Trailhead Overnight Parking

[4GNomad]

Anyone had success staying at trailhead parking areas overnight?  I am thinking about trying it out up in Lake Tahoe in the coming weeks since free camping is limited close to the lake and I am trying to keep away from casino parking lots for boondocking.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Can't speak about the west coast but in the white mountains of NH it's very common to see cars left overnight with people's hiking plans taped to the window.


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[TMG51]

Sounds like a good place to break into vehicles. But, as a neighboring Vermonter, I understand stuff like that only happens on drug areas.

 

[highdesertranger]

I am not familiar with the trail heads around Lake Tahoe. I imagine they are like any other trail head. if you just stay one night it wouldn't be a problem. you are technically not supposed to camp at a trail head. the trail heads close to big cities are a draw for thieves breaking into vehicles, but the further out you go this is really not a problem. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Anyone had success staying at trailhead parking areas overnight? 

I have done it a lot in the west (though not around Lake Tahoe).

General observations:

 - like HDR said, the closer to a big city the more likely someone will try to break into your rig.
 - Popular trailheads are sometimes posted No Overnight Camping.
 - A lot of hikers will either sleep at a trailhead to get an early start or stay after coming back late.
 - If a trailhead is popular with not enough parking, don't be a jerk.  Find somewhere else to stay.
 - Lots of the less popular trailheads you will be alone.  Especially during the week.

  -- Spiff

 

[Raven+Squid]

It seems to be easiest to find spots south of the lake in NFS land. How is the snow pack now?

You,ll have plenty of options if the roads are snow free and won't have to park at a trailhead.

Btw we've left our van for a week at a time at trail heads ( all over the west).No problem yet. Like was said the closer to a populated area you are the risk goes up exponentially with car break ins. You can call Tahoe national forest and they will tell you if there are problem areas.

I'll try to find some NFS roads that may work(depends on the snow).

What's the max distance from the lake do you want to be?

 

[Raven+Squid]

Monitor pass on on hwy 89.  Company meadows.

 

[4GNomad]

Can't speak about the west coast but in the white mountains of NH it's very common to see cars left overnight with people's hiking plans taped to the window.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the tip!

I have done it a lot in the west (though not around Lake Tahoe).

General observations:

 - like HDR said, the closer to a big city the more likely someone will try to break into your rig.
 - Popular trailheads are sometimes posted No Overnight Camping.
 - A lot of hikers will either sleep at a trailhead to get an early start or stay after coming back late.
 - If a trailhead is popular with not enough parking, don't be a jerk.  Find somewhere else to stay.
 - Lots of the less popular trailheads you will be alone.  Especially during the week.

  -- Spiff

Would never be a jerk about it. This would more then likely be during the week.

It seems to be easiest to find spots south of the lake in NFS land. How is the snow pack now?

You,ll have plenty of options if the roads are snow free and won't have to park at a trailhead.

Btw we've left our van for a week at a time at trail heads ( all over the west).No problem yet. Like was said the closer to a populated area you are the risk goes up exponentially with car break ins. You can call Tahoe national forest and they will tell you if there are problem areas.

I'll try to find some NFS roads that may work(depends on the snow).

What's the max distance from the lake do you want to be?

I am sure snowpack is still an issue this early. I was just looking into the future for a possible summer run when it starts to get hot in the Reno valleys. I will probably stop by the Tahoe NF office to ask about this stuff and perhaps get some areas where they allow dispersed.

Monitor pass on on hwy 89.  Company meadows.

I've seen a couple places down that way on 89 via freecampsites.net.

Thanks for the feedback all. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Yep, stayed at a bunch around the West without issues (not at any posted no-camping though) but never tried any in California as it is pretty much guaranteed to be woken by a knock on the door in the middle of the night. You may get away with it here and there, but will you get any good sleep?