Before your trip, have a conversation about whether intimacy is something you’d both like to explore during your time away. There’s no pressure—what matters is mutual desire and consent. Some couples love the thrill of new settings, while others find it stressful or impractical.
Be realistic: camping doesn’t offer a plush mattress, soundproof walls, or perfect climate control. But it does offer simplicity, adventure, and opportunities for playful connection. Keep your expectations light and flexible, and you’ll be much more likely to enjoy what unfolds.
Camping doesn’t mean throwing discretion to the wind. In fact, it may require even more thoughtful modesty. Be intentional about privacy. If possible, book a secluded site or choose dispersed camping where you won’t be shoulder-to-shoulder with other campers.
Inside your tent, zip everything up and aim the opening away from others. Keep your voices low and be respectful of the natural peace around you. In Catholic marriage, sex is private and sacred—it’s meant to be shared between the spouses, not the whole campground.
You’ll enjoy each other more if you both feel reasonably clean and cozy. Bring simple hygiene supplies like biodegradable wipes or washcloths to freshen up. Make sure your bedding is dry and layered, and plan ahead for bugs and temperature drops.
A little preparation can go a long way toward making your tent feel like a private retreat instead of a damp sleeping bag with a rock under your hip.
Camping days are often filled with physical activity, sun exposure, and late nights by the fire. Don’t wait until total exhaustion hits. Instead, keep an eye out for peaceful windows—perhaps after a rest or while watching the sunset.
Don’t pressure the moment. If one or both of you are too tired, cold, or self-conscious, opt for cuddling instead. Sometimes, just the attempt at closeness is enough to make you feel emotionally reconnected.
Be playful and spontaneous. Try cuddling closely in your sleeping bags and seeing where things lead. A slow, sensual make-out session might be all you need—or it might build into something more.
This isn’t the time for elaborate techniques. Instead, focus on touch, breath, and laughter. Let nature’s simplicity inspire your own.
Sex while camping probably won’t feel like a scene out of a romantic movie—but that’s not the goal. You’re not chasing perfection; you’re cultivating connection.
Whether you end up tangled in a cozy blanket or laughing at the logistical failures of trying to be intimate in the great outdoors, you’re building intimacy. That’s what counts.
And if you're looking for more ways to grow together—in the tent and beyond—consider joining our
Sex Ed for Married Catholics (SEMC) course or booking a session with one of our Catholic intimacy coaches. We’re here to support your journey toward deeper unity, wherever you pitch your tent.
