I’ve got the camping bug bad. And the fishing bug as well. Spring is prime time for trout fishing and I’ve been waiting for it all winter. Upgraded the roof top tent and put some time and money into the Tacoma and my fly fishing gear. Was fully prepared to go and now this stuff started. Looking at the restrictions in NC, they encourage outdoor recreation as long as safe distances are maintained. But I live right on the VA state line, and the places I go camping and fishing are all in Virginia about 2-3 hours away in the mountains. But they’re all incredibly remote areas. The only people I ever see are the one or two people that go with me (usually in a separate vehicle). I’m not sure about VA but what I interpreted from the NC lockdown is we can go out and do these things as long as we don’t go to any places that are closed and we maintain social distancing. Most campgrounds across the US are closed. I read on the VDGIF that the national forest areas are still open to fishing and hiking but didn’t see anything about camping in the national forest areas.
.
What they're suggesting in a lot of places is to not go, no matter how prepared one thinks they are or actually might be, because of potential accidents with vehicle or person. That's why a lot of places have ended up saying no overnight camping, no backcountry permits, etc. There's no one to come help or rescue in an emergency, no matter how small or large, and services in the closest communities may already be stressed with lack of workers, shut-downs, etc.
I have absolutely no doubt as this virus crisis continues that some folks are going to go out anyway, get in trouble, and not be helped in ways they need. Face it, though you may be more experienced than some, most folks itching to use their new gear right now have only been out a handful of times and mostly to organized camp spots like a state park. Those are the ones who are gonna get in jams quick. Even the much more experienced, and I include myself among them, are going to get in jams here and there and not be able to get out of them the way they would have before.
That's why I and most who travel and camp a lot are staying put, not potentially adding to local problems elsewhere or stressing the communities were are going to, or through.
IF you choose to go, be damned sure the area you are going to is still open (lots of places have shifted position on this overnight in the last few days and more will be changing in coming days), and have two or three backup spots as well, and be prepared to be turned away from local businesses or find them closed. Same with camping areas, they may be suddenly closed. You also run the risk of getting there and finding a shitload of others have the same idea for the same places.
Like the OB vid said the other night, Adventure Can Wait.
.
Stay safe, stay clean, stay positive!