Hello there, I’m currently doing my first ever night of dispersed camping at a local national forest here in USA.
I plan to have this trip go two weeks, though I will be happy enough if I can make it to one without issue. After I’m done here I’ll go sightseeing at a big state attraction that my parents always talked about.
The only camping I ever knew about was campgrounds where you pay money for a site or a cabin. I had no idea that dispersed camping was a thing.
In certain public lands you are allowed to just park off the road and camp out for a certain amount of time. Each place has their own rules and exceptions but its generally 2 weeks before you have to move a couple miles.
I’m essentially allowed to live here in nature free of charge for as long as I like. I just need to observe and respect the rules and limits of the state. The idea of doing this makes me feel a sense of freedom that I really needed in my life.
The van is pretty much converted out. Ive got a comfy bed. Ive got enough solar panel power for charging devices, keeping lights on, and coffee in the morning (theoretically). Ive got propane heating. Combine that with food, water, clothes, and cleaning supplies to make for the bare minimum of a comfy existance.
Despite all that, I’m out of my comfort zone. All the preparation in the world couldn’t offset this feeling I have right now. The feeling of being in an unfamiliar new place and unsure if I’ll be okay. Perhaps a real adventure requires at least a dash of uncertainty.
Its dark and quiet in a way I’m not used to. Stillness is a little unsettling when youre used to noise and commotion. I’m also right off a busy ish road so theres a car passing every now and again which is a little noisy but not unwelcome.
If something does go wrong I’m parked in a way that I can just turn the key and go. I need to clear the way to driver seat a little better currently blocked by food bag. All my windows are covered well so nobody can really peek at me. Not that I think anyone is out here to peek in.
I realize now that my sneakers arent exactly meant for off path forest exploration. I will get some good boots for the next trip. Im an overthinking planner type person so its fustrating to forget things like this. But before I left I told myself that I wasn’t going to be able to think of every detail, and to just try my best and learn from the experience. I’m going to make mistakes and learn as I go and thats okay.
If you actually managed to read through this I thank you.
I used to do a lot of traveling and slept in rest stops and 24 hour Walmart parking lots (they allow it, or at least used to). Here’s a little pro-tip for security. Run your front seatbelts down through the doors built in handles, across the seats and into the buckle. Pull it as tight as you can. If anyone picks the lock while you’re asleep they won’t be able to open the door. I never had it needed but I slept more soundly knowing that extra bit of security was in place. Outside of that, be sure you have more water than you need. Keep an unopened, sealed gallon that you never open, or rotate and replace as needed. Keep your batteries charged. I don’t play baseball but I’d travel with an old mitt and bat. Put a long sock over the end of your bat. It’ll give you an extra swing if needed. No shame in carrying mace/bear spray and a whistle, either. Keep a decent first aid kit, too, with a large bottle of rubbing alcohol. And rolls of toilet paper! Rest stops and port-o-potties aren’t always that clean. Rubbing alcohol on the toilet seats is a simple way to keep sanitary. Baby wipes are the best when you haven’t been able to shower for a minute. Enjoy your travels!
Thank you for all the excellent advice, I’ll make use of it!
Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Cabelas/Bass Proshop used to allow overnight parking, but they no longer do.
It varies from place to place. Up in Maine they let us sleep overnight after the eclipse. The funniest part was that they had no idea why we’d want to be up there in April in the first place.
Sock on the bat is genius, I’m using that
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It’s camping without the amenities of a campsite if Wikipedia is to be believed
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You gotta remember, 90% (I made that stat up) of people who go camping, they go to a campground with flat, cleared, numbered, allocated plots, a wooden picnic table, a concrete fire ring and steel hotplate, a central area with covered seating and gas barbecues, tank water, bins, and toilet blocks. Big sign with a map on it, and a steel postal thing to put your money in
Traipsing out into the bush, off the known trails, and setting up a tent in a clearing you make yourself would scare the bejezus out of them.
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State Park campgrounds (at least in states that actually fund those things) can be nice places to stay for a few days. Especially if you have a kid who enjoys playing with new friends whenever they get the chance.
Plus it’s nice to be able to get a warm shower in after a few days out in nowhere.
I’ve heard “wild camping” but “dispersed camping” just sounds like one of those stupid phrases people make up to try to make themselves sound a little less dull
It’s the legal term in my state. Same as wild camping.
Think it’s just the official term used by all the park agencies.
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I’ve not heard the term dispersed camping before either. Guess it’s the same as dry camping (no power or potable water supplied). Done it a week at a time with our travel trailer on state land. Just making sure we had plenty of water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning up was my only big concern.
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but its generally 2 weeks before you have to move a couple miles.
I’m guessing that you’re probably talking about BLM land.
https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/camping
BLM-managed lands offer numerous opportunities for camping under the stars ranging from staying in an RV at a highly developed campground to simply throwing a sleeping bag on the ground in the backcountry. No matter what type of experience you are looking for, you can find it on BLM-managed public lands.
Dispersed Camping
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted “closed to camping,” or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.
Dispersed camping is generally allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. Camping limitation rules vary per office, please check with your local office for details on camping limitations. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska).
EDIT: Oh, no, the Forest Service does it too. A little over two weeks for them.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/fishlake/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5121831
You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area. Campers may not spend more than 16 days of any 30 day period at the same dispersed area.
Huh. Well, that’s interesting. First I’d heard of that.
I think that USDA Forest Service is technically a different government land management agency from the Bureau of Land Management agency so the land isnt technically managed by BLM its managed by national forest services. They share similar general rules for dispersed camping . I checked out the site for my specific national forest to make sure it was allowed.
so the land isnt technically managed by BLM its managed by national forest services
Nah, they each have land allocated to them. If it’s a national forest, then it’ll be the Forest Service; I’d figured that you were just confused about the land being part of a national forest. Wasn’t aware that the Forest Service had a similar policy to the BLM.
There’s also the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Park Service; all have some amount of federal land allocated to them.
Lemme find a map. I’ve seen ones that show which land belongs to each before.
kagis
Okay, cool, this one is interactive. Haven’t seen this before, just static maps.
https://maps.usgs.gov/padusdataexplorer/
You can click anywhere and it’ll show you which service the land is under the control of.
I wasn’t clear enough with my wording, my bad. I meant that national forest land isnt managed by BLM. I’m aware the BLM manages most public land out west.
Thank you for taking the time to explain it clearly and find that map. I personally like CGP Grey’s video on the subject
The first couple of nights are the most unsettling but it becomes normal pretty quick. In 3 years of living on the road there was only one time someone spooked us at night and it was just kids rocking the van for a laugh.
Hey I hope you enjoy it! This feeling of freedom balanced with a bit of adrenaline & uncertainty is exhilarating. I’ve been living like this for 5 years uninterrupted, and the mere thought of ever going back to living in a house or apartment makes me feel claustrophobic. I love living in a van. Pure freedom. The only requirements are staying afloat in life enough to keep maintaining the van and keeping everything legal and clean and we are free to roam! Free to live anywhere we want.
You should consider writing a long form post about your experience doing this. I’m sure I am not the only one interested in an account of living off the grid in this way.
Maybe you can just look on YouTube or read millions of other blogs people have already written about this very topic, because for some reason when people insinuate that I have some obligation to share my life experiences publicly, it makes me really grumpy, so you’re asking the wrong person here! 😝
I am a hermit living in a van. I do not exist to inform, educate, or entertain anyone.
I’m excited for you! I hope you enjoy the camping trip :)
Thank you streetfestival thats very kind :) I sure will!
Nice read.
Wouldn’t it feel even more dispersed away from civilization if you left the car behind?
Unless you trail up and down rocky mountains, I recommend hiking shoes that don’t go high on the ankle, they are much more comfortable than boots.I admire hikers and backpackers, definitely would be cool to do. Hiking a even a segment of he appilacia trail would be an awesome goal. Its on the bucket list for sure. Thanks for the shoe recommendation.
I plan to do full time living in the van while traveling the country eventually. So this is also about taking the first steps in adapting to living out of it. Its enough ‘dispersed camping’ for me just being here and out of my comfort zone, relying on limited amounts of resources and exploring the forest a little.
If you get into longue distance walking, look up Camino de Santiago in Europe.
Congratulations for going on this adventure! IMO, living for a few days now and then away from human development is almost like a spiritual experience. Occasionally reminding ourselves that there is existence outside of the systems we are familiar with really changes the way we see things. I’ve only been dispersion camping for four days at a time before – this week+ trip you’re on sounds like it will be great.
Alright, I never mention this in real life because it sounds absolutely ridiculous, but… the first time I dug a hole to shit in it, I felt like a different person. I was like, damn, I can do that. I just did that. Anyway, have a good shit. I mean trip.
If you choose to camp anywhere near mountains, please remember to stow your food and always carry bear spray.
Hope you enjoy it. Don’t worry too much about what you’re forgetting. Over time you’ll have a list of steps for getting ready, and for setting up once you get where you’re going. It’s a process, takes time to pare things down to what you really need, and will get easier with each trip out.
have fun, dispersed camping is great.
i used to use ioverlander a lot, there’s a cool map overlay showing BLM and other public lands.
makes it a little easier to find out how close you are to public lands and where you can drive to get to them.
Does dispersed camping mean you all go to different campsites?
I think it means not at a campsite. Just on federal land. Think you need a permit, and there’s probably rules to follow but no designated campsite.
Just have fun.
Did you die?
Yes 👻 The samsquanches got me
You’ll be fine! If you forget anything, you can just get it. There’s no need to be over-prepared for everything. Relax and enjoy!
If you’re just getting started with long term travel/camping, you’ll soon realize that you probably have way more stuff you don’t need than not having things that you do.
Have fun! :)
