I would think this is an acquired taste of approach for a place to sleep while on the Road, those free spots where where you and your means of travel tuck in off the beaten path. This is my chosen approach.
It can be legitimate such as dispersed camping in National Forests and Grasslands, BLM land of even the trails of the Adirondacks come to mind. I like to keep approximate routes in the areas of these mentioned parcels of land but it also depends on where you are.
National Forests are throughout the Mid-Atlantic, a few in New England and in abundance out West. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) consists of land primarily west of the plains. While both offer pay sites, dispersed camping is allowed and it's for the better I feel. There are a few regulations involved: have to be so far off the roads, carry-in/carry-out policy which is a given, leave as small of a footprint as possible. and most importantly leave it better than you found it.
Dispersed camping is a great way to be somewhat in the wilds with little or no humans around. It's also not a highly announced allowance from Forest Service and BLM as they would rather know where you are and make some cash at the usual overly priced campgrounds. On the forest roads back east, I almost 100% of the time find myself alone. Out west, it's different as it's common to see other parties in the woods. They seem to appreciate what they have and are offered.
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| Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Maps |
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| Forest Road Signs |
The simple way if you are not on foot is to hunt out the brown numbered signs inside Forest Land which indicate forest roads. The Forest Service also offer free Motor Vehicle Use Maps of these roads. Sometimes they are clearly marked, sometimes not at all. The roads usually turn to decently graded dirt immediately leaving the main road. There is a large network of these roads and is a fun way to explore. It's to be expected the further back you travel these roads, the conditions vary from decent to poor to almost non existent or maybe a locked gate. Being on a motorbike with street tires, I have to know when I'm in over my head and at times find myself turning around when things get too chancy. I do gravel, dirt, dry creek crossings and the such, but sand always gets the best of me such as the forest roads in Florida.
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| One of my favorite dispersed spots, Dead Indian Summit, Wyoming |
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| Dispersed camping at the Mogollon Rim, AZ |
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| Bed for the night in Nantahala National Forest, NC |
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| Angelina National Forest, Texas |
Getting back to the point, these roads are perfect for finding a place to sleep and it's not uncommon to find fire rings or clearings from previous campers or the Forest Service. In the Lincoln NF outside Cloudcroft, NM for example, they offered dispersed camping at what I took as developed sites, e.g., pit toilets. Areas like that back east would have a fee associated with the area. Though nice, I do prefer the canopy of the woods blanketing me off a dirt road where it's the critters and me. I have no problem digging a cat hole.
But there's a lot of land out there without such amenities. The wide array of illegitimate areas would be anywhere you're not supposed to sleep or be in the first place such any private property, behind locked gates where Bike can go around (heehee), rest areas, bathrooms, utility areas or dump sites, farm roads, boat ramps, picnic areas, city parks, cemeteries (which I have yet to need) or a simple pull off on the side of the road. It's an antsy process because while guerilla camping there's always the opportunity of being caught while asleep, meaning you're not going to be sleeping sound in the first place.
In these times, I usually sleep in my gear with the idea in mind that I'll have to leave in a hurry and it should be expected. Sometimes, the feel of ease is present but most of the time there's the sense of anxiety with giddiness. I pull in after Sun goes down, make sure I'm shielded and covered from view if possible and get out of there before Sun shows itself. Sometimes you can't be picky. For instance I slept at a boat launch in Antlers, OK on a picnic table. It was getting dark and for safety reasons with deer on my mind, I called it a night. If a cop happened to find me, I would tell him just that. If I was asked why didn't I get a room, I guess I would shrug.
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| A safe guerilla spot down a utility road off a Texas boat launch where I could relax. |
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| A pit toilet I slept in at Shawnee NF. Traveling without tent and pouring rain. |
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| A roof to keep the dew off me at a public fishing and boat launch in Port Arthur, TX |
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| Wolf Creek where ever that is... Dirt road off a highway. |
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| City park somewhere in Texas |
Case closed, I'm a certified cheapskate, 100% tightwad. Instead of dishing out too much cash for a bed and TV. It's safe, stagnate, and predictable. I'd rather be under the stars, go weeks without showering, kiss the trees and being blessed with the actuality of LIVING. The Ranger at Finger Lakes NF was right about me, ha.
With dispersed camping it's a nice and extremely peaceful endeavor. It's total alone time which is in my genes anyway. I have no problem with solitude, I actually look forward to it. Same thing while being on Bike, your mind to yourself. You think, talk, sing, laugh and cry.
While in a natural setting where I feel I am utterly alone and exposed, I start to think of how reality is just the extreme opposite. I'm not alone, there's a lot going on, it's loud in the most subtle way.
The critters, the trees, the dead leaves and bones. The rocks, the dirt, the grass and calls. The bugs, the rustle, the wind and breeze. The birds and deer, Bike and me.
Love, H
