How does one find a good site?

19 years ago

I camp to get away from people -- I deal with them all day long, and live in The Big City (San Francisco Bay Area) so it's all night too. So I want to camp somewhere away away away from people. There are mountain ranges all around here -- how does one find a good 'primitive' campsite? Just drive along roads until you see a flat spot?

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Comments (9)

rustyj14
19 years ago
50-60 years ago, you could just flop yer sleeping bag down in some farmers field, or alongside the road, or in a state park, and nobody would bother you, but now---well---you'd best not do that, if you don't want to end up in the local jail as their guest!
Check: Camping World.com. It is a catalog of camping supplies, from tents to tents, and all the in-betweens.
Also, read the past postings in this column, and write to anybody here, and you'll soon know just where to go to find a camping area.
Welcome to the "club"! It ain't a club, but it functions as one, for what info you seek!
Rustyj
plot_thickens
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks, Rusty. I went back a couple of pages and own camping books, etc, but I don't want a State Park or specially designed campsite. I want a flat spot in a forest with NOBODY around, but I don't know how to find such a thing, or what sorts of bribes to offer for the information! Heh heh. I'll go check out campingworld.com now.
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mazer415
19 years ago
You can look into the primitive camp sites - There are quite a few of them especially on Bureau of Land Management land - Primitive camp sites may take a bit more effort but they are far less crowded. There are very few sites that are not near some popular destinatin, even up in the passes, like the Clarks Fork area of the Sonora pass where there are horse camps and primitive camps, seems like someone is always a little too close by. There is a book out called FREE CAMPING and TOM STIENSTRA camping books are very informative, and will let you knkow about some of the more primitive sights - beware some primitive sights are used by off roaders who have fully self contained RVS and will haul toys to a nearby track to run their noise polluting machines.
Shasta around the McCloud area, Trinity and the Lost Coast areas of the State have fewer people using them, Sequoia and Kings canyon are far less populated than Yosemite. For a really great people free or alot less people camp time, go in the off season. I have camped out at Sequoia in April before the season started and practically had the place to myself. Even places clser to home like Samuel P Taylor park have alot fewer people in the winter months than the summer. OH and check out Kirby cove, which is practically free of campers and is within eyesight of SF. Camping World does sell a couple of good camping books, but the informatin is not as detailed as Steinstra's books and most people who shop at Camping world are RV'ers. Good Luck
camp123
18 years ago
Hi, a great web site to check out is
campingideas.info
plot_thickens
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you so much, Mazer -- I must run but this is GREAT INFO and I will follow it up as soon as the first rains have come and the fire restrictions are lifted. You're a genius!
tim-camper
18 years ago
This is the right time of year to pick a not-so-crowded campsite. Now that the summer holidays are over, most campsites should be clearing out. You can check a remote area of a developed campsite - have the privacy and all the facilities. There are a couple of links to National Park Service and USDA Forest Service on my website under "First-time Camping". I suggest the Eastern Sierras...near June Lake. Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: TheCampingGuy.com
tplife
18 years ago
Plotthickens, you are a fellow Kalifornia Kamper. What you're looking for are called "Yellow Post Sites". These are one-group camping sites whose yellow post means a campfire is allowed (assuming no red-flag alert, of course). There are no bathroom facilities or trash reomoval, or picnic tables. There is also no charge. Privacy is assured!
jiji
18 years ago
Dear Mr. "Want to get away from it all"
Check out the Woodall's Forum. It's just camping and camping related subjects. They can answer all your questions and then some. I bought a book at Camper's World, as well, "Don Wright's Free Guide to Free Campgrounds.(Western Edition) Believe me, some of those places are way out there. Most campers, these days, won't rough it so you will have all the solitude you require.
craig76
18 years ago
I hunt and camp in the Adirondacks NY. There is state land everywhere. I enjoy camping off the trails.Find a spot that offers a flat protected area.I use a small single burner propane stove to cook.I do not make wood fires.If it's cold I go in my tent and rest for the next days adventures.When I leave the only sign I leave behind is some pressed leaves.Nothing better them watching the mist lift off a lake early in the morning or star gazing at night.