There’s nothing quite like camping. Spending the night in the great outdoors allows you to connect with nature in a way that no other activity does. It’s a very spiritual, humbling experience to break away from the distractions of technology and modern living.

But wait. That means—how will you charge your phone?

Okay, if you’re worried that you won’t be able to use your phone as a technological security blanket, that’s cheating. Disconnecting from technology is the point, remember?

That said, we’re with you regardless. When camping, your phone is more than a means of playing Candy Crush Saga. It’s also a life-saving communication device that can contact emergency services if something goes wrong out there in the wilderness.

For that reason, we want to share with you the following tips on how to charge a phone when camping. Read on to learn all about it.

1. Load Up on Power Banks

Stocking up on power banks is our number-one tip because it’s both the easiest and the (2nd) least wasteful. You charge the power banks by plugging them into your wall outlet at home. Then, you use the USB port on the power bank to charge your phone.

The prices of these devices range from cheap to still pretty cheap. And some work better than others.

Thus, it’s best to buy a few different kinds and try them out. Oh, and don’t forget to charge them up before you leave home—as in immediately before. They slowly self-discharge during storage so you should only charge them within 24 hours of starting your trip.

2. Start Your Car

Most modern cars have USB charging ports. In the event that you’re already stuck in the wilderness without a power bank, use your car charger. If your car doesn’t have charging ports, you can buy a USB charger for your car’s auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) for $1.

3. Use a Portable Generator

A portable generator powers electronic devices the same way your car does. Except it burns less fuel because it’s not designed to push a heavy vehicle up to 100 MPH. Check this guide to learn more about the best portable camping generators.

4. Use the Sun

You can also get portable solar panels to convert sunlight into energy. These may or may not be efficient enough to fast-charge your phone. But even the weak ones should be able to help in an emergency.

5. Crank It

The technology of mechanical energy production is over 100 years old. But it’s so efficient that we still use it today (hydropower plants, wind turbines).

As such, there are currently portable devices that you can hand-crank to generate electricity while camping. These can be used to charge your phone.

6. Use Technologically Mind-Blowing Camping Accessories

Similarly, there are portable hydropower generators that you can set up in a nearby river to generate power. There are even propane-powered camping devices that convert excess heat into electricity. Check out your local sporting goods store to take a look at your options.

Follow These Tips to Charge Your Phone When Camping

Make sure you don’t forget these tips on how to charge your phone when camping. Specifically, keep this guide handy and refer to it before you depart for your next camping trip.

Don’t go yet! For related content, check out our Travel and Entertainment blog. There, you’ll learn about the best places to travel, how to take more Disney family vacations, choosing the right travel crate for your dog, and more.