Public Land Parking

[CiK01]

Heading out west for the first time this year. Am I allowed to just pull off the side of the road, park and walk in? Or do I have to park in designated area and go in?

 

[archer wapiti]

Depends.
Heavily used areas (near population centers) can have designated parking areas and even pay kiosks for popular trailheads. In the less-used parts of public land, you can pretty much pull off and park wherever. Generally you'll find where other people have done the same before you and there's no need to create your own parking spot or campground.
Don't be that guy.... Be courteous and make sure that you're not blocking access for other folks (e.g., by parking in the middle of a lightly-used 2-track road).
Also, if you've driven 5 miles and have seen only one party camped along the road, don't go back and camp right next to them unless you're invited, or there's genuinely no other place to camp. Find your own place and enjoy the solitude.

Lock up your vehicle and hit the trail. I pull the distributor rotor out of my older vehicles that have no way to lock the hood, lock the gas cap, and stash the battery in the back among my junk. That's for my own peace of mind, but I have never had a problem with tampering/theft.

 

[darcytribe]

I have the same question. Can you just pull off of a public road and park if there is room? Leave a note on the dash "gone hunting". In particular in Colorado.

 

[TJ]

Not sure where you are going, but in Oregon you can park pretty much anywhere you want. There are a few trail heads that you have to pay or buy a yearly pass. For the most part on public lands you may park where you please.

 

[sniper61]

If it's national forest you can camp anywhere you want for up to 2 weeks or so then move your camp. I remember 3 rules do not cut any tree that is alive have a shovel and a bucket. Enjoy it you own it to.

 

[tttoadman]

Lesson I learned once...don't park too close to a locked gate. The logging companies move their big oversize loads on the weekends. Even though it was totally legal, I wasted a couple hrs of these guys' time. They were pretty understanding when I showed up. They were about ready to creatively move my pickup a few yards down the rd when I walked around the corner.

 

[LongWayAround]

State land should have designated parking areas. You can park anywhere on federal lands.

 

[robby denning]

Depends.

Yep.

If you have the forest service map, it usually spells out that forest's laws pertaining to ingress/egress. 'round here seems like it's 300 feet with no damage to environ

 

[vanish]

Don't leave a note! Knowing (rather than guessing) you are not around invites people to mess with your vehicle.

 

[The John]

As others have said it depends. Here in OR there are special regulations for some areas but most of the time you can park on the side of the road and walk away. If you park along the side of a road (not in a parking area), make sure your off the road and there's space for people to drive by.

I dont leave a note behind, but I make sure to lock everything up and keep anything valuable hidden from view.

 

[fngTony]

Don't leave a note! Knowing (rather than guessing) you are not around invites people to mess with your vehicle.

Good point, I would let the local ranger district and sheriff office know my vehicle info and trip duration. That makes it easier if someone calls in an abandoned vehicle report.

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