Campgrounds or boondocking: Which do you prefer?

[woggs1]

I maintain a library of maps for all the National Forests in California and S Oregon. All National Forests have very good maps of public lands and private lands and roads and you really should have one of those maps if you venture into a National Forest. There are thousands of spots to dispersed camp for free, after all it is our public land. Some areas are closed but are usually well marked. The Sierras are pretty crowded near the main highway passes and anywhere near Lake Tahoe so I avoid those areas. The best National Forests for dispersed camping (I don't call it stealth because there is no reason to be stealth) is Mendocino NF, Shasta NF, Lassen NF and of course Trinity NF. I have found some amazing completely deserted places just by looking at the map and going there.
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4 speed 88 Westy

[aswah]

you are correct, but the stealth terminology for me started when I was long distance hiking in 2000, 2001 and 2004. Stealth was any spot that was not an organized shelter/hut along the Appalachain Trail... old habit are hard to let go of... Hey, you are in SF right? We are having a pig roast at our winery this Sunday... come on up! seeya!
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WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[woggs1]

[Homercules]

Lots of good info here!

I random camp regularly in Canada and the US but I'm not sure it would be considered stealth since it's my preferred way of camping! I would consider MaoMart stealth camping since I don't want anybody to recognize me camping there!

One thing to remember is that there is a minimum set-back from major roads (numbered roads in Canada) that you need to be for it to be legal. I think its a mile in the US. This is for BLM, National Forests and Crown Land. There are always exceptions to the rule so it's best to ask or keep an eye out for other regulations.

This is from a local ORV or OHV Area near Calgary, Alberta.

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89 Syncro

[woggs1]

[randywebb]

one thing about Casinos ... the Indians use them to buy their land back...
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[aswah]

top of a peak or by flowing water (i.e. waterfalls, glacial run off or streams)... Woggs, where is that picture taken? looks strangely familiar... like naki-mento road or whatever the cool abbrv is...
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WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[aswah]

stealth camping last year in the Sierras

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa_qSj8WpxI
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WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[woggs1]

[aswah]

yeah, i have camped there! awesome spot...
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WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[ianstone]

[aswah]

For me, I grab Benchmark Guides and 4X4 guide books for wherever I am travelling. I target areas that have huge BLM and/or logging roads. In my opinion, we own these unique vehicles that allow us to go remoter than someone in a gigantic motorhome and more comfortably - so why not use them. Watch that stupid short video clip i posted because that is exactly how me, beau, lucy and lisa find spots. Whenever I am travelling I look for roads that scare me somewhat. I want the ones less travelled.

The 4X4 guidebooks are good because generally 4 wheelers go off into the puckerbrush like i like to. Since I only have a 2wd I use caution and judgement and carry extra food and water just in case...

In States like Utah and Oregon there are soooooooo many roads and places to explore. California has it's fair share but usually it seems far more crowded...
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WIT WA DA DA (Peace and Unity)

Aswah, Lisa, Beaumont and Loose Lucy Too!

1989 Westy
2013 Jetta Sportswagon TDI

[trailnewt]

[quote="ianstone"]

[Sodo]

>>>>Campgrounds or Stealth? which do you prefer?

Stealth, always my first choice. I only use Campgrounds when I can't find a good stealth camp. This works pretty well in WA, but I know my state pretty well.

I tried this near Glacier National Park, (Montana) but there were no Stealth campsites to be had. Glacier NP is surrounded by National Forest but it seems like the dispersed camping had all been 'dealt with' many years ago. No little roads leading off the main roads. No surprise, as the huge draw of a NP would cause all kinds of trouble spots outside.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Sheesh]

There are, however, stealth campsites and almost-never-used campgrounds outside of NP sites and, as said, in surrounding NF areas. The bigger, more populated, the more difficult. The smaller, less populated, the easier it is to stealth.

I've worked at a bunch of NP sites.

But, there are exceptions - with the added bonus of stealth NP entry.

Here's one for Yosemite, free of charge.

Go to Wawona. There is a road that cuts across the golf course across from the Hotel and it should be good for most Vanagons. This road will take you outside of the park in short order, into the Sierra NF, where there are many roads for stealth and a campground, 3-4 miles from Wawona, that is seldom used, as it does not have services.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/recreation/camping/campgrounds/summit.shtml

You can also do this in reverse, coming up the Chowchilla Mountain Road from just outside of Awhanee, but you'd need HC and maybe even a Syncro. However, you can get into the park for free this way

Want one for Grand Canyon?

For the "back door" entry to the South Rim from Tusayan with abundant stealth camping as well, heading west on Forest Road 328, south of the entrance station. Not marked on most maps, find Rowe Well Road and take it into the South Village by NPS housing.
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1982 Westy, 2.0L AC CA emissions

[wyomingresident]

I've camped in numerous Wal-Marts. That's about the only urban camping I do. Very occasionally, I will poach a hotel parking lot. Needle point on lawn chairs

With my wife and kids, we've slept at maybe 100+ Wal-Marts around the country. The make great spots when traveling. You'd be surprised at how upscale they are. Million dollar motor homes right down to us in our Vanagon, well lit and flat. Very social. Retired folks playing cards on tables.

I'm amazed at how dispersed the seedy element is, almost non existent.
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Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain

[kamzcab86]

[crazyvwvanman]

Thanks for sharing this Yosemite area access and stealth camp. My family just held a reunion near there and a few of us with Vanagons went early and stayed a couple nights at your suggested campground. Nobody but us, a couple nights before 4th of July weekend. Sierra National Forest, Summit Campground.

Mark

[lemonspeed]

I think i drove past the Tiger Van Yesterday....on 1st?...amazing!

....agreed when it comes to pay camping....trick is, be far far far from major cities and usually you are fine....the kootenay's ( my stomping grounds) have some truly amazing provincial parks....private and quiet....with greay fly fishing

[photogdave]

That was it! If you had gone around the back alley you could have seen my syncro too.