How to camp for free in national forests and live to tell the story.

I've been thinking about fringe-living and settling down, and what it means to do what we do. To carry on this not-quite-legitimate life. The "how" is easy - I tell you more of that than you ever cared to know. Sometimes, it's the "why" that catches in my throat.

But then, there's this.

From National Forest Service Land. Your land.

From a boondocking spot. Not your cow.

Maaaaw! We got company!
Quick! Run and get me a clean muumuu!

Jail Trail, Old Town Cottonwood

Riparian area along Verde River

Some teenaged boys were fishing here, arguing about who tangled the line. I felt like I was in 1954, but only in the good ways. 

The sky always looks grainy up close. Ask an astronaut.

I can tell you how to boondock here, if you're interested. No? Okay, no problem.

I need your input on an idea. I've been thinking of putting together some boondocking spots - that we have seen or used personally - that work well for summer camping. They would mesh, rather than overlap, with Marianne's excellent fall/winter/spring camping series. [← You should get these.] 

I'm thinking maps, coordinates, and pertinent information (phone/data signal? elevation?). If you're expecting sparkling travel narrative, you should pick up some Steinbeck.

The same information would still be free here within the blog, so is there any point? Would you ever pay for something you could dig up for free with a little effort? [← Who would do this?]

If you're thinking of venturing into National Forest Service land to boondock, you'll love the apps. It's not a centralized process, so some forests have them and some haven't them. Coconino and Prescott have them, Kaibab has apps for the Williams and Tusayan districts, but not yet the North Kaibab. You can tell exactly where you are in reference to permitted camping sites, and cell service is not required.

Pay no heed to my melancholy. The Sun hasn't shone through for hours.

~~~~~~~

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Best Grand Canyon experience ever! North Rim

Gaelyn set aside a precious day off to go on a ranger's holiday: she took us to Crazy Jug Point!
Crazy Jug is ON the Grand Canyon's North Rim, but it belongs to the National Forest Service rather than the National Park. Take a step over the edge, and you just scored a free admission into the park, which begins where the rock ledge ends.



I didn't think it was possible to be more awed by the Grand Canyon than I already was, but Gaelyn proved me wrong. Quiet so solid I could feel it in my chest. All the North Rim points seem to offer panoramic (from the Latin "canyon all around you") views, but Crazy Jug Point also usually offers complete seclusion (offer does not apply on holiday weekends).



There's a reason tourists don't flock here, and Gaelyn's giant diesel crew cab is a BIG clue. This is a definite "yes" for boondocking, but don't try it with a big rig. High-clearance and low-profile is what you need to get here. And a Kaibab National Forest map, because I'll never be able to give you directions. Marianne's Shunpiker's Guide to Boondocking in Arizona is our friend, too, because she camped here and lived to tell you how to do it, too.

This would work.

In the distance, you can see other view points (right to left: Timp, North Timp, other points I can't remember).  At the South Rim you can walk out to points, but the North Rim points demand a greater devotion, and a car.

We behaved unlike tourists and spent hours oohing over the vista. There was nowhere else in the world to be. We had brought a lunch, and Gaelyn sensibly carries blankets in her truck.







The point to the middle-right is Havasupai land on the South Rim.

Here's some cows. You'll see their corral, and maybe their snouts, on your way to Crazy Jug.

Thank you, Gaelyn! We keep saying "that was a great day!" to each other, so we say it to you, too.