campground info

“Hi everyone. Was just wondering what the rules are for camping in national forests these days. Do you folks have to camp in designated campgrounds? What do you do if you get caught too far from the next campground? Do you need a special permit to camp in the "outback"?”

“I can't help too much here, but last time that I was caught "too far from the next campground" I was camping in the middle of a national Forest, down some back road, I never thought I'd see another soul. The only person I saw was the ranger, he stopped and asked if I was ok, ran my license, and told me to pick up my things "bowls and stuff" (I had my dog bowl sitting out on the ground) and waved a friendly goodbye, no problem there.”

“thanks for the input! In years past we've camped on old logging roads and never had a problem, but it looks like things might be getting stricter. Funny you'd need to show a driver's license to hike!”

“on the less impacted parts of the PCT, you need nothing at all.”

“I'd check the USDA Forest Service website for the particular forest your planning to visit. The National Forests I've been to usually allow backcountry camping. Some 'special areas' are restricted, and there are probably a dozen other rules that vary from forest to forest. It could also depend on the mood of the ranger. If the roads not very wide and it has to accomodate 2 way traffic they may run you out just because they feel your cars blocking the flow of traffic.”

“who'd be bringing a car? backpack in.”

“Well, some trails intersect roads where there's not a parking lot, so you may be tempted to plan a route that has you parked on the side of the road. I've even seen suggestions at a Forest here in Ohio of routes that required parking in places I'd never park myself. Like on the side of the road in a forest. I have enough anxiety leaving my car in a parking lot in the forest. My trip out usually consists of my panicking about whether or not my car will still be in one piece, if it's still there at all.”

“Two words: trail angel.”

“No permits needed in New Mexico. You can camp anywhere not too close to the water, sometimes you have to be a certain distance off the trail. Sometimes forests get closed altogether because of fire danger, like last spring. Each forest makes it's own rules, so check the web site of the particular place for camp fire and camping restrictions.”

“The only time I have seen a problem is if there is a nearby campground. They don't like people camping just outside a campground.”

“They are checking id's because there are all sorts of nefarious wackos who seek refuge in the outback with their DB Cooper type plots. Plus it may be there had been a report issued for stolen vehicle that matched the make and model of the car. Or maybe the ranger wasn't really a ranger at all but was impersonating one so as to get the address of people who are not at home and go rob their house. Or maybe the ranger was an extra terrestrial alien with a kidnap list looking for specific individuals for bizarre experiments. Or maybe....”

“I think in Michigan you need an off-trail camping permit. Not a big deal, I have a whole glovebox full of them. I fill them out, sent in a few dollars for the fee and tag my own tent. Ass covered. Plus, The Forest service can use those dollars.”

“"Plus, The Forest service can use those dollars.”
sassafras
7:16:01 AM
3/19/07"

Yeah, they had decided to charge fees in Ohio and everybody complained so they never implemented it. It's not like the fees are outrageous, and the person using the forest should bear more of the cost than the average taxpayer.”

“Rev, you're ramblin'!

=)”

“hammocker, be sure to check how far from roads, etc, you can have a fire at the forest you go to if youre making one.”

“Thanks everyone! here's a couple of very good links someone from yahoo answers sent me: http://www.title-3.com/DryCamping.htm http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/camping/campgrounds.htm”

“Interesting. Thank you.”

“You need to check with the Forest Service for each National Forest for varying regulations regarding:

Fires
Pack animals and grazing
Day hike permits
Overnight permits
Dispursed camping
Dogs (allowed? leashes required?)
Trail use by equestrians or cyclists
Off road use
Firearms (hunting, target shooting, varmint hunting, handguns, ammo restrictions, etc.)
Parking permits (e.g. So. Cal requires an "Adventure Pass" $5/day or $30/year)
Bear related requirements (cars at trailheads, use of bear lockers, etc.)

If there is a wilderness area within the forest, sometimes the wilderness area has additional requirements (For example, our local wilderness has a additional rules to the National Forest such as wilderness permits are required, no handguns allowed, and dogs must be on a leash).
last edited: 3/22/07 2:25:24 AM”

“The one near me, Fingerlakes Nat. Forest allows camping virtually anywhere, you need to be 50 feet off a trail or pond and not camping in the pastures when the cows are there but otherwise freedom to camp wherever you want. I just spent sunday night there in the Blueberry Patch Camp. my dog and I had the whole place to ourselves.”