Why I don’t share location specifics in my travel videos

Here's the answer to one of my most frequently-asked questions.
How I find campsites and other cool places:
• My most-requested vide...
Multiple secluded riverfront campsites discovered in one afternoon of exploring:
• Unexpected discoveries...
That lake in Nevada:
• One surprise after ano...

[@weaksause6878]

What makes a spot good is lack of people

[@pbourdon231]

Thank you for not sharing locations. It’s something that plagues social media and the internet and has ruined many a great place already. So many people want stuff spoon fed to them these days and part of the journey and process is doing your homework and research and figuring stuff out on your own. Props to you. Mum’s the word. 👊🏼

[@martinmyers1461]

Agreed!!

[@DanitaReynolds]

💯 Percent This 👍🏼

[@jenniferfisher530]

Amen to that!

[@MM-wb4wc]

YES! This is the right answer. Pls continue to keep the place locations to yourself! I live in an area that has become overrun due to too much exposure and it is definitely being ruined.

[@rone7927]

Keeping it a secret is the best way to do it.

[@metaxaanabeer]

100% with you on this topic. I'm lucky enough to live and recreate on northern Vancouver Island and fully understand the dilemma. It is heartrending to pull into a spot only to find a fire ring full of plastic garbage, the ground strewn with bottle tops, pull tabs and the like and used toilet paper everywhere in the surrounding bush.

[@kabloonieboonster7047]

You are doing a great job at NOT spilling the beans. Isn't it strange how people over-use the word "adventure", and then they want to be spoon-fed exact locations? They are confusing the "consumption" of a bar-coded, standard, tourist location with "adventure." The tourism industry does not encourage "adventures." It turns former-adventures into something that is merely consumed, by spending more and more money.

[@TheCreateOutdoors]

Not to mention surveying and scouting is all part of "adventuring". Exploration is one of major points of overlanding.

[@lloydmarche7263]

In general people who will do research then actually go out and explore will be respectful and leave the ares as they found them , on the other had people who are spoon fed will not respect the areas and usually leave a mess and or damage the area. Just my personal experience . I had a cool quiet place to go for years . Stumbled onto it out hiking years ago. Took a few friends there and one of them gave the location . Now it looks like a garbage dump. I tried to clean it up but it’s a never ending battle, I gave up on it.

[@mrgetoutside1378]

This is totally reasonable. The spots I used to go to 10 years ago on a Saturday/Sunday are now overrun and I can’t go there anymore.

[@Realtor_eliot_portland]

We appreciate you Donald! Couldn’t agree more.

[@barangoerling3086]

Appreciate your hard work and great offroad info! Yes, keep some secrets and inspire others to explore.

[@PrimalOutdoors]

Good job Donald. I whole heartily support your decision. 🤛

[@lawrencebufford]

Highly respect your opinion on not revealing locations. I've seen where others have posted a location, and that location was almost destroyed or closed to the public to protect the land. Outstanding video, and please continue to make the content you do.

[@jaystewart9947]

Good call. Keep up sharing these beautiful sites and sights! 😁

[@SingularlyNaked]

Right there with you, my friend, right there. There are so many of these places, everyone can find their own. And then, as Persephone says, if nobody takes too much, there will always be enough.

[@roger3786]

... I agree that there's no need to reveal locations . I'm over 70 and really enjoy it when you happen upon a place I've been , so safe travels and Thank you for letting me relive some great memories ...

[@cramias1]

Wish more outdoor-travel youtubers did the same to be honest

[@joshgraham1465]

It's much more fun using the clues and landmarks you share to find these locations. Thanks Donald

[@rael6_4wd]

I couldn’t agree more. Part of the fun (for me anyway) is finding these places on my own. And too much advance planning usually turns out to be a waste of time. A little mystery, and remaining flexible, can create amazing trips.

[@masonstruckadventure9368]

100% support this. Get out.there explore get.lost find your own or familiar wanderlust

[@ThalassTKynn]

Half the fun is snooping on satellite views and maps to find these places. 😅

[@erda2072]

I totally agree with you. Social media and the broad reach of the internet have resulted in many places being overrun and in some instances “trashed”.

[@agententropy5577]

There is no satisfaction like finding these places on your own. If you already know where you're headed it neuters the joy of discovering it.

[@6wheeladventure]

New subscriber here. This video is spot on how it should be done, there are so many that post videos here that will get places shut down. Like you, I have spent hours and hours looking at satellite imagery and have found some sweet places, I have also just came across places taking a drive with no set destination. Love your content and your tread lightly beliefs .

[@insaynbcr]

Donald, it had to be said. I just had to be said. I wish more KZbinrs would make a video explaining the same thing. People are simply too lazy to explore Google Maps, onX Offroad, Gaia GPS, paper maps or just go out and look around for themselves. When I see a cool spot being enjoyed by a KZbinr that did their diligence and found a great spot, it fires me up to not necessarily look for that exact spot, but to put in the energy to find a place that has some or all of the qualities of said spot BECAUSE of the qualities and features that I may not have thought would be in one spot. They are out there and I do find them. I do completely understand your dilema and fully support your reasons for how you keep the details to a minimum. I don't do KZbin videos, so I don't have the pressures to satisfy the masses.

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

Well said! As you know I follow along on a lot of your videos on google earth. It really is half the fun of watching your videos. Sometimes it takes a bit of time, but eventually a clue comes up and everything falls into place. I have a few that do the same with my videos. I bet that the ones who do this will keep the secret as well because they know.... Thanks for the fun! George.

[@softroadingthewest]

Sleuthing your videos has taken me places as well. 🙂

[@rogerd9405]

Amen brother!

[@RaptorPackAdventures]

I support this view 100%! Go find your own favorite spot. We do and love t

[@seamusegan9956]

Thanks for posting this! We understand perfectly, can’t wait to hit some of these spots on mid week days when nobody is around.

[@wra3official]

Good for you! It's not gatekeeping, it's about keeping places wild. Nothing is stopping anyone from visiting them as well.

[@ExploringWithTheBz]

Well said and thank you Donald. Just this week another KZbinr who’s well known through out the overlanding “lifestyle” and someone who regularly shares their campsite and trail information on their Patreon page, put out a video about trail closures planned for the Rafael Swell area of Utah. I find it terribly ironic that someone who has directly contributed to the increased use of the public lands in question, put out a video about preventing these trails from being closed. I finally realized after years of watching their videos that I just can’t support that kinda of exploitation of something that really isn’t theirs to exploit. It’s a very interesting topic and one that people seem passionate on both sides of the coin. I think I’ll stand on the side that respects the land, its regular users, and future generations by not sharing my locations or supporting those who do. Keep doing what you love. Keep exploring AND keep us guessing. Again thank you!

[@cletusvandamme6262]

"Rafael Swell area of Nevada"?

[@ExploringWithTheBz]

@@cletusvandamme6262 Good catch. Utah.

[@BradMangas]

You are absolutely correct in doing what you do. I appreciate how you share content as much as the great content you create. I for one will continue to watch and support you and your channel for the ethical and truthful content you make. Take care Donald, keep up the great work.

[@LoveTribeOverland]

I think the thrill of overlanding is the exploration, discovering these places on my own is a large part of the fun.

[@1FiftyOverland]

I dont share locations either because people are gross and disrespect our public lands.

[@jeffhardman73jh]

Excellent video, and you are correct that most your viewers feel the same way you do.

[@lavenderau6326]

I couldn't agree more! A hidden gem where I live is now suffering the consequence of being internationally broadcast by Instagrammies and KZbinrs, advertising with GPS location that they had found 'Australia's best kept secret'. The filth and rubbish left behind beggars belief! The whole area had to be shut down several times due to contamination of human waste. It's gut wrenching to see an area I have known for 40 years treated and used so disrespectfully. These fragile places need to be protected.

[@garycloud9631]

I totally support your reason for not sharing your locations even though there are some places I'd love to have you share. But keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on this vid.

[@OTFO]

Appreciate your explanation on this topic, and I totally agree! Thanks for the great content! 👍

[@scottymac5174]

I agree with you 100%. As a long time surfer.

[@trixie2010]

Good for you. Thanks for keeping it to yourself. Too many lazy people who don’t want to do the work.

[@user-hw6hb4rk9t]

I agree with you, completely. Internet Influencers/tour companies/giant dirt bike groups have completely changed the isolated, semi-pristine character of my AO in California's high desert. Nevermind the 6x6 offroad fire engines, who churn up dirt roads into bottomless beach sand, trying to get places.

[@scottminshall6420]

Great video Donald, And I think its funny how people think that if they don't subscribe you are going to be all upset. I would just say "move along and have a nice day". Keep up the the great videos always enjoy your travels, you really make me miss living out west where I grew up.

[@pdx_painter]

Anyone that follows you that wanted to put in some time and effort could find the majority of the places. There’s always clues in the videos and with some time out exploring, they can be found. Coming across an amazing place to camp while exploring is a great reward for some effort.

[@scottshepperd7634]

My rule is, if you want to know where my spots are, you gotta go camping with me

[@timothyholtjr.8600]

People are lazy and don’t want to put in the work.. That is how the world is and appreciate you making these types of videos.. Do your own work and quit asking!! At least that is my stance on it..

[@TheNorthernExplorer]

I completely agree! Keep doing what you do, keep the locations safe

[@gerryhartung736]

7.27.24 hope the locations you visit are not burned. Many lightning started this month in the west. Oregon having the most so far. You know your getting old when your children start driving and having their own car. Joy to your daughter, drive safe and have fun. Though still listen to dad. Donald is a great mentor! ❤😊😊

[@cowelk]

Amen brother. Just letting us go along for the ride on your channel is enough. It inspires me to look over a particular area and find new sites I want to visit. If I can find your specific campsite or place, then all the better.

[@subiesojourner777]

I watch your's and others videos to get the inspiration to go out and explore on my own.

[@njlillegard]

Good work. Clarification of intent is important. I appreciate your subtle details and have found many of the spots from your videos, which are now waypoints in Gaia for me. That’s the fun part. Ironic that as a EUG local, I was tracking exactly where you were on this drive (I’m a cyclist and those are regular routes of mine). Keep up the good work.

[@wheretherubbermeetstheroad]

Good for YOU! Awesome video, keep up the great content. Thank you for all that you do.

[@johndej]

While it would be cool to list of places to explore, I fully understand and support your reasoning for this decision!

[@rickysiebert9618]

You’re videos are incredibly inspirational. I currently own a 2wd R51 Pathfinder (my second one), and plan on a Frontier in the next year or so (love the Nissan platform) to start exploring wilderness. What I am disappointed about is you not revealing where to get one of your shirts. I have the stickers, but need shirts!

[@softroadingthewest]

Haha, I have been through three different on-demand shirt printers and have had issues with each of them. Ultimately trying to sell merch has proven to be way more trouble than it's worth, at least at the paltry low volume I was ever able to move. 😄 I haven't ruled out revisiting this but it's a low priority at the moment. Maybe one day though! 🙂

[@mlarson3860]

I look at maps, gps, google earth and mostly just drive. We always find places to explore. Thank you 😊

[@midnightadventureswa]

Well said Donald half the adventure is just going out there and exploring and finding places we have the same problem up in Washington where people share sites and then they just get blown up and trashed keep the channel the way you want to run it have fun out there and explore😊

[@billj5645]

I agree. Why can't we convince all the masses to go to the beach? It's more fun, there are more people to see, there are food places and more importantly Starbucks!

[@konaken1035]

Good splainin. Logical sensible rational. I was just watchting the "15 miles from cave of mystery"... aspens, lake w trout one picnic table, I immedieately googled where I thought you might be, couldn't find anything looking like your location. Good job man. Enjoy, Sabbath Shalom.

[@MrUltralight55]

I agree with you 100%, not all viewers / folks have the respect for public land and leave trash behind.

[@rays3288]

Before this video popped up, I was watching one from Canada, and he was saying that exact same thing. I've found 95% of my trail runs by myself. Just get out and explore.

[@alberttu8120]

I agree...no need to share, everyone has to do their work. Plus, there is an abundance of great spots.

[@cletusvandamme6262]

Absolutely, I am on the same page as you. Half the fun of getting out there is the joy of discovery and, at times, serendipity happening where you least expected it. We seem to share locales, so I appreciate that you don't disclose these locations lest 50,000 Californians (or whoever) descend upon "our" spots and ruin them forever. More people = More IDIOTS. Besides, over a lifetime of exploring the backcountry, I have definitely come to the sad conclusion that SOLITUDE gets harder and harder to find as populations explode. Even in the furthest reaches of, say, Utah, you may THINK that you've found solitude, but, truly listening, MOST of the time, you will hear the faint drone of internal combustion engines. Very maddening. Thank God for the memories I have of 45 years ago when solitude was very easy to find and ripe for the exploring. No more. If I had known what things would be like all these decades later, I would have savored them just a little more. I'm a solo explorer and I don't share ANY of my finds with anyone, Period. I make no apologies for that.

[@Realtor_eliot_portland]

Love it Donald, that’s what it’s all about! Get out and explore!!!

[@DanitaReynolds]

We are the same and wowzers we have found some incredibly beautiful spots! It’s like an Easter egg hunt. It’s exciting looking for it and when you find that golden egg it’s magical. The hunt is part of the adventure.

[@stretch9952]

As an old hiker and camper I want to add my support to your position. I enjoyed hiking into the Sierras and my enjoyment of a place was never enhanced by finding other campers already there.... and that was back in pre off-road eras, when everyone arrived on foot after hiking several miles.

[@NoPlanProjects]

Like it or not if you find an area on your own it's a lot more special than if you went there because you saw it on the internet.

[@delterraadornments5960]

Nice video. Glad that you explain why.

[@jmathre44]

Well said, Donald. I would use the same exact logic if I were to ever have a channel. Also agree that with a little effort, most folks could find some amazing spots with online mapping, or just going to a "general" area and exploring. Keep up the great work!

[@FeM2.0]

You are doing the right thing, I am not a fan of sharing locations either, greetings from Spain

[@over_and_out_gary]

I absolutely agree. KZbinrs are going to and recording and putting those areas on OnXOverland for all their followers to see and go to.

[@mountainsmoore3657]

PREACH! I live in the Southeast, and unfortunately, we do not have the vast areas of BLM land that you have out west. Here, we have a good deal of public land, but most of it is smaller parcels with paved road access and every year more & more of it is closed due to misuse. When I was a kid, I traipsed all over the country and no one cared for us to be on their land. They knew us (very small town; everyone knew everyone & their mama) and they knew that we weren't out there looking for stuff to tear up, or to trash their land. Besides that, they knew us and knew where we lived. If we messed the place up, our parents would know about it before we got home. Now, due to deer leases, ignorant people destroying private property, and even frivolous lawsuits, you cannot access any private property in our area. There has been a swimming hole at the bottom of a waterfall, just off of the main highway, that people have swam in for years. The landowner tried his best to leave it open, dealing with the constant trash, as best that he could. He wanted to leave it open for others to be able to make memories like he had made swimming there as a young boy. Unfortunately, some people from another town came to swim and a young girl slipped on the wet rocks, hit her head and suffered a mild concussion. Her parents, who had brought her to private property to swim without permission, sued the land owner, because he didn't have proper signage warning about slick rocks. He even had "No Trespassing" signs posted but they walked past them and claimed that there was no gate, so they thought that it was fine. Now there is a gate, a fence, and security cameras. I said all of that to say this, PROTECT those lands, Donald! Don't end up like we have down here. People will take advantage and destroy. If they want to put in the work to find those spots, they are much more likely to take care of those spots.

[@bajasoobnut]

There is already proof that some youtubers have ruined areas (not you but others) and it is getting things shut down so it is good to be discreet about these things. Also I for one have recognized a few areas from your videos and am more discreet about saying I know where you were at lol, *ahem* instagram *ahem* lol. Now for another subject is something I have been seeing more and more and it is a very positive thing, youtubers are actually showing their contribution for land stewardship and picking up trash at locations and encouraging others to do the same, and that is a very good thing, promote tread lightly and such.

[@TheCreateOutdoors]

This is a great answer. Telling someone where a place is defeats the whole point of scouting. I would rather build my scouting and exploring skills rather than someone just telling me where everything is.

[@kabloonieboonster7047]

I agree. Putting it in different words, "SoftRoadingTheWest" is teaching people how to fish, rather than just giving them a fish.

[@Montana_Outdoor_Adventures]

"That is a HUGE buck! Where did you get him?" Me: "Right behind the shoulder." Also, finding a great place on your own with your own research is much more rewarding.

[@bajasoobnut]

LMAO makes me think of the interview with a marine sniper when a journalist asked what he felt when he shot an insurgent in the head and the marines response was epic, it was "recoil" and that was it

[@Montana_Outdoor_Adventures]

@@bajasoobnut Truth!!!

[@24Alisonall]

Understand and completely agree!!! To me, part of the whole thing is learning how to find spots to go explore. I love google earth!!

[@OverlandUnderground]

You were a big inspiration for our three week trip out west. Just knowing these spots exist was enough for us to travel your way. And thanks for giving us time when we met you at Expo!

[@softroadingthewest]

Thanks for stopping to say Hi! I enjoyed meeting and chatting with all the viewers who came by.

[@agententropy5577]

Let's be honest: a little gatekeeping ain't a bad thing.

[@xDarthRio]

I 100% agree with you Donald. I never give the locations that I go either.

[@jcblackmon]

Love your mindset and your content!

[@sagebrushbob2321]

You are doing the right thing to preserve locations. Any of us who spend a lot of time outdoors know what happens when some nice place gets "discovered" by the general public. It will invariably be trashed and trampled to death by hoards of people who have no care about keeping it as they found it. I, for one, am tired of driving four or five hours into the back country to a camp site and having to pick up two or three bags of garbage left behind by a bunch of tweakers. (Okay. Rant over. You can unplug your ears now. 🤣)

[@robertsmith-zz7ot]

Discovery is half the journey.

[@reneeparker7475]

I love exploring Oregon and finding my special places. I also don't tell people where they are because I don't want to see them overrun with people, who may not take care of them.

[@Peter-xtreme]

I completely understand your thought process and I congratulate you for your decisions.

[@ralfpassing]

unusual visual impressions for Peer Gynt

[@dennischeslock7782]

Hay Donald 👍👍👍 I don't blame you for you not telling them what you camp at. I do the same thing. I know alot of people who like to go camping, and they always ask me for my favorite places are ,and I won't tell them. Dennis from Delaware U.S.A

[@richardburguillos3118]

Very well said…

[@johnchedsey1306]

First and foremost, you totally get to decide what you want to present on your channel. I don't know why people try to bully others about things. I respect the decision to be more circumspect on locations. When I post photos of my adventures online, I'm usually quite vague myself. But at the same time, I do also really appreciate the SUVRVing channel as he does share locations of public places he visits & camps. He explained in a Q&A that he feels that because it's public land, people should go see it. His reach is pretty decent and because lots of his locations are difficult to get to, the riff-raff are likely going to be thwarted. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the actual people visiting places to behave like civilized human beings, not the owners of travel channels. While I do a lot of my own map searching as well, it is nice to have pins of featured spots to check out and plan a trip accordingly around it. Watching a good youtube video is just as rewarding to me as scouring maps. I certainly don't mind when someone hands me an amazing spot to check out! That all said, this is a great channel and keep presenting things how you see fit! And most of your hardcore off road stuff is beyond the abilities of my little Nissan Juke anyhow, so I'll live vicariously through these videos.

[@softroadingthewest]

I actually considered talking specifically about Tristan in this video because he is one of the verrrry few KZbin channels I actually watch, I really enjoy his content and I have a ton of respect for what he does, and I know he usually shares specifics. He does visit a lot of places with infrastructure (restrooms and walkways and parking areas), and when I visit such places, I too share these locations. Tristan's backcountry content usually involves some pretty serious hiking/climbing, and his videos tend to be centered around those daytime activities rather than finding sweet campsites...his campsites often feel more like a utilitarian necessity than a destination. I suspect most viewers actually using his coordinates to get to some crazy 10-mile uphill slog are probably a different breed than those who just want to roll their overland rig into an epic campsite without doing any research & planning. :-) I totally agree with Tristan that it's public land and people should go see it. Nothing's stopping them, these places are out there for them to find, just like I did. :-)

[@jeffmorris739]

You don't have to Donald. I don't expect you to unless I am a Patrion member and you said you would. The best way to wreck a fishing spot is to tell everybody the coordinates. No more fishing spot. People suck, I'm sorry to have to say it but they do. I was in Big South Fork NWR in Tennessee and people left garbage in the fire pits of several good camp sites. Screw them and they are garbage. I would never tell anybody about my spots even for money. Thanks for the video.

[@TurboMeatsVideos]

I was curious about the lake you stayed at in Nevada and was able to find it on Google Maps in about 30 seconds 🤠

[@seamusegan9956]

@@TurboMeatsVideos me too. Got it saved to my places to try.

[@garyg5000]

I found that lake but it took me more than five minutes.😉 I appreciate your effort, you give us as viewers clues and the tools to go on our own adventures. Keep up the great work!

[@stacky512a]

OnVal?

[@fredc.schulze6116]

Your 4 part Nevada series inspired me to add northern Nevada to my Wyoming/Idaho/eastern Oregon van camping/softroading adventure this September & into early October. I'm not at all familiar with Nevada, having lived in the eastern half of the country all my life. Nevada is a very large state, and I didn't know what location to use as a starting point for my research & planning. I was overwhelmed at first. I agree with your position of not sharing locations, but I needed a general location of this vast state. You provided it early in Part 1 of the video series, when you talked about using your smartphone for navigation. I saw your location on your phone in the video, and that's all I needed to get started with my own research. My resaerch (using Gaia GPS, onX Offroad, Google Maps & Google Search) quickly resulted in a slew of dispersed and primitive campsites, and places to explore in northern Nevada. Thank you very much for leaving that clue. I was not able to determine all of the areas that you visited in the video series, but that's okay. I have more than enough waypoints saved in Gaia for a wonderful adventure! Appreciate all you do!

[@aactor57]

I get annoyed when a you tuber revels a hidden gem and that spot then gets trampled and ruined by over use. I myself do like to do some research on places to go to find solitude for a little while, take a few photos to share with family and friends and maybe make it better than when I got there by picking up some trash that others may have left. Keep up the good work.

[@artem1085]

Absolutely correct thoughts👍

[@tjkrueger2655]

You shouldn't have to explain yourself, screw the whiners. You put in the work to find some out of the way location to specifically get away from people, would make no sense to give it away. You're right, the joy is finding them. I appreciate your conviction on this as an oregonian and someone who enjoys the same regions you do

[@edchousehold74]

Im with ya

[@thehoofersclub]

Agree!

[@GlorifiedG-z9c]

I think maybe "West of the Mississippi" is a good enough description

[@jeffwareham1473]

Thank you for not blowing places up.

[@keysonthego3663]

I agree! Thank you sir.

[@alwaysbeloved6511]

You could not have said it any better. Expounding the details of your philosophy are 100% spot on. Glad the naysayers have chose to watch other “tubers”.

[@wildernessrecon]

Donald is one of the Standup KZbinrs 👏. Wish more channels would have the same morals for location sharing, going into other states and blowing a route through it to sell on mapping platforms or their personal channels

[@RVingwithG]

I follow a nomadic KZbinr that visited his favorite spot in Washington state that on his third visit, they had closed it down from overuse and it just from being trashed. It became a very popular spot so bad that it was overused and very diss mistreated that they closed it off😮😢😮😢