Places to pull off road and set up camp

[bajaleo]

Another resource: samba member Abel Longoria has created an app called VanAlert, and one of the features he has included is a list of free and pay campsites.

It's got some other cool features too. There's a thread here on thesamba with more details about this app.
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Leo in San Juan Capistrano
1984 Wolfie Westy, Subaru EJ22 powered.

[campism]

[llilibel03]

I asked a Ranger at Capitol Reef National Park about dispersed camping and she pulled out an atlas (like the Benchmark Atlas referenced above?) and showed me the area I was thinking about camping in (Norton-Bullfrog Road). It was like a checkerboard- federal/state vs private land. She said it was really easy to mistakenly camp on private property. And then she warned me, "This is a gun state." Not sure what she meant by that.

We opted out of camping in that area...

So, yeah, a good atlas showing where state lands vs private property would be helpful.
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87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[pinetreeporsche]

[jimf909]

Thanks for the info on the differences between Delorme and Benchmark. Here's a blog post with a bit more opinion (much of it already covered):

http://www.pmags.com/backcountry-road-map-guide-benchmark-vs-delorme

Just placed an order for a Benchmark.
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- Jim

[Ahwahnee]

Apparently so, though I have only used the Benchmark maps & the DeLorme atlases.

[Merian]

Thx

- I thought Benchmark had both maps and atlases?

[kamzcab86]

[Ahwahnee]

It will all depend on what you want & like, but here is what behind my POV:

In the case of Arizona, the Benchmark seems more up to date. We have a lot of roads finally getting paved so it is good to know when they do get paved.

Scale of Benchmark is 1:400,000 whereas DeLorme is 1:250,000. The latter should be better for detail but I find the 1:400,000 quite adequate (in AZ there is a lot of blank space between roads) and results in a more easily managed map.

BenchMark are maps (4 for AZ) whereas DeLorme is an Atlas (book). I suppose it is a matter of personal preference but I like using a foldable map.

The DeLorme maps use solid red lines for both paved and some unpaved roads - the difference is in the width of the line. The thinner lines are 'improved roads' which may or may not be paved or may be urban roads. BenchMark uses solid lines only for paved roads - all unpaved are dotted lines.

DeLorme uses topo contour lines - I think it makes it harder to read. If I am in an area/situation that calls for that I will have a topo map (which will have a scale that makes contour lines useful).

There's other small stuff that just adds up to Benchmark being my preference. Others with different uses and in other states may have different takes on this.

[Merian]

[Ahwahnee]

I was thinking I had never heard of BenchMark -- then I looked to see who published the Arizona maps I use and like - and it was them.

Yes, superior to DeLorme in my opinion (have both).

[jimf909]

[Merian]

in the spirit of thread revival, has anyone compared the Benchmark atlases to the DeLorme ones?

[Microbusdeluxe]

U.S. Forest Service maps are your best friend. They used to be free, as a kid I would write to the Forest HQs and get not only maps, but handwritten tips on fishing places.

Unfortunately, those days are gone but you can buy the maps at any ranger station or National Forest HQ. You'll find that in National Parks things are more tightly regulated.
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'69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig!

[joetiger]

I saw this and figured this was a good place for it; it's a flow chart for determining what type of land you might find yourself on if you're out west this summer.

The Wanderer's Guide to Western Public Lands:

http://www.hcn.org/issues/47.6/a-wanderers-guide-to-western-public-lands
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

[climberjohn]

PS - I've nearly always found good tips from gas station attendants, at least here in the fine state of Orygun where you can't pump your own gas.

Tip 'em a buck, than nicely ask for a good fishing hole or off beat camp spot. Good times will be had.

In other states, maybe head for the fishing/hunting store.

-CJ
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[randywebb]

[climberjohn]

A big X2 on Benchmark map atlases.

http://www.benchmarkmaps.com/

recommended by CJ the Cartographer.
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[seanjenn]

Also, once you get out here, you can just ask any local. They'll know where the good spots are for camping, local breweries, the best shops, trails, etc. All the stuff that books miss out on.

Where are ya'll headed anyway?
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1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd

[childofthewind]