Is the rambling life still possible?

[Richard Davis]

For a decade between 2009 and 2019, my wife and I were fortunate to make numerous month-long trips around North America each year in our 13 foot Scamp….5 months long, once or twice! We loved the life — seeing new landscapes and places, always on the move, but sleeping in our own bed and eating the food we love to eat. Then someone rear-ended us, destroying the trailer while we were 3000 kms from home on another Scamp adventure.
Then Covid-19 hit and everyone bought RVs and escaped the cities, filling up campground (we’ve heard). Even toward the latter part of our travelling life, we found reservation systems at campgrounds made the “stop when you are ready to stop” approach more difficult. Too often, campgrounds were full by the time we began looking for a place to spend the night. This totally spoiled the free, rambling approach to Scamping! Typically, we might spend one or two nights in an area; 3 or 4 if we really liked it. Then we would chase the next horizon — maybe only 75 kms down the road. But we rarely knew where we would be 48 hours from any given moment. We generally used a mix of BLM and Forest Service campsites for a few days, followed by a commercial campground in a small town for showers/laundry/restaurant/brewpubs.
I have the idea that this is no longer possible. Consequently, we have not bought another trailer. But we really miss the old life. Please tell me: is it still possible to “wander” around the continent with your bed/kitchen in tow? We have no desire to stay in Walmart parking lots, or to set up in “paradise” on a lakeshore for 2 weeks. We want to “go walkabout” again!
What’s it like out there in 2024?

[Gerry]

The wife and I had the pleasure of doing a cross country trip, from Maine to the West coast and back, in 2019, and have used Boondockers/Harvesthosts. For those not faniliar with that, it is where people, like myself, host campers onto thier property, for free. The places we've stayed on our trip, some not ideal, where it was hard to get into the place or it was un-even, but others were great. The hosts were always friendly and inter-acting with them is optional. Some have hook up for water and elec. and even dump-station, as I do offer.
As said, it is free, but we always did give something, and being hosts, people using our place always showed their appreciation in some way.
One joins the sites mentioned above ($$$) and you can contact "Hosts" and request a stay. Usually you will get an approveal or a denial within 12 hours.
We never had trouble in the 6 years of hosting and met some real interesting people.
This all being said, there is always this option to the wandering life.

[TZBrown]

We usually travel the wandering style, going for 3 months or so. We only do reservations in high demand places but not more than 2 weeks out if we can.

Usually we travel less than 200 miles per day, sometimes less than 50. Seeing the sites and everything interesting during the day to us is more important than "Getting There" especially when we have no idea where "There" may be.

We try to stop for the day by 2PM, giving us time to explore the area. Usually we don't start until 10 Am. At lunch during the day I plan on a destination, boondocking, SFCG, NFCG, or sometimes SP or private campgrounds, if we want showers or laundry. no more than 100 miles away, sometimes less if we find an area interesting and want to explore more. Occasionally we do end up in a Cracker Barrel, or a rest area, but not often.

[slowpat]

It's very difficult to be spontaneous.

Took off in 2021 and went from Washington the state to Wisconsin, where I found a first come first serve space smack dab on Lake Superior. Stayed there a few days and came back. It was in the middle of September, which helped but also hindered a bit. Some campgrounds close after Labor Day. Part of the problem is the "discovery" and publicizing of spots that were lightly used by influencers. That's a big spoiler.

I tend to stay in campgrounds as I feel a bit more secure. On that trip, I did stay one night in a Cenex mini mart parking lot in N. Dakota.

I had no reservations or even much of a plan. Covid was going on and I found it reassuring to grocery shop on Indian Reservations because they were taking the precautions quite seriously.

I didn't really have any troubles finding spots, although arriving in Wisconsin on a Saturday that was sunny and warm had me dry camping that night. Everything was full.

The ability to be spontaneous is becoming less and less. So much, that I sometimes think about quitting.

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by TZBrown

We usually travel the wandering style, going for 3 months or so. We only do reservations in high demand places but not more than 2 weeks out if we can.

Usually we travel less than 200 miles per day, sometimes less than 50. Seeing the sites and everything interesting during the day to us is more important than "Getting There" especially when we have no idea where "There" may be.

We try to stop for the day by 2PM, giving us time to explore the area. Usually we don't start until 10 Am. At lunch during the day I plan on a destination, boondocking, SFCG, NFCG, or sometimes SP or private campgrounds, if we want showers or laundry. no more than 100 miles away, sometimes less if we find an area interesting and want to explore more. Occasionally we do end up in a Cracker Barrel, or a rest area, but not often.

Well said, and it sounds like we’re on the same page! Have you found your preferred method of travel seriously compromised over the past 5 or 10 years? What part of the continent do you typically explore?

[Jon in AZ]

Depending on the part of the country you're in, it's easy to be spontaneous if you're fully self-sufficient and able to utilize dispersed camping areas of public lands. Developed campgrounds not so much, especially the more nature-centered national and state park and forest campgrounds. Six months in andanve is the new norm. COVID boom aside, the population is increasing dramatically while the number of available public campsites is barely moving the needle.

In regions with limited access to public dispersed camping, programs like Harvest Hosts could be one solution. Camping apps can also help with last-minute options.

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by slowpat

It's very difficult to be spontaneous.

Took off in 2021 and went from Washington the state to Wisconsin, where I found a first come first serve space smack dab on Lake Superior. Stayed there a few days and came back. It was in the middle of September, which helped but also hindered a bit. Some campgrounds close after Labor Day. Part of the problem is the "discovery" and publicizing of spots that were lightly used by influencers. That's a big spoiler.

I tend to stay in campgrounds as I feel a bit more secure. On that trip, I did stay one night in a Cenex mini mart parking lot in N. Dakota.

I had no reservations or even much of a plan. Covid was going on and I found it reassuring to grocery shop on Indian Reservations because they were taking the precautions quite seriously.

I didn't really have any troubles finding spots, although arriving in Wisconsin on a Saturday that was sunny and warm had me dry camping that night. Everything was full.

The ability to be spontaneous is becoming less and less. So much, that I sometimes think about quitting.

Yes, that final sentence sums up my fears of getting back on the horse! Thanks for your input.

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Depending on the part of the country you're in, it's easy to be spontaneous if you're fully self-sufficient and able to utilize dispersed camping areas of public lands. Developed campgrounds not so much, especially the more nature-centered national and state park and forest campgrounds. Six months in andanve is the new norm. COVID boom aside, the population is increasing dramatically while the number of available public campsites is barely moving the needle.

In regions with limited access to public dispersed camping, programs like Harvest Hosts could be one solution. Camping apps can also help with last-minute options.

Thanks Jon. You raise a good point about population/campsite ratios I hadn’t even considered. We often used dispersed camping when available, but as you say, locale speaks volumes on that point. Plus, it’s not always easy to know where dispersed camping is safe and acceptable when you’re only passing through. Good input, though. I appreciate it.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

Thanks Jon. You raise a good point about population/campsite ratios I hadn’t even considered. We often used dispersed camping when available, but as you say, locale speaks volumes on that point. Plus, it’s not always easy to know where dispersed camping is safe and acceptable when you’re only passing through. Good input, though. I appreciate it.

But there are apps available that give you information regarding the info that you seek. I use these:

ioverlander
Freeroam
Campendium
Freecampsites
Allstays
Dyrt
RV Parky

[CoMan]

I was raised in SLC Utah. My first vehicle was a motorcycle that I put over 150k miles on before I was 24. I then owned a 1974 VW Camper Van; then a 1982 Sportsmobile pop-top van. The term "Dispersed Camping" had not been invented even though my stomping grounds of Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada are up to 92% public lands. After a 20-year hiatus, I bought a GTRV pop-top camper van 3-years ago. My wife and I spent two summers traveling all over the US and Baja MX.

Wow - things really changed during that 20-years. Reservations for campsites and tours in the parks. Definitely took some of the fun out of it, but workable. Just have to adjust, which we did. The Apps mentioned in previous post were informative, but still sort of weird compared to the old days. Heck, even using electronic mapping vs a paper map lessens the experience. I was once lost for a couple days with my old VW in Mexico - that can't happen anymore (probably a good thing).

We sold our van last year and are now traveling by water down the Pacific Coast of Mexico through the Panama Canal (next year). Once we get our boat to our home in Florida, we'll resume RV roaming, but this time will be a small trailer such as a Casita.

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by Gerry

The wife and I had the pleasure of doing a cross country trip, from Maine to the West coast and back, in 2019, and have used Boondockers/Harvesthosts. For those not faniliar with that, it is where people, like myself, host campers onto thier property, for free. The places we've stayed on our trip, some not ideal, where it was hard to get into the place or it was un-even, but others were great. The hosts were always friendly and inter-acting with them is optional. Some have hook up for water and elec. and even dump-station, as I do offer.
As said, it is free, but we always did give something, and being hosts, people using our place always showed their appreciation in some way.
One joins the sites mentioned above ($$$) and you can contact "Hosts" and request a stay. Usually you will get an approveal or a denial within 12 hours.
We never had trouble in the 6 years of hosting and met some real interesting people.
This all being said, there is always this option to the wandering life.

Thanks, Gerry. Glad to hear things worked for you. I’d heard of the site previously, but never used it. Maybe the time has come!

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

But there are apps available that give you information regarding the info that you seek. I use these:

ioverlander
Freeroam
Campendium
Freecampsites
Allstays
Dyrt
RV Parky

I’m such a Luddite…..but I look forward to checking these out. Many thanks!

[Mike Magee]

I use some of the same apps as Donna. In addition I also sometimes use Google maps with satellite view to examine public land (there's plenty of land where dispersed camping is allowed, except in the East) for clearings along the roads or trails. Sometimes the satellite photo was taken at a time when an RV or two can be seen in those clearings, too. National forest, state forest, and BLM lands are great for 'ramblers.'



It really helps to have a good idea of the camping location possibilities in an area where I want to go. That way if the first one I come to is full or unavailable, I know of one or two others that are reasonably close. This is good for general rambling, however if you have a specific place you want to be and it's a popular place, then reservations are usually necessary.


Later this week I'm headed to the Minnesota "North Shore" area, north of Duluth. It's popular. So I snagged reservations 2 months ago. I have 2 nights at Cascade River SP and 6 nights at Trail's End NF CG, 50 miles NW of Grand Marais (and it really is at the end of the road). Afterward, I intend to "ramble" and meander my way east on US-2 through WI and into Michigan. I have used the apps and some past experience to spot all sorts of little forest campgrounds and boondock sites. I mean, there are dozens of them. No way can I camp at them all, but I really doubt I'll have trouble. I think all of the spots I've scoped out are either free or under $15. I don't have a single reservation for that part of the trip. When I head home from MI to OK, I might make a same- or next-day reservation halfway there for one night so I can make a long driving day.



One thing about many of these little first-come locations is, it's best to arrive by mid-afternoon. And get a spot on Thursday where you don't mind staying put for the weekend; once you're in it, it's yours even if the place fills up. By Sunday noon the weekend pressure is off and it's easy to get first-come sites again.

[thrifty bill]

Rambling is still very easy, particularly in the western US. The advent of some of the apps and websites mentioned above have actually made it much EASIER to find those sites.

What is no longer easy is getting a desirable campsite on the fly in one of the popular National Parks in prime season. Those are booked up months in advance and nearby private campground prices are quite high.

More and more national and state parks are going to reservations. For example, my favorite UT state parks are all reservations. And it's sad to see unoccupied sites that someone reserved and paid for, but never showed up. Had this happen in Deadhorse SP earlier this year. We had to leave as our reservation expired, meanwhile the three adjacent sites were empty but not available the entire time.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

… it’s not always easy to know where dispersed camping is safe and acceptable when you’re only passing through..

Check in with the local ranger station (online, phone, or in person) if you might be passing through an area with tracts of NFS land. They can advise about availability, restrictions, and any recent problems. I can only speak to our local Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in eastern Arizona, where dispersed camping is abundant and reasonably safe.

Some lands are managed by other agencies, like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). You can also check online for the kind of information you need. My brother-in law and his family came to visit last Thanksgiving, traveling from the Bay Area to eastern Arizona in a rented RV. They spent every night boondocking on public land, mostly BLM.

[Richard Davis]

Thanks for all the insights, opinions, and information. In our past ramblings, we found the western States — especially the SW — easiest travelling in the manner we enjoy. We’ve been contemplating our “rudely interrupted” itinerary of 2019, travelling down the East coast in Autumn, across the southern States when things start cooling down up north, then back home to Victoria, BC, via the wet but usually navigable West Coast in late Winter. Your suggestions have been very helpful. Now just to decide whether to pull the plug!

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

We still have the same travel lust as you have described. Things have changed some, but require a few adjustments from prior camping norms. The most significant of which, we now plan our big trips beginning after labor day and home by the 2nd or 3rd week of October. Campgrounds and National Parks much less crowded (and quieter) after children return to school.

[Casita Greg]

I would love to be young again, (OK, who wouldn't,) but anymore these days, I can't afford the luxury of rambling around the country, as I'm usually in one of my dozen or so doctors offices about every two weeks, or less. Don't get me started on trying to refill my prescritions while on the road.

[Richard Davis]

Originally Posted by Casita Greg

I would love to be young again, (OK, who wouldn't,) but anymore these days, I can't afford the luxury of rambling around the country, as I'm usually in one of my dozen or so doctors offices about every two weeks, or less. Don't get me started on trying to refill my prescritions while on the road.

Yep, that’s another big factor! Aside having our big trip in 2019/20 cut short by a distracter driver, we had spent an incredible number of days clearing the decks so we could leave our home that long AND wiggle out a window when we could shake ourselves free of health-care appointments! Five years later, the latter part is even more difficult. The only good thing is that I didn’t wait for retirement to have fun with my life!

[TZBrown]

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

Well said, and it sounds like we’re on the same page! Have you found your preferred method of travel seriously compromised over the past 5 or 10 years? What part of the continent do you typically explore?

We travel all over the US, East areas are a bit more challenging, FL has quite a few spots that with research are free or half price for seniors.

Lots more COE camps in the areas Georgia to Texas. Most everything in TX is private property, so it is either campgrounds, or city and county parks.

BLM land all over the west, and hide out small spots all up the area to MT.

We also like to visit small businesses, Breweries, distilleries, we don't belong to Harvest hosts or Boondockers Welcome, but usually many will allow us to park in their back lot for the night.

In 2015 we did a 3 month ramble, followed Lewis and Clark trail from St louis the the west coast. We stopped at Grand Canyon on a whim, asked for a 3 day permit to hike to the bottom and stay 2 nights. We had to delay for a day before we could start, camped in the admin parking lot 2 nights and left the following day.



Being very flexible is key, we plan our stops during lunch breaks for that afternoon.