L AW III fits perfectly within the van layout, whilst the compact nature of the woodland kit leaves ample space for camera equipment and tripods.
The Benro Tortoise tripod setup works brilliantly with this mobile approach—stable enough for long exposures and time-lapse work, yet compact enough to store efficiently in the limited van space. Combined with my Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens, it’s perfect for capturing those dramatic coastal scenes that make the early mornings worthwhile. The 24mm focal length provides excellent perspective for seascapes, whilst the f/1.4 aperture excels in low light conditions during dawn shoots.
For serious long exposure work, my Lee Filters LEE100 Deluxe Kit transforms ordinary coastal scenes into something magical. The ability to use graduated neutral density filters and the Big Stopper for those silky smooth water effects means I can create compelling images regardless of conditions. Having everything contained in one mobile unit means I can approach photography locations with complete equipment confidence, knowing both accommodation and professional-grade filtering systems are ready for whatever coastal conditions present themselves.
For lighting during setup and evening routines, my Petzl Tikkina headtorch proves invaluable—hands-free illumination that doesn’t disturb the peaceful atmosphere I’m seeking to capture. The combination of woodland camping comfort and photography functionality creates a system that exceeds what either approach could achieve individually.
Real-World Performance: Coastal Adventures
Northumberland Coast Dawn Sessions: The setup proved its worth during a week-long project capturing sunrise sequences along the Northumberland coastline. Parking overnight at remote coastal locations, the woodland kit provided genuine comfort during sub-zero conditions whilst maintaining complete mobility for chasing optimal light. The combination of my Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens and Lee Filters LEE100 system allowed me to capture those ethereal long exposure shots of waves rolling across rocky shores, with the van providing a warm refuge between shooting sessions.
Yorkshire Dales Valley Photography: Using the system for capturing mist and morning light in the Dales valleys, the combination of mobility and comfort allowed extended stays in perfect positions. The same gear designed for woodland stealth camping proved ideal for discrete valley floor positioning, whilst the 24mm lens excelled at capturing the sweeping valley perspectives that make Yorkshire landscape photography so rewarding.
Peak District Moorland Work: Multi-day projects documenting changing light across Peak District landscapes benefited enormously from the mobile base camp approach. The woodland sleeping system handled exposed moorland conditions whilst the van provided secure equipment storage and weather protection.
The Economics of Adaptation
Rather than viewing my unused woodland kit as wasted investment, repurposing it for van-based photography adventures validated every purchase. The DD Hammock, tarp, and sleeping bag combination that would have cost the same whether used in woods or van now provides genuine value through regular use.
The Transit Connect itself represents practical economics—inconspicuous enough for stealth camping, spacious enough for comfort, yet small enough for practical driving and parking. Combined with woodland kit designed for efficiency and compactness, it creates a mobile photography platform that punches well above its weight.
Maintenance and Practicality
The woodland kit requires minimal maintenance in its van life application, actually experiencing less stress than intended woodland use. The Snugpak sleeps dry every night, the DD Tarp faces no UV exposure or extreme weather, and the hammock experiences no tree-strap abrasion or weight loading.
Storage between trips is straightforward—everything packs as intended for woodland use, fitting efficiently in the van’s remaining space or transferring easily to home storage. The modularity that makes woodland camping kit adaptable to different forest conditions translates perfectly to varying van configurations.
Alternative Applications
Winter Mountain Photography: The four-season rating of the Snugpak Sleeper Expedition makes the van setup viable for winter mountain work, providing warm refuge during extended cold-weather photography sessions. Combined with my complete winter clothing system including Mountain Equipment Ibex Mountain Pants and Rab layering pieces, it creates a mobile base camp capable of handling serious conditions.
Coastal Sunrise Photography: The discrete van setup proves invaluable for capturing those perfect golden hour moments that make landscape photography worthwhile. The woodland kit provides comfortable accommodation at remote coastal locations, allowing positioning for sunrise sessions without the expense and logistics of coastal hotels or the restrictions of official campsites with their gates and checkout times.
Emergency Backup System: Having a complete mobile accommodation system available transforms approach to challenging photography projects. Weather changes or extended shooting opportunities become manageable rather than problematic, providing flexibility that static accommodation can’t match.
Future Woodland Ambitions
Despite the success of van-based adventures, my original woodland camping ambitions remain alive. The kit sits ready for that eventual forest adventure, and the experience gained through van use has only improved my understanding of how each piece performs. When I finally make it to those misty woodlands that inspired the original purchases, I’ll be using gear I genuinely understand rather than untested equipment.
The van experience has also highlighted which aspects of woodland camping appeal most—the self-sufficiency, the connection with natural environments, the simplicity of needs when properly equipped. These insights will undoubtedly improve the eventual woodland experience when it happens.
The Unexpected Success Story
Sometimes our best gear investments come from unexpected applications rather than intended uses. My carefully selected woodland wild camping setup may not have experienced dappled sunlight filtering through ancient oaks, but it’s witnessed some of Britain’s most spectacular coastal sunrises and helped capture them successfully.
The combination of DD Hammock versatility, tarp adaptability, and Snugpak reliability has created a mobile photography platform that transforms my approach to landscape work. The freedom to position precisely where needed, wait patiently for perfect conditions, and remain comfortable throughout extends the range of possible projects enormously.
Perhaps most importantly, the success of this adapted system proves that good outdoor kit transcends specific applications. Quality gear designed with fundamental principles—weather protection, comfort, efficiency—performs regardless of environment. The same characteristics that make equipment excel in woodlands serve equally well in van life adventures.
My Transit Connect setup continues serving brilliantly, proving that sometimes the adventure we discover isn’t the one we planned—it’s something even better. The spirit of woodland wild camping lives on, just in an unexpectedly mobile form that’s opened photography opportunities I’d never have imagined when first watching those inspiring YouTube videos.