Sleeping in car and wildparking allowed? (San Bernardino, Redding: mattress, motorhome, YMCA)

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Woof

,,Free camping is allowed in many areas of national forests (but NOT national PARKS) Just go along a road in a national forest until you find an old logging road, then park a little way up it (naturally you need to carry water and food for this).,,,

I have camped for years on forest service roads. You will only be examined if you have a campfire. If you decide to have a campfire make sure to get a campfire permit from the forest service, they are free and life long.

State campgrounds are very expensive, forest service camps are usually quite affordable. If you befriend someone you can share a camp site and split the fee. Many campgrounds have coin operated heated showers. Day use is expensive at state campgrounds but federal forest service camps are free for day use.

[Jasmine728]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

I have camped for years on forest service roads. You will only be examined if you have a campfire. If you decide to have a campfire make sure to get a campfire permit from the forest service, they are free and life long.

If it's between June and October, I dont think any campfire permits are allowed without an actual official firepit anywhere in CA. Too much of a fire hazard. I live bordering national forest and we cant even get burn permits during these times and we have hoses and means to put out a fire that you wouldnt have camping....

[ferretkona]

I woke up to the window knock 35 years ago, someone had parked next to us and had a fire. They left without pouring water or burying it. The Forest fighter thought it was ours, as I told him "why would I light a fire that close to my van?"

I only mentioned the fire permit as if they do plan on a fire they should check in first.

[Giesela]

Truck stops are a place to stop and sleep but they can also be sort of rough - I would be security conscious.
Wildcamping - hasn't been done as much here as in Europe I don't think.
The thing here is privately owned property is everywhere, houses, apts, stores are all more or less technically private property and hence illigal for "sleeping rough". For public land the rules are probably usually "no" unless its some sort of designated campground. However while you may get rousted by police you probably won't go to jail. You could get a ticket.
There are RV (recreational vehicle or motor home) websites that list places like Wal-Mart that allow RV's to park in their parking lot, you could check those for places to sleep in your car.

[calisnuffy]

Originally Posted by Ingrid86

I'm from the Netherlands and this summer I will visit California for three weeks with my friend. We tend to go as lowbudget as possible and will be cruisin around.

So my questions are, is it allowed to sleep in your car?
What about wild camping, is that allowed?
Or are both only allowed in certain area's? if so, how do I find out if it is or isn't allowed in a certain area.

Hi, it can be done but, I know someone who came from Idaho and he tried doing it, he was harassed by the police nightly, this is in th e central bay area btw. If your savvy, it can probably be done. Sorry, I am confusing

[R66]

Damn! Some of you Monkeys are nuts. Please, dont move to Florida.

[KC6ZLV]

You can camp for free in most areas of the National Forests and other Federal lands unless there is a sign stating otherwise. It is called dispersed camping, which involves finding an area off the main roads. There are also improved camping facilities which are usually inexpensive. Note that there is a difference between a National Forest and a National Park. Yosemite is a National Park, for example, and camping is only allowed in certain areas, and there is a charge. Outside the park in the Stanislaus National Forest or the Sierra National Forest, there are places to camp for free. Many State Parks have camping available too. I don't know what the pricing is, however. When you plan the trip it would be a good idea to ask about camping along the route you are going to travel. You can ask on this board, or stop by a sporting goods store (Big 5, REI, etc) and ask about places to camp.


Avoid sleeping at rest stops. There have been some creepy things happen at some of them over the years. A truck stop is safer. Although there are ordinances against it, many people sleep in the parking lots of 24 hr restaurants and stores, and nobody really notices.

[lavsea-male]

20 year of expeieince "Vans" I worked as a aircraft contracter USA wide. off and on,more on than off. Is it allowed to sleep in your car? No! It is illeagal in most calif.citys roadside truck stops also have cheap showers.yes this is true I have a CDL also . great way to get robbed, shot, raped,NO! I am still here! (No..neighborhoods.) This not for the weak! It helps that I have a Black belt or two.sleeping in your car Near Homeless shelters is the #1 spot.... and that is Life.

[ferretkona]

I may need a translator.

[Woof]

Oh, the OP is long gone, but I forgot to mention a coupla things. National Forests are the main freebie, but you're limited to 3 days in each spot. Then you just move to another place nearby if you want.

The main difference between US Forest Service camps that charge and those that don't, are whether they pipe in drinking water or not (what one of the rangers told me), at least around here. Thus McBride Springs is only a quarter of the way up Mt Shasta but costs money because they have drinking water (from an old fashioned hand pump covered with bees). They used to charge $10 per night - nice shady camps, decent crapper. On the other hand, Panther Meadow with its spectacular views and alpine meadow much higher up the mountain is free. It's also got a decent crapper with some good graffiti, and there's fresh clean water from a coupla springs, but you have to go haul it yourself.

As someone mentioned above, state camps are usually much more expensive but may have better facilities and hand-holding.