I am from Canada and don’t know hat “State Land” means.
Think Provincial Park instead of National Park. Same basic idea.
What it means in practice depends on the state, just like the qualities of provincial parks depends on the province. Some states allow dispersed camping anywhere on state land, while others requires you to use designated campsites. Some require you to have a day use permit, others will require a parking permit (same thing – different name), others want you to pay for an annual sticker on your car. The camping fees may seem cheap, but the stickers for your car can be quite expensive. If you’re camping at a developed campsite there will be a fee, and the prices depend entirely on the greed of the state and have almost nothing to do with the amenities. Some $5 state campgrounds have full plumbing, cooking and dishwashing facilities, laundry, free hot showers, evening programs, the works. Other states will charge $50 or more for nothing more than a square of sharp gravel.
For example, New Mexico’s developed campgrounds are generally very good and either free or very cheap, but you have to apply for a $30-$40 access permit from the state to camp at any of them. That’s not very expensive as such things go, but it can take forever for them to process your application and send you your permit.
Camping on federal land is more consistent across state boundaries. Most Bureau of Land Management land that isn’t expressly closed to camping allows free camping outside of designated campsites so long as you don’t stay for more than two weeks, and camp at least 1000 feet or so away from any water source but within 300 feet of the nearest road if you’re with a vehicle. Do NOT leave behind any trash, and check about local fire restrictions, too. You can get into a LOT of trouble lighting a fire where you shouldn’t.
Federal Forest Service land is a little more varied, with more places closed to camping than BLM land. The general USFS rules for bushwhacking are to be at least 100 feet away from the nearest water source or road. (The BLM wants to keep campers near the road while the USFS wants to keep campers away from roads. I have no idea why they differ.) Assume you’re limited to 14 days most places unless it’s posted otherwise. The same rules for garbage and fires apply, and the Forest Service will also want you to pay for a $5 daily parking and use permit. Pay it. Or get an $80 annual interagency pass (but buy it through the local BLM office – they’re faster). It’s a lot cheaper than paying the fines if they catch you, and the people who don’t pay only encourage the Forest Service to close off more areas to camping.
National Park Service land depends on the specific National Park or National Monument. Their rules about camping vary wildly and can change a lot depending on the season.
Basically, check your route, figure out where you want to camp, and then check a map to see if it’s state reserve land, state park land, BLM land, USFS land, or NPS land. Then check the website for whichever governing body manages that land and see what their rules and requirements are.
One final thing: if it’s anywhere near any hunting season, do NOT do anything that might make you look like you’re hunting or fishing unless you actually have tags for whatever is in season there. Most USFS and park rangers are sensible if it’s clear you’re trying to comply with the rules and not intentionally making a mistake. However I have never met a single game warden who wasn’t an officious ass who will nail you for whatever charges they can invent on the spot.
Anonymous 2 years, 11 months ago.
