January 14, 2005

Curious George: Where is it legal for me to camp? Over spring break I plan on going camping by myself, but not the normal sort of LL Bean camping...

I'm no stranger to normal camping, but this time I am looking to do something a little different. I don't want a camp site, but I want to find a park or area where I can legally stay for the night anywhere within its confines. I have a tarp and a hammock, as well as enough supplies to last me for a week assuming there is no supply of fish to eat. The trip should be about a week long. What I really need are suggestions to places that I could do this at. I don't really want the Park Rangers telling me where I can't camp for the night. Anywhere east of the Missippi is fine with me as I am willing to travel. Thanks! (Note: I have a GPS device incase my survival-fu fails me.)

posted by loto 19 years ago
  • Sounds like you're talking about backpacking. Quite popular. Another possible resource with where to do the wild thang.
  • Wow. Searching for backpacking -completely- slipped my mind. Now I feel quite foolish :P Thank you for jogging my memory on that one, roly.
  • Try camping on Crown land in Canada. Nobody will hassle you.
  • Up at the top of the map where the rocket launcher and quad damage spawn...
  • Why not spend a week on the Appalachian Trail? Other than that, I think what you're looking for will be called 'primitive camping' on a park's website or literature. Most of them will have a limit of like two weeks or something, so I don't think you'll have any trouble finding something. Also, check out National Geographic Adventure magazine for good ideas.
  • If you were in the south, I'd say Horn Island.
  • I've always been struck by the very good sense of our medieval ancestors to place inns about a day's walk apart. A leathern tankard of that murky ale and a joint from the goose in the hearth, my good publican!
  • I prefer being goosed in my joint.
  • "I think what you're looking for will be called 'primitive camping'" That's the only real kind of camping. Pulling up your RV to a hookup in a paved lot ain't camping, it's "vacationing"; you might as well be in a motel, except for the pricey equity mortgage you took out on your nice suburban bungalow to buy the damn RV. Ever heard of the C&O Canal? It's best at the northern end, but the area around Harper's Ferry might still be pretty 30 years after I quit Boy Scouts.
  • Try camping on Crown land in Canada. Nobody will hassle you. During spring break? Gets a wee bit chilly, especially since you can't camp in the southern parts.
  • Another thing to consider is Bureau of Land Management territory. I cannot speak for the SE States but here in the Pacific NW it is legal to camp ANYWHERE without a permit on BLM land. About 85% is grazeland but that other 15% is worth seeking out.
  • Thank you all for the help, and the suggestions. The Appalachian trail I started to look at the other day, but most of the other places, including surlyboi's DM4 didn't even occur to me. Canada would also be great during the summer, but might be a tad cold for when I want to do this. Also, STP, primitive camping was google's magic phrase as it is turning up -exactly- the sort of thing I am looking for. You all rock.
  • There places in B.C. that have great camp grounds on Crown property - maintained by the logging companies. All free for up to 14 days stay. Email me for details (if you are looking for that side of the continent).
  • Glad to help. Let us know where you end up going! Also, I didn't think of it before, but Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia is supposed to be a great spot. Haven't made it there myself yet, but it might be worth a Google search at least.
  • I've always been struck by the very good sense of our medieval ancestors to place inns about a day's walk apart. A leathern tankard of that murky ale and a joint from the goose in the hearth, my good publican! Would you smoke a joint rolled by a goose? I don't think I would, day's walk or no. Avian germs, you know.
  • I really admire people who do primitive camping. After a week, I prefer to do it upwind and from a distance. MonkeyFilter: I prefer being goosed in my joint. Thank ye, MCT Have fun, Loto.