Could Someone Give me Advice for a First Time Camper Exploring the Western U.S?

[priyash22]

Hello there,?

I am planning my first big camping adventure across the western U.S.; and I could really use some guidance from the experienced folks here. I have always been a fan of hiking and day trips; but this will be my first time doing a multi week camping road trip. My goal is to explore a few national parks; campgrounds; and some off the beaten path spots throughout California; Oregon; and Nevada. I will be traveling in a small SUV with a roof top tent.

I would love to hear about your favorite campgrounds or any hidden gems for dispersed camping that might be less crowded. I am especially interested in quieter places where I can really connect with nature.

I am flexible with my dates and wondering if there are any months that you would recommend for the best weather and minimal crowds; especially in spots like Yosemite; Crater Lake; or Great Basin.

Any must have gear for a road trip like this?? I have got the basics like a tent; stove; and sleeping bag; but I am curious if there is anything else you have found invaluable for camping in the West.

Also; I have gone through this post; https://www.wanderthewest.com/threads/picking-up-the-camper-plus-a-little-aws-devops-rogue-river-siskiyou-national-forest.7456/ which definitely helped me out a lot.

Since I will be spending a lot of time outdoors; I am also wondering if there is any wildlife I should be particularly cautious of; or general safety tips you would recommend.

Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Priyash, welcome to WTW!

You have a lot of questions packed into your post, and there are even more answers that vary with season and location. My first advice is to be at least minimally prepared for any kind of weather in any season. That means have layered clothing that keeps you warm and dry in cold wet conditions, and comfortably cool if you encounter a hot spell. Here in the west, you can encounter many different conditions during a season, based on geographic location and elevation. You don’t have to carry a ton of clothing, but do have layers that adapt to many conditions. Have the ability to keep advised on weather conditions. A nylon tarp with poles and lines is also a good idea.

A device that I think would have multi functions is a satellite communicator like an InReach, Spot, or even some phones. Two way communication IMO is the best, as people can message you about events and conditions, and you can reach out to let folks know where you are, and to call for help in an emergency. I prefer the InReach.

A lot of information about a park or area can be gleaned from the internet, and government agencies are very helpful with specific questions.

When to visit usually varies with location and season. For example, Death Valley (and other desert areas) would be extremely hot in summer, and more comfortable in winter. These areas also have extreme weather events like massive rain and floods. You don’t want to be caught in a dry stream channel when there is a possibility of rain. Additionally, the west has a “new” season. It’s fire season that brings large, fast moving wild fires and choking smoke. Here in Oregon, it started in June and it’s still going on. I recommend not having campfires unless you’re in an organized campground that has prepared fire pits, and there isn’t a ban on fires. We now never have camp fires.

You can usually camp for free on government lands, but do check with the controlling agencies before you camp. The BLM and USFS for federal lands, and state and counties for those lands.

Trip Reports here on WTW are a great way to help plan places to explore, and what to expect when you get there. Some YouTube channels are also good tools. Beware of the gonzo, I can go anywhere I want channels, look for those that have good backcountry ethics. Softroading the West is one that I often watch, although he is a fan of campfires. BTW, know the limitations of your vehicle. Dont push your luck.

An essential consideration for preparedness is to always have enough water, and know where to find more.

OK, I am wearing out my finger on the iPad, so will stop for now.

Please tell us about yourself. I suspect you’re in India, a beautiful country.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I agree with everything Wandering Sagebrush wrote. Excellent advice.

We just returned from a three week, plus a few days, trip to many of the areas you are interested in. Our experience was to expect crowds in the national parks, though oddly, if you drive 10 miles or so from the most popular places you can nearly always find solitude and natural beauty that rivals or exceeds the 'hot spots'.

You did ask about many things, which is good, but it may be more effective to study an area you want to go to and then ask us about that specific area.

I strongly second Sage's advice to be prepared for sudden changes in weather. And to always have more water than you think you need.

We carry the InReach Mini 2 satellite device for emergencies.

Get a set of Benchmark maps, one for each state you are interested in.

Bring books covering the areas and subjects you are interested in.

Ask us more questions as your plans develop.

 

[JHanson]

Well I definitely would skip Yosemite if you want minimal crowds.

You mention that you already have a tent; I hope it is a good one. So many people skimp on the tent, suffer through one or two miserable weather events, and decide the whole camping thing is idiocy. The tent should be your #1 priority for quality.

The West is rich with BLM lands where you'll find beautiful scenery and zero crowding. In fact it is far easier to find free remote camping in the western U.S. than it is in most parts of Africa or Australia.

Make sure you have a good tire plug kit, a good compressor, and a dual battery system, and you'll have covered about 90 precent of backcountry breakdowns. Please read this.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Well I definitely would skip Yosemite if you want minimal crowds.

You mention that you already have a tent; I hope it is a good one. So many people skimp on the tent, suffer through one or two miserable weather events, and decide the whole camping thing is idiocy. The tent should be your #1 priority for quality.

The West is rich with BLM lands where you'll find beautiful scenery and zero crowding. In fact it is far easier to find free remote camping in the western U.S. than it is in most parts of Africa or Australia.

Make sure you have a good tire plug kit, a good compressor, and a dual battery system, and you'll have covered about 90 precent of backcountry breakdowns. Please read this.

Jonathan, thanks for the reminder on both tent and tires! These are important!

 

[AWG_Pics]

Make sure you have a good tire plug kit, a good compressor, and a dual battery system, and you'll have covered about 90 precent of backcountry breakdowns. Please read this.

Excellent advice. I have both and really needed my Hulkman jump battery a little over a year ago when the truck battery died while up near Mt. Adams.

 

[rubberlegs]

Ditto on the jump battery. Thanks to Monte and Julie who loaned their to us!

 

[CPT Davenport]

You probably already know this from your hiking and day trips, but please be mindful about the footprint you leave behind. Nothing sucks the beauty out of mother nature more than the signs that her biggest predator (humans) had been there before you. Pack your trash, tread lightly and respect the landscape. Also have a plan to manage your human waste. Keep your food stored and out of sight, especially at night. No crumbs, scraps or even dirty dish water near your campsite. This will decrease a visit from unwanted beasts in the night. Bring adequate amounts of drinking water, warm clothes and a good first aid kit.

 

[craig333]

While Yosemite might be crowded its definitely worth a visit. As for wildlife there are some issues. Bears, Raccoons etc, can be problematic not so much for personal safety but they'll cause a lot of damage looking for food. Keeping a clean odor free camp is paramount. Knowing more about your interests would help. I'd recommend a stop at Lassen Volcanic National Park if volcanism/geology interests you. Usually not too crowded either. As for some of our more isolated spots, good luck getting that info. We guard those jealously

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Lassen is definitely a great visit.Manzanita Lk campground is a very nice place.There are tent loops with nice spots.
This time of year it's fairly quiet.There are to GGs farther into the park on lakes but might be closed soon.
Around Lassen NP there a number of camping areas.Lava Beds NM is nice this time of year not too hot. Miles of roads through lava flows.Medicine Lk is a nice area also quiet this time of year.
Olympic NP the coastal side has a great CG walking distance from a remote beach.
Enjoy the camping.
Frank

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

The trip may be already in progress since I jumped in late, but in case the OP is still listening or for others with the same question, my 2¢:

* Have paper maps, or an atlas book. Benchmark Atlas makes one for each state. Readily available online or in most small town stores. All marked roads are generally safe to travel in passenger cars. Don't over-rely on GPS either in your car or on your phone. The news around here is full of those who "die by GPS" because they ignored what should be common sense or observed increasing danger and drove into situations that lead to a long and miserable death. Death by being stuck in deep snow and no one within 100 miles while driving on an obviously unfit dirt road in winter; or being lead through a "short cut" only to find the road is not really a road at all. Don't be afraid to turn around, stay alive.

* In Nevada, maintained dirt roads are often smoother than paved ones. That said, be aware of the limitations of your vehicle and don't push beyond them. Keep an eye out for wildlife and especially range cattle. In Nevada and California, at least - and I suspect other states as well - you are liable for the cost to the rancher of his lost cow; your insurance company may or may not cover your now totaled vehicle.

* Make sure you have good tires. The middle of nowhere is no place to have two or more flat tires or find that your tiny donut spare tire is flat or you don't have one at all.

* Be aware of where you park in your dispersed camping spot. Make sure there is no brush or tumbleweeds under your car. Your car's catalytic converter can start brush on fire after you park until it cools down.

* Keep plenty of water on hand. Not just a couple small bottles of drinking water. Since you plan on camping, I'd carry a 5-gallon jug and maybe two or more 1-gallon jugs that you can stash in the car. Maybe have a water filtering device on hand, in case you need to obtain water from a nearby spring if you are out of water or have to wait for help in case of a breakdown. Food is secondary in an emergency, but a supply of foods that don't need refrigeration or cooking to eat is handy and helps to keep you as comfortable as possible.

* Depending on the area you are visiting and camping, there are plenty of wildlife. Even near big cities in California are found bears, mountain lions and coyotes. Those are found in abundance in rural areas, though bears are not found in Nevada other than the Lake Tahoe area and in some of the higher ranges of the northeastern part of the state. There are plenty of snakes, ranging from docile to dangerous. In the colder climates rattlesnakes generally are less aggressive, but venomous just the same. In my neck of northern Nevada are wild horses, antelope, deer, elk and a few moose. Beautiful to watch; stay away from the moose, especially mothers with calves (as well as most large animals with young ones). Don't badger badgers, which are abundant in western states as well. Those front claws make Freddy Kruger jealous ...

* Yosemite, as said, is generally a zoo. Stay east of Yosemite and you can enjoy more solitude but be close to amenities in the small towns that dot highway US395.

* In eastern California are found the oldest trees in the world. A real ghost town kept in a state of arrested decay (Bodie). In Death Valley National Park you can go from snowcapped peaks to burning bad water in a couple of hours on the same day. At Mammoth Mountain, you can often go snow skiing on July 4th. Or visit a real World War 2 era Japanese internment camp that is part of the National Park system. Local museums are a treat. You can take a ride on a real working narrow gauge railroad motor car around the yard of a former narrow gage depot and community, which still has a steam locomotive and a string of cars.

* In the western Sierra Nevada of California you can drive through the rustic small towns that were once famous cities in the 1800s during the famous gold rush; all set in rustic mountains and tall timber.

* You can drive lonely highways where you might not see a single vehicle for lengthy periods of time. In north central Nevada you can find a real slice of a redwood tree, then follow one of those long lonely highways across part of the state, then into Oregon and end on a California beach just south of the Oregon state line and where that redwood slice came from.

As mentioned, look for trip reports here to create a list of places to see and enjoy based upon your interests. Also research personal safety and protocol in the open land. There are some two-legged predators to be found out there also.