Free Camping in the US National Forests. The What, Why & Where to dispersed roadside camping

In this video, Tommy shows you why he favors dispersed camping in the US National forests with some funny tales of inconsiderate people in campgrounds and then goes into detail about how to find and plan your free campsite in the forest. Safety tips and other handy info is also covered as well as an actual demonstration in the forest!
Another video you may like is Exploring the Forest Roads. Here's the link
• Exploring Forest Roads!
www.TommySierra.com
Instagram: @adventuretommy
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Licenses have been obtained for all music in the video. To ensure proper attribution across all platforms this video might be viewed from and to comply with the copyright holder's requirements for use, song titles and artists are credited in the actual video (typically at the end of the video). Tommy takes copyrights claims seriously. Please contact via TommySierra.com first to resolve any issues.

[@justincase2071]

7:15 actual content starts (unless you want to hear loads of complaining). You're welcome.

[@keltenS]

Thank you

[@guyappin0]

I got that complaining vibe too. It is what it is. The hardest part about controlling the actions and behavior of another human being is to try and attempt to control the actions and behavior of another human being. That's why most people get others (police, rangers, etc) to do it for them

[@toddhelms4037]

Thankyou

[@wannabetowasabe]

I'm retired from the U.S. Forest Service with 4 years in fire management and the remainder in recreation and lands (special use permit administration, land exchanges and purchases). This on 4 national forests in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California. I enjoyed watching this video and is very informative. I have a few comments: 1st and foremost, always extinguish any fire you start until you can put your hand in it. That means mixing and stirring dirt in it for about 20 minutes and possibly less if you are efficient and practiced. A quick douse of water, even 5 gallons worth is not enough, throwing dirt on top of it is not good enough, it must be completely cool to the touch throughout. Most people do not know when their fire has caused a multi acre wildfire because they are long gone and assume they did a adequate job taking care of their fire. In California a public and private land campfire permit is required outside developed recreation sites (campgrounds for camping and fires only in the grille provided in picnic sites) year round. We sometimes call camping outside a campground dispersed camping, but have been using the term "primitive camping" more often as it seems to confuse people less. This is true even if you are using a propane or white gas camping stove. This permits are not valid when fires are prohibited outside developed sites. In extreme years some national forests prohibit both wood and charcoal fires in campgrounds as well. In the southwest the next stage of restrictions is to close national forests to entry off of major roads and highways. You can drive through on a state highway or some county maintained roads, but you can't stop to recreate. That is true of the national forests in northern Arizona as of this writing in June, 2018. 2nd. The more a national forest is visited the more restrictions are needed. I have visited the Pisgah National Forest, this during a month long course at Clemson University. You indicated you thought that their restrictions on dispersed camping went too far. When a forest is heavily used the resource effects from dispersed camping can cause a lot of damage. On the Inyo and Toiyabe National Forests in the eastern Sierra where I spent 18 years of my career, every major canyon, especially with paved roads, are closed to both camping and fires outside developed campgrounds, except for fires in grilles at developed picnic areas. We close these areas to camping as they need to be available for day users traveling from campgrounds to access fishing spots and other attractions. We close those areas to camping because heavy camping needs hardened roads, sites and constructed fire rings to prevent damage, soil compaction, improperly constructed campfires, spreading vegetation damage as more cars are squeezed into limited parking. We also have to look at the total use of an area, such as a canyon with a watercourse/lake and not put more people into the area than it can handle. We can't just keep building parking areas, more campgrounds, allow people to camp outside campgrounds and end up with thousands of people at a lake or along a river, when the area can only handle just a few hundred people recreating at the same time. It does little good to cram thousands of people at a lake, when at just a few hundred the lake shore is so crowded that there is no room left for someone to cast a fishing line into that lake. When the theater is full you just can't see the movie. So there is a lot more going on than meets the eye immediately. In the eastern Sierra for a distance of about 225 miles every major canyon with a paved road located west of the major access route of U.S. 395 is closed to camping and fires outside a developed site year round. If the campgrounds are closed for the season, then you can't camp or have a fire in that canyon during the off season. There are a few areas off dirt roads in the same vicinity where these restrictions apply as well. The trailheads in this area are heavily used as well, even though nearly every trail has an overnight permit quota and in the case of the Mt. Whitney trail and day hiking use limit as well. Camping in trailheads is prohibited and enforced. If we didn't do this the trailheads would get a lot of camping and would take spaces away for those parking at the trailhead and heading out into the backcountry. Many trailheads are full to capacity with hikers vehicles from mid June to late September. On the Inyo National Forest we had an area that was so popular that we had to require day users to take a shuttle bus as their wasn't enough parking to accommodate the demand and building more would have destroyed the reason people were coming. We would have had to build parking lots in sensitive areas such as meadows or cut acres of trees down to build more lots. The areas attractions were already running at capacity anyway. We never institute a restriction until there is no alternative. Often the public can't understand or see the affects of some activities until it is too late to solve the problem. Sometimes we see water quality problems, soil erosion, a large number of fires left improperly extinguished or unattended, wildlife disturbance to breeding and/or migration, reductions in bird nesting of sensitive species, some of which are vital to insect and pest control for trees, vegetation stripping, soil compaction, destruction of riparian areas, conflicts between users (e.g. people camping in trailhead parking leaving no space for hikers), lack of space to construct parking, noise, road maintenance problems, decreases in aquatic species and a few more I can't think of right now, that are measured by people educated, trained and experienced in natural resource management. The effort is undertaken and measures and restrictions instituted before large, nearly irreversible and very long term effects are experienced. Congressional law directs the agency from allowing that to happen, whether or not the public can immediately observe or understand it.

[@wannabetowasabe]

I understand the problems in campgrounds. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have never received the funding and personnel to adequately patrol and enforce campground regulations. We didn't have the money to patrol more than once of twice a day, even when budgets were much higher 30 or more years ago. We didn't have money for an evening shift, when many of the problems occurred. I know that locally, the Inyo National Forest has been cut back to a level where they are barely functioning, they can pick and choose issues where the can only slow down the long term degradation to the land and have to ignore those issues they cannot address adequately. I'm seeing long term effects of soil erosion, stream bank destabilization, vegetation loss, inadequately maintained facilities, etc. It breaks my heart as I worked so hard to prevent such things when I was working. I logged 3,800 hours of uncompensated overtime in my last 10 years of work to try to keep up, but all my efforts are now going down the drain.

[@wannabetowasabe]

The last thing I want to say is that people should always visit the individual website of each national forest they plan to visit. Opportunities and restrictions vary forest to forest, especially when traveling into regions visitors are not familiar with. Do remember that the more recreation use a forest experiences, the more restrictions that will be in place.

[@jeffwhitney3369]

Great info!

[@YourMajesty143]

I swear, it's things like this that make me more and more of a misanthrope. Humanity stinks. Even before reading your wonderful yet sad commentary on your experiences, I promised myself to be very careful about how I interacted with nature, by doing most of my scouting on foot, avoiding even making ANY fires period (only using a solar oven or internal RV stove if necessary), picking up trash left by others & not bringing anything into the woods except my eyes (camera) & feet (hiking boots), etc. That was before, but your comment makes me wish to be even more diligent about everything like how & where I park, how little to disturb an area that appears to be used as nesting or animal havens, keeping my noise level limited to quietly walking and light shutter sounds of my camera, not foraging or removing anything that helps maintain the land, etc. Thank you for your long years of service, I'll be sure to appropriately consider my behavior and share your information with others. Please continue educating as this helps us be more responsible campers.

[@kayakerpaddler2023]

Too many people! We HATE campgrounds. We want quiet and connection to nature - not party central!!

[@coreybarnett4269]

Watched this video then we decided to head up into the mountains, never had been to a National Forest, or the mountains either. We had the best trip ever, found an amazing camp site in the mountains along a rushing river. Glad I watched this video to get us out and away from the regular state park campgrounds! Thanks!

[@insightandintuition276]

Which national forest are you referring to

[@cathyann1601]

Very helpful! You answered some questions that I've had about finding a place to boondock in the National Forests. Thank you!

[@CK-831]

I agree with your views on campgrounds. UGH. Just kicking it until the state stops burning. My beloved Los Padres Nat'l Forest will never be the same...

[@chevyvantravel9735]

Hey, great video. you seem like a pretty reasonable guy. i totally get how rude and despicable people can get. lol. hope you find many quiet peaceful calm camping spots so that you and your dogs can relax and have fun AND ENJOY NATURE.

[@alconlan1754]

Really enjoyed the video Tommy! I've been dispersed camping for a while, so I knew some of what you taught. However, some of it I did not. Thank you!

[@rascal]

I also got some noisy neighbors at a campground til 2am... Oregon... I feel your pain.

[@gisellegonzalez4677]

Thank you this video is really helpful!!!! Safe travels🙏🏼

[@ediedaley3701]

As I'm new to dispersed camping, I found the second half so helpful! I have so much to learn. I enjoyed your video of the truck driving--from different angles, too. Clever. Thanks!

[@CarlottaART]

Very informative. Great video. Thank you!

[@RoadDogSteve]

Good video.... When I go dispersed camping the first place I go to, if close by, is the nearest ranger station.... I ask about conditions, restrictions, controlled burns, etc. I also let them know the area I will be in.... They have never been authoritative towards me. Also, if a planned burn is scheduled or a wildfire is near they remember the "dude going camping in the area"... Most rangers are cool people that like their jobs....

[@chevyvantravel9735]

excellent tip...thank you. I have never done this before so i feel apprehensive...

[@davidbrooks3652]

mimi taylor you will love it, before this year I had never been camping, and since I've started I can't get enough, all dispersed trips, I'm doing 1 a month now I wish I could do more

[@BARBIEJA4ANDI]

it would be fun to hear back from mini. I wonder what her experiences were. I'm starting out in October on the East side of the,USA. then on to AZ for December

[@ChrisRI1000]

Barbara Anderson dispersed camping in the Northeast is very difficult for many reasons. So if you do it in the east I'd stay south unless you're in for a real challenge.

[@robertallen231]

..yep..never met a national forest ranger that wasn't chill..however..national park rangers! Don't get me started...lol

[@hunteroftruth4986]

Thanks for the tips. May a cool breeze always be with you.

[@Free_to_be_qurious]

Yes, this was very helpful, never knew there was free camping in the national forest. But I should’ve known since the Appalachian trail begins right up the street.

[@jeffharrison6059]

Such a great video and walkthrough!

[@thenightphotographer]

Loved your informative video.. its a big help to a 'first timer' like me! 😀

[@annamariekraft2420]

Thank you for this video!!!! Love it!!!

[@vanessaboman8143]

wow what a great video and what beauty there is out there... away from the clamor of the modern ways of living.. well almost anyway .. lol... thanks for posting tis its great. :)

[@rickyrox341]

Great info! Thanks Tommy.

[@ChrisRI1000]

Eventually I'll make it out there and disperse camp. Not so easy to do it up here in the northeast. Like in NH. They keep it a closely guarded secret. First thing I tried was the Ranger Station and what do you know all the rangers had no idea what dispersed camping was or if there were any places to camp. However, I tried going off onto a dirt road and found National Forest controlled roads and dispersed camping sites. They were full of locals and I passed a Ranger 2 times. The thing with NH is its like a small underground system where the locals drive business to each other at the expense of the "flatlanders". So they know nothing about those free sites yet they're all full with them. I use to own a 2nd home there and tried to quote several plowing services. They all directed me back to the same guy who wanted an exorbitant amount of money. Apparently they have their own territories everyone respects so they can gouge the flatlanders. So they want you to pay for camping at their buddy's campground and stop you from using the free forestry sites so they can camp free. It's beautiful up there but keep it in mind that you shouldn't believe everything the locals tell you and don't break any rules. For example, I once wanted to park overnight at a business that supposedly was ok with it. I asked the manager first and he said go to a campground that's what its for because if I see you parked I'll have you towed right away. Nice! Ask a question politely and get a snarky and aggressive reply.

[@bgtsy]

Thx for sharing!!

[@RhemaShalom888]

Thanks for a precious information!

[@heatherbrenner8275]

I was just reading about dispersed camping in Michigan. its something I have never heard of before, but I was looking for places to do overnight backpacking trips and I was having no luck at all until I heard about this. It opened up a lot of possibilities because there is a lot of national forests in Mi. Here you can also disperse camp in State forests if you fill out a registration card and follow a few rules like you have to be more than a mile away a State Forest Campground. But there are more options than just staying at official campgrounds. Great Video!

[@fortunateadventures3664]

Awesome👍🏻just came across your channel,Cant wait to get out there. 🚌🌲🌳

[@teotoad1]

Really informative. Thank you.

[@EmAndtheGang]

We really want to do some boondocking soon, but we haven't gotten to do it yet. I'm always looking for tips about it!

[@k_sey.9370]

Thank you for this video. Great information.

[@martinjcamp]

A very nice video with sound advice. Thank you.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing your very informative video. I hope to do some winter camping next month in the El Dorado County national forest in Ca. Take care out there and be safe. 🤗

[@annamariekraft2420]

My car has absolutely everything I need to car camp. I made this really perfect wood-burning stove out of a paint can and two small soup cans. It will be for warming me up and cooking. I have everything organized perfect, I have two buckets of food and of water. I even have I thing to pump water and make it come out as a spray for a shower. I’m totally set! unfortunately I don’t have a dog but pretty soon I will have a gun. I’m so thankful for this video. It was really awesome!

[@cindyhatch5062]

Great info provided, thxs✌

[@ProspectorsGhost]

@ Another Created Adventure - Some people like you said: "Is it OK to camp so close to the road? Wasn't there a rule that you had to camp far from the roads or something?" - Well, to answer your question (FYI) - Here is what the book from the BLM says about Dispersed Camping (straight from the book).... * * Dispersed Camping * *: "Many people enjoy the solitude of camping away from developed campgrounds. Follow these guidelines to insure that these areas can be enjoyed by future generations: 1. Camping at any one site is limited to 14 days per visit. 2. Choose sites that are already established. 3. Camp at least 200 feet away from any water sources. 4. Avoid building new fire rings. Use existing fire rings or camp stoves. Fire-pans or stoves are recommended when camping. Use only dead and down wood for campfires. Bringing your own firewood is recommended. (in some areas collecting firewood is prohibited) Do Not put cans, bottles, or aluminum foil into a fire ring. Burn campfire logs to ashes, then douse with water (Do Not cover campfires with sand or dirt, as the wind or animals may uncover the ashes and spread any still-live embers causing the fire to flare up again and spread fire to other areas). Do Not Leave Campfires Unattended. 5. Check current fire conditions. 6. Dispose of human waste properly (away from water and in a 6" or deeper hole). 7. Travel responsibly on land by staying on designated roads, trails and areas. 8. Respect the rights of others, including private property owners and fellow recreationists. 9. Educate and prepare yourself prior to your trip by obtaining proper equipment, compasses, and travel maps. Learn about local regulations from public agencies. Alert friends and family about travel intentions. Always be prepared for changing weather conditions. 10. Avoid sensitive areas on land such as meadows, lake-shores, wetlands and streams. 11. Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior by leaving the area better than you found it. * Pack it In, Pack It Out *, clean up after yourself and do not leave trash behind. - So there it is straight from the BLM book. - However remember.... Sometimes other, or additional rules, also apply to other different areas. across the nation. Please check with the local Rangers etc., for the area you are going to camp in, just to be safe, rather than find out the hard way with a fine, or eviction from your camping area.

[@parkcrashers5922]

Well there it is

[@jeffreyvasby3230]

Thanks for the info son, l like your truck camper you built and you always deal with ignorant people sometimes. I just subscribed to your Channel. Love and God Bless! Uncle Jeff!

[@melvinhowell5469]

Thank you, Sir! First of your vids I have seen...very good info, and I will be watching more! Also, subscribed and am going to bookmark your web page. Thanks much!

[@louisaloi9178]

Is good helpful video 👍 I bicycle camp & live in NE.Ohio & can totally relate to not wanting to overnight in a state campground even if it's a primitive non electricity site.I camp alone too,unfortunately for me my site was next to another site where a small group of 20 something's showed up @ 10ish after dusk that was quiet & peaceful til they showed up.I found out the hard way this was their Labor Day weekend party site til Monday morning.So much for the quiet holiday campsite.Love the idea of dispersed primitive camping,but unfortunately for me the bicycle camper Ohio has only 1 US FOREST in SE.Ohio Wayne National forest which is awesome,big & beautiful.My options are limited otherwise since I don't drive to stealth camping if I don't want to deal with crowded,busy & usually noisy campgrounds.But thanks enjoyed your video for next time this summer I pedal down there again.

[@laffilmfest3759]

Great info......as long as u be careful it's pretty cool!

[@JJF10101957]

Great Vid! Where I am some campsites are free in the winter, overcrowded in the summer. Some are free all year. Where this was taped it was clear that responsible people camp there. I travel with a rake to clean the trash from previous campers.

[@Rocki5pr]

Didn't mention/point out the "pets welcome" part in the rules ---- this is not always allowed; in fact, it's restricted/prohibited in many, many state/national lands.

[@KnollNomad]

Reminds me of the logging roads in the Green Mountains of Vermont

[@saraw5942]

Great video, as a 55 year old woman, I am in search of a motor home to do just exactly what you are doing. I do fear being that secluded, lol. I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, so like you, I am comforted in knowing i can find peace somewhere out there.

[@kcbluebutterfly2182]

That's how me and my family camp, I found some amazing places to camp the free. I pick boondocking over camp grounds. We have a 73 Apache Mesa. Colorado has some amazing places to camp for free.

[@Knight_Astolfo]

I just found your channel... you really remind me of Collin from This Does Not Compute. Thanks for the info!

[@whiskywillie]

Thanks for the very formative video. Btw, what kind of tent is that and where can I buy one? Thanks

[@annamariekraft2420]

Thank you!!!

[@backcountry164]

Roads on MVU maps that are lined with little dots on either side, as you can see in the video at 13:30, are designated for dispersed camping.

[@Danalouise_]

thanks this was a really helpful and informative video for someone who has never boondocked before. I'm so sick of campgrounds and I wasn't sure how to find legal camping elsewhere.

[@stiffcross]

Thanks Tommy

[@olegc6209]

Thank you, very useful!

[@Belboo123]

Very inspiring! This is why I sold my motorhome and am converting a van so I can fit in places like this thanks!

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Great info!... Thx : )

[@davidclark4469]

Love your dogs... Also, I've never seen that shape of tent before. Looks kind of neat.

[@kennethearlwigglesworth6034]

The Wyane National Forest in the southern region of Washington and Noble county's , there are Free Camping....In Ohio, : Off Rt. 26 near The Covered Bridge , then also , Lamping Homestead, just to name a couple spots I've stayed at...

[@ronbowman4145]

I thought that's what camping was, going into the woods away from people and the noise. RV parks and the walmart parking lot isn't camping.

[@rickwilbur9077]

Exactly!

[@YourMajesty143]

Nobody ever claimed parking at Walmart was camping. It's called boondocking. Boondocking is parking in a temporary spot off-grid (away from hook-ups) for a night or 2 to rest and plan your next route without spending extra fees at a camp site or BLM land. Staying at RV Campgrounds is still camping since "Camping" is defined as spending a vacation living in a camp, tent, or camper, or as an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent or a recreational vehicle. RVs allow for 4 season camping in more severe regions like Alaska and Canada. There are some like you whose style of camping is roughing it, and there are also those whose style is glamping. Obviously there are a few jerks who ruin it for respectful RVers who understand camping etiquette. There are backpackers who consider themselves "true campers" since they leave behind GPS, cooking supplies, clothes, and will forgo a vehicle bc they choose to hitchhike, bike, trek or rock climb through the terrain. Everybody likes to think they're the real purist when it comes to camping the "right way" ---- that is until they meet a homeless person who lives off 5 essential items, scavenges, dumpster dives, wood forages, fishes, and lives off the land year-round. Get off your high horse. Some people like you camp bc you have a home you'll come back to, while others live in an RV full-time and can't possibly stay on vacation or on a "break" year-round. For the latter, camping isn't an escape, it's part of their lifestyle when they have no choice.

[@user-br2tc5eg8m]

1st time my friend and I wasn't prepared, we slept on top the car, on the ground, it rained we slept in the car. We met lots o people..good times! One huge party, no litter, no RV's, no cops, too bad you missed it all.Too bad. 1973. Choke on it. You'll never have it again. Too bad for you.

[@sparkingdogg]

Like mentioned below, some of the rangers have pointed me to the most prime spots. Very helpful folks. Paid campgrounds are often a nightmare, indeed. I have seen kegs of beer, loud music, noisy generators, and plenty of rude people. BLM land is my favorite. Yeah no toilet (no worries) but no neighbors. Some of the private campgrounds are $50 and more now, per night. Shocking!

[@annemeraldannpenney]

Sparkingdogg

[@robertallen231]

..$50/night and I can afford it ... but they're not getting a dime from me..

[@yoemailmenow]

Excellent. What brand and model of tent do you use. Looks good. Thanks for sharing :)

[@TheTodd10038]

What brand is your tent?

[@DeniseSmithGA]

What brand/type of tent is that? I like it. Thanks for walking us thru the process. Enjoyed the video.

[@danlane4404]

I am curious as to the camera equipment you use. I am sure a tripod is used in some of your videos and it appears a cell phone may also be used. What is the make and model of your camera and what do you use for editing equipment? I am retired and have recently stated to van camp and tent camp but would like something other than still photo's to record my travels.

[@LilyGazou]

Dan Lane I see people getting nice results with a Samsung 9 smartphone and using apps to do the editing. I think there might be little microphones that attach if you are going to do narrating.

[@typicallyodd2237]

Hey, this incident at this camp ground where everyone got drunk and stuff- was that in northern Michigan? If so, I think I was there. I didn’t stay the night though. Just showed up and left before dark, but I did hear the next morning about the police coming and stuff. Was it in Thompsonville?

[@TheRosa63]

they had a birthday party and they had young children too? and they started at dark to party? sounds like bad parents to me. most campsites I have checked out have quiet time between 10 and 7 am. sad they ruined the experience for you, and shameful for them to think camping is an excuse to act worse than animals. thanks for theinformation, it is really helpful.

[@mariaryan9298]

TheRosa63

[@jonmacdonald5345]

TheRosa63 You are a Bad parent! your kids are Smoking Marijuana 🗿🚬as you read this ☁

[@justwannasay5454]

Adorable.

[@donna30044]

The restrictions in Pisgah NF are mostly due to management of the watershed that supplies a very large area. There is also a fair amount of private property within the area and people have a very bad habit of camping wherever they want, with no regard to property ownership.

[@88sim88]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@garlic4095]

5:50 What happened after you told the ranger to take a hike? Did he just leave?

[@lovingatlanta]

👍 Nice video.

[@victormartin6608]

Good words friend ! 😊

[@LeonnVT]

oh my god thank you so much for this great information. was always confused about it

[@Majorvideonut2]

I'm thinking about trying this on my touring motorcycle but am not to keen on riding on gravel roads or hilly because of... two wheels. If it was fairly flat on packed dirt I think it would be awesome.

[@nathanieleasonbign81970]

Great Video. I love your tent. Can you give me some info on it?

[@0090steve]

Hello,Where were you on the roadside camping adventure? Looks like a nice area to camp in.Thanks,Steve

[@chesterdonahou8294]

been doing this kind of camping for year's now i dont like being to close to other people i like it peace full ,,, I have to ask what kind of tent you had in this one and where to buy one like it ?

[@rwebiscool]

Hey Chester, looks like an "oztent" (never used one but he has another video that looks like a similar model)

[@melissacomer8404]

Not new to camping, new to finding out about dispersed camping. Whether to scout out an area with the tried and true tent set up to find out where we can take our 2010 Coleman Evolution E4. This is eye opening. We would rather be with each other than some of the a'hole in everyday life

[@johnwalters978]

I agree campgrounds can be noisy. If you can go during the middle of the week, usually have the whole place to myself.

[@rvboondocker2559]

Hey Tommy, are you still camping? Many of us enjoy your videos and style a lot.

[@mgalison]

can 5th wheels fit in those places. Haven't bought one yet

[@ProspectorsGhost]

By the way Tommy - Thanks for a great video.

[@debbiec2663]

Great video

[@andrewforster9665]

What kind of tent it that? Thank you in advance.

[@Nic7320]

Where did you get that tent?

[@TerriTemple]

For those who seek free campgrounds there are some near Mount Charleston north of Las Vegas Nevada. It is really nice especially in the Summer and Fall and some in the winter months. Yes free where you do not have to pay. I believe it should be free to camp especially for those of us who pay taxes. :)

[@mariesonoma]

And are homeless 😂

[@tysmith9333]

The party don’t stop in the mid-west 😂

[@faychampoux1140]

I am wanting to get an oz tent. Would love to know how you like it.

[@stethoscanomaly]

Great video. What are the laws about parking? Is it legal to just leave your car somewhere on a national forest road for a few days? Thanks.

[@discoverbushcraft4837]

stethoscanomaly in the national Forest I've been in your tires have to be off the road or gravel. and yes I have left my vehicle parked on the side of the road several days while hiking in to camp, the only thing you may have a problem with would be other visitors messing with your vehicle but so far that has not happened.

[@stethoscanomaly]

Cool, thanks for the reply

[@wannabetowasabe]

zebextredon, as a retired U.S. Forest Service "Forest Protection Officer" there is trailhead parking at nearly every place a trail starts from a road. Those parking areas are provided so you can leave your vehicle while you are out on a hike. If you park a long time away from any trails, your car will observed by those patrolling and have to be evaluated depending on how long it sits there. Questions as to whether the car is abandoned, whether you are lost, if you are hurt and can't walk back, etc. We usually run the vehicle plates, sometimes try to call your home to contact someone, leave a note on it, etc. We may search for a wilderness permit issued to you, where required, this in most California national forests and in all national parks. We also start searching for a "be on the lookout" (BOLO) issued for the registered owner. The car's owner might have been reported missing. Unfortunately, some vehicles left parked in the forest later turn out to be a suicide case. After a couple of weeks we start to conclude that the vehicle has been abandoned, depending on where the vehicle is parked. Some areas rarely get vehicles parked for more than a day or two. After awhile we may have the car towed. For up to two to three weeks, if you are in a trailhead parking area, you are fine. If someone is parked longer than that and we notice it, we most often do a wilderness permit search. Sometimes people make month long trips into the wilderness and travel long distances, thereby not violating the wilderness stay limits. We sometimes call our wilderness rangers to check if they have noticed any long term travelers.

[@suspicioustumbleweed4760]

great video!

[@japnjim9684]

Very cool vid. Thanks, Jim in Yosemite, Ca.

[@duane4972]

I used to own a campground, I had one man start to chainsaw a large oak tree down, with several of his friends parked right where the tree may have fallen. I told him that was my tree and I had his address, don't be surprised if I show up at his house and cut down one of his tree's. He got out of control and I had to have the police kick him out. He expected a refund, I told him he owed me way more money for the tree he destroyed.

[@ladya1953]

Duane 4 So he did enough damage to the tree to kill it? Were you even the least little bit tempted to let him go ahead and cut it down onto his friends' cars? I hate to admit it, but I think I might have been tempted to let him do it. I know, I'm terrible!

[@touxiong519]

Wow, they must either been drinking. No one in their right mind brings a chain saw to camp.

[@Docprepper]

Faith Adams if he’s stupid enough to do that he’s stupid enough to sue the owner...

[@Dan-ip9co]

Was it a dead tree,and if so,did you want to charge like everyone else

[@monfrig6959]

Sounds like he was from New York

[@explorer8125]

What kind of tent is that?

[@sjr7822]

Can anyone direct me to Dispersed camping West Virginia? Most videos I have been watching is in the western area.

[@insightandintuition276]

I'm only about 10 minutes through but would like to hear which camp which state parks have the most beautiful plush scenery and which have been your favorite

[@stopkillingkidsdotinfo]

Thanks for the video and vent! UPDATE... I've been "living" in a camper van for 40 PLUS years, and used to LOVE IT, before the US Corporation sold of much of ***OUR*** national forests, which started at least 24 years ago. WE... could be driving THRU a ""Fed Forest area,"" and there would be "LOGGING road inlets" into that area. And for 50 FT. or a bit less, BEAUTIFUL TREES, and than.... 100s (to 1000s) of acres of "CLEAR CUT!" Than you could travel a few miles on that what LOOKED like a "forest," and pull into any other "logging inlet" with trees all around it, until you got in 50FT. in and 100s (to 1000s,) of acres "CLEAR CUT!" SO that's what happened to 50 % of OUR countries' forests! SOLD out by Congress, DBA "Land Management" ( rater SALES OFF of our TREES NGO to GO,) by those who supposedly are **OUR** govern-mentals! And again I've been watching and LIVING in this situation since 1976. NOW... since the DECIDED to really "manage" OUR LAND... they charge us form $8 to $30 USD for staying on **OUR LAND*** in OUR country!

[@Dan-ip9co]

How about check the latest disappearances that the national park doesn't 're u about because there in on it at some branch where they have your inormation

[@mattaspel9771]

This might be a silly question but if you want to explore the area how do you not get lost? Should you take a compass with you?

[@patb9375]

WOW the music blasted loud.

[@methesponge]

colorado has good free camping we camped in a campground one time but we wound up leaving before breakfast the next morning. i do appreciate drive up and park by a fire pit camping. i prefer out side to a outhouse any day, they are always filthy and smell horrible. being far from other camp sites is great too.

[@ArtByAnnaMarie44]

Do you have a left arm??? LOL...Thank u for the teaching.

[@purplebabushka852]

I can read.

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

Can you leave your things there and go to town? And come back and still have your site and stuff?

[@tjking6028]

But is there a limit to the amount of days you can stay?

[@jojowallace5098]

Is there a list of free dispersed camp sites in the east coast?

[@robertsmith5323]

i just LOVE your pre-video warning about what a national forest is. i swear if you don't hold some people's hand they will walk right in front of a speeding tractor trailer,.....just like the movie pet sematary--looool!!!!

[@nancyadamson6755]

Thanks I did subscribe and a thumbs-up