You need to read what I wrote. In my state, you do not have to mark the boundaries of your land nor post "No Trespassing" signs. It's a weird state law but it is the law. Cross someone's boundary that doesn't want you to and they can call the local constable. Trespassing in Colorado requires being taken before a judge. The local cop isn't going to pick your gear up nor will they likely let you pack up your gear before taking you in. Your stuff will sit there. When you come back to retrieve it, you can either trespass and risk another trip to see the judge (and he ain't gonna be happy to see you again ) or ask the landowner if you can retrieve your gear. If he says no, you are SOL. And if the local landowner happens to poke a gun in your face to keep you from running off, who is the local cop going to side with? The guy he sees at the coffee shop every day or somebody dressed in weird bike clothes? Is it worth the hassle to save a few bucks? Out here, we call that being pennywise and pound foolish (or at least that's the least earthy way I have of saying it )

You can camp on US Forest land, although there might be some restrictions as well as BLM land, again with some restrictions. If you know that it's public land, I have no problem with camping there, although I've seen what happens to the areas that are frequently used for disorganized camping...it's not a pretty sight.

Don't give up. It's not as bad as all that. You just need to be aware of the laws of the state you are traveling in. Here's there's lots of public land so it's usually not a problem. And there's nothing wrong with Holiday Inns.

I’ve toured for years which include occasional stealth camping as a last resort for those parts of the journey that require it. I would define “stealth” as non-designated camping areas in public or private wilderness, as far from public view as possible. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
“Stealth” does not include encroachment near homes. If there is civilization nearby, or anyone to ask, I will always ask permission. I usually set up at dusk and am gone by 6AM leaving no sign I was ever there.
So as an example, in the unlikely event a farmer finds your tent and bicycle on the edge of his 10,000 acre spread off to the side of the road with your tent pitched in his draw, we are to understand he is threatened? Giving him the right to put a gun in your face? Because it’s a “respect” issue? Because he pays taxes? Whad’ I miss…?

but if somebody ASKED me to pitch a tent. i'd ask em if they wanted some water and for me to do a load of their laundry.

after so many mils, you're too tired to maul me.

now, if you were a trout, i might be afraid. very afraid.

cycco, you need to turn on your sarcasm detector.

GA, if you ride through boulder you can pitch your tent in my backyard. Same for any of the rest of you. (I have a big boyfriend I'll sic on y'all if you don't behave.)

I was replying to Syke, but now that you mention it....CO sucks

How are you supposed to know what is "public land" if private land owners aren't required to post indications?

Being a trout fisherman, the biggest thing that bugged me about Colorado was that land owners actually owned the river bottom, therefore it was trespassing to wade in someone's river to fish. And invariably you would get chased out, yelled at and it wasn't all that uncommon to see guns brandished. Too bad, because Colorado has some excellent trout rivers.

Your Very Welcome,I've been touring for decades now and I really enjoy the site myself.

There's lots of public water but, yes, our water laws are rather 'funky'. For example, the water belongs to the people of the state. The river bottom can be owned by a landowner. They can't stop you from traveling on the water, i.e. floating, but touch the bottom and you are trespassing. Generally speaking, there's enough public land that finding someplace to fish isn't usually a problem.

Most people do post signs and fences since they want to keep people off their property. The real confusion arises when you try to determine what is public land, which is usually fenced, and what is private, which is also fenced.

hey thanks valygirl! I'll be sure to be on my best behavior!

GreenAnvil

This is an interesting thread. I used to stealth camp when I was so poor that the price of a campsite in a state park was a budget-buster (and there were no such things as hiker/biker sites.) But I usually did it in a park - in the woods or in the picnic section after dark. I had a few uncomfortable incidents and gave it up quickly. However, lately I've felt tempted to avoid campgrounds due to the nature of the people one often finds there - people who drink and play their stereos loud until late at night, throw frisbees into your campsite (tent) and run to get them without acknowledging your presence, that sort of thing. I'd prefer a grassy spot in a KOA to a regular campsite in some campgrounds I've been in. For that reason, if I'm in a national forest, and there are no hiker/biker sites around, I'd prefer camping out in the woods, alone. I mention hiker/biker sites because, so far, I've never had a bad experience in one. Bikers (like me) tend to be pooped in the evening. They're quiet and they go to bed early!

Touring with kids is definitely do-able. I recommend reading "Hey Mom, Can I Ride My Bike Across America?" by John Seigel Boettner. He took some middle-schoolers across the country. He's done it again since, but this time he produced a DVD of the trip, instead of writing a book. I got a copy from ACA.

I've toured with kids. You have to find kids who are into it, and most wouldn't be, but there are a few. Then you have to spend some time teaching them, most importantly safe riding practices and proper shifting, cadence, etc. so they can cycle efficiently and not tire themselves out too quickly. (I was riding with a 12 year old last weekend, riding a 21-speed bike, who said, "I always ride in [gear number] seven. It's my favorite. Seven is the best! She was exhausted at the end of a 22 mile ride. Gee, I wonder why? I tried to give her some tips on shifting, but she didn't seem to want to hear it. After all, seven was her favorite.)

I took a short tour with my son when he was 8. Back then he was tough (now that he can drive he won't get on his bike.) I rode behind him the whole way so I could watch what he was doing and shout instructions if necessary. Your 14 and 12 year olds probably won't need that, but kids that age often get cocky, or lose focus. They have to be ingrained with the idea that it only takes one moment of carelessness to end up maimed, brain-damaged, or dead.

As to kindness and Christian attitude of rural folk to hitchhikers or self-supported cycle tourists, I read an interesting travelogue.
An Ukrainian lady 60 years old made a bike tour of Poland - very religious Christian country. Once she was allowed to spend the night in the farmer’s backyard. Horrible thunderstorm happened that night. However, the home owner who was the same age lady didn’t offer the traveler to come into the house. Afterwards in the morning she *admired* by the traveler’s bravery…
There was another case. An elderly woman allowed the travelogue’s author to pitch one’s tent up near to the backyard. Her son, who came home later called the police… Strong young man was afraid of 60 years old woman.
IMO that is very strange behavior.

You are absolutely right on “urban background”. I live in a large city. Weekend or vacation recreation in the countryside is an important part of our urban life. Someone likes to spend the time in one’s suburb summer house. Others, like me, love to camp out, despite I have a summer house too. Why do I do this? Because I did it always, my parents did it always, my wife’s parents did it always too. Self-supported touring is our urban subculture.
IMO official campgrounds looks like kind of reservation (for people). Townsfolk also want privacy, to listen to birds singing awaking in a forest in the morning.

I think the term “stealth camping” provokes negative feelings only because always relates to landowner rights offending. However, in general this should not be supposed, just as any abuse.

People live according to their custom everywhere. And if something looks strange for one like “the double barrels of a 20-gauge” treatment, for others this is norm. The best way is to respect people’s feelings, even if we can’t understand them. Custom is formed historically and sometimes we just don’t know what was its base.

I've got to give you credit on a wonderful understanding of other cultures, be they across a state ro national border. Just because around here we tend to handle a firearm more often and with a lot more familiarity than say urban New York or Southen California, doesn't mean this place is Dodge City. We just tend to be a little more direct, old fashioned, and forbearing when we feel threatened.

Interestingly enough, my family comes from rural Slovakia (I'm second generation native American-born), and from what my father told me from his trips there, they would have no difficulty understanding the attitude at all.

Now, lets look at this logically, your camping somewhere and a guy comes up to you, and says, something to the effect that your trespassing. You tell them you are sorry and didn't realize it was private property, and offer to clear out immediately. You start packing up, not to many people will push the issue, some might even offer to let you stay, as long as you don't leave a mess, and clear out first thing in the morning. If the person has a police officer in tow, the officer is going to suggest that the property owner accept the offer that you made to leave. The officer isn't being nice to you, if they arrest you, they know that when you go before a judge, and state that you offered to leave, the judge is going to toss the case, and probably give the officer crap, for wasting his/her time. I think the problem most people have with campers, is when you get people who leave a mess, however if the occasional camper comes by, and leaves no trace that they were there, few people would really mind.

One of the issues with camping, if your doing a lot of stealth camping, you should plan your route better, to hit campgrounds more often. I found an interesting website, Campsource.ca they list some 4000+ campgrounds in Canada, and include contact info. One of the online mapping services like Google Maps, can be handy for route planning as well. If you know that you can cover 150km a day, then you probably want to plan on finding a site beyond 120km, so where does that leave you, probably near a town or city, so Google the name of the city, with camping, and see what comes up.

When you do stealth camp, the general idea, is to leave no evidence of your visit, that means no fires, no garbage, pack out you toilet or bury it in such a way that it can not be detected, be careful to place tents and equipment where they don't destroy vegetation, if everyone did this, then people wouldn't care if people camped in the far corner of the back 40.