Stealth Camping?

G

Gautier

Joined
Aug 31, 2006
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I've only heard the term mentioned in recent years, and sporadically(guess that's part of it's "stealthy" nature?) at that. After reading a couple people's definitions of just what stealth camping is, I was surprised that it had its own name. I just always referred to it as camping growing up, and didn't know any better word for it. I'd just grab a bindle of stuff and set out for the woods, find a nice quiet spot where I wouldn't disturb anyone, and wouldn't be disturbed, and leave as little evidence as possible that I'd been there.

So, does anyone do this sort of "stealth camping"? What's your definition of it? Is it simply LNT, or E&E, dirtbagging, some combination of the above or something altogether different? After looking it up, it seems people do it in a lot of different ways and for a lot of different reasons. Some do it to save a few bucks, some see it as a way to get closer to nature and away from the noise and all around fabrication of established campsites and some do it for the "cat and mouse" adrenaline rush that comes with camping where you're not "supposed to".

Which brings up other questions. Given that there are increasingly more people, and increasingly less public lands, how do you feel about this sort of thing? Is it trespassing and illegal/immoral? Is it a "no harm, no foul" sort of attitude that if you really are "stealth camping" you've made no real impact and nobody'll be the wiser?

Those of you that are land owners, how do you feel about it? Would you mind if someone pitched a hammock or tent tucked back in a corner of your field or woods if they weren't destroying the land or molesting the crops/wildlife? Given the Western construct of land ownership and private property, I'm sure you'd rather them ask permission, right?

For those of you that may do this sort of camping, do you ask permission? Have any concerns about the possible legalities or repercussions? I guess I'm just curious about the whole concept and how it's perceived, achieved, and received.


Gautier
 
Stealth camping refers to camping in an area where it isn't necessarily allowed. IE parks, private land, etc. Where there are restrictions that limit what you're doing. Say there's a local state park where camping isn't allowed during a certain part of the season. You camp in a spot where the ranger isn't going to find you, clean up fast in the morning and bug out. It's for quick overnight stays in places where camping isn't sanctioned, basically.
 
Because of land use restrictions and some other problems, it's really big in Britain, so I hear. I put stuff on my blog about it months ago.
 
Oh lovely. A thread devoted to illegal activity.

Das ist Verboten.
 
Meh, it may be illegal but it's good way to apply 'leave no trace' :D And like the op mentioned, E&E techniques as well... here in Idaho you can get away with murder with stuff like that. With open range laws you can march 5,000 cattle right across private property if necessary. I'm not gonna feel bad if the only thing I leave on some rancher's thousand acre plot is a 10 inch wide pile of ashes and four holes in the ground for my tent stakes... I'll bury the ashes and my piss will attract the local Bighorn population. You're welcome, rancher :D
 
Stealth caamping has a doifferent definition with the backpacking community.

It is camping off the trail by 200-300 yds in an area that is concealed to folks who may come by on the trail. The practice works exceptionaly well with those of us who use hammocks and who don't require the same features to a campsite as folks who use tents.

Most of us DON'T encourage or endorse illegal activity. However one must realize that MOST of these use restrictions have no real purpose but to exclude people from public lands. Those restrictions seem not to apply equaly to everyone as the priviliged seem to have unlimited access anywhere which is totaly contrary to how our system is supposed to work.
 
Nobody here would promote active illegal activity! However, there is a certain persuasive thought process that much bureaucracy is generated because of stupidity from the public. A rule that says - thou shalt not harm any plant, was actually implemented because of the idiots deciding to score new trails with their ATVs more so than the guy who pulls up a plant here and there to eat its tubers. The rule, 'no camping allowed' means they don't want beer-slugging rednecks with their camp trailers and wood palette fires staying for prolonged durations.

I like the term Gorilla camping and use it personally myself. I don't engage in such activity much, but it does appeals to me. There are just so many little gems right under our noses. I've often considered it my duty to use and enjoy these gems, trying to apply a strict LNT philosophy in my use patterns of them. Of course, I'm also willing to publicly defend these places as well. I've already taken part of Concerned Citizens groups trying to protect so-called protected woodlots from the tax grab mentality of our local crook (ahem) municipal governments.

There is something to be said about using our community resources. I think if you do something like gorilla camping, then you should also pay an altruistic fee to that habitat. Pick up trash or be ready to defend the environment against urban/sub-urban encroachment. If you aren't willing to do those things, then you are just a redneck, pallet burning a-hole breaking the rules. If you are doing things, you might be an a-hole also, but you have some principals.
 
Ive been known to do it. Some of the conservation lands here have designated camping areas, but the are usually right by the dang parking lot, right by the road. Might be illegal, but these lands are maintained with my tax dollars and hunting/fishing fees, and some of them are bought with my tax dollars. So, I dont see the problem. Im not poaching wildlife, and I leave no trace.

As far as private owned lands, I stay off unless I have permission. Good way to get yourself shot round here.
 
kgd said:
Nobody here would promote active illegal activity! However, there is a certain persuasive thought process that much bureaucracy is generated because of stupidity from the public. A rule that says - thou shalt not harm any plant, was actually implemented because of the idiots deciding to score new trails with their ATVs more so than the guy who pulls up a plant here and there to eat its tubers. The rule, 'no camping allowed' means they don't want beer-slugging rednecks with their camp trailers and wood palette fires staying for prolonged durations.

I like the term Gorilla camping and use it personally myself. I don't engage in such activity much, but it does appeals to me. There are just so many little gems right under our noses. I've often considered it my duty to use and enjoy these gems, trying to apply a strict LNT philosophy in my use patterns of them. Of course, I'm also willing to publicly defend these places as well. I've already taken part of Concerned Citizens groups trying to protect so-called protected woodlots from the tax grab mentality of our local crook (ahem) municipal governments.

There is something to be said about using our community resources. I think if you do something like gorilla camping, then you should also pay an altruistic fee to that habitat. Pick up trash or be ready to defend the environment against urban/sub-urban encroachment. If you aren't willing to do those things, then you are just a redneck, pallet burning a-hole breaking the rules. If you are doing things, you might be an a-hole also, but you have some principals.
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great point. I agree 100%. I volunteer doing trail maintnance, and always pick up trash that people leave when im on the land.

One of those "gotta make the rules for the stupidest person in the room" things. Ive actually been ran up on by conservation agents before that let me slide when they saw I wasnt destroying land, partying, and poaching.
 
knarfeng said:
Oh lovely. A thread devoted to illegal activity.

Das ist Verboten.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a thread devoted to illegal activity. :p I did bring up the legal aspects of it though. I'm not condoning that people break the law though. Ofcourse with something like this there's going to be that issue, and people will have differing opinions on it and the whole malum prohibitum v malum in se debate. Hopefully we can keep that to a minium or at least in context of wilderness and survival, and keep it out of the political forum.

That said, I have read about what Don mentioned that it's become popular in certain parts of Britain and other parts of Europe. Which does kind of tie in with the legal aspects, as I understand it. Private vs public lands, land usage, etc. I even heard there was some campaign over there to allow use of private lands without the land owner's permission, much like Sweden's "every man's" law.

Whatever you call it; Wild camping, guerilla camping, stealth camping, etc. I'm just curious about it and what people think of it, and whether or not anyone has experience doing it. As I said, I did it all the time growing up, and as an adult I've done it out of both leisure and necessity. For instance, camping out in the White Mountains of eastern AZ, a storm blew in unexpectedly, forcing the wife and I to set up camp in a non-designated area.

As a style of camping, I can see its benefits and merits, as well as its cons. Sort of like ultra-light backpacking, it has its place, and its following. Not everyone may agree with it, or how it's carried out, but every style has its detractors. Personally, I think its positives outweigh its negatives.

Like PayetteRucker pointed out, it's basically just leave no trace policies adapted and taken to an extreme. I'd even say it fosters good land stewardship, since by its very nature you're trying to disturb as little as possible, in order to continue being able to do it. Animals, floods, wildfires, all leave more of an impact on the land than a few responsible backpackers. On the other side of the coin, not all backpackers are responsible, and not everyone practices low impact camping.


Gautier
 
Gautier said:
That said, I have read about what Don mentioned that it's become popular in certain parts of Britain and other parts of Europe. Which does kind of tie in with the legal aspects, as I understand it. Private vs public lands, land usage, etc. I even heard there was some campaign over there to allow use of private lands without the land owner's permission, much like Sweden's "every man's" law.
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If I owned property, I would not be too keen on people camping on it without my permission. I understand those concerns.

What I am interested in is The American Experience. We The People are supposed to own all of this land and this land cannot be used or developed and some of it camped on or explored by commoners because it has to be "preserved" for our kids...so they cannot be allowed on it as well, apparently.

It's just something to think about and not necessarily to get into the political aspects of it, but the day is coming when damned near anything exciting, stimulating, dangerous, fun or even carrying the slightest hint of liberty is going to be "illegal." I wonder how people will react then...
 
My father and I always used the term "real world" or "stealth camping". Which for us was a military style of camping; we patrolled the area to make maps and range cards, shielded the fire, practiced light discipline, camouflaged the tents or made a shelter, slept in shifts and so on. I have heard the term before and always assumed that this was what they were referring too.
 
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I've always considered "stealth camping" to be camping off the beaten path, so one can be alone, and not bothered by the morons who think camping involves bringing a boom box and 3 cases of beer into the woods to get some girls afraid, and them laid.
 
Definitely some good, well thought out points made in these responses. I understand the concept of rules made for the lowest common denominator theory. Which, sadly, has some merit.

I also agree with KGD on the points that if you don't want to be lumped in with that lot, you should do things that not only set you apart from them, but also promote good land stewardship like in his examples. I personally always bring along a spare plastic bag or two to pack out trash that I find, and it usually ends up weighing less than the food and water I started with, so I really don't mind.

There's also the side of me, that doesn't feel I need to "pay for the sins of" others though. Excessive use and backcountry permits, fees, and so forth, sort of rub me the wrong way, along with public land restrictions. Granted, a 10 dollar processing fee and 5 dollars per person, per night, isn't a whole lot. At least at face value. When it comes to longer or multiple excursions though, it adds up quick. My upcoming trip next month, in permits alone, has cost me over 100 dollars, and there's no option for a yearly or lifetime pass unlike my parks card.

I understand a portion goes to park maintenance, and a portion to SAR efforts, which I have no problems with, but like Don and Jwilliams pointed out my tax dollars and hunting/fishing license fees are supposed to go towards that too. So, we end up paying for the upkeep of land, twice, some of which we aren't allowed to use. With logic like that, stealth/guerilla/wild camping starts to take on a whole new appeal.

As for the privately owned land points, well, I'm divided there. Easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission in some cases, and no harm no foul if you're responsible about it. Not everyone is though, and for all you know, the guy pitching a tent on the back 40 could be a convict on the run, just waiting for you to turn the lights out before doing who knows what.

Not only that, it's just a respectful thing to ask permission, and a show of good faith. I always have, and have never been refused to hunt or trek on private land, most times they're more than happy to point out good spots, sights to see, etc. For which I always try to repay the favor, be it pest control while I'm out there, a good cigar if I happen to have one, etc.


Gautier
 
I'll admit that my previous post was highly influenced by a recent trip to visit my good buddies DocCanada and Tonym. We had arranged to meet at a location about 5 hrs drive away from my home. I drove the day before and found a conservation area with camping on-line allowing me to get a little hammock time before meeting with my fellow bushy friends.

Anyway, I get to this place in Brandford Ontario. Mind you, they are 1.5 hrs away from an 8 million person megalopolis known as the Greater Toronto Area. I'm sure all of the variations of public stupidity have manifested itself at this location and they have the rule-book to prove it. I get to my campsite, after paying $32.50 for the privilege of parking my truck and hanging a hammock at a site, that had to be well searched for to find trees of sufficient girth that would hold the hammock, sitting next to a swing set, monkey bars and basketball court. They advertised showers and full toilette facilities with the campsite. I thought, well, at least I could wash my hair before meeting Doc Canada. Next morning I go to the showers. The bloody things have coin slots. You are supposed to feed the stall loonies and toonies before it starts sending water over your heard. Oh, the park also had 'No removal of wood for campfires' at every campsite. They of course sold very crappy wood by a small bag than could not possible satisfy a nights' campfire for $8/bag.

$32.50 + $17.00 in campfire wood!!!!! I pretty much was expected a message and happy ending. Imagine my disappointment at finding that the shower stall itself was in fact the prostitute! Screw society and its unimaginative and impoverished idea of the word 'camping'. I'll beat by a different drum thank you and it won't be the only thing I beat!
 
kgd said:
I'll admit that my previous post was highly influenced by a recent trip to visit my good buddies DocCanada and Tonym. We had arranged to meet at a location about 5 hrs drive away from my home. I drove the day before and found a conservation area with camping on-line allowing me to get a little hammock time before meeting with my fellow bushy friends.

Anyway, I get to this place in Brandford Ontario. Mind you, they are 1.5 hrs away from an 8 million person megalopolis known as the Greater Toronto Area. I'm sure all of the variations of public stupidity have manifested itself at this location and they have the rule-book to prove it. I get to my campsite, after paying $32.50 for the privilege of parking my truck and hanging a hammock at a site, that had to be well searched for to find trees of sufficient girth that would hold the hammock, sitting next to a swing set, monkey bars and basketball court. They advertised showers and full toilette facilities with the campsite. I thought, well, at least I could wash my hair before meeting Doc Canada. Next morning I go to the showers. The bloody things have coin slots. You are supposed to feed the stall loonies and toonies before it starts sending water over your heard. Oh, the park also had 'No removal of wood for campfires' at every campsite. They of course sold very crappy wood by a small bag than could not possible satisfy a nights' campfire for $8/bag.

$32.50 + $17.00 in campfire wood!!!!! I pretty much was expected a message and happy ending. Imagine my disappointment at finding that the shower stall itself was in fact the prostitute! Screw society and its unimaginative and impoverished idea of the word 'camping'. I'll beat by a different drum thank you and it won't be the only thing I beat!
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Sorry to hear about that. Sad enough there are a lot of restrictions on where you can camp and the fact it seems you are screwed if you don't own land. I camped at High Point State Park in NJ once that had a bathroom, though no shower. Sad thing is the bathroom was a disaster. Luckily it was free to use, though it was a disgusting mess. The park employees, not sure what their designation is, only drove by to make sure that the proper dues were collected to camp at the park. I understand the need to make sure people aren't burning the place down or ruining everything by setting rules and designated areas for things, but it seems none of that matters. The little money they make from a decreasing number of visitors seems to be the most important thing.

Good news it, the AT is free to camp on and hike and if you lived by a large park, High Point at the least, you could probably hike in and go unnoticed.

Anyone want to partner up and establish a wildlife/bushcraft/something reserve somewhere in the mid-west? Have a very small village for shops/homes and a massive wild forest for camping and other outdoorsy stuff.
 
kgd said:
$32.50 + $17.00 in campfire wood!!!!! I pretty much was expected a message and happy ending. Imagine my disappointment at finding that the shower stall itself was in fact the prostitute! Screw society and its unimaginative and impoverished idea of the word 'camping'. I'll beat by a different drum thank you and it won't be the only thing I beat!
Click to expand...

That last sentence is probably something very similar to what every "stealth camper" has uttered before making the decision to do so. Exorbitant prices to be mildly uncomfortable, in a semi-populated/semi-developed area, paying more outrageous prices for sub-par firewood, and wash/latrine facilities...or pay nothing to be comfortable, in peace and quiet, surrounded by only the sounds of nature, using free firewood of your choosing and drinking fresh flowing water, tough decision, huh? :rolleyes:


Gautier
 
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