What is Stealth Camping?

What is Stealth Camping?

A term many new backpackers may come across as they are learning more about the hobby is stealth camping. Much like many other backpacking and camping terminology, this phrase sounds a lot more complex and venturesome than the true nature of the activity. Nevertheless, many backpackers come across the term and find themselves wondering “what is stealth camping?”

If you’ve backpacked a few times before, chances are that you’ve gone stealth camping before. It is a common practice among backpackers, especially in certain forests that lack designated campsites.

However, the term can mean different things to different people. What is considered stealth camping for a van traveler is not the same as what is considered stealth camping for a hiker.

Below, we dive deeper into the term and what it means to different people. We also offer up some tips for backpackers who prefer stealth camping.

What Does Stealth Camping Mean?

Stealth camping at it’s core means camping in places that are not designated as campsites. This can mean something different to different campers.

For people who travel in RVs, camper vans, and mini vans, stealth camping means camping in a parking lot or city street. They park at a location and spend a night or two there before moving on. They are careful to use a curtain to conceal themselves and remain quiet to keep from drawing attention.

For hikers, stealth camping means setting up camp at unestablished wilderness sites. You may also hear this referred to as “wild camping”.  This is a common practice among backpackers. In fact, in some forests this is the only way to set up camp in the backcountry.

Whether you’re in a tent or a vehicle, the goal of stealth camping is to spend the night in a location without anyone taking notice.

How Stealth Camping and Camping Differ

What is different about stealth camping compared to typical camping is the location and intention. Typically, camping means you are setting up your gear in an established campsite. Your goal isn’t to conceal yourself.

There are a few downsides to standard camping that may encourage people to stealth camp. For instance, some campsites require reservations or permits that may cost money. In addition, staying at an established campsite may mean you don’t have the space to yourself.

However, there are some benefits to staying at a campsite. They may have certain amenities that could be beneficial such as a fire pit, a latrine, a picnic table (if you’re lucky) a shelter, or some form of food storage system. Staying at an established site is also better for minimizing the damage a campsite can do to the forest’s vegetation.

Is Stealth Camping Legal

Learning about what stealth camping is may make you wonder whether it is legal….

The answer is – it depends.

When it comes to stealth camping in your vehicle in parking lots and streets, the local laws will dictate the legality. Some parking lots allow overnight parking, which means you can likely spend the night in your car if you are discrete. In fact, some parking lots even allow car camping. Certain locations of large retailers such as Walmart and Bass Pro Shop allow you to park your RV in their lot overnight if you call ahead of time.

The point is, the legality of stealth camping is all heavily dependent on the area. Sometimes local lodging and camping facilities push these laws in hopes to encourage stealth campers to stay at their business instead. Always check local regulations.

For hikers and backpackers, it also varies by forest and park. Some parks even encourage backpackers to camp wildly and stay out of view of the trail. However, to preserve wild areas, protect wildlife, or keep people out of harm’s way, there may be areas in every forest that are prohibited to hikers.

Other forests may have a strict campground -only policy. These may be implemented to limit the damage that camping does on the landscape. In this case, someone who is caught camping outside of designated areas could be subject to a fine.

If you do choose to stealth camp as a backpacker, make sure to stay out of private land and obey the 200 foot rule. Of course, be sure to also abide by the leave no trace principles.

Why Do People Stealth Camp?

What is fun about stealth camping and why do people do it? Well, there are a few good reasons why someone would prefer to stealth camp…

Saving Money

Whether you are in a vehicle or are in the forest, not having to book a hotel or campsite can save you a chunk of change. Some forests require visitors to pay for a backcountry campsite, and the backpacker on a budget may want to sneak past that expense.

Seclusion and Adventure

There is something exciting about spending the night in areas where very few people have been. You can find beautiful scenery without having to share the view!

It can be great to meet new people who love hiking just as much as you do. However, there are some trips where you just want to be left alone. Stealth camping is perfect for the hiker searching for solitude. You won’t have to share a campsite or hear any ruckus from neighboring sites. 

Freedom

What is great about stealth camping is the freedom and flexibility it gives you. You have no restrictions on where you can sleep. So if you come across an area with a jaw-dropping view, you can find an area nearby to set up camp. That way you can enjoy a similar view as you drink your morning coffee.

Setting up camp anywhere also means you don’t have to base your daily miles off how far the next campsite is. When you’re tired, you can end the day early. If you have a bit more pep in your step, you can take on another mile.

Potentially More Bear Safe

The downside to an established campsite is that racoons, bears, and other scavenging animals may become frequent visitors. If previous campers weren’t careful with their food and waste, animals may think of the site as a hotspot for easy meals.

It’s well-known that bears become regular visitors to areas where they’ve found food before.

However, this is only true if you are smart about the stealth camping location you set up camp at. If you pitch your tent next to a berry patch or a stream with fish remains scattered about, you’re asking for trouble.

Tips For Stealth Camping

Know that you learned what is stealth camping, you might decide that it is just the form of camping you were craving. Before you make it your go-to mode of backpacking, here are a few important tips.

• Hammocks Make it Easier – You can take stealth camping to a new level when you get a hammock. Using a hammock for shelter allows you to set up camp in terrain that isn’t suitable for tents, like on uneven ground. Learn more about hammock camping here.
• Keep Colors Neutral – A bright red tent is pretty easy to spot at a far distance. If you’re trying to fly under the radar, opt for neutral or earth-toned gear. A brown or green tent is far more discrete, so keep that in mind when shopping for a new tent.
• Obey Rules – Just because you are stealthy doesn’t mean you don’t have to abide by the rules of the forest. Don’t have a campfire in a fire restricted forest. The smoke of a fire will give your location away, anyway.   If you have a dog, follow any restrictions around leashes and forbidden areas. Continue to follow backpacking etiquette as you would in a crowded area.
• Watch For SIgnage – When you’re exploring off the beaten path, it can be easy to lose track of where you are in the forest. Make sure to keep an eye out for any signage that may indicate you are stepping into private land. Unless you have permission from the land owner, it’s is important to keep off someone else’s property.
• Learn How to Find a Good Site – When you’re the one choosing the place to set up camp, it is all the more important to know how to choose a good one.  Established campsites tend to be in safe locations, but there are a lot of potential dangers in the forest. Look for signs of flooding, landslides, rock falling paths, predatory animal droppings, and precarious trees or branches.
• Keep Safety At Top of Mind – This goes hand in hand with finding a good campsite, but it is important to consider how safe you are at your site. Do you know where the trail is? If you were injured, would you be able to get back to the trail easily? It’s important to be sure you don’t get lost and that you are accessible if you are wounded.
• Camp Up – If you’re really trying to not be seen, find a campsite above where people will be passing through. If the trail is on the side of a hill, go up the hill a bit and look for a flat spot. People tend to look down more often than they look up, so they’ll be less likely to spot you.
• Leave no Trace – It’s always worth repeating for any type of camping that you should abide by the leave no trace principles.  This is especially true if you are going stealth camping, where you will be disrupting areas to set up camp. Make sure the area you  camp in looked as if no one stayed there after you leave.

_{Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash}