How to claim a campsite

[WJS5117]

Boondocking campsites are almost by definition "first come, first serve". So say I've found this wonderful campsite with a fantastic view and wish to stay there for a couple weeks. But after a few days, I need to head to the store with my camper-van and upon return, find that someone else has taken my dream spot! How do you minimize this or prevent it? Do you camper-van folks leave a cheap tent behind when you drive off for the day. Or do you pound a stake in the ground with a sign "Back at 3pm"?

 

[highdesertranger]

I make sure I don't need to run to town. I leave my camp set up all the time and am gone all day, but my vehicle and camp is still there. that said I don't go where most people go. there is no legal way to prevent someone from taking your spot, as you said it is first come first serve and that's the law. highdesertranger

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

...  that said I don't go where most people go.  

I think that's the key --- going where most people can't/don't want to go and staying there for as long as possible (then hope when/if you do have to vacate for a period of time)

 

[rvpopeye]

A cheap tent and a lawn chair.

 

[Almost There]

The campsite I'm in is far enough back off the road that someone might pull in to the 'driveway' thinking it was empty, only to have to back their rig out again when they see my stuff. Or think that it was big enough to share...  

Today for the first time, I posted a 'site occupied' sign at the end of the driveway. Made it up from a piece of scrap cardboard, some duct tape and a 1/4" steel rod I had on hand.

I left my lawn chair, my mat, the step stool and the table sitting in the campsite along with a couple of 5 gallon buckets that do double duty as supports for my solar panels. I took the solar panels with me! Them and the generators do NOT get left on site with no one in attendance.

Have I lost anything doing it this way - which I do all the time btw - yes, once! I came back, settled in to my campsite and then realized that something was out of place! Took me a minute before I figured out that someone had carefully moved my propane stove and a stool and had stolen the table that the stove had been sitting on. Go figure - they left an $80.00 propane stove, a $50.00 propane tank, two lawn chairs, a milk crate of full water jugs, an RV mat, total was all more valuable than the $25.00 table they took.

Not bad for 16 years of doing this as needed.

I figured it was considerate of them, since the table was too small anyways...   I went to W/M the next day and bought the better sized table. Obviously someone needed the table more than I did!

 

[skyl4rk]

Set up a screen tent and a clothesline.

 

[MrNoodly]

Or travel and camp with a friend. One tends the camp while the other is gone.

 

[Florida boondocker]

My way is pretty simple, where i boondock is free but they require a copy of your permit at campsite to contact you if needed
i post this 

give the info needed and lets everyone know leave me alone,
 so far people respect it 

if i want company i turn it around backwards 
it's a professional sign reflective and even the game warden is cool with it too

 

[Dgorila1]

I like the professional sign idea. Simple, clearly stated and effective.

 

[highdesertranger]

that sign will not work out west. you cannot post a "No Trespassing" on public land. anybody who is following the law can walk though and do any lawful activity on your campsite. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

OK....I've got on my Flameproof vest......and my dander up!

A different point of view.
We are camping/living on PUBLIC land.
You do not "own" a "Private Campsite" on PUBLIC land.
First come, first serve, no reservations, no "Hold for ME" signs.
You move your camp, you take your chances on having the same spot when you return. Simple.
Don't like it? Feel free to pay for a regular campsite in a national/state/private campground and that site is now reserved for YOU.
Or you can leave your camp set up and simply walk/ride a bike/atv to run  errands.

Sort of ironic that some folks want to "live the free life" but insist on "owning" a piece of PUBLIC land.
Another camper has to respect your "Private Campsite" on PUBLIC land? Short answer is : Hell NO!
Bottom Line: It's not YOUR land, it's all of OURs. You are welcome to stay but you don't "own" nor can you "reserve" anything.

Big problem with this on Lake Havasu. Boating/campers will scout out a location the night before, set up a "Reserved Beach" sign and leave to return a few days later. Check with the LEOs there...there have been ugly incidents over this same concept. The "official answer" is a campsite is "occupied" when a tent and such is set up and has to be people there within 24 hours BUT "Occupation is 90% of the law". 

Is your world so small that you need to "reserve" a PUBLIC space just for you? There is a difference between camping and homesteading...........


It's not about YOU on PUBLIC lands...it's about all of US!
Rant over......

Happy Trails!
Chuck

 

[DuneElliot]

This is definitely one of the benefits of a truck and trailer set-up.

 

[Fluffhead]

Sort of ironic that some folks want to "live the free life" but insist on "owning" a piece of PUBLIC land.
Another camper has to respect your "Private Campsite" on PUBLIC land? Short answer is : Hell NO!
Bottom Line: It's not YOUR land, it's all of OURs. You are welcome to stay but you don't "own" nor can you "reserve" anything.

Well said!

 

[TrainChaser]

Some people don't respect anyone or anything. Here in WA, I've PAID for a campsite, left a cheap folding chair to mark it as taken, and left my paid/dated form in the little holder. Then I've driven to the lake to take some photos near sunset, and have come back to find my paper tag gone, another rig in my site, and some AH sitting in my chair.

I've camped in a lot of places, and never had that problem; just here here in WA.

 

[bonvanroulez]

Some people don't respect anyone or anything.  Here in WA, I've PAID for a campsite, left a cheap folding chair to mark it as taken, and left my paid/dated form in the little holder.  Then I've driven to the lake to take some photos near sunset, and have come back to find my paper tag gone, another rig in my site, and some AH sitting in my chair.  

I've camped in a lot of places, and never had that problem; just here here in WA.

This has never happened to me but I've heard it happening to others. So now whenever I sign into a pay campsite I take a photo of my filled-out registration with the cash showing in the picture, and a photo of my tag on the site post. If someone steals my paid-for site we'll be discussing it with a ranger or LEO. I have dozens of photos on my phone of campsite registrations!

 

[GotSmart]

I was in Q early for the 2015 RTR.  I had a nice little area set up, with a couple neighbors about 200 yards away.     I went to town to stock up on food and water.  I left a old camp stove and a few other things next to my fire ring.  Enough to show that it was an ocupied camp site.  

One hour later when I returned, my stove was gone.  I have my suspicions who took it.  I just hope they were pissed when it failed to work  :dodgy:

During the 2016 RTR, I made sure I was surrounded by people that knew me.  I could leave a lot of items out with no fear of them vanishing into "Santa's jeep"

I honestly believe that if someone is camped someplace, they have the right to be able to come back to the same spot without some jerk taking their camping spot. Just because it is public land does not give someone the right to push you off of it.

Stick around children, and learn to respect others. :dodgy:

 

[ZoNiE]

A chair is not enough. Might look left behind. An EZ-UP and a table setting with chairs is better, and a tent even better than that. That's what usually works here in AZ.

Our problem on the Mogollon Rim is people are bringing their RV's up wed or thurs and then leaving it there until they return the following saturday morning with the kiddies. I have gotten up there friday mid-day only to see several ghosted RV's. Kind of a bummer. It's not cool.

It's OK to "hold" your site if you need to run to the store, go fishing, etc. and most people will respect your site. But to hold it for any longer than one daylight period ahead of or between your trips is uncool. As someone said, It is OUR land.

I also take a photo of the registration card. It's a good idea.

 

[highdesertranger]

on public land the problem comes when you don't know if it is trash that the last camper left or an occupied site. if you can't camp where every broken camp chair is it's cutting your spots way down. I have found several of these campsites throughout the years, if I want to camp there I do and haul the broken stuff to the dump. and no Got Smart I didn't haul your stove to the dump, LOL. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

That was several days before you showed up.  

At that point only B & C and John & Annie.

http://jrthereandbackagain.blogspot.com/2015/01/day45-50-new-neighbors.html

 

[DannyB1954]

Set up a screen tent and a clothesline.

Hang up some old undies on the clothesline. You know worn out elastic, a hole or two. Paint a skid mark in the most prominent one. LOL