| Primitive Camping - - guide and facts |
WHAT IS PRIMITIVE
CAMPING?
Many people enjoy the solitude and
experience of camping away from
developed campgrounds and other
campers. Primitive Camping, also known
as "Dispersed camping" or "Dry
Camping", is the term used for camping
anywhere on public lands (public lands
camping options) OUTSIDE of a
developed campground. This type of
camping usually means no toilet facilities
or treated water, no fire grates, and no
CAMPING?
Many people enjoy the solitude and
experience of camping away from
developed campgrounds and other
campers. Primitive Camping, also known
as "Dispersed camping" or "Dry
Camping", is the term used for camping
anywhere on public lands (public lands
camping options) OUTSIDE of a
developed campground. This type of
camping usually means no toilet facilities
or treated water, no fire grates, and no
picnic tables or other amenities. ...although this is not always the case.
Camping where there are limited facilities at a camping site such as
vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings is usually referred to as "dry
camping".
Camping where there are limited facilities at a camping site such as
vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings is usually referred to as "dry
camping".
WHERE TO CAMP
Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the
forests, near lakes and rivers, or in the desert;
except in specially designated areas that are
signed as closed to camping. Depending on
what you are looking for, you'll find a wide range
of dispersed camping opportunities--from
remote, hike-in backcountry areas to cleared
Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the
forests, near lakes and rivers, or in the desert;
except in specially designated areas that are
signed as closed to camping. Depending on
what you are looking for, you'll find a wide range
of dispersed camping opportunities--from
remote, hike-in backcountry areas to cleared
sites adjacent to Forest Service, BLM, and other public land roads where you can set up
a camper or trailer. More information on camping on Public Land
a camper or trailer. More information on camping on Public Land
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
No permits or fees are required to camp in most of these
dispersed areas, but the stay is usually limited to no more
than 21 days. This helps to keep any one area from
becoming overused. Other sites will range from $5.00 to
$12.00 per night. There are extra responsibilities and
skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. By
applying Leave No Trace practices, you will ensure a
safe, clean and positive experience for your family,
campers that follow you, and the environment.
No permits or fees are required to camp in most of these
dispersed areas, but the stay is usually limited to no more
than 21 days. This helps to keep any one area from
becoming overused. Other sites will range from $5.00 to
$12.00 per night. There are extra responsibilities and
skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. By
applying Leave No Trace practices, you will ensure a
safe, clean and positive experience for your family,
campers that follow you, and the environment.
FREE CAMPING ON BLM LAND
| FREE CAMPING ON NATIONAL FOREST LAND |
Private Land
The National Forest and BLM lands have jagged
boundaries and there can be areas of private land entirely
surrounding them. These in-holdings are often accessed
The National Forest and BLM lands have jagged
boundaries and there can be areas of private land entirely
surrounding them. These in-holdings are often accessed
by a dirt road that runs through these lands. Use a forest map when camping along roads
to be sure that you are on government land. Maps are available at the local Forest Service
or BLM office
to be sure that you are on government land. Maps are available at the local Forest Service
or BLM office
Choosing a Campsite
If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick an established
"hardened" site. Many existing "campsites" (areas where others have camped before you)
are located near water on riverbanks and lakeshores. Whether you are using an existing
site or camping in an area where camping use is not evident, it is important to follow these
steps:
If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick an established
"hardened" site. Many existing "campsites" (areas where others have camped before you)
are located near water on riverbanks and lakeshores. Whether you are using an existing
site or camping in an area where camping use is not evident, it is important to follow these
steps:
- Camp, on bare, or compacted soil when possible, to avoid damaging
or killing plants and grass. Keep activity on durable ground to
prevent site expansion. - Park vehicles on roads and barren ground to avoid disturbing
vegetation. - Where no campsites exist, camp at least 100 feet of a water source,
as plants and wildlife near water are especially fragile. - When camping at existing sites near water, be prepared to wash
dishes and to bathe well away from your campsite to avoid polluting
streams and lakes. - Select a campsite with good natural drainage to eliminate the need
to trench or level tent sites. - Avoid creating new "roads" to access your campsite.
- Refrain from cutting or damaging vegetation, including standing
dead trees. Use removable ropes instead of nails to hang things
from trees.
Campfires
Down and dead firewood may be gathered around your camping area for use at your
campsite but it is illegal to load wood in a vehicle to take out of the Forest without a special
permit. (You may not cut standing trees nor can you cut limbs off of standing trees.)
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Here are some simple guidlines:
Down and dead firewood may be gathered around your camping area for use at your
campsite but it is illegal to load wood in a vehicle to take out of the Forest without a special
permit. (You may not cut standing trees nor can you cut limbs off of standing trees.)
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Here are some simple guidlines:
- Use a lightweight stove for cooking and
enjoy a candle lantern for light. - Where fires are permitted, use
established fire rings, fire pans, or mound
fires. - Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the
ground that can be broken by hand. - Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out
campfires completely, then scatter cool
ashes. (more campfire safety tips)
Camp Waste
Pack it in, Pack it out. This mantra applies to your camp waste as
well as the waste left behind by previous campers. Be prepared to
pack out all garbage, including tin, glass, plastic, paper and food
scraps such as peels and bones.
Remember, your fire ring is not a garbage receptacle.
Well-intended campers often consolidate their garbage in a fire
ring expecting the following camper to burn or dispose of it
properly. Garbage that is left behind is typically dispersed by
animals making the cleanup job much more difficult and creates
unwanted behaviors in birds, squirrels and bears. Yellow jackets
are attracted to meat juices and sugars and can render a campsite
unpleasant and unsafe for future use.
Pack it in, Pack it out. This mantra applies to your camp waste as
well as the waste left behind by previous campers. Be prepared to
pack out all garbage, including tin, glass, plastic, paper and food
scraps such as peels and bones.
Remember, your fire ring is not a garbage receptacle.
Well-intended campers often consolidate their garbage in a fire
ring expecting the following camper to burn or dispose of it
properly. Garbage that is left behind is typically dispersed by
animals making the cleanup job much more difficult and creates
unwanted behaviors in birds, squirrels and bears. Yellow jackets
are attracted to meat juices and sugars and can render a campsite
unpleasant and unsafe for future use.
| Dispersed Canoing site with table and fire ring |
| Bureau of Reclamation Reservoirs offer many camping opportunities |
Treating Your Water
We used to be able to take a cup and drink directly out of a sparkling creek, a rushing
waterfall or a clear, deep lake. There is NO safe water source anymore. With an increasing
population and visitation to our National Forests, water sources have been contaminated
with invisible, micro-organisms that can make people very ill and even kill them in some
cases. Giardhea is a common contamination that has been spread to many water sources
through improper toileting and wild animals. It will cause diarrhea, cramping, and other
physical problems.
The only way to ensure that water from an undeveloped source is safe is to treat it. That
means heating it until it comes to a rolling boil, using water purification tablets or a water
purification filter. Water from faucets in developed recreation areas has been tested and
treated and is safe to use without treating.
We used to be able to take a cup and drink directly out of a sparkling creek, a rushing
waterfall or a clear, deep lake. There is NO safe water source anymore. With an increasing
population and visitation to our National Forests, water sources have been contaminated
with invisible, micro-organisms that can make people very ill and even kill them in some
cases. Giardhea is a common contamination that has been spread to many water sources
through improper toileting and wild animals. It will cause diarrhea, cramping, and other
physical problems.
The only way to ensure that water from an undeveloped source is safe is to treat it. That
means heating it until it comes to a rolling boil, using water purification tablets or a water
purification filter. Water from faucets in developed recreation areas has been tested and
treated and is safe to use without treating.
Respect Your Neighbors
Keep noise levels down to avoid disturbing other campers and recreationists in the area. If
you bring pets, keep them in control at all times. Also, respect private landowners and
refrain from camping and trespassing on private lands.
Have Fun!
If you follow the tips above, you can have a safe, low impact, dispersed camping
experience.
Keep noise levels down to avoid disturbing other campers and recreationists in the area. If
you bring pets, keep them in control at all times. Also, respect private landowners and
refrain from camping and trespassing on private lands.
Have Fun!
If you follow the tips above, you can have a safe, low impact, dispersed camping
experience.
| Some of the above information courtesy of USDA Forest Service |
The Picnic Placemat. All rights reserved
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| This is the HOW-TO-CAMP guide Information for tent and RV camping |