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PLEASE NOTE: This is an informational article on USDA National Forests and serves as a companion post to The Bear and the Boys.
When I was very young, my brother Brian, twelve years my senior, took off to parts unknown. For a long time we did not hear from him, but when we did, the child “me” found it exotic to learn he was in New Mexico or Hawaii or… living in a tent in a forest in Colorado. The haze of my middle age memory brings to mind only that he stayed in that tent for upwards of a year, with no bother from the rangers who apparently got to know him pretty well. Though he passed on several years ago, he comes to mind often now as I work to navigate the maze of federal, state, and local public lands, established campgrounds and dispersed camping. My own recent stay in the Ocala National Forest, both in a campground as well as out on public lands, has inspired me to learn a little more about these lands our government protects and manages for its populace. Photo: Ocala National Forest
Did you know that the United States Forest Service manages 193,000,000 acres of land, including 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and one tall-grass prairie? National Forest lands comprise about 9% of the total land area in the United States (whoa!) and fall under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture. The USDA Forest Service oversees about 25% (rough figure) of federal lands altogether. Other federal lands include, but are not limited to, the National Park System and the Bureau of Land Management and are administered by the Department of the Interior. (click here for a map of all federally owned land)
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations”. Its motto is "Caring for the land and serving people." They manage and protect national resources, including fighting fires, harvesting timber, and maintaining recreation sites, roads, and trails. In addition, their work is essential in protecting biodiverse habitats as human sprawl continues to negate nature’s…well, nature.
We can find national forest lands and grasslands in 44 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with the majority being located in Alaska and the western United States. (click here for an interactive visitor map) As a general rule, forest lands are our lands and the work the USDA Forest Service does helps to sustain these lands for our use now and in the future. Nearly all national forest land allows for dispersed camping – camping that is not in an established campground and offers no amenities and services, also referred to as off-grid, boondocking, or dry camping. This means you can pretty much drive out into the forest and (following forest rules) find a spot to camp. Some national forests also maintain established campgrounds, which may or may not require a reservation and are often first come, first serve.
Dispersed camping in national forests requires some woodsperson skills and general off-grid knowledge (such as don’t drink untreated water!). It is always recommended to contact the ranger station for the particular area you would like camp to confirm that it is open and available for dispersed camping. Closures can occur for a variety of reasons, including flooding, fires, controlled burns and more. In my experience, national and state park rangers and employees are approachable and knowledgeable, making a call a good first step in gathering information about any given location. Plus, you can let them know you’ll be out there!
Hopkins Prairie, Ocala National Forest
There are rules and regulations to camping in our national forests, primarily having to do with where and how long you may camp. Please check here for national forest dispersed camping guidelines and time limits. As a rule, your camp must be 100 feet from any water source and 150 feet from an established roadway and cannot be near a developed campground, trailhead, or picnic area. Some “stealth” campers may choose trailheads for an overnight camping spot and may be surprised to know this is not allowed. Generally speaking, you can stay at any given dispersed site for 16 days out of 30, but then must move at least five miles away before returning.
I was saddened to learn that, according to the USDA National Forest Service, there are officially no safe untreated water sources anymore. It is recommended that all water found on federal lands in springs, ponds, streams and other natural water sources should be boiled and treated. However, I am aware of folks who regularly drink untreated spring water. For myself, I use a lifestraw (Amazon affiliate link) which suits my limited space. And, quite frankly, I haven’t encountered a lot of untreated water yet in my journey. Other things to be mindful of when camping out in the back woods include leaving no trace (pack it in, pack it out), using a cat hole for human waste, and being informed about campfire restrictions and how to extinguish a fire.
It is heartening to know so much of our country has lands that are open to us. We can truly travel and live on the land full time if that is our heart’s desire. Given my own recent dispersed camping experience, I would definitely recommend not going it alone unless you are familiar and comfortable in your chosen spot.
Happy (dispersed) trails to you! Don’t forget the bug spray. Photo: Young Eve and Mary camping many moons ago...
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