Camp is where I say it is
June 10, 2013 7:15 PM Subscribe
Is 'informal car camping' legal in the southern Appalachians?
In the west I've often seen people car camping -- with trucks, cars, RVs -- in bucolic areas far from a campground. I didn't know the particulars of landownership-federal control etc, but I recall this practice being widely accepted as legal.
Is it legal anywhere in the southern Appalachians?
Breaking it down a little more: I'm planning me an aimless road trip with a S. Appalachian focus. There are plenty of campgrounds, tourist courts, and choice hotels for my enjoyment. But now and then, on the moment, I'd like to turn off the main road, drive a ways, and spend the night unhassled at a quiet spot in the trees.
Is that realistic?
In the west I've often seen people car camping -- with trucks, cars, RVs -- in bucolic areas far from a campground. I didn't know the particulars of landownership-federal control etc, but I recall this practice being widely accepted as legal.
Is it legal anywhere in the southern Appalachians?
Breaking it down a little more: I'm planning me an aimless road trip with a S. Appalachian focus. There are plenty of campgrounds, tourist courts, and choice hotels for my enjoyment. But now and then, on the moment, I'd like to turn off the main road, drive a ways, and spend the night unhassled at a quiet spot in the trees.
Is that realistic?
Different areas will have different rules, but by and large this is legal in national forests. In recent years, the national forests will provide a Motor Vehicle Use Map that among other things details where you can drive and where you may camp. If you are going to be near any National forests, you can pick up this MVUM for free at any ranger station assuming they have them in stock.
You should, of course, be aware that there is much less federal land in the Appalachians than there is west of the Great Plains. You might have to have a rough idea of where you're going to stop each night, rather than deciding on the spur of the moment. State-by-state maps of federal lands can be found here.
Trying to do the same thing on private land is a risk. You might get away with it; you might not. I wouldn't try it myself unless I knew for certain that the owner didn't have a problem with it, or unless I was desperate for a place to sleep.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:40 PM on June 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
You should, of course, be aware that there is much less federal land in the Appalachians than there is west of the Great Plains. You might have to have a rough idea of where you're going to stop each night, rather than deciding on the spur of the moment. State-by-state maps of federal lands can be found here.
Trying to do the same thing on private land is a risk. You might get away with it; you might not. I wouldn't try it myself unless I knew for certain that the owner didn't have a problem with it, or unless I was desperate for a place to sleep.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:40 PM on June 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another term to use in a Google search for potential campsites -- boondocking. Boondocking is very popular among full-time RVers and you'll find a number of sites dedicated to sharing information and experiences at various free camping locations.
posted by peakcomm at 8:14 PM on June 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by peakcomm at 8:14 PM on June 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Dispersed camping is probably what you want...in National Park lands. But...you must follow Leave No Trace practices which means no campfire, among other things.
posted by ghharr at 10:51 PM on June 10, 2013
posted by ghharr at 10:51 PM on June 10, 2013
My nephew did something similar to this (not in Appalachian area). There are a few things to consider from his experience (based on what he'd divulge to me.) Note that none of his locations were "sanctioned".
Parking on a logging turn-off may result in an early wake up due to workers' arrival.
Long private access road may mean someone knocking on your window or overnight rain resulting in muddy drive out.
Parking under an area light in a church parking lot may mean a visit from local gendarme and questioning, etc.
Beautiful starlit nights with sounds of night creatures and the great outdoors.
There was no mention of the local riffraff or whoever demanding money or such, but YMMV.
All can be seen as an adventure depending on your personal take. It's not the wilderness, it's the people that may interfere in your adventure.
posted by mightshould at 4:29 AM on June 11, 2013
Parking on a logging turn-off may result in an early wake up due to workers' arrival.
Long private access road may mean someone knocking on your window or overnight rain resulting in muddy drive out.
Parking under an area light in a church parking lot may mean a visit from local gendarme and questioning, etc.
Beautiful starlit nights with sounds of night creatures and the great outdoors.
There was no mention of the local riffraff or whoever demanding money or such, but YMMV.
All can be seen as an adventure depending on your personal take. It's not the wilderness, it's the people that may interfere in your adventure.
posted by mightshould at 4:29 AM on June 11, 2013
Keep in mind that what may appear to be a solid area of National Forest on a map is often actually a patchwork of private and public lands. The same can be true for state forests and parks. So driving a few miles down a gravel lane off the main road deep inside a National Forest is no guarantee that you're actually going to be setting up camp on public land. I'm sure you are aware that some people are touchy about trespassing, so keep an eye out for posted signs.
Also some National Forests do have very specific rules about camping outside of designated areas. Sometimes there are sensitive ecological zones or animal species that need to be undisturbed during certain times of the year. So do make an effort to check with the Forest Service in whatever region you find yourself.
When it comes to public lands in the Eastern US you'll be encountering state land more frequently than you would out west. And of course state lands will be covered by varying sets of rules depending on where you are.
It's also not out of the question to ask somebody if you can camp on their land if you promise to leave no trace. I've only done this in Minnesota and Washington, but both times the owners were very kind and welcoming.
This can be a fun way to travel and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Just remember that the East is much more densely populated than the West (even in the Appalachians) and you'll probably have a lot more encounters with people who may be curious or concerned about your presence.
posted by theory at 6:00 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also some National Forests do have very specific rules about camping outside of designated areas. Sometimes there are sensitive ecological zones or animal species that need to be undisturbed during certain times of the year. So do make an effort to check with the Forest Service in whatever region you find yourself.
When it comes to public lands in the Eastern US you'll be encountering state land more frequently than you would out west. And of course state lands will be covered by varying sets of rules depending on where you are.
It's also not out of the question to ask somebody if you can camp on their land if you promise to leave no trace. I've only done this in Minnesota and Washington, but both times the owners were very kind and welcoming.
This can be a fun way to travel and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Just remember that the East is much more densely populated than the West (even in the Appalachians) and you'll probably have a lot more encounters with people who may be curious or concerned about your presence.
posted by theory at 6:00 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Dispersed camping is probably what you want...in National Park lands
Do be careful - national parks often have very strict rules about where and how camping is allowed, but national forests (managed by the US Forest Service, not the National Park Service) and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management may have looser/different rules: there may not be any specifically designated campgrounds, but there may be restrictions on where and how you camp on those lands (e.g., no farther an X yards from the road, no open fires, etc.). As has been mentioned above, there's less NFS and BLM land in the East, but as in the West, those bits may be partially leased to, say, cattle ranchers, which will change the rules again.
posted by rtha at 6:34 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do be careful - national parks often have very strict rules about where and how camping is allowed, but national forests (managed by the US Forest Service, not the National Park Service) and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management may have looser/different rules: there may not be any specifically designated campgrounds, but there may be restrictions on where and how you camp on those lands (e.g., no farther an X yards from the road, no open fires, etc.). As has been mentioned above, there's less NFS and BLM land in the East, but as in the West, those bits may be partially leased to, say, cattle ranchers, which will change the rules again.
posted by rtha at 6:34 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
State forests/parks will operate under different rules, but will generally be on the website. Otherwise, you can call and ask.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:27 PM on June 10, 2013 [3 favorites]