FREE CAMPING

Free Camping is available in the western United States on the federal lands (public lands).  The US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are the administrative agencies of these lands. 

Both Agencies have developed campgrounds and heavily used recreation areas where they do charge fees.  But there is a vast acreage with undeveloped camping areas that can be utilized by the general public with no fees.  There are rules, however 

• You are not allowed to camp next to riparian areas.
• You must move your campsite every two weeks to another campsite at least 30 miles away. 
• Small parcels of private land are often scattered among the BLM lands. Be sure you have a map that shows the private land and do not camp on the private land without the landowners permission. 
• There are often restrictions on campfires.  Be sure to check with the administrative agencies to see if campfires are allowed.
• When camping with horses, feed certified weed free hay and grain.  Be sure to have up to date brand inspections, health papers, and other health test required by the state you are visiting.  Utah requires a coggins test.

To find these free camping areas: 1.  Pick a State where you would like to camp.  Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wymoing, Montana, Califorina, Oregon, Washington and Alaska are all public land states.  2.  Pick a area within that state.  3.  Go online at www.blm.gov or www.fs.fed.us, find a state directory and within that state find a regional office for the BLM or a national forest for the Forest Service, near the area you wish to camp. (For the Forest Service, click on the national forest you selected and it will guide you to agency offices). You can request information from these offices or visit them, in person, and pick up information and ask questions.  Be sure to get a map that can guide you to the federal land.

   Example 1:  You wish to camp on the LaSal Mountains near Moab, Utah.  Go to www.fs.fed.us.  Click on Utah.  Click on Manti-LaSal National Forest.  Click on Moab Office "Map" or call or write to the address given for the Moab office. 

   Example 2:  You wish to camp on the BLM in the red-rock country near Moab, Utah.  Go to www.blm.gov.  On the left side bar, click on Information, then Directory.  Under state offices, click on Utah.  Click on BLM Utah Field Offices. Click on Moab.

In many areas, on the federal lands, you are allowed to ride horses, ATVs and bicycles. Check with the local federal office to see if there are restrictions on these recreational activities and to get information on trails in the area.

I prefer the term "federal lands" rather than "public lands".  These lands are in fact owned  and managed by the federal government.  The federal government has permitted or leased the federal land to individuals and business.  There are mining leases, timber leases, grazing leases, wood cutting permits, and recreational leases (permits).  These permit holders do have some rights (with restrictions) to use the federal lands.  As individuals in small groups (the public) you can also enjoy the recreation on the federal lands, without a permit but with restrictions. 

Please be courteous and respectful of the other federal land users.  Don't trash or destroy resources on the federal land.  We need to keep the federal land in multiple use so we all can enjoy it.  As our population grows so does our need to be good caretakers of the federal lands.   If we are not good caretakers then the federal government will put more restrictions on us; and we may find ourselves locked out of our favorite camping and recreation spots.

Selecting A Sleeping Bag

There are two main thing to consider when selecting a sleeping bag, the size of the bag and the tempreature rating.

1.  Consider the size of the person who will be using the sleeping bag.  A sleeping bag should be no longer than 6 inches longer than the person sleeping in it, yet wide enough to allow turning over or geting dressed.  Don't put a child in an adult size sleeping bag.  The bag is designed to keep heat in, but your body heats the bag.  If the sleeping bag is too large, your body must heat extra unneeded space. 

2.  Good sleeping bags come with a temperature rating.  Consider the temperature of the area in which you will be camping and take along a sleeping bag with that temperture rating.  You sould use the low nightime temperature for when and where you are camping.  Taking along a sleeping bag with a lower temperature rating than you need, could cause you to be uncomfortably warm.  Yet, you will be too cold if your bag has too high a temperature rating.

Getting a good night's sleep is essential to a enjoyable camping trip.