Earlier this summer I spent a week up in WY at my cousin's new house at an airpark. We both have remote-able jobs, so we worked in the mornings and then flew around in his Aviat Husky most afternoons. There were several times I saw campers parked off of back roads at scenic points in some of the less inhabited valleys in the area. I asked him about it and he said that people around there just drive up back roads until they find a spot they like and set up camp.

Last time I did a lot of RV camping was as a kid back in 1977 when my Dad had a slide in camper in his 460 powered F-250. I remember that we always stayed in some RV park. I recently bought my own travel trailer, but we've mostly used it as a guest house, either when we visit my in-laws or they come visit us.

I like the idea of just driving off into the woods and finding a nice spot and just hanging out for a few days, but I don't know how one goes about finding a place where that is acceptable. Down here in TX, most land is privately owned, so that's just not done. Are there any places like that within a reasonable distance of North Texas? Does anyone have any other thoughts on this subject?

Thanks!

 

Here in Oregon we have the BLM (bureau of land management) where you can camp. We call boondocking. Check & see if you have a Texas BLM or Forest service that alows dispersed camping.

 

Out here you can camp most anywhere you want on BLM or National Forest land. There may be some restrictions as some areas can be closed usually small tracts due to construction, overuse or identified as other use such as ohv area etc, there may also be additional restrictions such as fire restrictions, shooting restrictions, vehicle use restrictions ie ohv or off road travel. However in general you can pretty much camp wherever you want on BLM or NF land, doesnt mean you can drive wherever you want though to get to that campsite. Main rules are not within 100 feet of water, not within 50 feet of a road, not within 300 feet of a trailhead.

You need to be aware of other boundaries, rules change in offically designated Wilderness areas, Wilderness Study areas, National Recreation Areas, National Parks or Monuments as well as Tribal Parks.

https://sites.google.com/a/theshawne...-camping-rules

 

Yeah, they officially call it "dispersed camping", depends on the ranger district how far you can go off the road. Usually 150' . Unofficially we call it "Boondocking". Probably 80% of my camping is done this way. If you're self contained what's the point of paying to camp in a campground? Besides, you don't have to put up with cranky camphosts or worrying about having your dog on a leash all the time.

Those Huskys are incredible. When I was getting my private I took some lessons at the airport where they are made. Saw one take off across the width of the runway (into a stiff headwind of course) and climb out directly to the east over 11,000' peaks all without circling. Harrison Ford dropped by frequently in his. Amazing machines. Who needs a helicopter?

 

Do some Boondocking searchs on the interweb.

Got a day to burn, do some driving/exploring.
Hit the park ranger office and ask, usually very helpful.

 

Now that I know what it's called, I've been doing that. The next step is to see if there are places in TX that I can do that.

 

You probably have a TX parks and Wildlife office in your area. Go in and see if they have any maps of areas along the Red River. I know a lot of ATV and jeep owners go up there. But don't know just how much is public land.