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Are you a camping enthusiast looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life? Before packing up your gear and heading out into the wilderness, it's important to understand the laws and regulations surrounding camping. While it may seem like a simple activity, camping can actually be illegal in certain areas or under certain circumstances. In this article, we'll explore the truth behind camping laws and help you better understand how to enjoy this beloved pastime in a responsible and legal manner. From rules around dispersed camping to the legality of wild camping and stealth camping, we'll cover all the factors you need to consider before embarking on your next adventure. Is Camping Illegal? Before planning your next camping trip, it's important to know where camping is illegal. You should be aware that camping on private property without permission is illegal and can result in being asked to leave or even facing legal consequences. Additionally, some states have laws against stealth camping, so research the regulations of your desired location beforehand to ensure a safe and lawful experience. Where is Camping Illegal? Camping is illegal in certain cities, towns, and county areas. In addition, camping on public lands is sometimes illegal within a certain proximity to a freshwater source. In many cities and towns, even stealth camping is illegal. Stealth camping simply means sleeping in your car, RV, or van "stealthily", in a way that no one knows you're inside. However, if you get caught stealth camping in a town where it's illegal to sleep in your car, you could be asked to move, face fines, or worse. There are certain programs like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome that give RVers and travelers the ability to stay overnight in parking lots of private businesses or on private property, but you have to be a member and get permission from the landowner before doing so. Here are a couple tips to make sure you're not camping illegally. Research laws and regulations before heading out. Check with local authorities for wilderness camping rules and regulations. Always ask permission from landowners before setting up camp, even if you're using Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome. Why is Camping Illegal in Some Places? Sometimes camping is illegal in certain places due to local ordinances or concerns about public safety and environmental impact. In many places, camping is illegal because the local jurisdictions think that it's an appropriate answer to homelessness because many homeless individuals will use tents as their shelter. This, of course, makes homeless people's lives harder instead of actually helping them, but we aren't the ones making the laws here. Local governments may have regulations regarding where and how long you can camp, as well as rules on fires, littering, and noise levels. Additionally, some areas may be off-limits due to environmental concerns, such as protecting endangered species or preserving fragile ecosystems. In other cases, camping may be prohibited for safety reasons, such as near construction sites or hazardous areas prone to natural disasters. It's important to research the laws and regulations before setting up camp to avoid fines or legal trouble. By following the rules and respecting the environment around you, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience while also preserving our natural resources for future generations. Is It Legal to Camp Anywhere You Want? Not really. You have the freedom of camping on vast swaths of publicly and federally owned lands, but you still need to be aware of the laws and do your research before heading out there. It seems kind of crazy that even "public" lands have rules and regulations. But they exist for a reason. And there are plenty of people who will trash public lands and abuse them and get them closed down. It's sad but true that a few "bad apples" ruin it for everyone. Types of Camping Outside of Campgrounds If you're looking for a camping experience outside of established campgrounds, there are a few options to consider. First, there's stealth camping, which involves "camping" in an area where camping may not be allowed, such as city streets or parking lots. Stealth camping is typically done in a vehicle that is set up for sleeping without anyone being able to know you're inside. Another option is wild camping, which involves setting up camp in areas not designated as campsites and may require permits or permission from landowners. Finally, dispersed camping takes place outside of established campgrounds and is often less regulated but still requires knowledge of rules and regulations before embarking on the trip. Stealth Camping Stealth camping is popular with RVers and van dwellers because sometimes you really just need a free place to park overnight. If you're on a long road trip, paying for campgrounds every single night really adds up... and you don't even end up using any of their amenities. Stealth camping is parking your RV, van, or car somewhere in a city, usually an area where sleeping in your vehicle is either not allowed or the rules are vague. The risks of getting caught stealth camping will likely just get you a knock on the door and being asked by police to leave, but it can also land you with fines, getting your rig towed (with you in it), or worse. Wild Camping Wild camping, also known as camping in areas not designated for campsites, can provide a unique and adventurous experience for outdoor enthusiasts. It involves finding your own spot to camp in the wilderness, away from established campgrounds. While it may be tempting to set up anywhere that looks appealing, it's important to do so legally and responsibly. Here are some tips for successful wild camping: Research the rules and regulations of the area where you plan to camp beforehand; Leave no trace by packing out all trash and waste; Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources; Respect wildlife and their habitats by keeping a safe distance; and Be prepared with proper gear and supplies, including a map and compass. Remember that wild camping is not legal everywhere, so always check local laws before setting out on your adventure. Dispersed Camping Dispersed camping is a common type of camping you'll see on state or federally owned public lands like BLM land, state or national forests, etc. This is a type of camping where you can set up camp pretty much anywhere you want within a designated area, with a few rules. Sometimes you might need a permit from the local jurisdiction, so it's always good to check the website before heading out. In general, rules for dispersed camping are as follows: You can only stay up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted Don't try to make a new campsite and fire pit, find one that's been used before to help minimize the damaging effects on the environment. Don't crowd other campers. If you have the ability to distance yourself, give other people space and privacy. Don't set up camp within 200 feet of a water source. Don't leave any trash or human waste behind - pack it in, pack it out. This includes not burning your trash in your fire pit. This is very damaging to the environment. How to Camp Legally in the Wilderness If you're planning to camp in the wilderness, it's important to know where you can legally set up camp. National Parks and Forests have their own rules and regulations for camping, so be sure to check those before your trip. BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) also has specific guidelines for dispersed camping. Additionally, private property camping is only legal with the owner's permission and violating this can result in legal consequences. National Parks National parks have their own campgrounds and each park operates differently. Some national parks allow backcountry camping where you can hike in and camp pretty much anywhere you want. You will have to get permits for this though, and since each park is managed differently you will need to do your research beforehand. National and State Forest Lands Many national and state forests allow dispersed or wild camping within their boundaries. Many forest websites will have maps showing you areas within the forest that are open for free camping and which are not. Each national and state forest is managed by a different jurisdiction and will have different rules and regulations for where you can camp, how long you can stay, etc. Be sure to call the local ranger station before you go, they can give you the best information and will even be able to provide pointers on the best areas for a great dispersed camping experience. BLM Land BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management, and BLM land is all over the country, with large swaths in the western US open for public camping. Camping on BLM land affords some of the most breathtaking scenery and million-dollar views, but there are still a few rules and regulations to follow. There are no facilities so you will have to pack everything in and pack everything out. They also have certain restrictions like: You can only stay for 14 days unless otherwise posted. Only camp on areas designated for camping. Don't camp within 200 feet of a water source. There are multiple BLM districts and regions that manage their own lands differently, so again, this is another instance where you need to be sure you're checking their websites for rules, burn bans, etc. It's also important to know that some BLM camping land closes with little notice. This is due to environmental restoration or to deal with issues like illegal dumping, squatters, and people trashing the land. Private Property Camping Have you ever seen a beautiful field, valley, or meadow owned by a farmer or landowner and wished you could just set up camp there? Sometimes you can! But you have to know how to do it right and legally. You can't just go camping on someone's private property without asking permission. And unless you're friends with the landowner, most people probably won't just say yes to a stranger asking this question. And that's why Boondockers Welcome and HipCamp are such cool programs! Boondockers Welcome is great for the RVer who wants to find unique places to stay on private property for free. This program connects property owners with RVers. These are property owners who have land they open up for RVers to camp on for 1-3 nights, but it's only open to RVers who are also members of Boondockers Welcome. Once you sign up for Boondockers Welcome, you can type in your trip route or location and browse property owners along the route. Once you find somewhere you want to stay, send a message to request a "booking" with the property owner. Owners are very responsive and once they accept your request, you can head out and enjoy an experience you might not have had otherwise! Read our Boondockers Welcome review to learn more about free camping on private property. HipCamp is similar, but HipCamp has a focus on tent campers, too. HipCamp campsites aren't free, but they are private and very unique. Apps to Find Free Legal Overnight Camping There are many apps and websites to find free and legal overnight camping. As we've been saying throughout this entire post - research is key! And even when you find a place, do some research to make sure it's still open and legal. Sometimes places close down to campers and it would suck to not find that out until you get there! Here are a list of apps and websites to find free and legal overnight camping: Allstays.com - website and app Allstays ONP - app Campendium - website and app FreeRoam - app Harvest Hosts - membership website Boondockers Welcome - membership website iOverlander - app FreeCampsites.net - website The Dyrt - website Is Camping Illegal? Sometimes It Is, Sometimes It Isn't It seems like common sense to think that camping on someone else's private property without permission would be illegal, but most of us probably wouldn't think twice about camping in city limits! However, sometimes camping in city limits is actually illegal. But now that you're armed with the information in this article, you can do your own research and make an informed decision about camping wherever your heart desires.