Can you sleep in US national park with no reservation or tent?
Posted by KoreanJesus84@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 50 comments
Hi y'all
I want to start getting into camping but I've never done it before, have no equipment, and have no money. I've realized that campsites in parks require reservations and are often very close together. But my aim in this trip is to be alone in nature and have a spiritual journey. I don't want to be around other people.
So I was wondering if I could just show up in a national park, find some tree in the middle of nowhere and just sleep there? I don't want to get arrested by a park ranger or eaten by a mountain lion.
I live in San Francisco without a car so I was thinking about taking public transit up to Golden Gate National Recreation Area and go on the Tennessee Valley Trail.
gummo_for_prez@reddit
Definitely not but there are totally parks you can do this in. In addition to that, look for BLM Land. There is tons of it out west and Bureau of Land Management land doesn’t have a ranger or many rules. You’re pretty much on your own entirely. Just don’t break anything or leave any trash and you’re all set.
everythingbagel6969@reddit
Yep, I agree BLM land is the answer here!
everythingbagel6969@reddit
As many others have said, don’t do into the wilderness with no equipment / preparation. However, I think what you’re looking for is BLM land. (Generally speaking, do your own research); Free to camp, no reservations needed, typically large enough areas that you won’t be near other sites. Enjoy! Bring water and leave no trace :)
gaurddog@reddit
....what are you planning to sleep on?
Cus man if you're just gonna take a pillow and a blanket out into the woods you're not gonna have a ton of fun.
Hostilian@reddit
You should make a friend who goes camping who can teach you how. There have to be groups in and around SF that you can join. They can get you started without a big investment, and you can learn if you enjoy it or not.
It’s really really really not a thing you can just figure out on the trail, especially this time of year. If you try there is a good chance you’ll need wilderness rescue or die.
——
I would also be cautious about showing up in nature without proper expectations, looking for a spiritual experience. If you are seeking that kind of thing, you might get a lot more than you bargained for, especially if “spiritual journey” is a euphemism for taking entheogens.
Most of our forests are pretty domesticated at this point, but at some level they all want to eat you. You enter a forest and are entering a web of relationships where you may not be the top of the food chain. At best, probably, the wilderness is indifferent to you, at worst you catch the interest of something that wants you or your belongings.
Having someone to accompany you, who you trust and mesh with, can make this much safer and more enjoyable. They can set your intentions and expectations, take you to places that make it easier to have positive experiences.
LibraryScienceIt@reddit
In some National Forests and Parks and wilderness areas you can do dispersed camping legally, but there are rules about how far from roads you need to be etc. You’d have to look them up. However, Tennessee Valley Trail definitely would not qualify- it’s a really busy and popular trail
Jarrold88@reddit
Just sleep on the streets like the rest of the people with no money in San Fran. I think that’s basically camping.
Ok-Boysenberry1022@reddit
Not legally. there’s no dispersed camping in a national park.
Alternative-Art3588@reddit
You can get a back country permit which I think is free depending on the park. I live in Alaska and Riley creek campground in Denali is free in the off-season. You can camp in Wrangel St.Elias National Park backcountry without a permit anytime of year and it’s free. Wrangel also doesn’t even have an entrance fee. So it is very park dependent.
Ok-Boysenberry1022@reddit
Alaska is a special case. Here in the PNW and the western there’s a big homeless problem, and tent cities would take over a lot of our parks if the rules were different. I do love that Alaska is more “wild” and I’m sorta jealous!
No_Anteater2995@reddit
No but you can in a national forest. Most parks are next to one.
PartTime_Crusader@reddit
You would have much better luck finding the experience you're after in a national forest, which (generally) allow dispersed camping in a way national parks do not. I see some other posts encouraging you to do this in a national park, just be aware its generally illegal, and national parks are one of the main outdoor places that actually have a dedicated law enforcement presence. If caught you'll be kicked out and fined, and potentially barred from returning. Its more trouble than its worth, just go to a national forest.
Juggernaut-Top@reddit
this is a highly accurate answer. more information about specific situations can be found on the r/camping sub but the Op might not like SOME of the answers. anyone does need a permit, at least, on NF land. much easier if you find BLM land which is a different agency. I would kindly suggest Blm for the OP.
0ddumn@reddit
National forest camping is easy peasy. Find a pull off that doesn’t have a “no overnight parking” sign and carry your shit 50’ (I think) into the woods. Chances are that there’s a trail. I spent a whole summer doing this all over the US. Just be very very smart about fires.
EscpFrmPlanetObvious@reddit
This is the correct answer. I’ll also add that rules vary significantly by park and by area within each park. The burden is on you to understand the regulations of the area where you decide to travel (though this is often just as easy as googling and reading the website). Some national parks do allow dispersed camping, but they will still have restrictions on where you can camp, bear safety protocols, etc.
SwimminglyItGoes9876@reddit
Not in any state or national Park, but you can on BLM land. Google for locations
SugarRush212@reddit
Legally, you want to research dispersed camping in national forests. Practically, with your level of equipment and experience, this is a great way to end up dead and/or on the news. The Bay Area has to have places to buy cheap used gear or rent some out. Out here in Colorado I can check out a good bit of camping equipment for free from the library. Speaking as someone who spends tons of time alone in nature, you need to have a basic level of knowledge and preparedness. If you can work towards that, the adventures you seek are totally achievable.
IllustriousYear4010@reddit
You can’t go “find a tree in the middle of nowhere” because one major aspect of venturing into nature, especially national parks is leave no trace. This means (among other things) no going off trail.
flawlessflowerr@reddit
No you can’t. Most parks require camping in designated sites, many of which need a reservation. Some backcountry areas allow camping with a permit, so check the specific park’s regulations first
JazzyFae93@reddit
No. Please don’t do that.
You have no equipment or money to purchase equipment, no car to transport equipment, and no experience in camping. I highly recommend you do not try to find a place where dispersed camping is allowed without a permit. Lack of equipment and experience can lead to injury or death.
Before committing to getting lost in the forest to find yourself, try to gauge your ability in a safer area first. Go to a large park, and sleep there with what you have overnight. Do not take any alcohol or drugs with you. Don’t attempt to start a fire, and don’t bring a radio or play loud music. Basically don’t have anything that could lead to charges or annoy someone enough to call the cops.
Most facilities managers are willing to let a person stay in a park overnight, for one night, if they aren’t being a nuisance or destructive. Most people who work to provide/care for public outdoor spaces, are outdoor people who are understanding. If they ask, let them know you’re trying to do a survival trial night before doing backwoods camping, and they may ask you to leave in the early morning. But also if you get there and bed down early and out of the way, they likely won’t see you, or care about kicking you out.
After you do your test night in a public place, evaluate what you need to survive for twice the amount of time you plan to be out for. You can find a lot of used camping gear out there for really cheap.
Once that’s settled, you can find camping spots that don’t cost a fee. When you’re getting used camping gear you can also ask the previous owners if they have any spots you can look for.
NipplesOnIce@reddit
Please do not go into nature with zero supplies and equipment, it is extremely dangerous especially with no experience. Yes, people do go cowboy camping (no tent) but this time of year and your location is not the environment for that, you can go into hypothermia or get injured.
I love backpacking but you definitely need at the absolutely least a tent and sleeping bag. A sleeping pad helps tremendously to stay warm being off the ground. The ground will suck the heat from your body.
If you’re first starting out, maybe try a dry trip first and see how well you do out in nature all day, but don’t stay the night as this plan is dangerous.
I don’t want to come off as insensitive, just want people to practice safety in nature!
Hobbit_Holes@reddit
You can't do anything in the US without giving the government money.
cwcoleman@reddit
No. Your plan is not smart and probably illegal.
You need some gear to spend the night in a park. Curling up next to a tree is not good for anyone. It’s not worth a ticket / fine for this ‘spiritual journey’. Do more research about dispersed / backcountry camping and save up for the basic set of 10 essentials.
Think about the Leave No Trace principles. Don’t go into the wilderness and destroy things, poop, and generally cause havoc for selfish reasons. Learn before you go.
Illustrious-Lime706@reddit
Please don’t sleep in a forest with no equipment. You can borrow equipment from a friend or maybe find some online. You need av tent, a sleeping bag, water, food. Don’t go by yourself if you have zero experience.
Also I think you might like to see the movie about Cheryl Strayed, WILD.
swurvipurvi@reddit
You need equipment. Heading into nature with zero experience, no equipment, and the intent of sleeping against a tree is a good way to end up dead.
CieraVotedOutHerMom@reddit
Or worse, expelled.
MathematicianTop9591@reddit
Are you kidding? Sasquatch is gonna love you.
Artemis-1905@reddit
No. Only national forests, I believe.
Designer-Progress311@reddit
This is an Unethical Life Pro Tip but when traveling with a van full of valuables I've packed a tent cot. (They set up super fast)
I've pulled in late to numerous camp sites with trailer or gravel spots, quietly pitched and slept, woke, packed, drove to the shower, cleaned up and left before the Rangers even made the AM rounds.
State parks were really convenient for doing this.
Sudden_Badger_7663@reddit
Tennessee Valley is a straight flat hike through a narrow valley to a non-swimmable beach. The cliffs are dangerous, there is poison oak and stinging nettles, it's cold every night, and it's going to be miserable if the fog rolls in, which is often. Coyotes are likely. Bobcats, mountain lions and rattlesnakes are also a risk, though less likely.
drumhound@reddit
Sounds like the perfect getaway!
Sudden_Badger_7663@reddit
🤣
GetTheLudes@reddit
Please do not wander off into the parks with no experience. You’re just gonna damage the environment and put yourself at risk.
CaveDances@reddit
Be careful. If you have no experience, you’re putting yourself at risk for serious injury or death. I have experience camping, but was t used to backpacking, and easily but off more than I could chew a few years ago on what seemed like an easy hike/camp. Practice a d start in a safer area to work out the kinks.
VictorianUFOLady@reddit
Before you do any spiritual camping you should read the book Into the Wild.
saltedmangos@reddit
There is often a lot of free camping spots available around a lot of national parks. I just spent 6 weeks camping out of my van this summer and didn’t pay for a single campsite. There is a couple good sites for finding free spots. Here is some links:
https://freecampsites.net https://thedyrt.com
Or just google “free camp sites near X”
I’d recommend getting a hammock and sleeping bag.
hedgesparrow2@reddit
I don’t think so. The camp grounds have reservations fees and you have to check in with the ranger station when entering any park
magnoliamarauder@reddit
I’d recommend doing a test run camping trip in one of those more developed areas just to work the kinks out since you’ve never been camping before. After that, look into national forests instead of national parks. There are often less restrictions, and less people to run into.
anotherdamnscorpio@reddit
You'd be amazed at the places you can camp when there isn't a car that people are wondering where the driver went.
ayyy_yooo_wassap@reddit
Facts
thePlumberACman@reddit
This is America land of the “free” so NO
Deep_Seas_QA@reddit
I would at least bring a sleeping bag.. the forest gets pretty chilly at night and the dew can be intense. I think you could probably fly under the radar pretty easily if you are serious about doing this but it also wouldn’t hurt to just get a proper permit to be there.. I think you could do it online pretty easily.
lojic@reddit
If you're not necessarily looking for backcountry camping, China Camp State Park (right on the shore of the Bay) and Samuel P Taylor State Park (in redwoods in Marin) both have $7/night "hiker biker" camping for people arriving without a car. Both are accessible by bus, with Samuel P Taylor literally having a stop at the park entrance. (China Camp is a bit more of a walk.)
The nearest legal dispersed camping will be parts of Henry Coe State Park. It's a bit of a hike up from Morgan Hill but it's doable.
The next nearest will be in Mendocino National Forest, which you could walk to from the town of Nice, CA up on Lake Berryessa.
hippiecat22@reddit
Honestly no you you shouldn't do that.
BusySleeper@reddit
Look up the specific national park to be sure. Look into “dispersed camping” in wilderness areas or national forests. That’s what I do in CO.
I’m also trying to get away from people when I camp.
This may be helpful: https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/07/02/camping-bay-area-northern-california-sierra-no-reservation
Dandelion_Man@reddit
If they don’t catch you then you have nothing to worry about. Just go far enough out that you don’t have to worry about people. I used to do it at Yellowstone and Grand Teton all the time.
HsvDE86@reddit
I'd be more concerned about bears.
Dandelion_Man@reddit
If you’re loud and store your food properly or don’t bring any you should be fine.
Beautiful-Arugula-51@reddit
You’ve got a bunch of cops in the comments on your other post lol they’re just bitter, if you go in far enough yes you absolutely can as someone who lived beside the RMNP for years. You’re not harming wildlife or your environment idk what their deal is
HippyGrrrl@reddit
Many popular national parks have timed entry now. There will be entrance fees.
Don’t forget state parks.