Truck Camping Photo Thread

Last year's setup. This year will be a little different. I just ordered a few things from CVT.

 

Man, I can't wait to get out.
My son is already asking when we are going.

 

Has camping gotten too "trendy" where all of you live? I don't know about other places, but California (a lot of it coastal) has gotten so impacted with campers, you have to reserve months/sometime a year in advance. Not to mention it's much more expensive then it used to be.

I remember 10-15 years ago you could basically go anywhere you wanted, with an exception of a handful of spots and not need a reservation, and still see plenty of empty spots. Now it's people on top of people on top of people, most places you go..

It's kind of lost it's fun, at least where I have seen in CA. That said I still want to go a couple times this summer...

 

Yeah, the state parks fill up quite fast in Mass., from what I have noticed. There are still places that are quiet though. Just have to find them.

 

Some of the more popular areas in AZ are always full much of the year... I've seen the changes over the last 25 years. That said, we still have a ton of places, especially if you want to dispersed/primitive camp outside an established campground. Love my open spaces.

Two night trip a couple weeks ago, north-central AZ.

 

Not really my style of camping but I gave it a shot.

 

Though you don't have to reserve spots in advance in most places in Wyoming, we have also seen an increase in people camping. It seems the majority isn't the local population, but people traveling from states nearby or even California. When I first started noticing this, I was rather upset but I have found out that it's actually a plus. Everything in life depends on numbers. The more people we have camping, the more the state and federal government will notice the need for these places. If we had our way and made it so you rarely encountered someone, then it would be increasingly hard to protect the land we love. I have found that it is relatively easy to escape the population by going an extra mile down a hiking trail or drive down a forest service road for a bit and camp along the road instead of designated sites. The only thing I wish I had more power with was knowledge of how to take care of trails and properly clean up a camp site. I might be trying to get in the position of Game Warden here in a year so I might find a way to spread some knowledge about the outdoors in that position.

 

I remember when Forest Service maps were free, picked one up on every trip since they disintegrated quickly. At least now that they cost money they last a long time.

 

Agree. In PA now they have mini-cabins (like storage shed size) so people without equipment can try "camping". Weekends and holidays are crowded but during the week isn't too bad. It used to be first come gets the campsite. Now with the reservation system good spots sit vacant because you get there Wednesday and want to stay a week but someone has the spot for Friday and Saturday night.

It used to be people went camping to get out and enjoy nature. Now it seems that all the "campers" want to do is live their lives like they do at home just in a different location with radios, generators and party lights. The woods used to be a quiet place. Not so much anymore. I could rant more but I'll stop because it won't change anything.

 

Same way in Wisconsin. Some state parks are a year out to get a spot. You can still show up on Fri. morning and get a spot on some of the less popular campgrounds. We tend to use the Indian (Kickapoo) grounds (first come, first serve) or National forests (camp anywhere).

I bet you have some interesting places out there!

Something else I didn't mention. It seems that camping is just a weekend drunk fest for much of the younger crowd anymore.

 

I don't think this is really different from the past. It's a place where law enforcement is not likely to be, therefore the 21 and younger kids can drink freely. I myself enjoy getting a good buzz around a campfire and sharing stories with friends. If it's just myself, I tend to enjoy some whiskey until the night time chill leaves my body.

I think the difference now days is that camping is more of a popular activity than it has been in the past. I think it just comes down to it being easier to find other people to get weird with in the woods.

 

I WI the Rangers will ticket and evict underage or people not following campground rules.
I have seen empty beer cases stacked like the Great Wall of China. And yes I have had a few around the campfire. This is WI after all!
Getting weird in the woods

 

They can be ticketed here, but the chances of a forest ranger coming knocking in the woods, or a police officer in town is big enough to not be an issue. I haven't had encounters with them personally, but from stories I have gathered that the ones here generally give a warning and leave you alone. At least in the back country areas. Getting smashed under age at the popular boating/fishing lakes is a great way to get a ticket.

 

North Chehalis Lake/Upper Chehalis River, British Columbia, Canada







See post #70 in my build thread for more pics/info from the same trip.

 

I have the weathermaster elite 17' x 19', its essentially the same except a little bigger and I think it had a few more options. My question to you is about your screened room, mine doesnt have curtains to close off the screen area, is that an add on in your screened area?

 

If where you're camping requires reservations you're not doing it right.

 

MTgirl awesome view!

 

Who do i have to kill to get a winch mount like this?!