I mainly use Campendium to find really good dispersed campsites. I also use a Garmin Tread, which has offline satellite maps and shows all the boundaries of public lands (BLM, NFS). Most of the time if you're on public land, you can camp there. This is the best solution that I have found for offline maps. There's no annoying subscriptions or login screens when you have no cell phone signal, and it won't become obsolete, like phone apps. It's something that you actually own.
I’d hardly say Gaia GPS or OnX make obsolete apps. In fact, because it’s software as opposed to a hardware unit, it’s much easier to update on a regular cadence and that’s what we’re seeing. This is the primary reason I use Gaia over something like a Garmin tablet.
I grew up in the Smith River SRA region and it’s a beautiful area with countless recreation opportunities. I immediately recognized the pull out spot on Rowdy Creek road near the end of this video, and you were correct about how it’s used by locals, people have been target shooting and having parties there for more than 50 years, lol.
Great guide. I'm actually using My Maps right now to create an itinerary for my family overland trip across a few states. Possibly visiting northern Cali as well so this is PERFECT for me. Keep up the great videos!
Great video Ben! I’ve been mapping out routes for years but I definitely learned some tricks from you. I have to say though that your OTG routes have spoiled me because you do such a great job of pointing out campsites that I’ve been getting a bit lazy lately in terms of mapping out my own routes. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for sharing these tips to find sites. Very helpful basic points to get started. Another creator mentioned that they also will pin drop fuel stops and stores along the route if possible. Like you said having as much info as possible is good.
Add Avenza Maps to your arsenal. It allows you to download (most for free) geo-referenced PDFs Motor Vehicle Use Maps published by the National Park Service which show the latest official park roads, vehicles allowed, and dispersed camping information. Yes, GAIA has these shown, but, the MVUMs show vehicle types and dates open MUCH better.
Colorado has been overtaken your lucky to find good, dispersed camping here I remember as a kid a short drive up the Pouder canyon spots everywhere now you have to go well above Walden
I usually will look at a general area I'm interested in on a good ol' fashioned paper map, specifically a Benchmark State Atlas, then look at specific spots in that area on Google satellite imagery and Gaia GPS.
I was planning to go camping in the woods until I saw on the news that people are putting boards with nails in them on roads to flatten peoples tires. 😥 I'm homeless bouncing from rest stop to rest stop. I need a place to stay longer than a night because people are always telling me to leave.
Just a reminder, it's illegal to camp less than 100ft from any water source in most places within the U.S. Make sure your definition of "next to the [water source]" is 100ft+.
@@garygolfer3243 It is absolutely false to state that it is “illegal” to “camp” within 100 feet of “any” “water source” within the U.S. Show us the law. Do you mean it is always unwise and at times illegal to dump gray or black water within 100’ of a fresh body of water intended for human consumption? That much is true, but that is very different than the generic “camping”. Is that what you are attempting to say? Because I can send you photos of government-erected and continuously maintained campsites in state parks near my home that are right on a freshwater lakeside. The park rangers would be very surprised to learn they have been breaking the law for decades.
Great video. However, you speak of hallucinations on the AI sites. But when you out in your queries, you do not state that you are looking for motor vehicle dispersed camping! Keep in mind that discussed camping is not just "car camping". A lot of the places you looked at do allow dispersed camping, if it is hiking or biking and such. So, you should add the fact that your looking for vehicle camping to be accurate! Other than that, really informative...
@@OverlandTrailGuides There are some people claiming there is no requirement to camp at least 100’ from a water source and others saying it’s ok to run the dunes on the edge of Black Rock playa, which I’m pretty sure you know are both incorrect. I like this channel, but it will shut down quickly if you fail to monitor it properly. 👍
@@garygolfer3243 we monitor our channel rather diligently. FYI channels are shut down because the channel owner violates YT’s TOS, not because of comments. But we do our best to remove any misinformation, harassment or negativity from the comments.
@@OverlandTrailGuides Oh, I meant the public learning of a channel allowing bogus legal information and the loss of subs and views. Public opinion will sink a channel quicker than anything, nothing to do with the Gov or YT. Good luck 👍
Glad I found this channel. You just got a new subscriber. I’m looking to get more into disperse camping in California from San Mateo county.
I mainly use Campendium to find really good dispersed campsites. I also use a Garmin Tread, which has offline satellite maps and shows all the boundaries of public lands (BLM, NFS). Most of the time if you're on public land, you can camp there. This is the best solution that I have found for offline maps. There's no annoying subscriptions or login screens when you have no cell phone signal, and it won't become obsolete, like phone apps. It's something that you actually own.
I’d hardly say Gaia GPS or OnX make obsolete apps. In fact, because it’s software as opposed to a hardware unit, it’s much easier to update on a regular cadence and that’s what we’re seeing. This is the primary reason I use Gaia over something like a Garmin tablet.
Great video Ben, great to see your process!
I grew up in the Smith River SRA region and it’s a beautiful area with countless recreation opportunities. I immediately recognized the pull out spot on Rowdy Creek road near the end of this video, and you were correct about how it’s used by locals, people have been target shooting and having parties there for more than 50 years, lol.
Thanks for this great methodology for setting out a planned trip. Much appreciated.
Great guide. I'm actually using My Maps right now to create an itinerary for my family overland trip across a few states. Possibly visiting northern Cali as well so this is PERFECT for me. Keep up the great videos!
Great video Ben! I’ve been mapping out routes for years but I definitely learned some tricks from you. I have to say though that your OTG routes have spoiled me because you do such a great job of pointing out campsites that I’ve been getting a bit lazy lately in terms of mapping out my own routes. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for sharing these tips to find sites. Very helpful basic points to get started.
Another creator mentioned that they also will pin drop fuel stops and stores along the route if possible. Like you said having as much info as possible is good.
Great video, extremely informative. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.🍻
awesome video! best video I've seen on the process. :)
Add Avenza Maps to your arsenal. It allows you to download (most for free) geo-referenced PDFs Motor Vehicle Use Maps published by the National Park Service which show the latest official park roads, vehicles allowed, and dispersed camping information. Yes, GAIA has these shown, but, the MVUMs show vehicle types and dates open MUCH better.
Thank you for sharing.
Colorado has been overtaken your lucky to find good, dispersed camping here I remember as a kid a short drive up the Pouder canyon spots everywhere now you have to go well above Walden
Fantastic view. Great video. Thanks for sharing. 👍274
Thanks for this video. I joined your website a couple years ago. Actually think I'm heading to this area early fall from CT.
I usually will look at a general area I'm interested in on a good ol' fashioned paper map, specifically a Benchmark State Atlas, then look at specific spots in that area on Google satellite imagery and Gaia GPS.
I was planning to go camping in the woods until I saw on the news that people are putting boards with nails in them on roads to flatten peoples tires. 😥 I'm homeless bouncing from rest stop to rest stop. I need a place to stay longer than a night because people are always telling me to leave.
Just a reminder, it's illegal to camp less than 100ft from any water source in most places within the U.S. Make sure your definition of "next to the [water source]" is 100ft+.
That’s a lie, you’re full of shi
@ProclaimedHERETIC Looks like you triggered the idiot crowd. Anyone who doesn’t know the 100’ foot rule is definitely not an outdoorsman.
@@CplMAC1144BLM website, dispersed camping regulations.
@@louisperich6678 Yet I’m looking at it on the BLM website. Gfy
@@garygolfer3243 It is absolutely false to state that it is “illegal” to “camp” within 100 feet of “any” “water source” within the U.S. Show us the law. Do you mean it is always unwise and at times illegal to dump gray or black water within 100’ of a fresh body of water intended for human consumption? That much is true, but that is very different than the generic “camping”. Is that what you are attempting to say? Because I can send you photos of government-erected and continuously maintained campsites in state parks near my home that are right on a freshwater lakeside. The park rangers would be very surprised to learn they have been breaking the law for decades.
Great video.
However, you speak of hallucinations on the AI sites. But when you out in your queries, you do not state that you are looking for motor vehicle dispersed camping!
Keep in mind that discussed camping is not just "car camping". A lot of the places you looked at do allow dispersed camping, if it is hiking or biking and such.
So, you should add the fact that your looking for vehicle camping to be accurate!
Other than that, really informative...
1st
Be aware you have some ignorant people in the comments spreading misinformation. Clean it up or pay the price 👍
🤔 Not sure what you're referencing...
@@OverlandTrailGuides There are some people claiming there is no requirement to camp at least 100’ from a water source and others saying it’s ok to run the dunes on the edge of Black Rock playa, which I’m pretty sure you know are both incorrect. I like this channel, but it will shut down quickly if you fail to monitor it properly. 👍
@@garygolfer3243 we monitor our channel rather diligently. FYI channels are shut down because the channel owner violates YT’s TOS, not because of comments. But we do our best to remove any misinformation, harassment or negativity from the comments.
@@OverlandTrailGuides Oh, I meant the public learning of a channel allowing bogus legal information and the loss of subs and views. Public opinion will sink a channel quicker than anything, nothing to do with the Gov or YT. Good luck 👍
good news: they're not so secluded anymore.
everyone knows now