long term camping

[highdesertranger]

I didn't know where to post this so I put it here.  this just dawned on me because of the recent post about cheap rv parks,  buying home base land,  boondocking,  etc.  here's an option not free but if you use them for a few years would be reasonable.  2 prospecting organization maybe more, have free long term camping for life members.  1st,  the new 49ers they are mainly on the Klamath river in northern cal and the rouge river in southern Oregon.  2nd lost Dutchman mining association which has properties in: or, ca, az, sc, ga, nc, mi, and co.  if you have a lifetime membership in either one of these they have a minimal yearly fee and long term camping privileges.  I am not trying to solicit members for either of these groups.  however I am a member of the new 49ers and will join the ldma someday.  I do this mainly for the long term camping although it's not boondocking it will give me someplace to go when I go full time in the future.  note new 49ers is mostly primitive camping,  ldma is both primitive and full hook ups.  the people you meet at both of these clubs are good people that are into looking for gold.  this is just an idea I am throwing out there as an option for long term campers.  I will state again,  I am not soliciting membership just giving you all a heads up.  highdesertranger

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Sounds like a cool option, highdesertranger - but what are the requirements of membership, other than dues? <br><br>In other words; I'm thinking that an organization formed for specific interests wouldn't care to have members who pay dues for the sole purpose of having a spot to camp out on, would they? <br><br>I'm only asking because I really don't know. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[cyndi]

Thanks for share,&nbsp; HDR! That's a really cool option!

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<A href="http://www.goldprospectors.org/Membership/LDMA/tabid/64/Default.aspx" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://www.goldprospectors.org/Membership/LDMA/tabid/64/Default.aspx</A><BR><BR>and&nbsp;&nbsp; <A href="http://www.goldgold.com/" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://www.goldgold.com/</A><BR><BR>Sounds interesting.&nbsp; It looks like you may pay continuing fees, but you&nbsp;are getting something for your dues.&nbsp;I haven't looked at the site closely yet. I'm still several years away.

 

[offroad]

This is a great discussion folks.&nbsp; There are fraternal organizations that do this also.&nbsp; THE ELKS CLUB has camping hookups at many of their lodges for the single overnight.&nbsp; Or so I have read.&nbsp; You might check into them.&nbsp; Maybe even check AMERICAN LEGION outposts to see if they have single night primitive camping allowed on their land.<BR><BR>We should have a FAQ that lists all the possibilities.&nbsp; Links to main web site, and to specific discussions.<BR><BR>Also think its not bad to look at church groups that have this.&nbsp; Just not on the weekend.

 

[ADKhermit]

I was a member of the Gold Prospectors Assoc. of America (GPAA) for two years.&nbsp; I guess you could call me an arm chair prospector, my health keeps me from doing much of anything.&nbsp; Just wanted to say its much cheaper to join the GPAA currently $84.50 a year, family membership.&nbsp; This gives you access to 400+ claims/leases, as per their website.&nbsp; Doesn't give you access to LDMA sites.&nbsp; Just use the web address dragonfly listed and go to their home page/membership/GPAA.<br><br>Not trying to drum up membership for these guys, just wanted to say you don't have to lay out the price of lifetime membership to LDMA if your just looking for a place to camp.&nbsp; Don't know if you would be run off if you weren't actually prospecting, if your dues are current what could anyone say?&nbsp; I may be way off here please do your own research before spending your hard earned cash.<br><br>I had thought of this myself, and will probably renew my membership before I head out.&nbsp; Just another option while on the road.&nbsp; Be advised a large number of these are 4x4 only.&nbsp; The mining guide you get with membership lists these claims by state with maps, directions, gps coordinates etc.&nbsp; updates throughout the year with the newsletter.&nbsp; Probably worth the membership price to a prospector.<br><br>Keith

 

[offroad]

you might also prospect for fossels and for meterorites and for other rare items.&nbsp; like your sanity.&nbsp; <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[highdesertranger]

I am a member of the gpaa but you don't get the long term camping benefit, it's a&nbsp;14 day limit like blm, forest service.&nbsp; I don't know off the top of my head what the yearly dues are for ldma, for the new 49ers it's 50 bucks a year.&nbsp; I believe it's true about elks and American legion also.&nbsp; see I sparked a conversation about the subject.&nbsp; there are probably more orgs out there lets hear about them.&nbsp; in my simple mind I can't imagine anybody that would not be into digging wealth out of the ground with noting more than a shovel and a pan.&nbsp; but that's just me.&nbsp; as far as meteorites our beloved government got involved you are now restricted as far as&nbsp;hunting for and selling&nbsp;as of last year, &nbsp;can't have people making a honest dollar.&nbsp; &nbsp;highdesertranger

 

[blars]

While the winter LTVAs are fairly well known the summer BLM LTVA campgrounds near Bishop, California seem to be less well known.&nbsp; It's $300 to camp in them all season, or $100 for a month.&nbsp; There is a limit on how many permits they sell.&nbsp; See my blog (linked below) for pictures of the Lake Crowley one.