Where to camp

[Jpat14]

How do you guys go about finding a good campsite? Google, apps, or just driving til you find a spot?
I’m going to go on a 3 month long road trip across the states ending in Arizona.

 

[Honeymooners]

Mostly google for an area, then drive to see what's around there. Even ask on forums for places that you are going to.

 

[HitList]

I used the iOverlander app on my last trip. It was surprisingly accurate.

 

[Laud]

I spend lots of hours researching the areas I will be staying in or passing through. I typically have 100 hours invested in a week long trip. I build options for lots of things.

 

[Jpat14]

I spend lots of hours researching the areas I will be staying in or passing through. I typically have 100 hours invested in a week long trip. I build options for lots of things.

This is what I’ve been doing. I’ve got about 1.5 months of my trip planned now and I’ve put a solid 3-4 hours a night 4 times a week for the past 4 months now. With the trip getting closer I’ve been looking at my options to see if there’s a more efficient way of going about it. I use freecampsites.net which usually has some decent information.

 

[Jpat14]

I used the iOverlander app on my last trip. It was surprisingly accurate.

I see your DOD. Have you heard of the app ultimate mil campground? It’s got a lot of RV campsites but some bases have dispersed camp grounds where there wouldn’t be too many other options.

 

[HitList]

I see your DOD. Have you heard of the app ultimate mil campground? It’s got a lot of RV campsites but some bases have dispersed camp grounds where there wouldn’t be too many other options.

No sir I have not but I definitely will check it out! Thanks for the info!

 

[Kent R]

Just one more tool for you would be Gaia Pro GPS, they have a public land overlay that is helpful to find dispersed camping.

 

[Jpat14]

I’ve got that. Hit list recommended iOverlander app which linked up to my gaia app so they’re working together now. Pretty cool

 

[Jpat14]

Kent, i will need to really dig into it though and get familiar because I’ve only had it a few weeks now.

 

[tritonl]

Just exploring google maps you will run into camp sites, people leave reviews of places they visited including dispersed sites. Follow a dirt road on google maps, see where it leads, you can tell if there is campsites along it.

 

[Jpat14]

Just exploring google maps you will run into camp sites, people leave reviews of places they visited including dispersed sites. Follow a dirt road on google maps, see where it leads, you can tell if there is campsites along it.

Thanks! That’s a good thought. I’ll look into that as well. I’d imagine you’re using the satellite portion or does google maps differentiate between dirt roads and paved?

I see you’re from Phoenix. I’m doing a 3 month long trip from Virginia Beach ending in maybe Scottsdale, Tempe or possibly downtown if i can find a place with a parking garage. I’ll message you to see what your thoughts are on the area, if that’s okay?

 

[Hank Outdoors]

How do you guys go about finding a good campsite? Google, apps, or just driving til you find a spot?
I’m going to go on a 3 month long road trip across the states ending in Arizona.

Welcome to OLB and the East Region!
Along with everything mentioned by others I also use https://freecampsites.net/

If you have any questions or want help planning a trip or meetup of your own feel free to message me.
When looking for events near you check the Calendar at:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/calendar
Looking for a meetup? Check this link:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/forums/overland-bound-meetups.24/
Looking for the U.S. East Forum? Check this link:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/forums/u-s-east-va-wv-md-de-nj-pa-ny-ct-ri-ma-nh-vt-me.83/

 

[Jpat14]

Welcome to OLB and the East Region!
Along with everything mentioned by others I also use https://freecampsites.net/

If you have any questions or want help planning a trip or meetup of your own feel free to message me.
When looking for events near you check the Calendar at:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/calendar
Looking for a meetup? Check this link:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/forums/overland-bound-meetups.24/
Looking for the U.S. East Forum? Check this link:
https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/forums/u-s-east-va-wv-md-de-nj-pa-ny-ct-ri-ma-nh-vt-me.83/

Thanks hank! A lot of good info here. I love freecampsites.net . I’ve been using it for years now. But it is quite time consuming. But it’s very worth it.

 

[7mmremmag]

I look up public land areas in my onX hunt app then Google that specific area for dispersed camping rules.

 

[Jpat14]

I look up public land areas in my onX hunt app then Google that specific area for dispersed camping rules.

I’m guessing most the public land you’re using will have some sort of trails going through it?

 

[7mmremmag]

I’m guessing most the public land you’re using will have some sort of trails going through it?

Sometimes, if I'm just looking for a place to camp while hunting or mountain biking I'm not necessarily putting emphasis on trails.

 

[tritonl]

Thanks! That’s a good thought. I’ll look into that as well. I’d imagine you’re using the satellite portion or does google maps differentiate between dirt roads and paved?

I see you’re from Phoenix. I’m doing a 3 month long trip from Virginia Beach ending in maybe Scottsdale, Tempe or possibly downtown if i can find a place with a parking garage. I’ll message you to see what your thoughts are on the area, if that’s okay?

I’ll switch back and forth between street and satellite. Sometimes camp sites do not show on one or the other or even when you zoom in and out more or less show.
If you have any questions once you are on the area let me know.