Camping regs in National Forests vary, seems as though the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has looser regs and way more land (almost 500 million acres). Travel Management regulations with your vehicle vary from Forest to Forest too, kind of pays to be up on the regs, especially if you are camping where somebody will see you.
Great tips for my first motorcycle camping trip Perfect for a cost sensitive individual such as myself. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Scott
Just a couple of things; I use the bladder from Starbucks coffee as water bags. Just grab one after your next office meeting. I use fruit roll ups on my PB sandwichs. Daylilies (the flowers) are delicious.
I got the same tent, also free. Mine is the one made by Diamond. Big enough for two, roomy for one. A little heavy, but a great tent.
Got issued one. Great tent. Just enough room for me and gear. Rain fly makes a vestibule for keeping cases and stuff covered.
Nice tent but it's $300! Hardly budget...and for 50 bucks more you can have the Seedhouse II which is an awesome tent for motorcycle camping and backpacking!
I usually cook something in the evenings when I camp. I like being tidy so when I stop for breakfast or lunch I grab a handful of napkins out of the dispenser to use later in the day. That way I don't have to carry a roll of paper towels.
So much of this reminds me of backpacking. Multi-course breakfast, first course is instant oatmeal with chemical creamer stirred in it. The creamer is free with breakfast at the restaurant. Second course is hot chocolate in the same cup Third course is a bit of hot water swirled around to get the remains of the first course The $29.95 metal stove is too expensive. Get a couple of gallon cans from the restaurant. Tip it upside down and cut a 2 x 2 hole in what is now the tip. On the other end, cut a 3 x 3 hole for an air intake. You can use small bits of wood for fuel. Or, take a tuna fish sized can and melt candle wax in a double boiler. Pour the wax in the tuna can. Just before the was sets up, put a roll of cardboard in the can. In use, light the cardboard, place your custom stove over the fuel. When done cooking, put some of your cooking stuff in the stove.
Bump All good info I've read Jamie Z 's stuff for while. I've found asking a local where to camp/set up tent is best. In small towns (I tend to shy away from cities) I'll ask the teens that work in gas stations fast food etc. Trust me the kids know every place out of the way to camp, party or what ever.I best expierence I had was in Ouray,Co.I went to the KOA it was $38 for tent site.No Any place less expensive,they sent to the NFs park it was $19,but I had park the bike inparking lot a lug my stuff up about 200 stairs.No, again I asked anyplace else. Yea sure anywhere out of town limits is BLM land.I found a place overlooking Ouray,nice shade flat tent site. scary quiet though. I'm with Jammie on asking a Cop for anything. Fire fighters are a different story they are always helpful. As for stelth camping it usually easier to ask forgivnees than permission. come in at dusk and leave at dawn. If done right you could stay about anywhere. I'm always on the lookout for good stelth sites even when I'm not on a trip.Stelth camping isn't always in a tent I've read of people in bathrooms,the shed thing is ballsy,but it's wasn't the first time I'd heard that most of my stelth camping has been done while bicycle touring. Now grated when bicycle touring it's a lot easier to stelth camp.
I haven't read all 20+ pages...but will add that used gear is another way to stretch the budget. I bought a used Widder heated vest from JamieZ, great price, had to mod it a bit and set up wiring connections...but also got to use it last weekend for the first time. It was cold and started raining, then pouring, then torrential downpour. I have never ridden in that kind of weather. I was toasty warm and dry with my waterproof jacket, pants, and boots. Oh, and a heated vest. Thanks Jamie!!
I've done this for years upon years...whenever I leave someplace I've stayed, I don't leave until I've done an "idiot check"
More people should do this. It's amazing how often I come across reports of people losing and forgetting things. I've done it myself, fortunately nothing of importance so far. My last trip I left two pieces of clothing behind because I was lazy. Jamie
I usually leave something... easy to get a rush. Four years ago I left my backdoor open for two weeks.
Every now and then I stop by a Cracker Barrel restaurant and pay $5 for a box of their pancake mix. Take the plastic bag with the mix out of the box, throw the box away, and stick the bag anywhere you can. In the mornings pour a bit of mix in your coffee cup, add water, stir, and pour into a small pan heated with a Pocket Rocket (you can simmer so no burning) and you have great pancakes. Syrup obtained at Micky D's in packets and you are set. Tried all the other mixes and think the Cracker Barrel stuff is the best.