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> I've been able to (leave no trace) boondock easily within the boundaries by finding side roads or even just staying the night in a dead end parking lot. Just

> I've been able to (leave no trace) boondock easily within the boundaries by finding side roads or even just staying the night in a dead end parking lot. Just for reference, I tried this in various parks about ~15 years ago (before most parks were overwhelmed with people), and always got called out before I even had a chance to start sleeping.

latchkey 2y ago
I asked the ranger at the gate of one NP if there is a closing time for the park and he laughed and said the park is open 24 hours. One campground in the park was full on reserve'murica and nearly empty when I drove by it. Why drive out of the park to find BLM when I could just stay there in the park? So, I used google maps and found a little side road at the end of a trail parking lot, where you had to drive up a curb and through a gate (which was open)... drove down about a mile out of sight and parked. Most people are in big RV's and need hookups or sleep in tents, so they shouldn't do this. I'm totally off grid, LNT, and self-sufficient for weeks at a time. Not bothering anyone or over staying my time there. I actually wouldn't mind seeing more people do it this way. Yes, the stars are beyond amazing at night.
mindslight 2y ago
latchkey, I don't know why your reply is straight [dead]. You're just describing the apparent dynamic these days, to the extent it's indicative of overall decay that's not on you. Whenever I got called out by rangers, I would invariably be directed to a campsite. There was always room. Obviously before this reserve'murica dynamic that apparently makes campsites something like concert tickets or NYC restaurant tables. The times I would try to sleep rougher in my car was when I was coming from FS/BLM land where it's more of a free for all, I got in late, and wasn't planning on staying at the NP very long. Eventually I got used to the idea that the Parks have much more stringent rules and controls precisely because they are designated parks. You're not in some raw state of being in nature, but rather more like a highly-trafficked museum - they built roads and put a dot on the map attracting throngs of humans that need to be managed.
latchkey 2y ago
My and your reply got killed. Interesting moderation going on here @dang.

latchkey 2y ago

I asked the ranger at the gate of one NP if there is a closing time for the park and he laughed and said the park is open 24 hours. One campground in the park was full on reserve'murica and nearly empty when I drove by it. Why drive out of the park to find BLM when I could just stay there in the park? So, I used google maps and found a little side road at the end of a trail parking lot, where you had to drive up a curb and through a gate (which was open)... drove down about a mile out of sight and parked. Most people are in big RV's and need hookups or sleep in tents, so they shouldn't do this. I'm totally off grid, LNT, and self-sufficient for weeks at a time. Not bothering anyone or over staying my time there. I actually wouldn't mind seeing more people do it this way. Yes, the stars are beyond amazing at night.

mindslight 2y ago

latchkey, I don't know why your reply is straight [dead]. You're just describing the apparent dynamic these days, to the extent it's indicative of overall decay that's not on you. Whenever I got called out by rangers, I would invariably be directed to a campsite. There was always room. Obviously before this reserve'murica dynamic that apparently makes campsites something like concert tickets or NYC restaurant tables. The times I would try to sleep rougher in my car was when I was coming from FS/BLM land where it's more of a free for all, I got in late, and wasn't planning on staying at the NP very long. Eventually I got used to the idea that the Parks have much more stringent rules and controls precisely because they are designated parks. You're not in some raw state of being in nature, but rather more like a highly-trafficked museum - they built roads and put a dot on the map attracting throngs of humans that need to be managed.

latchkey 2y ago

My and your reply got killed. Interesting moderation going on here @dang.