Regardless of where you are in the wilderness, water is your most valuable commodity. If you have a good supply of water and you get lost or stranded, you’ve massively increased your chances of surviving long enough to be found by search teams, or to make it out alive on your own. If you don’t have water, you are going to need to find some, quick. Here are a few tips on How to Find Water on a Hike.
Finding a natural water source
When looking for water in the bush, the most reliable approach is to follow the landscape. Water naturally collects in low points, so moving downhill into gullies, drainage lines, valleys, and creek beds offers the best chance of success.
Elevated viewpoints can sometimes help you understand the terrain, but climbing trees or exposed ridgelines carries risk and should not be attempted unless it can be done safely. In most environments, descending carefully and conservatively toward shaded gullies or vegetated depressions is a safer and more effective strategy.
Look for signs such as greener vegetation, thicker growth, or damp soil, which often indicate the presence of water below the surface or nearby.
Water in coastal areas
Fresh water can sometimes be found in coastal environments, but it should not be assumed to be readily available or safe to access.
In some sandy coastal systems, rainwater can sit above saltwater in shallow freshwater lenses behind dunes. However, digging for water in dunes can be unreliable, environmentally damaging, and may be restricted in protected areas. Water obtained this way may still be brackish and should always be treated before drinking.
Along rocky coastlines, small soaks or springs may emerge where freshwater follows fractures in the rock. These are often associated with damp rock, moss, or lush plant growth. Any water found should be filtered and treated before consumption.
Coastal environments can be harsh and unpredictable, so carrying sufficient water is always the safest option.
Following animals to find water in the bush
Animals can sometimes indicate the presence of water, but their behaviour is not a guaranteed guide and should be used cautiously.
In many landscapes, especially mountainous or forested areas, moving downhill remains the most reliable strategy. Creek lines, drainage channels, and shaded gullies are far more dependable indicators than animal tracks alone.
While fresh tracks or well-worn trails may occasionally lead to water, animals can travel long distances without drinking, and their presence does not always mean water is nearby. Wildlife behaviour should be considered a secondary clue rather than a primary method of locating water.
Insects, birds, and reptiles
Some insects and birds may be seen near water, but they are not reliable indicators on their own.
Bees and birds often travel significant distances between water sources and feeding areas. Their presence alone does not confirm nearby water. Reptiles generally obtain moisture from food and dew and should not be used as indicators of water availability.
Relying on landscape features such as valleys, creek beds, shaded areas, and dense vegetation remains a far more dependable method of locating water.
Alternative sources and techniques
There are various water collection techniques such as collecting dew, transpiration from vegetation, or extracting moisture from plants. These methods require specific knowledge, time, and favourable conditions, and they often produce only small volumes of water.
In most situations, finding an existing water source such as a creek, spring, or soak is far more effective than attempting to extract water using improvised techniques. Carrying adequate water and planning around known water sources remains the safest strategy when hiking.
Some of this information has been adapted from www.survival.org.au
Related articles
Overhydration and Hyponatremia
Thanks for the info! Keep up the good work Darren!
Thank you
What’s your go-to method for finding water when you’re out hiking? Have you ever discovered a surprising source?