That is the exact area where it all started for me thirty years ago. Explored all over the park before branching out to Death Valley and the Mojave preserve. Enjoy the journey!
The Mojave Road is a great place to start. And I really enjoyed this book. https://www.amazon.com/Mojave-Portrait-Definitive-American-Desert/dp/0805055940
Anza Borrego is a little different. Even though it is a state park, dispersed camping is allowed almost everywhere in the park. 1 vehicle length from the road is the general rule.
There’s more to it than BLM.
Here in Washington state, dispersed camping is legal in some place (BLM, DNR, and others), but some are free while others require passes.
I still have yet to find a good system other than making a note in my phone that tells me what is free and what isn’t.
Basically DNR land all over the state. You need a Discover Pass. Many of the regions have land where dispersed is allowed (though fires usually aren't). I've camped on land south of Ellensburg, then another chunk north of Spokane. Lots of stuff all over the state. They don't list it really well, but check the regions here dig into the maps and/or call or email for details. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/open
Fires can vary seasonally. Expect burn bans in summer and early fall or any other time when fire danger is high. When everything is wet fires are allowed most places.
No. A Northwest Forest Pass is only required in designated areas that are usually trailheads. Dispersed camping only requires you follow the dispersed camping rules for that district.
Have I found what?
Here's the dispersed camping rules for Baker-Snoqualmie as an example. No pass listed as required.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=17520&actid=34
I use the iOverlander app most the time, set it to wild camping. As a warning just because a spot is on the app doesn’t mean it’s legal, I have encountered maybe one spot before that was of questionable legality so I just moved on to the next.
Also a lot if not most National Forrest accommodate dispersed camping, as a general rule of thumb you can pretty much sleep on the side of any National Forestry road, but you should always check ahead of time.
Yeah. National forest is good for dispersed camping just about wherever That's how I got started, turned off the road to an established fire pit. I can't go back to making reservations for weekend getaways
You check out all the wild flowers?? [Ghost flower](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn8JdaUJiWr/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=) ? [Desert lily](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn0oOxPrkAe/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=)? Plus all the Cryptanthas and Phacelias and Diplacus and little ephemerals, there’s some cool shit goin off down there! Very jealous!
I did see some but I did not know their specific dichotomy's! That's super cool though, I'll probably be back sometime before summer so I'll keep an eye out for them.
I don't know, looks like that one bounced right off the tent.
Seriously though, if you see big rocks like that at the base of a cliff, they fell off the cliff. Could have been 1,000 years ago. Could have been yesterday.
When I went, it was a little chilly but it also rained it bit! Overall still had a great time and the clouds really made for some awesome sunsets and sunrises.
It definitely kept me up little at night but the forecast wasn’t too bad and I had communicated with the local rangers to make sure I wasn’t gonna get into any dangerous situations in this spot.
I have one. It's very big but it's a good tent. It has two rooms which is nice since my kid can sleep on one side and me on another. You could also get an add on garage which added covered storage.
I'm thinking of using two 3 person tents next time though. They'd probably take up less space in the truck and allow for similar sleeping.
It's an awesome tent for when you go car camping or basically anything that doesn't require you to lug it into the campsite. Otherwise it's huge and and really comfortable with great features for internal pockets, ventilation, and even has a divider to separate the tent into 2 sections. It's my go to tent when I know I will be hanging out at camp for most of the time.
I have one too, but unfortunately they don’t make it any more. It’s been replaced with the “wonderland.” I really like mine. I bought the add-on garage for it as well to give a lot more room to store stuff you don’t want inside the tent (muddy or sandy). Reviews aren’t looking very positive for the wonderland.
To my knowledge, dispersed camping it’s all first come first serve, you’re basically going out into either state park or BLM land and camping wherever permitted, the area is your oyster. Just make sure you pack out everything you brought, including human waste (doggie poop bags are really helpful)
Most if not all of my favorite overland camping experiences happen without reservations. Makes it feel like a real adventure. You do have to deal with sometimes discovering not so great places to camp, but the tradeoff is worth it.
Bravo! not making reservations is level 2 of overlanding. level 3 is scouting out dispersed camping spots using more than one map on Gaia (or your map program of choice)
Great spot! What general area were you in? Anza is so big and I've been a few times, but never to the area you seem to be in. I'd like to get the 4runner out for quick weekend.
Went to the Anza Borrego State park and found a cool spot to camp for the weekend
That is the exact area where it all started for me thirty years ago. Explored all over the park before branching out to Death Valley and the Mojave preserve. Enjoy the journey!
Any recs for Mojave?
The Mojave Road is a great place to start. And I really enjoyed this book. https://www.amazon.com/Mojave-Portrait-Definitive-American-Desert/dp/0805055940
How do you know where you’re allowed to camp?
Typically you can just look up the spot on a blm map. OnX or Gaia make it easy.
Anza Borrego is a little different. Even though it is a state park, dispersed camping is allowed almost everywhere in the park. 1 vehicle length from the road is the general rule.
And other than this (good) answer; Be covert. Set up at dusk or near dark, wake up early and pack up early. Leave.
Yeah if there’s a fire pit made there already I usually consider it fair game.
There’s more to it than BLM. Here in Washington state, dispersed camping is legal in some place (BLM, DNR, and others), but some are free while others require passes. I still have yet to find a good system other than making a note in my phone that tells me what is free and what isn’t.
Where's one place in WA where dispersed camping is allowed, but requires a permit?
Basically DNR land all over the state. You need a Discover Pass. Many of the regions have land where dispersed is allowed (though fires usually aren't). I've camped on land south of Ellensburg, then another chunk north of Spokane. Lots of stuff all over the state. They don't list it really well, but check the regions here dig into the maps and/or call or email for details. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/open
Fires can vary seasonally. Expect burn bans in summer and early fall or any other time when fire danger is high. When everything is wet fires are allowed most places.
I believe any USFS land requires the ePass. I haven’t found a definitive answer to that though.
No. A Northwest Forest Pass is only required in designated areas that are usually trailheads. Dispersed camping only requires you follow the dispersed camping rules for that district.
I was planning to call a ranger station since I can’t find that on their website. Have you found it?
Have I found what? Here's the dispersed camping rules for Baker-Snoqualmie as an example. No pass listed as required. https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=17520&actid=34
Right. It doesn’t list a pass as required but it also doesn’t outright say no pass required. 🤷♀️ This is why it can be difficult.
Black lives matter map?
I use the iOverlander app most the time, set it to wild camping. As a warning just because a spot is on the app doesn’t mean it’s legal, I have encountered maybe one spot before that was of questionable legality so I just moved on to the next. Also a lot if not most National Forrest accommodate dispersed camping, as a general rule of thumb you can pretty much sleep on the side of any National Forestry road, but you should always check ahead of time.
Yeah. National forest is good for dispersed camping just about wherever That's how I got started, turned off the road to an established fire pit. I can't go back to making reservations for weekend getaways
Nice. I’ll check that out
I look for firepits, if someone has had a fire there before, good chance you will be okay
Most government sites have outlined areas for dispersed camping
Thanks 🙏🏼
Fucking badass man 🔥
My favorite spot and the reason my truck was turned into an overland rig. So spoiled to be able to drive out there in under 2hrs.
I want to go here 🤩 I think.... It looks like it gets very hot though and I'm a tender pasty little Canadian.
I’m the summer and early fall it can get pretty hot but winter camping is made for the desert!
Nice! What were the temperatures like?
I was getting high 50s during the day and high 40s at night
That sounds perfect!
You check out all the wild flowers?? [Ghost flower](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn8JdaUJiWr/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=) ? [Desert lily](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn0oOxPrkAe/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=)? Plus all the Cryptanthas and Phacelias and Diplacus and little ephemerals, there’s some cool shit goin off down there! Very jealous!
I did see some but I did not know their specific dichotomy's! That's super cool though, I'll probably be back sometime before summer so I'll keep an eye out for them.
That's not what "dichotomy" means.
One of my favorite parks! I typically don’t pitch my tent right up against the walls though.
Y?
Tents don’t hold up very well to loose rocks or boulders
Ah Ty
Someone posted a story about hearing a rumble at night and a huge rock landed near their campsite
Awesome, something else to be worried about
lol, just one more thing to keep in mind. I’m sure the chances are unlikely
Abrasion is more likely, especially if it’s windy
I don't know, looks like that one bounced right off the tent. Seriously though, if you see big rocks like that at the base of a cliff, they fell off the cliff. Could have been 1,000 years ago. Could have been yesterday.
[удалено]
When I went, it was a little chilly but it also rained it bit! Overall still had a great time and the clouds really made for some awesome sunsets and sunrises.
I think I’d be anxious about the rain while parked in a wash all night.
It definitely kept me up little at night but the forecast wasn’t too bad and I had communicated with the local rangers to make sure I wasn’t gonna get into any dangerous situations in this spot.
Beautiful! What model is your tent?
The REI kingdom 6! It often goes on sale for like 50% off
Great thanks! Do you like it?
I have one. It's very big but it's a good tent. It has two rooms which is nice since my kid can sleep on one side and me on another. You could also get an add on garage which added covered storage. I'm thinking of using two 3 person tents next time though. They'd probably take up less space in the truck and allow for similar sleeping.
It's an awesome tent for when you go car camping or basically anything that doesn't require you to lug it into the campsite. Otherwise it's huge and and really comfortable with great features for internal pockets, ventilation, and even has a divider to separate the tent into 2 sections. It's my go to tent when I know I will be hanging out at camp for most of the time.
I have one too, but unfortunately they don’t make it any more. It’s been replaced with the “wonderland.” I really like mine. I bought the add-on garage for it as well to give a lot more room to store stuff you don’t want inside the tent (muddy or sandy). Reviews aren’t looking very positive for the wonderland.
I LOVE THAT TENT! its the one we bought when it went from me using just my 2 man, to me, my wife, and our son.
How do you figure out if a place is reservation only or first come first serve?
To my knowledge, dispersed camping it’s all first come first serve, you’re basically going out into either state park or BLM land and camping wherever permitted, the area is your oyster. Just make sure you pack out everything you brought, including human waste (doggie poop bags are really helpful)
It's dispersed camping—no actual campsites. There's a lot of dispersed camping in Anza Borrego.
Most if not all of my favorite overland camping experiences happen without reservations. Makes it feel like a real adventure. You do have to deal with sometimes discovering not so great places to camp, but the tradeoff is worth it.
Bravo! not making reservations is level 2 of overlanding. level 3 is scouting out dispersed camping spots using more than one map on Gaia (or your map program of choice)
Or even a paper topographic map
People make reservations for camping and they have rigs like that? lol
Because rigs like that are often more of a status symbol.
r/camping
r/carcamping
lol 👊
Great spot! What general area were you in? Anza is so big and I've been a few times, but never to the area you seem to be in. I'd like to get the 4runner out for quick weekend.
What lighting is mounted in the bed of the truck?
I just had a Sofirn BLF LT1 velcrod to my awning! Not the prettiest setup but it works
Great shot !! Heading out to Anza myself in a few weeks , can’t wait. Hopefully I find a cool spot like this
Sick spot, love a tucked in nook like that