Questions about motorcycle camping from the experienced:

[speeder]

So, I’ve never done any MC road tripping and camping. When traveling by car, I either stay in motels or crash for a few hours in the car at a rest stop. I really know nothing about camping.

I can basically figure out that I’d need a small tent and a sleeping bag but what I can’t figure out is where you pitch the tent. Obviously, if you scope out a campground or state park in advance, I suppose you can camp for the night. What I can’t figure out is the more likely scenario of just riding through the middle of nowhere and getting tired, do you just pitch a tent at an exit off the interstate or(?)

Most all land in the U.S. is private property. Without permission, I can’t see camping out for the night on someone’s land and it seems like an awkward thing to ask. Help me out here.

[speeder]

Also, suggestions for an easily set-up and folded-up small, compact tent? TIA.

[varmint]

Entirely depends on what state you’re going through. Up here no one cares if you camp on the beach or pull over into the woods. Other places you have to reserve a campsite ahead of time.

There’s that interchange where the 101 meets the 5. I always thought you could disappear into the foliage and camp for a day or two. But the carbon monoxide would probably do you in.





Look up the Nemo inflatable tents. Sounds like a dumb gimmick, but works really well.

[varmint]

P.s.
If you do the “camp on the side of the road” thing, be armed.

[Tobra]

Should be fine once you exit California

Be safe out there

[varmint]

[speeder]

Thanks. Nice pic, varmint.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by varmint

P.s.
If you do the “camp on the side of the road” thing, be armed.

I would prefer that but need to dig out the FAA approved lock box for piece since I’m flying to get the bike.

[LakeCleElum]

In the old days.....Lots of MC trips and no money. Why I don't do it anymore:

1) Sleeping bag beside the road somewhere near Chico, CA......Go to a restaurant the next morning and put helmet on empty table next to me. Waitress screams when bringing my meal....Hundreds of little ants on the table from my helmet.....I washed my hair in the bathroom.

2) Small tent and sleeping bag on beach near Lincoln City Oregon....Tide came in and I'm under water.

3) Rest area north of Redding CA.......Walked away from parked cars and thew down sleeping bag.....Get up and I'm 3 ft from a steep hillside I could have tumbled down in the dark and gotten seriously injuried.

4) Rest area off I-5 near San Diego.....Just a sleeping bag. Sprinklers came on in the middle of the night.

5) 1978 on I-90 west of Liviningston, MT......A lack of towns, fuel, daylight and no lack of beer mandated an immediate stop for the night. Pitched a tent in the median of the freeway. Never a good idea.....

6)....Early '80's.....Woke up in some gals bed in northern Calif......Gotta leave early....No idea where I am or how to get out of the neighborhood.......

7) Southern Iowa........Local gal sez...You gotta call my friend Johnnie and stay with her..............OMG.

8) Gilroy, CA - 1978.....Sleeping bag in field after dark.....Woke up to warm breath on my face.......A horse had his nose 3 inches from my face checking me out.

9) Southern Idaho.....Sleeping bag on dirt road in what looked like an unfenced auto wrecking yard....Footsteps in the dark. Owner carrying a shotgun had had problems with theft.....We had a good chat and I was welcome to stay....

There's more.........But, only motels for at least the last 20 years....

[Evans, Marv]

I would think the internet (before you go & using your phone during the trip) would be a big help for you. Maybe search & look in on some websites people use who do a decent amount of this kind of thing. I haven't don't that with a MC since Baja a long time ago.

[stomachmonkey]

Yes, where is very important.

No way in hell would I camp out "just anywhere" around here.

The wildlife, especially at night, will put a hurtin on ya.

And it's not even the big stuff you need to worry about.

[ckelly78z]

In lots of areas that have high tension wires running across fields, and woods. The property below them (that has been clear cut) is free boondocking land, 1st come 1st serve, but plenty of room for multiple campers/tents/vehicles. This is a rough crowd that frequent these areas, so caution is paramount.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

In the old days.....Lots of MC trips and no money. Why I don't do it anymore:

1) Sleeping bag beside the road somewhere near Chico, CA......Go to a restaurant the next morning and put helmet on empty table next to me. Waitress screams when bringing my meal....Hundreds of little ants on the table from my helmet.....I washed my hair in the bathroom.

2) Small tent and sleeping bag on beach near Lincoln City Oregon....Tide came in and I'm under water.

3) Rest area north of Redding CA.......Walked away from parked cars and thew down sleeping bag.....Get up and I'm 3 ft from a steep hillside I could have tumbled down in the dark and gotten seriously injuried.

4) Rest area off I-5 near San Diego.....Just a sleeping bag. Sprinklers came on in the middle of the night.

5) 1978 on I-90 west of Liviningston, MT......A lack of towns, fuel, daylight and no lack of beer mandated an immediate stop for the night. Pitched a tent in the median of the freeway. Never a good idea.....

6)....Early '80's.....Woke up in some gals bed in northern Calif......Gotta leave early....No idea where I am or how to get out of the neighborhood.......

7) Southern Iowa........Local gal sez...You gotta call my friend Johnnie and stay with her..............OMG.

There's more.........But, only motels for at least the last 20 years....

Sounds like a flashlight would have helped you in a few of those situations and the rest were a result of drunkenness.

[Bill Douglas]

Try not to take too much stuff with you. This is a pic of a high country motorbike ride I did. My one is the red Honder.

[recycled sixtie]

Motion and Wayner should have some input.......

[Jeff Higgins]

Here is my current back packing and moto camping tent:

https://www.rei.com/product/128692/rei-co-op-half-dome-2-plus-tent

I find a "two man" tent to be about ideal for one of me. I like the rainfly design that has the outer vestibule areas for my boots, helmet, and rain gear.

Here is my current back packing and moto camping sleeping bag. I like the semi-mummy style, finding a pure mummy style to be way too confining, and a big square one to be unnecessarily big. Pick a temperature range based on what they rate it at, plus whether you sleep "hot" or "cold". For example, I'm down to my skivies with one leg hanging out of the bed, sweating, while my wife has her flannel night shirt, wool socks, and sometimes her wool hat on and she is still "cold". Get one that's rated warmer than the temps you expect if you sleep "hot", and cooler if you sleep "cold".

https://www.rei.com/product/127386/rei-co-op-trail-pod-30-sleeping-bag

Equally important is a dry bag, like they use for river rafting and stuff. Nothing worse than crawling into a wet sleeping bag after setting up a wet tent. Something like this:

https://www.rei.com/product/114970/nrs-bills-bag-dry-bag-65-liters

As far as where to pitch your tent, I've had experiences similar to Bob's - too many dicey spots where I wound up wet or worse. I now stick to state parks or national parks. I've never reserved in advance and have never had any trouble finding a spot for a bike. Granted, I avoid holiday weekends, preferring not to compete with the motor homes and campers on the road or for a spot in the campground.

I have had good luck with KOA's as well. I like their Camp Cabins, usually a one room, two bed little log cabin affair. These have saved me in a downpour on many occasions.

So, if you grab a few parks guides to include the states you will be traveling through, a national parks, and a KOA, you should be set. There is always one or the other somewhere close to your intended route. This has worked for me for 40 years.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by speeder

Sounds like a flashlight would have helped you in a few of those situations and the rest were a result of drunkenness.

Monday Morning Quarterbacks are Over-Rated: You asked about "Camping" from the Experienced - Don't Shoot the Messenger.......

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Here is my current back packing and moto camping tent:

https://www.rei.com/product/128692/rei-co-op-half-dome-2-plus-tent

I find a "two man" tent to be about ideal for one of me. I like the rainfly design that has the outer vestibule areas for my boots, helmet, and rain gear.

Here is my current back packing and moto camping sleeping bag. I like the semi-mummy style, finding a pure mummy style to be way too confining, and a big square one to be unnecessarily big. Pick a temperature range based on what they rate it at, plus whether you sleep "hot" or "cold". For example, I'm down to my skivies with one leg hanging out of the bed, sweating, while my wife has her flannel night shirt, wool socks, and sometimes her wool hat on and she is still "cold". Get one that's rated warmer than the temps you expect if you sleep "hot", and cooler if you sleep "cold".

https://www.rei.com/product/127386/rei-co-op-trail-pod-30-sleeping-bag

Equally important is a dry bag, like they use for river rafting and stuff. Nothing worse than crawling into a wet sleeping bag after setting up a wet tent. Something like this:

https://www.rei.com/product/114970/nrs-bills-bag-dry-bag-65-liters

As far as where to pitch your tent, I've had experiences similar to Bob's - too many dicey spots where I wound up wet or worse. I now stick to state parks or national parks. I've never reserved in advance and have never had any trouble finding a spot for a bike. Granted, I avoid holiday weekends, preferring not to compete with the motor homes and campers on the road or for a spot in the campground.

I have had good luck with KOA's as well. I like their Camp Cabins, usually a one room, two bed little log cabin affair. These have saved me in a downpour on many occasions.

So, if you grab a few parks guides to include the states you will be traveling through, a national parks, and a KOA, you should be set. There is always one or the other somewhere close to your intended route. This has worked for me for 40 years.

Thanks, man. That was very helpful.

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Monday Morning Quarterbacks are Over-Rated: You asked about "Camping" from the Experienced - Don't Shoot the Messenger.......

Lol...

[Walter_Middie]

In general, I’d say that what works for backpacking, works for motorcycle camping. Small and light. I have 3 tents. One big one that I only use for car camping - more like a small house - one dome tent that I hate, and one like Jeff’s tent from REI for 2 persons. Like Jeff, I’d say a small 2 person “A” frame tent is about right - small enough to pack easily, but large enough to sleep in and keep my stuff inside the tent.

The tent I hate is a dome tent with lots of room. The problem with it is the rain fly. The fly covers the tent in a way that doesn’t allow any airflow. It gets hot and stuffy. The smaller 2 person “A” frame tent allows much better airflow, yet is plenty big enough for sleeping and storage. I’ve survived a couple of days in the pouring rain in this tent without any problems.

The real question you need to consider is eating. Are you going to bring a stove, utensils, food, and a way to clean up? I prefer to stop and eat at a restaurant or get something from a grocery store, and pick up OJ, bagels, and yogurt for the morning. Not cooking saves a lot of space and time. That way you are only taking a sleeping bag, a tent, and a collapsable soft sided cooler. If coffee in the morning is a must, a small stove and pot can make hot coffee, tea, or cocoa.

[wayner]

When are you going and what area are you traveling?

Im heading cross country late June. PM me if you want.


There are sites like Camp free in BC (directions to hydro dams, hiking trial heads etc in that province

In the US, I look for green spaces on a map, but do not camp on indian territory

I carry a two man tent, and keep all my gear inside with me.
I also carry a bivvy sack, I have slept in the ground next to my bike in truck stops and behind tourism booth if I have pushed it too long. (Bivvy sack set up and packed again in minutes)

gravel side roads, graveyards, power line easements all make good spots if you are looking for free.

Here is a sight with tips for free (otherwise just head to state park campgrounds etc)


https://freecampsites.net/how-to-find-more-sites/

Lots of good sites with advice if you google "camp free" or "motorcycle camp free"

https://rideapart.com/articles/go-motorcycle-camping-budget
http://www.bikercamps.com/campground_search_map


http://www.advpulse.com/adv-prepping/motorcycle-camping-tips/
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/mccamping-myths-realities.aspx

Also, stealth camping (hiding out or keeping a low profile)
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/stealth-camping-essentials.185529/
https://bicycletouringpro.com/50-best-stealth-camping-tips/