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polarlyse · 07-02-2015, 10:25 AM

We are planning another western adventure beginning late July. Will be looking to maybe do a combination of hook-up camping and some dispersed camping. I have no problem with a single night stay anywhere. Having a fully self contained unit we can literally pull over anywhere and leave when we're done with no external needs. My question stems around staying a few days in a dispersed camping environment. If using your AS as a base and taking hikes or hanging out and simply enjoying your remote location all's good. BUT if your planning to stay a few days and do some sightseeing in the area or heading up into some mountain 4x4 trails and being gone for a day is it OK to leave our trailers for an extended day trip ????? I would feel better if there were a few others around, but then again that might defeat the dispersed camping idea. Am I worrying about nuttin or is this something we should be concerned with ?????

Would appreciate hearing from others that have experienced the dispersed camping offered in the wide open spaces of the American West.
Thanks all, see ya on the road sometime.

Aerowood · 07-02-2015, 10:49 AM

Here in Colorado dispersed camping accounts for approximately 98% of my camping. It's never been a problem leaving the Airstream all day long. Securing for weather changes is really the biggest concern because it can change in 10 minutes. Do not count on any thing automatic to close. Use water and battery sparingly and you can stay for an extended time. 2 weeks max

Thalweg · 07-02-2015, 11:36 AM

In the Bighorns, you're allowed to occupy a site for up to 14 days. Many locals leave their campers in the mountains all summer long, just moving them every two weeks. We've left ours up there for a couple of weeks at a time and never had a problem. Moreover, I've never heard of anyone having a problem either. I typically try to pick a fairly remote site. If I can see another camper, it's too crowded.

polarlyse · 07-02-2015, 11:56 AM

Glad to hear from you both. Comforting to know that I need not be worried about any problems in remote areas. We were thinking about some dispersed camping north of Ouray, Co for a few days but was concerned about leaving for a day excursion into the mountains. I feel better already.

ThanX

McDave · 07-02-2015, 06:53 PM

I feel the same way whenever I get a new truck and leave it at a trailhead. Is it going to be there when I get back? So far, it has. Are ground squirrels going to eat through my hoses? So far, they haven't. But these things have happened to other people, and will continue to happen. I don't know of any alternative other than not going. I buy insurance and hope for the best.

StreamDog · 07-03-2015, 01:29 PM

Dispersed camping, a.k.a. boon-docking or dry docking/camping. We turn off the water pump or shore water when leaving the camper for any extended period of time.