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| RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More Related Tips |
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greenrvgreen
open road
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2007
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During hunting season, if you are in a NF with good hunting, you can hear shots all DAY long. As previously mentioned, hunting at night is illegal, and hunters do a good job of self-regulating on this.
NF are more private than state parks, GENERALLY. Dispersed camping in a NF can be EXTREMELY private. There are NF sites I camp in where I will not have a car drive through all week.
That being said, from a security standpoint, a car driving through is something I take seriously. While I believe that dispersed camping is perfectly safe, there is an elevated risk to camping at remote trailhead camps. These are parking areas where hikers will leave their cars unattended, and thieves know this.
So when I NF camp, I do DISPERSED camping, which means finding a wide spot and parking on it. There are specific rules as to how far from the road you must be, and how far from any water, as well as how long you can stay there. Check with the relevant ranger station to confirm dispersed camping in available in the area you want, but generally, it is available in all NFs unless prohibited. You do not need to register for it, and there is no charge. As an American, you have prepaid.
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AK Old Timer
Juneau, AK
Full Member
Joined: 12/02/2007
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Good Sam RV Club
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Some more comments. If you are dispersed camping during Fire Season there are other rules that might apply. First, and most important, open fires may be prohibited. If open fires are permitted you will probably need a bucket of water nearby along with a shovel and axe. During fire season your generator must be equipped with a Forest Service approved spark arrestor/muffler. Almost all generators sold in the US over the past 5-10 years come with an approved spark arrestor/muffler.
Also you should check with the nearest Forest Service Ranger Station or District Office and get a copy of their Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Travel Map. This map will show what areas of the Forest where Off Road Vehicles are permitted or prohibited. In many cases these restrictions are not posted on the ground. Many excellent dispersed sites many now be in areas closed to vehicles. In some cases you may be permitted to drive only 50-100 feet off an open road to disperse camp.
If you want information on National Forest campgrounds check this site:
http://www.forestcamping.com/
The U.S. Forest Service web site: (contains links to all National Forests)
http://www.fs.fed.us/
At the Forest Service web site you can get the addresses and phone numbers for all the National Forests and for each Ranger District on each individual National Forests.
crasster - If you don't want to travel too far check out the National Forests in Texas!
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