AboutDavid Sweet Expertise I`ve been an avid camper for over 40 years, I`ve worked in several National Parks, and I`ve been About`s camping guide (camping.about.com) since 1997.
Experience
Camping Experience I've been camping since I was 9 years old, some 40+ years ago. I started out with just a sleeping bag and a lantern for 1 night sleepouts, gradually graduating to full-fledged camping with all the appropriate gear: sleeping bags, tents, pads, screen rooms, stoves, coolers, shower-bags, Dutch ovens, and more. I still have most of this gear after 20+ years of use. Along the way I also acquired backpacking gear and have done my share of backcountry adventures around the country. But now, as I've gotten older and my back has gotten stiffer, my wife and I have upgraded to a popup camper for most of our camping trips.
Where I've Camped I grew up in Kentucky and did most of my camping as a kid on the banks of the Licking River. As a teenager and into my twenties I camped mostly in the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest. We never camped in campgrounds, but rather in backcountry locations, preferring peace and privacy to campground amenities and crowds. In my thirties I ventured west and lived and worked in several national parks over the next ten years: Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and Mt. Rainier, to name a few. These times were my most active for backpacking, hiking and camping. All my free time in the parks was spent exploring the backcountry, and in those ten years I saw quite a lot. Now that I'm in my 50's I prefer to camp in the public campgrounds like national parks, national forests and state parks. We don't use hookups, even with our popup camper, but flush toilets and hot showers are welcome amenities that can't be found in the backcountry.
What I've Learned After all these years I've learned some simple basics about camping: be prepared for the weather, bring whatever it takes to sleep comfortably, eat good foods, and have respect for the outdoors. I've also learned that there is no one right way to camp. If you're satisfying the basics which I mentioned, then you are doing things the right way. You don't need a lot of expensive gear or hi-tech gadgets. The whole idea is to break out of our normal lives and relax awhile in the geat outdoors.
How can I help you? My full-time job since 1997 has been as the guide for About's Camping site. My goal is to help fellow campers find the information they need to better plan and enjoy their outdoor adventures. Whatever your questions are about camping, I can help you. If I don't know the answer to your question(s) myself, I will guide you to other Web sites that do answer your question(s).
Question Is there a certain terminology to distingish if a backpacking trail allows hikers to set up camp wherever they want as apposed to trails that provide designated campsites.
If it makes any difference state to state, I am looking for backpacking trails in Western Pennsylvania.
Thank-you,
Linda
Answer Hi Linda,
The term you are looking for is "dispersed" camping. It means you can camp anywhere so long as you are 100 feet from any road or stream or body of water. You can camp for up to two weeks in a given local. This term is most commonly used by the National Forest Service: "All National Forest lands are open to camping unless otherwise posted. The advantages to this type of camping are many: peace, solitude, and adventure. There are, however, a few 'drawbacks'. You'll need to have a fire permit, bring your own water or purify water from lakes, streams, or springs. Be sure to make your camp at least 100 feet from all water sources. Since there are no toilet facilities, please dig a hole at least six inches deep for disposal of your human waste."
Basically, if a trail goes through a national forest, you are safe to assume that dispersed camping is allowed. At national parks, recreation areas, etc. check with the rangers in the area first. Permits may be required.
Also, follow the rule of leave no trace: pack it in, pack it out.
