Stealth Camping
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
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Stealth Camping
Theres been plenty of times when I have ridden long hours, and Im just wanting a place to throw the tent, and get some sleep, not so much to the tune of 20-30 bucks, or with having to 'find' a camp ground. Lots of times Im late in and early out. Anyone have any stories/experience with stealth camping?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,049
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From: USI
I have found it difficult to "stop and rest" as well. Most "Rest" areas do not allow overnight setups to protect the motels and double taxation "camp grounds" run by the state or Feds. Seems their greed oversteps the need for travelers to "stop and rest" without having money extorted from them yet pronounce themselves as guardians of travelers "safety" while traveling.
I do notice however, that semi's with sleepers aren't bothered when they stop for the mandated "rest" periods and sit idling in "Rest Areas" along the Interstate highways while the driver sleeps.
I do notice however, that semi's with sleepers aren't bothered when they stop for the mandated "rest" periods and sit idling in "Rest Areas" along the Interstate highways while the driver sleeps.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 20
I have done it for year's,truck stop's will let you stay with no problem's, no cities at all by the way.Look for the one's outside of cities.Some Denny's are ok,as are convenience store's,ask and most time's it's no problem.Rest area's work if you get there just at dark so you can find a place out of immediate sight,I don't like them much just use them for nap's.Avoid building's and barn's,snake's love em.City park's in small town's out west are good,local cop's are usually friendly and watch out for you,if you ask they will wake you just before they go off duty.They'll also tell you where the best place is to eat and the weather.Just as a reminder,don't go for the easiest spot anywhere,that's where the doggies get walked.I never use a tent unless mosquito's are crazy,military shelter half or cheap 8x10 tarp in a dark color.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,492
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Theres been plenty of times when I have ridden long hours, and Im just wanting a place to throw the tent, and get some sleep, not so much to the tune of 20-30 bucks, or with having to 'find' a camp ground. Lots of times Im late in and early out. Anyone have any stories/experience with stealth camping?
Back in 1977 I was given a real small window of leave before being shipped out and I rode the red eye express (using artificial means to stay awake)from Ft Riley to Providence,RI in 2 days on my bike. I left early evening just about 8:30P.M. because I wanted home. After riding a couple 6-7 hours at about 2A.M. in the morning I pulled off the hwy using an off ramp then immediately down the off ramp to about half way, stopped and slept down the embankment. Reason being I thought the likely hood of anyone stopping to bother me as they were heading to the highway were slim to none. 2nd night I was exhausted after a near 700 mile day I pulled into a rest area about 2:30am, pulled out the sleeping bag in an area I didn't think would be used much, used my pants as a pillow and went to sleep. I must have been really tired because when I woke up the sun was shining hard, it was 10AM and the place was over flowing with travelers all around me and me in my underwear, yeah.
One time many years ago I was in Ft Lauderdale for a couple days and I slept in one of those really thick bushes or was it a short tree, that lined public recreational areas. If you pushed past the initial thickett outer part, inside was a hidden area just big enough for one person to sleep comfortably. And it was free. And sort of rain proof.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
all wall marts allow campers to stay in the back of their parking lots.
if i was traveling and had a pop up tent i would put it up in a parking lot next to the bike. if i got kicked out. sue for discrimination.
we travailed from Detroit to cal. we stayed in wall mart lots in our conversion van.
if i was traveling and had a pop up tent i would put it up in a parking lot next to the bike. if i got kicked out. sue for discrimination.
we travailed from Detroit to cal. we stayed in wall mart lots in our conversion van.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Camping
I still stealth camp. I usually find a off the beaten path road and pull of and park. Usually I gently lean the bike on a tree (if I am worried about it sinking) and set up my tent or sleep under the stars. So far so good.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Depends on the part of the country.
Out west, Wal-Marts let you crash, if you can find one.
Stop in a small town and ask the guy at the gas station. They'll know a place.
Often little mom-and-pop motels will let you pitch a tent for $5 or so.
If you're out in the middle of nowhere, you can pitch a tent on FS land. Be careful of BLM land.
The only real 'stealth camping' I've done is up in the mountains. Sometimes I just take a bivy sack and will crash just inside the treeline, in sight of my bike.
But in the mountains, there is usually an FS campground, where you can make a fire, etc.
Out west, Wal-Marts let you crash, if you can find one.
Stop in a small town and ask the guy at the gas station. They'll know a place.
Often little mom-and-pop motels will let you pitch a tent for $5 or so.
If you're out in the middle of nowhere, you can pitch a tent on FS land. Be careful of BLM land.
The only real 'stealth camping' I've done is up in the mountains. Sometimes I just take a bivy sack and will crash just inside the treeline, in sight of my bike.
But in the mountains, there is usually an FS campground, where you can make a fire, etc.
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