Top Prepper and Survivalist YouTube Channels to Follow in 2025

Ready to take your emergency preparedness to the next level? In 2025, the world of prepping is exploding on YouTube, and we’ve uncovered the hottest channels that combine entertainment with real-world survival skills. Whether you live in the city or out in the woods, these family-friendly and expert-led prepper YouTube channels will guide you with practical tips and community support. From building the perfect bug-out bag to storing years of food, buckle up: these channels bring survival skills straight to your screen, turning preparation into action.

Why YouTube is Your Ultimate Prepper Classroom

YouTube isn’t just for cat videos—it’s become a treasure trove for anyone serious about preparedness. These channels bring survival skills to life with hands-on demonstrations and gear tutorials. You can watch step-by-step how to pack a bug out bag, learn makeshift shelter tricks, or get honest survival gear reviews. With millions of subscribers, leading channels cover everything from urban survival tricks to wilderness bushcraft. Watching experts tackle real scenarios can make prepping feel easier and even fun.

Must-Watch Prepper & Survivalist Channels in 2025

We’ve scoured YouTube to identify the top prepper channels you should be subscribed to this year. Each of these creators brings something unique:

• The Urban Prepper (Cliff) – For city and suburban dwellers, this Seattle-based channel is a gem. Cliff focuses on emergency preparedness and gear reviews with a special emphasis on urban survival:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. As a software engineer, he applies a practical, analytical mindset to prepping plans. The channel is family-friendly and packed with tested tips on storing water, building kits, and planning for city-specific emergencies.
• City Prepping (Kris) – One of the biggest names in prepping, Kris has honed slick production values to make preparedness exciting. His California-based channel covers both city and suburban survival, offering clear tutorials on everything from food storage to security. His recent videos include modern bug-out bag tutorials and strategies to handle high-tech disasters in urban settings.
• Canadian Prepper (Nate) – With over a million subscribers, this group channel (Nate and his team) is all about gear and strategy. They demo survival equipment, discuss current events, and emphasize physical fitness as part of prepping. (Tip: Take their doomsday warnings with a grain of salt, but their gear reviews are gold.)
• The Provident Prepper (Kylene & Jonathan) – A family-run channel that demonstrates prepping as a lifestyle. These longtime creators offer “education on emergency preparedness, self-reliance, and provident living”:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. They involve their kids in disaster drills and show how to prep on a budget. Their calm, sensible videos make prepping feel like teamwork, not a scary doomsday obsession.
• Survival Dispatch – Think of this as a prepper collective. A rotating cast of experts (including Adam of Solo Wilderness Survival) share bite-sized tutorials on every topic from bushcraft to first aid. It’s a quick way to sample a variety of skills and perspectives in one place.
• SouthernPrepper1 (Jason) – A Southern veteran of the prepping scene, Jason films on location around his homestead. He covers gardening, DIY shelters, livestock, and cooking from the land. His straightforward, folksy style makes complex tasks feel doable. Bonus: He sometimes has his son or neighbors help, highlighting how prepping can be a community (or family) affair.
• Step One Survival – This channel is great for beginners. It cuts to the chase on survival basics: packing the ideal bug-out bag essentials, rationing water, and making simple shelters. Short, clear videos mean you can learn a key skill in just a few minutes.
• Additional Channels to Explore: The prepping community is huge. You might also enjoy Bear Independent (urban prepping by a former NYC firefighter), Sensible Prepper (Sootch00’s gear reviews), and others like Step One Survival (watch his 72-hour challenge). Each channel has its own flavor, so sample a few to see what style clicks with you.

Expert Tips for Prepping Success

No matter what channel you watch, the fundamentals of survival never change. For example, emergency planning guru Jim Cobb reminds us of a vital truth:

Cobb’s point is echoed by FEMA: after an emergency, you should have enough supplies to survive for several days:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. Always keep multiple days’ worth of water on hand, plus a way to purify more.

Food comes in a close second. Survival consultant Scott Hunt has seen too many households fall short:

Stock up on familiar, high-calorie staples (rice, beans, canned veggies) and don’t forget meals for the kids and pets. Stick to comfort foods — avoid exotic survival rations you’ve never tried. Cobb also cautions against packing only freeze-dried meals:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}; your family will thank you for foods they recognize during a crisis.

When packing your survival gear, remember: less is often more. “Simplicity is key when prepping,” advises Prepper Press founder Derrick James:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. You don’t need a million gadgets — focus on the essentials. For instance, pick a sturdy backpack and a few core tools. (Derrick jokes about not dragging around a 40-pound bag.)

Keep your kit lean and well-organized. Remember, you might have to haul it a long way, so every ounce counts.

Finally, keep your cool. Survival instructor Steve Lancia puts it bluntly:

Practice stress-free drills at home and discuss your plan with family. The calmer you stay in a real emergency, the clearer your decisions will be.

 

Prepping Together: Couples and Families

Prepping isn’t a solo hobby—it thrives on teamwork and communication. Channels like The Provident Prepper show how prepping can even be a bonding activity. Here are some tips for prepping with loved ones:

• Communicate openly: Talk about prepping goals and fears. If your partner is skeptical, start small and share responsibilities. Focus on family safety rather than doomsday drama. Keeping a positive, practical tone helps everyone stay on board.
• Divide and conquer: Split tasks to play to each other’s strengths. Maybe one handles food storage while the other focuses on water and medical supplies. Involve kids with simple chores like organizing supplies or learning to start a fire. Turning prepping into a project can actually strengthen relationships.
• Optimize your space: Many couples live in small homes. You may not fit a full two-person emergency kit, so get creative. Perhaps a friend or neighbor can store some shared supplies, while you each keep a compact go-bag at home. (One prepper even suggests using a folding cart for easy transport if needed:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.)
• Make it fun: Plan a “prep date.” Cook meals that you’d store long-term, watch a survival video together, or do a weekend camping trip. The key is to associate preparedness with learning new skills and spending time together, not fear.

From Challenge to Solution

Prepping can seem overwhelming, but YouTube channels tackle the biggest hurdles head-on and offer solutions:

• Information overload: With so many videos online, it’s hard to know where to start. The channels above filter out bad advice and focus on real skills. By sticking to creators with a proven track record, you’ll avoid clickbait and learn what truly works.
• Procrastination: It’s easy to keep delaying your prep plans. Watching a charismatic prepper take action can motivate you. Many of these channels post regular challenges or live Q&A sessions, which can inspire you to act. Think of it like following a fitness coach—seeing progress keeps you on track.
• Feeling isolated: Prepping can feel lonely. The prepping community (online and offline) is actually huge. By commenting on videos or joining social media groups for these channels, you’ll find neighbors and friends who share tips. Suddenly, prepping becomes a group effort.

By subscribing to these top survivalist channels and applying their advice (from keeping three days of water:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} to simplifying your kit:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}), you turn uncertainty into confidence. With practical planning and the right community, even doomsday scenarios become manageable. Gear up now, practice those skills, and rest easy knowing you’re prepared. Your future self will thank you!