How are you finding new camping spots?
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How are you finding new camping spots?

4x4 Badger

4x4 Badger

Active member
It seems when we find new camping spots, it's all luck and chance that bring use together. This morning over coffee my wife and I are trying to find some 'fresh' spots, places that we have not been too and would make good spots to camp.

I'm going to cheat and post this thread and see what comes from it. Thank you!
 
I find mine by exploring the area. Even as I drive, I look for spots and if I see something good, I flag it in my GPS. Last weekend I base camped for a couple of days in my local mountains. Saturday morning I spend checking out some near by trails on my mountain bike. I spotted a few solo spots but nothing worth keeping.

I also have good luck finding random spots on side trails. If I'm on a main dirt road and see a less used side trail I will normally find something within a few hundred yards. That works for me about everywhere. The desert will have sites that run along cliff edges. I look at the map and find a side road running along a hill. People tend to make camp near cliffs and inside coves. That has never failed me in the desert.

Looking at my mapping software at home doesn't really work other then giving me side trails to explore.

Decades of doing this and I still find new spots. Sometimes I go to a spot I haven't been in years just to find out you cant camp there. Occasionally I find myself having to search out a new spot. Solo or two to three vehicles is easy. More then that is an issue. Last weekend I found a handful of small spots but nothing for a mid sized group.
 
We belong to a few clubs and most we simply hear from others. But then driving around can be effective as well.
 
We signed for MeetUp group here, which has been a good source of tips. We use Google street view and recreation.gov has been helpful as well.
 
Google street view can be very handy, there are a number of apps that work very well for looking up campsites and cool spots. Look up Lyrt and Hipcamp
 
I've used Gaia for years. Giving OnX another try on a trip coming up so, we'll see if I change.
 
Friends, searching on Google, using Google street view if available or satellite view, if public camping spot there are photos that will often show up just by searching images for that particular campsite on Google.
 
I'm going to literally echo what you all have stated here. Just gotta keep your eyes open and when you do find a good spot, add a pin on Google or Gaia maps. Most good spots you need to get early and have backup plan if someone else is there already. So many times someone else is already in my spot I wanted.
 
For the most part, driving around and just exploring. There are a few spots I have picked up over the years from recommendations from others. But most part, exploring and Google.
 
Oh dang it, completely forgot I left this question. My wife was just asking me on some new spots and that reminded me I had asked this. Thank you all for the tips!!
 
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