Hike-In/Walk-in Only Campsite Trend? Why is this happening?

[Billiebob]

this seems exclusively a State Park/National Park thing. Second there is plenty, in fact much more, demand for car camping than there is for backpacking.

So outside of he state parks, the campgrounds are catering to car camping leaving a void for state parks to fill for the few families not wanting the car to be on site. So you need to pick which one suits you. The state parks are catering to the crowds really wanting to connect with nature.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

F^k this.
I want to love in Montana. Buy a pickup truck. Marry a round American girl, and raise rabbits.

Anyone?

 

[MidOH]

You can still park in regular camping sites at state parks.

My draw to state parks wasn't the lot I was tented on. I'm usually up and about as soon as the sun comes up. Hit the trail, beach, whatever is there.

 

[Kevin108]

embrace it, not fight it.

No, we should definitely fight the misuse of our tax dollars and things done to discourage the use of our public lands.

 

[Brian Glendenning]

In some parts of my life I have preferred one style of camping, at other parts the other. Probably as many people love the change as hate it. It's unfortunate that the world doesn't conform to my desires, but I've learned to cope.

 

[Smileyshaun]

Guess this makes me even happier to live on the west coast. I just drive to the woods and camp wherever seems like a good place to stay for the night .

 

[MidOH]

No, we should definitely fight the misuse of our tax dollars and things done to discourage the use of our public lands.

No. You're just pissed because they didn't set up those sites for your specific type of camping.

The rest of us love the fact that the noisy, stinky, cars are 100 yards away from the primitive sites. If you need to tent right next to your car, go to a regular trailer/motorhome site.

My favorite state park has a primitive area. It's as far as possible from the group camping, party, and dog friendly spots. The rest is trailer/rv.

 

[Mustang03]

What are the national forests like back east? Is there no dispersed camping allowed? I have to admit I have not seen this sort of thing happening out west, but that might be because we personally do very little campground camping. Sad to see this sort of thing happening.

 

[Kevin108]

No. You're just pissed because they didn't set up those sites for your specific type of camping.

The rest of us love the fact that the noisy, stinky, cars are 100 yards away from the primitive sites. If you need to tent right next to your car, go to a regular trailer/motorhome site.

My favorite state park has a primitive area. It's as far as possible from the group camping, party, and dog friendly spots. The rest is trailer/rv.

I'm all for hiking in, but we're talking about state park campsites that were converted from full-use to hike in. State park sites are good for keeping the people who use paid campgrounds all clumped together, leaving more sites available to those of us who enjoy the wilds, whether we hike in or drive.

 

[FishinCrzy]

What are the national forests like back east? Is there no dispersed camping allowed? I have to admit I have not seen this sort of thing happening out west, but that might be because we personally do very little campground camping. Sad to see this sort of thing happening.

I had a good trip to some NF land in N. Georgia last fall and found quite a few opportunities for dispersed camping. I have also noticed that in some areas of North and South Carolina mountains many of the FS side roads are gated and locked leaving not much opportunity to explore and dispersed camping. It feels like they really try to limit access as much as possible. I'm not an outlaw but I sometimes feel like cutting some locks! The more popular areas seem to limit access the most. I know other areas that are very rural and only hunters go there and with a little exploring there are plenty of little secluded spots. They are just in the middle of nowhere. Go up into the Smokies and around the Blue Ridge Pkway and the side road gates will be closed more often than not. There are some dispersed sites up there but very few that I have found. I have found some hidden gems and it takes some exploring because they will not usually show up on any maps. "Beat the bushes" takes on a real meaning when looking for dispersed sites. A "universal key" might also. I'm about so old I don't much give a rat's ass if I get cited for using public land that's locked away for no apparent reason.

 

[Downs]

F^k this.
I want to love in Montana. Buy a pickup truck. Marry a round American girl, and raise rabbits.

Anyone?

Is your last name Ramius? Prior service Sub Captain? :P

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Is your last name Ramius? Prior service Sub Captain? :P

Good guess! But not quite. Those would be the aspirations of Capt. 2nd rank Vasili Borodin

 

[ShenValleyCruiser]

What are the national forests like back east? Is there no dispersed camping allowed? I have to admit I have not seen this sort of thing happening out west, but that might be because we personally do very little campground camping. Sad to see this sort of thing happening.

All the national forest/public lands are in Appalachia, not the coast (only exception being cape lookout and parts of outer banks). They have dispersed camping and some rustic campgrounds. This is mostly a state park thing and specifically South Carolina (though Georgia has virtually no where you can bring your car).

 

[ShenValleyCruiser]

I had a good trip to some NF land in N. Georgia last fall and found quite a few opportunities for dispersed camping. I have also noticed that in some areas of North and South Carolina mountains many of the FS side roads are gated and locked leaving not much opportunity to explore and dispersed camping. It feels like they really try to limit access as much as possible. I'm not an outlaw but I sometimes feel like cutting some locks! The more popular areas seem to limit access the most. I know other areas that are very rural and only hunters go there and with a little exploring there are plenty of little secluded spots. They are just in the middle of nowhere. Go up into the Smokies and around the Blue Ridge Pkway and the side road gates will be closed more often than not. There are some dispersed sites up there but very few that I have found. I have found some hidden gems and it takes some exploring because they will not usually show up on any maps. "Beat the bushes" takes on a real meaning when looking for dispersed sites. A "universal key" might also. I'm about so old I don't much give a rat's ass if I get cited for using public land that's locked away for no apparent reason.

This is definitely the trend and its having the opposite effects of conservation! Instead of people being spread out and limiting the number of travelers on any one forest road now practically everyone is on the same couple trails in a given area so when it gets eroded after heavy traffic and rainfall or gets trashed, everyone gets blamed. Plus when theres only three trails in an area, everyone ends up knowing about putting them up on facebook, youtube, etc... Idk overlanding is kind of in a conundrum, the more popular it gets the more it will kind of kill itself. Either by making previous secluded and isolated places busy and taking away that aspect or by trails and dispersed campsites getting shut down. Unless some of this attitude towards overlanding/offroading--but I think more importantly towards cars in general--changes the popularity of the hobby doesn't help sadly. You would think that if parks and forests for us to BOTH conserve and enjoy and there was a rise in such a hobby that they would actually figure out ways to expand opportunities for it, not limit them.

I'm sure the excuse would be "environmental impact" which for too many people boils down to "cars are gross and I dont like them". There are lots of things that have an "impact" we minimize the impact (to an extant) and spend resources to make up for the impact (think of hunting). This is getting offtrack now (no pun intended) but I wouldnt even be opposed to seeing 4x4 permits like OBX has for driving on the beach. You pay a pretty small amount ($50-$125) to drive on the beach, before getting the permit you have agree to the rules, and the permit lists some of the rules and the things you are supposed to have on hand. Having a similar national forest 4x4 permit where agree to stay on the trail, have a trash bag with you, etc, etc could help by 1: educating and reminding people and 2: pay for trail repairs and clean ups. Personally I dont even think any of that is necessary and could really just work by spending the money we have now more efficiently. And we all gripe about the trash and stuff that people leave but honestly like every trail around here is adopting by some club and gets cleaned at least once or twice a year not to mention there is a lot of people who do go to a great deal of effort to clean up after others. Personally I think the impact of 4wd and overlanding is minimal and unproven by studies. While its popularity is exploding its still a tiny fraction of people that do it and the land percentage use of an 8-10ft wide trail is very small. And the impact could be even less by NOT maintaining some of the trails through leveling or graveling (both of which increase the traffic on a trail), I personally, and I imagine many here, would love to see more UNmaintained trails (in regards to the surface, not trash or brush obviously).

 

[FishinCrzy]

All the national forest/public lands are in Appalachia, not the coast (only exception being cape lookout and parts of outer banks). They have dispersed camping and some rustic campgrounds. This is mostly a state park thing and specifically South Carolina (though Georgia has virtually no where you can bring your car).

There are other opportunities if you look: Free Tent Camping in South Carolina

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Camping & Cabins:Campground Camping

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Camping & Cabins:Campground Camping

www.fs.usda.gov

Not all NF are in Appalachia.

 

[ShenValleyCruiser]

There are other opportunities if you look: Free Tent Camping in South Carolina

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Camping & Cabins:Campground Camping

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Camping & Cabins:Campground Camping

www.fs.usda.gov

Not all NF are in Appalachia.

There are a few exceptions like I not above. Marion is "on the water" only in the sense that its a swamp. Though this is probably one of the best times of the year to go through there.

 

[FishinCrzy]

There are a few exceptions like I not above. Marion is "on the water" only in the sense that its a swamp. Though this is probably one of the best times of the year to go through there.

Check this one out: Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Buck Hall Recreation Area

 

[ShenValleyCruiser]

Check this one out: Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Buck Hall Recreation Area

sweet, looks worth checking, thanks.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Perhaps a stupid question, so be kind but are there two different passes? Ine for National Parks and one for National Forests?
I want to say this was mentioned in a thread somewhere but I havent found it yet.

Please and thank you

 

[Tundracamper]

No. You're just pissed because they didn't set up those sites for your specific type of camping.

The rest of us love the fact that the noisy, stinky, cars are 100 yards away from the primitive sites. If you need to tent right next to your car, go to a regular trailer/motorhome site.

My favorite state park has a primitive area. It's as far as possible from the group camping, party, and dog friendly spots. The rest is trailer/rv.

So, I’m curious. Why is two categories enough? Why not leave the car camping area and then build a more primitive remote area for those wanting to tent camp? Just because I camp out of my car doesn’t mean I wanna be grilling next to the sewage hose coming out of a 40’ motorhome. State parks obviously aren’t watching the Subaru commercials. Car camping is making a strong comeback - putting aside any stigma that may come with it.