"Camping"

[Jennybh]

Ok, so my brother and I are wanting to go on about a hundred mile walk sometime this summer (from our house in Ohio to Pennsilvania and back). We figure we want to take about five days or so to do it, and we want to bring a very small tent to camp in at night, and leave again very early in the morning. I think it would be fun to do it with as little money as possible, and we want to be fairly flexable about where we stop because we're not backpackers and aren't really sure exactly how much distance we can take in a day. I know when my parents were kids, they would go a driving trips with their families, and just stop and set up a tent along the way at night. I can find very few campsites anywhere that don't require reservations, and they all cost a fair amount. Does anyone know if it is even possible to just set up a tent for the night somewhere anymore with out having to sign it or call in advance or anything?? We're not really "camping", we just want to plop our tent somewhere at night.

[Borderdawg]

There should be a hiking trail somewhere close to you with camping areas and possibly shelters. Would be more scenic and probably safer than walking the highways!

[PLAYER57832]

Chances are, the answer is "no". It is legal to camp out in National Forests, though not all that advertized. Some of the Ohio and PA state campgrounds have "walk-in" rates, but not all. By and large, the east is not very "camper" friendly.

You can sleep in some reststops, but check the Ohio laws. I cannot remember if that is one that allows it or not.

Other than that, your best bet is to find a friend who will put you up. Truth is, hiking in public can be not the safest of prospects. I would brave the "wilds" any day. If you are in Ohio and within 100 miles of PA, you are relatively close to the Allegheny Forest. I would suggest somehow getting there, then you can hike in many places for free.

[BigBallinStalin]

That sounds really fun.

I don't know what it's like up there, but you could ask some local farmers before sundown if you can camp out on their property.

ANd if there's no one around, then just set up camp. Away from the mainroad of course, so the police don't give you crap. As far as someone cruising the highway looking for campers to mess with, I highly doubt you'll run into them. Having a gun, or at least a baseball bat or a knife is always good.

Good luck, and what are you going to eat? Are you going to cook your own food?

[Jennybh]

Good luck, and what are you going to eat? Are you going to cook your own food?

Thanks! We haven't really decided specifics yet. It really depends on what kind of route we take, but we wanted to carry as little as possible, so we'll probably not want to carry the extra stuff needed to cook with. Right now we're thinking we'll try to buy some stuff on the way every day or two.

[fiestadelimon]

We used to use this as an excuse to get drunk and freaky in the woods without our parents knowing shit was up.

[bedub1]

2 trekking poles, a tarp, some rope. That is a good lightweight shelter for hiking. The national forests are the best bet. You can "random camp" pretty much anywhere in a nation forest. Get there soon before they are all sold to the highest bidder.

[Doc_Brown]

You might google "Stealth Camping." Some cyclists do this sort of thing. The basic idea is to find a quiet spot out of the public eye and use it only for sleeping. If you want to build a campfire, cook, etc... you're much better off trying to find cheap campgrounds. Cyclists that practice stealth camping will all tell you that the idea is to leave the spot as pristine as you found it. You generally set up after sundown and leave around sunup. There's more info on the net if you look for it.