Detailed criteria for selecting the perfect bug out location. Covers land selection, legal considerations, accessibility, resources, and security factors.
What Makes a Good Bug Out Location
Selecting the right bug out location is one of the most significant decisions in your preparedness journey. Your survival retreat must balance accessibility with remoteness, provide essential resources, and offer natural defensive advantages. The ideal bug out location is far enough from major population centers to avoid the chaos of mass evacuation, yet close enough that you can reach it within one tank of gas from your primary residence. Most experts recommend a distance of 60-200 miles from the nearest major city. The property should be in a region with low population density, minimal natural disaster risk, and a climate that supports year-round habitation and food production. This comprehensive bug out planning guide covers every factor you need to evaluate.
Water Resources: The Non-Negotiable Requirement
A reliable, year-round water source is the single most important feature of any survival retreat. Without water, no amount of other preparations matter. Look for properties with natural springs, year-round creeks, or rivers. Springs are ideal because they provide naturally filtered water that flows consistently regardless of rainfall. A property with a spring-fed creek offers both drinking water and potential hydroelectric power generation. Wells are another excellent option, but ensure the water table is accessible and the well can be operated without grid power using a hand pump or solar-powered pump. Avoid properties that rely solely on rainwater collection or seasonal water sources. Test any water source for contaminants before purchasing the property. Your bug out location water supply should be capable of supporting your group's needs indefinitely.
Defensibility and Security Considerations
Your survival land must offer natural defensive advantages that can be enhanced with minimal effort. Look for properties with limited access points, such as a single road entrance that can be monitored or blocked. Elevated terrain provides observation advantages and makes approach difficult for uninvited visitors. Dense tree cover offers concealment from aerial observation. Avoid properties on major highways, near military installations, or downstream from dams. The ideal off-grid property has a long driveway that limits visibility from the road, natural barriers like ridgelines or waterways on multiple sides, and clear sight lines from the dwelling to approach routes. Consider the property's vulnerability to different threat scenarios including civil unrest, natural disasters, and economic collapse.
Agricultural Potential and Food Production
A true survival retreat must be capable of producing food. Evaluate the soil quality, growing season length, rainfall patterns, and available sunlight. Properties with existing cleared land for gardens, orchards, or livestock are ideal. South-facing slopes receive maximum sunlight and warm earlier in spring. Look for properties with diverse terrain including meadows for grazing, forest for hunting and firewood, and flat areas for cultivation. The presence of wild game, fish, and forageable plants adds to the property's food production potential. Consider the local climate's suitability for staple crops like potatoes, corn, beans, and squash. A property that can support a large garden, small livestock like chickens and goats, and has hunting opportunities provides true food security for your bug out planning strategy.
Legal and Financial Considerations
Before purchasing survival land, research local zoning laws, building codes, and property restrictions thoroughly. Some counties have minimal building codes that allow off-grid construction, while others require permits for everything including outhouses. Check for mineral rights, timber rights, and water rights, as these may be sold separately from the land. Verify there are no easements that allow others access to your property. Consider forming an LLC to purchase the property for privacy and liability protection. Property taxes vary dramatically by location, so factor ongoing costs into your budget. Some states are more favorable for off-grid living than others. Research states like Idaho, Montana, Tennessee, and Missouri, which generally have favorable laws for rural property owners and preppers.
Building Your Bug Out Location Over Time
Most preppers cannot afford to build a fully equipped survival retreat overnight. Develop your bug out location incrementally over months or years. Start with basic shelter, a reliable water system, and cached supplies. A simple shipping container or wall tent provides immediate shelter while you build more permanent structures. Install a hand-pump well or develop a spring. Cache food, tools, medical supplies, and ammunition in weatherproof containers. Each visit should improve the property's livability and self-sufficiency. Plant fruit trees and perennial food crops that will mature over time. Build relationships with neighbors who may become valuable allies. Your bug out location is a long-term investment in your family's survival, and the best time to start developing it is now, not when disaster strikes.
Colonel Rick Hayes
Colonel Hayes (Ret.) is a former military survival instructor who now consults on bug out location selection and rural property preparedness.