Imagine this: You’re pedaling a quiet dirt road through an endless pine forest as the afternoon sun sinks lower in the sky. You have no campground reservation or planned destination, but you’re not concerned. There are almost too many good camping options to choose from, but you’ll know the perfect one when you see it.
Just as your legs are feeling heavier and the air growing crisper, you spot it: an overgrown doubletrack leading off behind a small hill. You turn, follow, and there you are: a private clearing in the woods hidden from the road. You set up your shelter, cook dinner, and enjoy your home for the night, just you and the trees and a few small woodland critters. In the morning, you wake to the sound of birds, pack up your gear, and slip back to the dirt road to continue your journey.
This kind of camping is called dispersed camping, and if it sounds like a bike traveler’s idea of paradise, that’s because it is! Read on to learn where and how you can try dispersed camping on your next bike adventure.
This is the start of an article I wrote for the Adventure Cycling Blog. Read the rest on their website:
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Alissa, founder of Exploring Wild. I’ve traveled over 19,000 miles by bike and still can’t stop planning my next ride (and helping you plan yours). Pavement and panniers or singletrack and seat bag, I love it all. On my bike I feel free. Learn more about me here.
Shop Bikepacking Resources
digital help with planning, riding, and problem solving
Bike resources in your inbox?
There’s more where this came from! Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about bikepacking and bicycle touring.
Share the Adventure
If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it:
