Lumo, I want to be able to travel anywhere in the western US, have a safe place to sleep anywhere I go, and never pay for a motel room, RV space, or any other rent by the night option. What options are available to me?
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6. Drop into California’s Sierra Nevada – Use dispersed camping on the Inyo National Forest, then snag a backcountry permit for a night near Yosemite’s high country.
7. Finish in Southern California – Park at a truck stop near Joshua Tree, then explore free camping in the adjacent BLM desert.
Along the way, sprinkle in a few couch‑surfing stays in towns where you want a break from tent life, and perhaps a WWOOF stint on a farm in the Central Valley for a week of free lodging and fresh produce.
Quick Checklist Before You Go
Map your public‑land options – Sites like FreeCampsites.net, the BLM’s “Recreation.gov” portal, and the USFS “Camping” pages are gold mines.
Download offline maps – Apps like Gaia GPS or Maps.me work without cell service.
Pack essential gear – Tent or tarp, sleeping bag rated for expected temps, portable stove, water filtration, and a reliable satellite messenger (e.g., Garmin inReach) for remote emergencies.
Leave No Trace – Pack out all trash, use established fire rings (or no fire), and respect wildlife.
Check local COVID/health advisories – Some parks still have reservation systems or capacity limits.
Final Thought
Traveling the western U.S. without paying for traditional lodging is absolutely doable, but it does demand a bit of planning, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace low‑tech comforts. By mixing dispersed camping, strategic use of hospitality networks, and occasional work‑exchange gigs, you can keep costs near zero while still enjoying safe, legal, and memorable nights under the stars.
Let me know if you’d like deeper info on any particular state, a list of specific BLM sites, or tips on setting up a reliable satellite‑messenger safety plan!
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Interesting to me that the kitty didn’t say a thing about camper-trailers of any kind, and seemed to assume that I only had a car and would therefore be sleeping in a tent.
But it did provide resources that don’t always make that assumption.
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I’m getting much closer to resurfacing and responding to the phone and the letters and all that.
There’s a big complicated project in the way of that.
I am making steady progress and you’d be within your rights to expect a belated connection soon.
Thanks for your patience. I did make you a video, in the meantime.