Jenn F
My husband and I have recently started camping. So far we have only went to campgrounds that have sites almost on top of each other. While we do like the convenience of a shower and flush toilets, we want to try something different. We are looking for a place (no more than about 2.5 hours from Youngstown) where we can pitch a tent and have no one around us. No bathrooms, no showers, no electricity. Just us and nature. The only thing we have to have is an unpolluted body of water (lake or river) near by. It doesn't have to be right next to us, but within reasonable driving distance. We have a lab that would be very upset with us if we went camping and he wasn't able to go swimming. Thanks for your help!!!
Answer
Check with the Bureau of Land Management, US. Forest Service, and your state parks department.
You should be able to find the rules about dispersed camping for your state. This is where you get away from civilization and camp deep in the wilderness, relying on what you have brought with you to survive, and away from designated camping spaces.
Typically, there are areas where you can find a random spot and pop a squat. But there are also rules on where you can and cannot camp, how far you have to be from a water source, and (depending on the time of year) whether or not you are able to have any open flames in the wilderness (due to potential fire hazards during the dry summer months).
One thing about dispersed camping is that you need to be aware of what you can encounter and come prepared.
If there are bears or other predators around, you will want to know how to reduce the likely hood of an encounter and what to do should you have one. Typically, there are recommendations for how to store food and what kinds of items (like toiletries) serve to attract an animal.
Also, for safety reasons, you may want to arm yourself (follow state laws). In dispersed camping, you are unlikely to run into or have issues with humans or animals. But having someway to protect and defend yourself would not be a bad way to go. After all, when you are out in the wild, you never know what you can run into. A shotgun loaded with slugs or .00 buckshot, a .30-.30 rifle (or higher caliber), a .357 Magnum, or a .44 Magnum are all good choices for wilderness protection.
Know first aid. In the wild, even the mildest cuts and abrasions can develop into a life-threatening thing. Bring a good sized first aid kit. Wal-mart sells an Ozark Outdoors First Aid Kit with about 200 items, fro about $15.00. It comes in an orange case. It's a worthwhile investment.
Be sure to bring an adequate amount of water or camp near a water source and bring water purifying tablets with you. You should plan for at least a gallon per person per day, plus what you need for cleaning dishes, brushing your teeth, and other water-related incidentals. If you cannot and have a water source, you can boil the water, or use the tablets to make the water safe. Water is the most important thing you have out there after your shelter.
Lastly, it is also a good idea to let any game wardens, police, and family know the general idea you intend to camp in and when you plan to return. It's called filing a flight plan and it can save your lives.
I am glad to see you expanding your horizons by trying dispersed camping. Once you find a good spot, you will never want to go to designated campgrounds again. However, remember that time of year can affect the ability to go dispersed camping. I usually disperse camp in the spring and fall, after the rains have stopped and started, so I can burn a fire. In between, I camp at designated campsites for the same reason.
Good luck and have fun!
Check with the Bureau of Land Management, US. Forest Service, and your state parks department.
You should be able to find the rules about dispersed camping for your state. This is where you get away from civilization and camp deep in the wilderness, relying on what you have brought with you to survive, and away from designated camping spaces.
Typically, there are areas where you can find a random spot and pop a squat. But there are also rules on where you can and cannot camp, how far you have to be from a water source, and (depending on the time of year) whether or not you are able to have any open flames in the wilderness (due to potential fire hazards during the dry summer months).
One thing about dispersed camping is that you need to be aware of what you can encounter and come prepared.
If there are bears or other predators around, you will want to know how to reduce the likely hood of an encounter and what to do should you have one. Typically, there are recommendations for how to store food and what kinds of items (like toiletries) serve to attract an animal.
Also, for safety reasons, you may want to arm yourself (follow state laws). In dispersed camping, you are unlikely to run into or have issues with humans or animals. But having someway to protect and defend yourself would not be a bad way to go. After all, when you are out in the wild, you never know what you can run into. A shotgun loaded with slugs or .00 buckshot, a .30-.30 rifle (or higher caliber), a .357 Magnum, or a .44 Magnum are all good choices for wilderness protection.
Know first aid. In the wild, even the mildest cuts and abrasions can develop into a life-threatening thing. Bring a good sized first aid kit. Wal-mart sells an Ozark Outdoors First Aid Kit with about 200 items, fro about $15.00. It comes in an orange case. It's a worthwhile investment.
Be sure to bring an adequate amount of water or camp near a water source and bring water purifying tablets with you. You should plan for at least a gallon per person per day, plus what you need for cleaning dishes, brushing your teeth, and other water-related incidentals. If you cannot and have a water source, you can boil the water, or use the tablets to make the water safe. Water is the most important thing you have out there after your shelter.
Lastly, it is also a good idea to let any game wardens, police, and family know the general idea you intend to camp in and when you plan to return. It's called filing a flight plan and it can save your lives.
I am glad to see you expanding your horizons by trying dispersed camping. Once you find a good spot, you will never want to go to designated campgrounds again. However, remember that time of year can affect the ability to go dispersed camping. I usually disperse camp in the spring and fall, after the rains have stopped and started, so I can burn a fire. In between, I camp at designated campsites for the same reason.
Good luck and have fun!
Camping...?
i-make-vir
Hey, I'm going to Fallon, Nv which is in Churchill county. I'm going hunting on blm land and was wondering if theres any restrictions on just putting a tent out there in a field??
Answer
Setting up a tent or staying in an RV for that matter outside a developed campground on public lands such as BLM or US Forest Service is called "dispersed camping". This type of camping is encouraged by the BLM and US Forest Service with some restrictions.
Generally speaking, you can camp anywhere on federal public lands managed by BLM, but not closer than 200 feet from a water supply such as a stream or spring. Areas may be closed to camping, but these areas are signed "No Camping". You are responsible for knowing where the public land ends, and private land starts. You should get an official BLM surface map to help you keep on public lands.
BLM administered lands near Fallon, NV are managed by the Carson City Field Office (775) 885-6000. If you still feel uncomfortable with pitching your tent anyplace on BLM lands, give the Field Office a call and ask about dispersed camping restrictions in the area you want to stay.
Setting up a tent or staying in an RV for that matter outside a developed campground on public lands such as BLM or US Forest Service is called "dispersed camping". This type of camping is encouraged by the BLM and US Forest Service with some restrictions.
Generally speaking, you can camp anywhere on federal public lands managed by BLM, but not closer than 200 feet from a water supply such as a stream or spring. Areas may be closed to camping, but these areas are signed "No Camping". You are responsible for knowing where the public land ends, and private land starts. You should get an official BLM surface map to help you keep on public lands.
BLM administered lands near Fallon, NV are managed by the Carson City Field Office (775) 885-6000. If you still feel uncomfortable with pitching your tent anyplace on BLM lands, give the Field Office a call and ask about dispersed camping restrictions in the area you want to stay.
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