Stealth Camping

[jstrubberg]

I suggest you research WHY such laws exist. Governments are made up of lazy people, just like the rest of the planet. When a law or ordinance is passed, it's because some fool pushed the limits and forced someone to take action.

Overnight stay laws are out there because merchants complained about the caravans taking place in their parking lots. It's hard to convince people to come shop at your store when they have to push aside the gypsies to get to the front door. There are pictures all over of people setting up barbecue pits and shower shelters in Wal Mart parking lots.

Dalorin, your exact complaints have been voiced since the days of Socrates. Society spins on. We don't make buggy whips anymore, but somehow the youth found other industries to work in. Cheer up man. The world ain't ending tomorrow, even if it isn't the exact world that we grew up with.

[samblam]

So, to those who want to continue discussing stealth camping:

What is the most extreme place you've slept?

Have you had any unfortunate or pleasant experiences that stick out in your memories?

Any words of wisdom, tips or tricks?


I shared my negative experiences previously, now for some positive vibes- I tend to shirk away from people when I'm doing one of my regular half-cross-country journeys. At a rest stop along I-90, there is/was a fellow there that maintains the place. He had a treat for my dog and was curious about my journey. I didn't accept a treat for my pup because he's got a sensitive stomach, but it was a nice sentiment, especially with most travel places being strict about dogs. As an add-on to my previous story about sleeping on a busy road- someone that night was a having a heck of a good time. I was borderline jealous. They had "borrowed" a shopping cart and kept riding it down the street. Luckily avoiding the cars parked along it. They did this quite a few times. There are plenty of nice things to observe around the country that don't involve pine needles and wood smoke. But I must say, those are quite enjoyable, too. I would love to set up my tent on the ferry to Alaska sometime and there isn't a fire or a mosquito to be had on that thing, yet I'd still consider it camping... just not very stealth.

[rowerwet]

A disenfranchised mob is a useful tool for those who want to cause change, after all democracy means mob rule, our founders gave us a republic not a democracy for that exact reason.
Powerful people want all housing owned by a few, it's about control, it is behind most zoning laws and planning commities. There is too much land here and not enough population to bring that change to the US without it.
Research Agenda 21 to learn more.

[Socal Tom]

So, to those who want to continue discussing stealth camping:

What is the most extreme place you've slept?

Have you had any unfortunate or pleasant experiences that stick out in your memories?

Any words of wisdom, tips or tricks?


I shared my negative experiences previously, now for some positive vibes- I tend to shirk away from people when I'm doing one of my regular half-cross-country journeys. At a rest stop along I-90, there is/was a fellow there that maintains the place. He had a treat for my dog and was curious about my journey. I didn't accept a treat for my pup because he's got a sensitive stomach, but it was a nice sentiment, especially with most travel places being strict about dogs. As an add-on to my previous story about sleeping on a busy road- someone that night was a having a heck of a good time. I was borderline jealous. They had "borrowed" a shopping cart and kept riding it down the street. Luckily avoiding the cars parked along it. They did this quite a few times. There are plenty of nice things to observe around the country that don't involve pine needles and wood smoke. But I must say, those are quite enjoyable, too. I would love to set up my tent on the ferry to Alaska sometime and there isn't a fire or a mosquito to be had on that thing, yet I'd still consider it camping... just not very stealth.

I've camped in a Walmart parking lot a couple of times. Some are more relaxing than others. Once, when I was a kid we were coming back late at night in my Parents RV. I think my Dad finally had enough so we pulled off the I5 into an industrial park to get some sleep. I'm not sure what time it was probably about midnight. It was warm out, and we wanted to be inconspicuous so we just opened the windows rather than starting the generator and AC. Well about 4am the sprinklers started, and the weren't well aimed, so the inside of the RV was being sprayed. Needless to say, Dad jumped up and we started back on the journey pretty quickly. So my word of wisdom is don't park near the grass if you are stealth camping.

Back before I got married my camp vehicle was a 1978 Ford E250 van, no side windows. There were a few times that I pulled over and crawled in the bed and went to sleep. It was pretty stealth. I usually stuck with rest stops, or graffiti free industrial parks. If there isn't any tagging, then its probably pretty quiet at night. Its hard for me to relax if I'm trying to sleep and I'm towing something. Back in the day I towed my jeep, or an ATV on a trailer. I was always worried someone would mess with my stuff. Now with the TD, I'm worried someone will mess with the TV
Tom

[Mary C]

As I plan my Big Out West trip, I am asking for addresses of the people on here that I might driveway camp, for those times when none are available I will use the free areas, Yes I feel sure I will be camping in Walmart or Truck stops along my way I had already thought of industrial areas and city parks and I plan to be contacting some churches and places for veterans. I will try to spend the nights in the smaller cities when traveling. I will get a hotel/motel room in the larger cities so I can park in their parking lots while I go see the cities sights. I still have problems with San Fransisco as I know no one and supposedly there is no parking and I have to have somewhere to park safely while I go visit the things I want to see. I have to cut costs as much as I can because lets face it Social Security just wont pay for $15 to $150 per night camping or fo hotels.
I would love any suggestions.

Mary C.

[dogscats]

Mary c . In San Fransisco you may not want to stay in the city. If you plan a head take bart in for the day and use the bus to get around. That way you can use the rest stops at night and park in Barts parking lots for the day. If you go in to San Fransisco It will be hard to find a place to park. You will use more time & gas finding a place to park your car & trailer in the city for day walk about

[KennethW]

Mary C I have had only one problem with smaller town Walmart's. You need really good shade as they are really lite up. 24 hour grocery stores work too. In the west some BLM campsites are free but with NO improvements. Forest campsites are low cost and out in the woods. but both BLM and forest camp grounds are hard to find without a app on your phone. PS phone coverage is spotty.

[MtnDon]

both BLM and forest camp grounds are hard to find without a app on your phone.

Do the research before leaving home... All the campsites are listed by forest and ranger district for the NF and similarly listed for BLM areas.

[daveesl77]

A couple of months ago I posted a link to all campgrounds and locations in the U.S. and Canada. If wanted I'll post it again. BLM/NF actually has very open regulations on where you can camp at no fee, even in the east.

dave

[MtnDon]

NF actually has very open regulations on where you can camp

Those wide open rules have been becoming more and more closed in the past 5 to 8 years. All NF have had to prepare Travel Management Plans. There are maps called MVUM's; Motor vehicle Use Maps. that are available free in paper form at the NF ranger stations. There are also downloadable maps in PDF form and special interactive ones for smartphones. As well you can download a Google Earth *.kml file. It's an overlay with all the official routes and comes with the Camping Corridors marked. Camping Corridors are the only roads/ areas that can be used for dispersed camping. Dispersed = the free, camp where you like it way things used to be. In our home NF, the Santa Fe, some of the favorite places folks have used for decades are now officially off limits. Get a map; just don't go by what you used to do.

I guess there are too many of us users now.

[tac422]

A couple of months ago I posted a link to all campgrounds and locations in the U.S. and Canada. If wanted I'll post it again.
dave

Please post it again

[S. Heisley]

As I plan my Big Out West trip, I am asking for addresses of the people on here that I might driveway camp, for those times when none are available I will use the free areas, Yes I feel sure I will be camping in Walmart or Truck stops along my way I had already thought of industrial areas and city parks and I plan to be contacting some churches and places for veterans. I will try to spend the nights in the smaller cities when traveling. I will get a hotel/motel room in the larger cities so I can park in their parking lots while I go see the cities sights. I still have problems with San Fransisco as I know no one and supposedly there is no parking and I have to have somewhere to park safely while I go visit the things I want to see. I have to cut costs as much as I can because lets face it Social Security just wont pay for $15 to $150 per night camping or fo hotels.
I would love any suggestions.

Mary C.

Mary, I sent you a long PM message.