The story is almost a cliche at this point. America’s most popular National Parks (and the campgrounds within them) are overcrowded. So are many of our country’s most popular private campgrounds. Many RVers are feeling frustration when they try to get reservations at these places. Here at the RV Atlas we do feel that this story has been beaten to death with very little nuance, but nevertheless, there are elements of truth to the overcrowding narrative The most popular campgrounds at the most popular places are full.

But there are so many other places to go if you want more space and more privacy, aren’t there?  With the rise of more capable solar systems many RV owners are looking to camp a bit further from civilization. They are looking for dispersed camping spots in our National Forests and on BLM land. But are those campers prepared? Do they know how to camp responsibly on public land?

This photo and featured image compliments of Brian Chaszar

Many American’s are heading out to camp on our public lands and they are woefully unprepared. Dispersed camping on BLM land or National Forest Service land is quite a bit different than camping at a KOA. If you want to camp responsibility on public lands it will require more education and outdoor competency. In turn, camping in these places can offer greater freedom and a wilder experience for those that want a deeper connection to the natural world. We want our readers and podcast listeners to know what they are doing when they head out for a camping adventure on public land. So we decided to interview an expert and get his best tips and tricks for camping responsibly on public land. Because we always believe that you should know before you go instead of learning potentially painful lessons during your stay.

Greg M. Peters is the former director of communications at the National Forest Foundation and the author of Standup Paddling Montana and most recently, Our National Forests: Stories From America’s Most Important Public Lands. Greg’s latest book is truly beautiful and will look great on your coffee table or on the shelf. It is also imminently readable and the chapters can be tackled separately, or in one enjoyable read. Our National Forests is also filled with gorgeous photography. We consider it a must read for anyone that is interested in the past. present, and future of the NFS. To celebrate National Forest Week we invited Greg onto the RV Atlas podcast to help teach our audience how to camp responsibly on public land.  He was so wonderful to talk to and we learned so much from him in this terrific interview.

Greg M. Peters (photo compliments of Ray Foote)

Greg believes that recreating in our National Forests and on BLM land is a privilege and not a right, and that we all need to learn how to camp responsibly on public land before we go. He is passionate about our public lands and wants all tent campers and RV owners to be prepared before they go camping inside of these beautiful places. Greg has tons of tent camping experience, but he is also an RV owner. His family has an R-Pod and they use it regularly to camp on public lands.

To listen to our interview with Greg M. Peters click on the medial player above. Or subscribe to the RV Atlas podcast wherever you get your shows.

To read Greg’s show notes about how to camp responsibly on public land, just keep scrolling right here!

Photo by Greg M. Peters

• Permits, licenses, policies, and other regs
  
  • Buy online in advance, have with you…
    
  
  
• Campsite limitations and amenities
  
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• Lay of the land and recreational opportunities
  
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