Where Can You Camp?

I suppose I've been spoiled. Most of my life I've camped where ever I wanted to. A lot of the land in NE Minnesota is public land and you can camp where you like - though that seems to be changing too.

In two or three years I'm going to be pulling the plug here (retirement) and I'm considering just taking off in the winter, with my tent, for warmer climes. Thing is, I don't want to spend every night in a KOA campground.

I'm wondering where, in the USA I can camp wild without having to pay someone for the privilege?

I don't know it seems that "public" land isn't so public anymore. In Southern Indiana it was hard to find land to hunt and camp. If it wasn't private land it was public but people we on top of one another. I remeber going to the Hoosier National Forest the last year I deer hunted and I passed 3 hunters on my way to my tree stand. When I got to my tree stand it was gone. Too many people and not enough land to go around I guess.

I know in Colorado you can camp anywhere on National Forest for free, unless otherwise marked. Did that twice last year... good times. I think for the State Parks you need a park pass but i could be off...

I used to live in MN and loved camping up there, was fun.

BLM land is free in most places . Check with local rangers in areas you have never been to make sure though. State parks in California have a lot of free or "low fee" areas, as well as national Forests (low fee). In many parts of BLM land in the southwest there are places where you can stay for up to 6 months.

Check out these sites about "boondocking".

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
http://www.boondockingguide.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/Boondocking/index.html

You might want to look into being a campground host for the National Forest Service. Then you get paid for camping. Not much but enough to buy food.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badawg

BLM land is free in most places . Check with local rangers in areas you have never been to make sure though. State parks in California have a lot of free or "low fee" areas, as well as national Forests (low fee). In many parts of BLM land in the southwest there are places where you can stay for up to 6 months.

Check out these sites about "boondocking".

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
http://www.boondockingguide.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/Boondocking/index.html

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Thanks for that. Always wanted to see Canyon De Chelly.

Just have to connect the dots on the US map (freecampgrounds.com)

In a place called Wilson Creek ,North Carolina you can camp anywhere. It is kind of near Pisgah( or Piskah?) forest. It's in the mountains. It is a beautiful area.

We camp in the northern parts of the sierras every year, but if you want to be right on a lake you will have to pay most times. There are a few small lakes that most don't know about that are free. Dirt road access only high up in the mountains. Got plans for a trip up there this spring. There may still be some snow the elevation is 6,700 ft. There is also an old gohst mining town near by.

Any where on the Appilachian trail which runs from Georgia to Maine. All year round its FREE! and its a great outdoor experience too.

any national forest in the USA of owned "by the people" you can stay for up to 14 days in one spot and then move on but if you go to another ranger district you could play that game for ever. In flagstaff there are two national forest the cocconino and khibab each close to each other could live there along time and never even see a ranger

I am used to Maine, If it isn't posted land fell free to use bu not abuse it.

Your best bet with BLM and National Forest is to stop by the Ranger Station and have a chat with the folks at the front desk. Don't focus on wanting to camp for free in your conversation, but tell them that you're looking for somewhere to get away from the crowds in the campgrounds where you can get some real peace and quiet. While some front desk folks haven't got a clue, others are former field folks who'd love to share their intimate secrets about the forest they've grown to love over the years. It's a bit hit or miss, but when you warm up to the right folks, you hit the jackpot.