Where to Camp?
 

First let me apologize if this question has been asked before, I tried searching the forums but could not find an answer. I recently came across Ken Kifer's website about "bikepacking", and it inspired me to dust off the old spinner, get back in a shape, and do a cross-state tour later this year or next summer. My major concern, however, is that I see a lot of tourers hinting at places to camp, but it's not really clear. I don't want to have to go out of my way to ride through state parks with $20/night carside camp spots. At the same time I don't want to spend 2 years in jail for trespassing. What do most of you do when it comes to finding a free or nearly free campsite at the end of the day? Some tales I've heard imply that most people wait until no one is looking and then find a hidden spot in the woods by the side of the road. How safe is this and how likely is it I'd get busted? I live in SC so there is quite a bit of rural/wooded area around.

i camped in public parks, people were cool with it. someone left us two cakes on a picnic table near our tents for when we woke up. this is in canada though.

There are differing philosophies. Ken Kifer has a good article on stealth camping, which is the "wait till the road is empty and duck off into the woods" method. Some people like to stop at a house when the end of the day is near and ask where they can set up a tent. Another option is to stop at a police station and ask them where it is ok to camp.

I for one, wouldn't want to stealth camp, but I live in Texas, and everyone thinks the law allows you to shoot anyone on your property (doesn't matter what the law actually is, because the law doesn't help you a whole lot once you've been shot).

If you prefer to camp in town (where access to food is easier), then stop in at the police station or sheriff station when you arrive in a small town. First, ask them if you can pitch a tent in the town park. If not, ask them if they know of a good place to pitch a tent.

A bit of advice I got from somewhere a long time ago is to be precise about how you phrase the question. Instead of asking if you can "camp", ask if you can "pitch a tent". The former conjures up images of building a campfire and roasting marshmellows, while the latter seems more minimally invasive.

You can also ask people if you can pitch a tent in their yard for the night. Make it clear you will be gone early the next morning. It's better to approach people who are already outside than knocking on doors. People already outside see you come up on your bike and you look less threatening.

I just find public land and camp- no sneaking or hiding involved. USFS maps are really good in that respect because they usually have a color system to indicate which areas are BLM and which are private in addition to the land under control of that particular NF and neighboring forrests. USGS maps give that distinction too, but they`re getting harder to find (most of the local dealers for them have closed in my area) and they don`t show Forrest Service road numbers. Then again, they have topo contours, which the USFS maps lack.

This is what my stealth campsites look like. Can you spot them in their camoflage?

http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/phot...14371_5921.jpg

this set up is just on the left side of this next photo.

http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/phot...14370_3654.jpg

also. eating cake that was left for us in the morning at another setup.

http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/phot...14442_5173.jpg

edit: both are in public parks.

The OP is from South Carolina (no BLM land, and National Forest lands are few and far between). Living in Georgia, I face the same problems. I would like to hear from people who have stealth camped in the deep south. Some friends have camped in county parks, usually waiting until dusk and finding a location away from any roads the local police might patrol. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) might be another idea, but they are often made up of sections of private land.

Whoa, no kidding! After reading a baffling number of posts where people ask similar questions and so much discussion on camping in city parks, etc I dinked around a bit on Dept of Int websites and see for myself. Yikes! I bum around all the time in NV and CA with occasional jaunts into southeast OR, western UT, and northern AZ. The scenery is different from place to place, but the camping situation is pretty much the same over that whole huge area. I didn`t realize how different the public access issue was out your way- sorry. If it`s of any use to you, I did find a fairly comprehensive map of federal lands on a state by state basis. It doesn`t show much in GA, NC, or SC, but it might help you nail down a few places.
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printab...ands.html#list

Here in SC, there are very few federal protected areas, none of which are near my intended biking routes. There are quite a few back roads through forested areas on private land, so it seems my only option is to either stealth-camp in these woods or ask for permission. I love state and national parks, and I support them in any way I can, but I just think $20/night is a lot to ask for a 10ft square piece of dirt to sit on for 12 hours.

From what I have read, a lot is not most of the state parks have hiker/biker camp sites. Which are quit a bit cheaper. Maybe call and asked on your attended route. ?

So let's say I do find some federal lands, is it okay for me to just plop down in the woods overnight? We'll assume I'm a person who has been camping for decades and understands the philosophy of leaving it better than I found it (which I am).

I live in South Carolina also. This state is by a mile the easiest state to set up a camp without problems. The one exception are friday nights in the fall where hunters will be everywhere so be careful about staying away from areas that have evidence of recent human activity.

An excellent site for SC bike routes is

http://www.sctrails.net/TRAILS/ALLTR...de/biking.html

On that link, they even talk about bicycle camping including impromptu camping.

Happy touring!

Busted for what?

Trespassing or some other property violation.

If no one sees you, then you won't get busted :)

We have a few rules of our own. We don't hop fences or deliberately ignore 'no trespassing' signs or anything else that might indicate someone wouldn't be too pleased to find us there. We tuck ourselves away when no one is looking.

Here's more we've written on wild or free camping

A lot depends on where you're cycling. In Germany, for instance, you have to be fairly discreet because landowners are more protective and likely to call the police and although you probably won't be fined, being told to move on near dark or after dark isn't great. In the Middle East, we were repeatedly 'found' by shepherds but no one ever minded and more times than not, they insisted we come home with them or asked if we had enough blankets or brought us sugar and bread. Sweet people.

We found it considerably more difficult to 'stealth camp' in the eastern USA than in the west. the population density is higher so there is less open land, but you also have very dense undergrowth which made it hard to find a spot large enough for our 4-person tent. That being said, we did find quite a few places whereever we went, so I know it's doable. Others have given you some good advice about how to find a place - with a bit of creativity you will have a safe place to sleep every night.

Sleeping on a wooded lot is not trespassing. You won't be breaking any laws.

You guys have all given me some great advice. Thank you so much for your collective wisdom :)

There are a lot more state parks, national forests and national parks than many people realize. Even in the East, if you carefully plan your route, you should be able to find public lands to camp on much of the time. You would be amazed at how many people do not even realize all of the parks near them and have never visited them. Also, many of the people who visit parks never leave their cars or the major attractions. Great Smoky Mountains NP is the most visited national park in the USA, yet you see hardly any people at all if you hike a little ways down any of the trails there. Kind of pitiful, if you think about it.

I am from South Carolina as well, and it is sometimes difficult to find legal places to camp on the road. That being said, it is very easy to stealth camp all over the place. It is important to practice this type of camping beforehand, looking for a good spot (no signage or fences) in order to find spots that will keep you from getting caught. Look for a spot with good coverage, away from the road, houses/houses with dogs. Don't make a mess or make a lot of noise. Get into your spot as it is getting dark, and try to leave as early as possible. If you are caught, leave as quickly as possible. Leave it the way you found it, no campfires, trash, and it's probably best not to cook there either.

Having gear that will camouflage you is helpful too. I use a Hennessey Hammock that is dark green and can be set up over ground that a tent cannot (anywhere that you can find two trees, really).

I just came back from a tour to DC this weekend, and I did stealth camp some along the way (along with motels, a warmshowers.org host and a hostel). The key is not to be obvious (or foolish) and you will be fine. It takes some practice, but it is a very useful skill for when you get caught out on the road with no place to go.

Joey,
Love your blog, I live near Columbia, so perhaps once I'm back in shape I can join you on a tour or vice versa :)

it's legal to camp in state parks that don't have campsites?

Stealth camping all the way, free and easy. Also, in towns/cities or whatever, find a church yard to sleep in. Ask for permission if someone's around, but go for it even if no one is. Every time I've done this and someone has shown up in the morning (pastors, etc.), they've been more than hospitable and excited to help out someone on the road.

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.