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Originally Posted by akahn
(Post 8821774)
it's legal to camp in state parks that don't have campsites?
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Originally Posted by SweetLou
(Post 8821968)
It depends on the park. Some parks allow it, some don't. Some parks have restrictions on the time of year and where you are allowed to camp. For example, some parks might allow you to camp anywhere in the park, but you must be at least 200 feet from any road. It is a good idea to check prior to getting there.
Still there are lots of free places. if you ask, at least in small towns and rural areas, chances of getting permission are very good. Churches, community parks, etc. are good bets. Small town police departments and fire houses are good places to ask, as has been mentioned. |
Hm, okay. I'm noticing that none of the parks listed here mention "no camping." http://www.mass.gov/dcr/western.htm
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Originally Posted by SweetLou
(Post 8821962)
Are you implying that stealth camping is illegal? There is nothing illegal about stealth camping. Trespassing is illegal. You are allowed on private property in South Carolina with some exceptions. For example, you are not allowed to hunt without permission, if the land is fenced or posted you are trespassing, you are not allowed to cause damage to the property. If you are traveling down the road and see a nice wooded area to sleep and it is not fenced, the owner didn't tell you that you are not allowed on the land or if it is posted, then you are allowed to put up a tent and camp.
If this type of camping were illegal, I would probably not tour. I don't like hurrying to get to my next campground, hotel, etc.. I prefer to ride until I feel like stopping for the evening. I could do this out in the open, but I prefer to stealth camp. I leave no trace that I was there. I don't cook at my campsite. I don't set fires. I put up my tent and get ready for bed, maybe some light reading or writing. In the morning, I get up and pack my stuff and head on down the road. I will stop when I see a nice place to make breakfast. Okay, but I believe it is still ilegal to defecate on private property. Wait until you find a gas station with rest rooms or some such. |
Originally Posted by SweetLou
(Post 8821962)
Are you implying that stealth camping is illegal? There is nothing illegal about stealth camping. Trespassing is illegal. You are allowed on private property in South Carolina with some exceptions. For example, you are not allowed to hunt without permission, if the land is fenced or posted you are trespassing, you are not allowed to cause damage to the property. If you are traveling down the road and see a nice wooded area to sleep and it is not fenced, the owner didn't tell you that you are not allowed on the land or if it is posted, then you are allowed to put up a tent and camp.
If this type of camping were illegal, I would probably not tour. I don't like hurrying to get to my next campground, hotel, etc.. I prefer to ride until I feel like stopping for the evening. I could do this out in the open, but I prefer to stealth camp. I leave no trace that I was there. I don't cook at my campsite. I don't set fires. I put up my tent and get ready for bed, maybe some light reading or writing. In the morning, I get up and pack my stuff and head on down the road. I will stop when I see a nice place to make breakfast. Joey French |
Here in Texas, if you think "park" also add "lake" into your thinking. A lot of the lakes around have parks associated with them that are pretty well unknown except for being near that lake. So you can camp at Lake Lavon, although I have no idea what that little park is called where the campground is. Also keep in mind that these parks are really busy on weekends in nice boating weather, but can be fairly empty otherwise.
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Originally Posted by willibrord
(Post 8822463)
Okay, but I believe it is still ilegal to defecate on private property. Wait until you find a gas station with rest rooms or some such.
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I was just checking in the Texas laws, and looks like it's "criminal trespass" if it's posted by signs or purple stripes on posts or if there's a fence or if you're asked to leave and don't, etc.
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Originally Posted by SweetLou
(Post 8826208)
I have not heard of this. Do you have a link to such an ordinance?
For example; (2) Prohibited Conduct. It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate on any public right-of-way, underground platform or concourse, elevated platform serving public transportation facilities, underground or elevated passageways used by the public, railroad or railway passenger stations or platforms, or on the steps leading to any of them, or on any private property used to accommodate the public, or on any private property without the permission of the owner. |
If you're uncomfortable with the idea of being on private residential land, there is another strategy I use really often. Apartment complexes, strip malls, and office parks all often have a patch of woods behind them. No one really uses these spaces, and even if someone notices you, it's likely to be the Blockbuster employee or the apartment dweller who doesn't really care.
A stealty-colored hammock really does make things easy. Among other things, you can camp on very steep land, which I often find right next to the road. Nobody walks through those areas. Sometimes I camp within sight of the road, but no one has ever seen me because they aren't looking. One thought though; your bike itself is pretty reflective and can give you away if you're in an area where headlights will sweep. It's easy to be paranoid. Just remember that no one, even the most bored police, are driving around hunting for bike tourists sleeping on the cheap. |
Vaguely relevant: I was recently in New England (I live in Australia), and ended up spending a night sleeping in the back of my rental car, on a private golf course (it was dark). Police arrived in the morning, questioned me, scanned my ID, sent me on my way (well, told me to go sleep 50 metres down the road in a "public" area).
Moral of the story: Even if you get found sleeping on someone's private property, and the police get involved, 2 years in jail is probably unlikely. This was Maine though, not SC. |
Originally Posted by vitamaltz
(Post 8831038)
Just remember that no one, even the most bored police, are driving around hunting for bike tourists sleeping on the cheap.
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Originally Posted by vitamaltz
(Post 8831038)
I...your bike itself is pretty reflective and can give you away if you're in an area where headlights will sweep....
Having a camouflage tarp to toss over the bike can be very useful at times. |
I read this story and it made me think of stealth camping.
"It wasn't their (the Muhs) property," DeFoor said. "State statute says legally you can shoot a trespasser at night on your property, but not on the road, and that's where they were." |
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