Dispersed Primitive Camping in a US National Forest

Dispersed Primitive Camping in a US National Forest

This video describes the extra responsibilities and skills required for dispersed primitive camping, compared to campground camping. I also review the gear that I typically use.

(1) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO – Be prepared with proper map(s), information, and equipment. Check with authorities on what is allowed in your area.

(2) CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH – Use existing trails and avoid trampling seedlings or flowers. Walk on durable surfaces such as bare ground or rocks. Avoid making new trails between your campsite and the main trail.

(3) CAMP 200 FEET AWAY FROM TRAILS AND WATER SOURCES – If you are camping where others have camped before, pick a site that has been previously used. Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a “wild” setting.

(4) KEEP WATER CLEAN – Do not put soap, food or human waste in water. Bury human waste 4-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, camp or trails. In sensitive ecosystems, it may be necessary to carry-out human waste.

(5) STASH YOUR TRASH – Take your trash home and dispose of it properly.

(6) LEAVE IT AS YOU FIND IT – Leave vegetation, rocks and historical items as you found them. Don’t try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. For tents, pick a site that’s already level with good drainage.

(7) BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE – Be aware of local prohibitions on burning. Use camp stoves. If you make a campfire, don’t build new fire rings or build fires next to large rocks. Use dead wood from the ground; don’t break limbs off trees or cut trees.

(8) FOOD – Do not put food in your tent. Store food away from the reach of wild animals.

References:

Little Lake Creek Wilderness: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5291448

Texsport Camouflage Two-person Trail Tent: http://www.texsport.net/camouflage-person-trail-tent-pi-46-html-image-0.html

Bob808Knight Texsport Tent Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3yhVoGDSu0

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: http://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter-system-sp131/

Bushbox Hobo Stove: http://www.bushcraft-essentials.com/english/outdoor-stoves.html

Mini-Alice Pack: http://www.rothco.com/product-details/2272-rothco-mini-alice-pack

Haversack: purchased from an army surplus store; I was told it was from the Russian Army; similar haversacks may be purchased on the internet

Thermarest Self-inflating Sleeping Pad: http://www.amazon.com/Thermarest-Backpacker-Self-Inflating-Sleeping/dp/B00CGQXBRA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K38NARXVDPEH4N0QSD0

Eureka Casper 15F Sleeping Bag: http://store.eurekatent.com/casper-15

PHARRAOAH: http://www.youtube.com/user/PHARRAOH/featured

Videography by Ken Kramm, February 2013, Little Lake Creek Wilderness, Sam Houston National Forest, Texas, USA; Canon Vixia HF G10, IPhone5, Bushnell Trophy Cam XLT, Final Cut Pro X. “Call to Adventure” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Direct Link: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300022.

50 Comments

  1. John Mackinnon on August 24, 2022 at 4:58 am

    Good stuff!

  2. Patricia Nunez on August 24, 2022 at 4:58 am

    Don’t know how you slept on that hard ground. Other than that looks like a good time.

  3. B LAM on August 24, 2022 at 4:58 am

    What was that blurry thing behind you up in the left hand corner at about 9min 40sec of the video?

  4. Blues Man on August 24, 2022 at 4:58 am

    Boo !

  5. Paul Rivera on August 24, 2022 at 4:59 am

    How does it handle with heavy rain?

  6. Abraham Galicia on August 24, 2022 at 5:01 am

    Very good video I like how you teach us important things of camping… you a very relaxed man I really enjoy watching your video!!!

  7. BucketMouthWizard Fishing on August 24, 2022 at 5:01 am

    Can you hunt out on this area since it is public land and apart of San houston , would be cool to do this kind of camping and hunt if I could. Thanks for the reply if you see this

  8. ramrod 60th on August 24, 2022 at 5:06 am

    That’s the only way to Camp if you can’t public you have to worry about everybody stealing your stuff when you go take a shower camping used to be better than that I’ve been camping since the sixties when you camp like that leave it the way you found it leave nothing behind cool

  9. James Mueller on August 24, 2022 at 5:06 am

    You make very good video s I just love them

  10. Sooner Sasquatch on August 24, 2022 at 5:06 am

    Love your videos….

  11. Pnw adventurer on August 24, 2022 at 5:08 am

    Leatherman is a brand, a multitool is what you have

  12. HC's VLOGS on August 24, 2022 at 5:08 am

    Just eat mres

  13. Derek Baumgarten on August 24, 2022 at 5:08 am

    Can you disperse camp in the gaudalupe mountains?

  14. Mo Bo on August 24, 2022 at 5:13 am

    What law defense, does one have campijg in national forests?

  15. Robert Tolley on August 24, 2022 at 5:14 am

    I have this same tent. I been collecting camp stuff 8 years. Time to set up , trial, then take camping

  16. James Michaelis on August 24, 2022 at 5:18 am

    Still can’t find the tent………

  17. Mr808islands on August 24, 2022 at 5:19 am

    bro you got the bomb favorite mountain house products. have a good day

  18. Pix Axe Prepper on August 24, 2022 at 5:21 am

    My brother stays in national parks and free campgrounds 27/7. Currently at the Ocean Pond campground near Lake City, Florida. He will be headed to TN on the 1st of May. Getting warm and insects are heavy in FL this time of year.

  19. Alberto Martinez on August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am

    Hi awesome video what kind of tent is that and where’s is this location at please

  20. Just Me on August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am

    💙💚💛💜💖👍

  21. Wildlife KH on August 24, 2022 at 5:23 am

    good idea

  22. Soriya Cooking on August 24, 2022 at 5:24 am

    I like your video

  23. Ian Stewart - Buildabizonline on August 24, 2022 at 5:25 am

    Hi Ken, just started to watch your Chanel my friend love it. BUT you had something strange happen just as you were drinking the Acorn Coffee someone went into your Tent in the background

  24. Mr Woodsrat. on August 24, 2022 at 5:26 am

    Cool video.

  25. caffiend on August 24, 2022 at 5:27 am

    But is there caffeine in acorn coffee?

  26. Marie Doyle on August 24, 2022 at 5:29 am

    Big foot at 9:32 behind you…

  27. Mark Heinze on August 24, 2022 at 5:30 am

    I have to say, you’ve inspired me: while i never leave trash of my own, i don’t pick up other’s trash either- but now I’m going to start!

  28. Lehigh Valley Dave on August 24, 2022 at 5:30 am

    why use the red light instead of a normal flashlight?

  29. Neal Turner on August 24, 2022 at 5:30 am

    Great channel. Please subscribe to my channel and let me know what you think.

  30. Alexander Weaver on August 24, 2022 at 5:31 am

    I loved this video, Ken, and the way you presented "stealth camping" was excellent. I love this way of camping. I wish all those who entered our beloved forests would treat them the way you do so our descendants can enjoy what has been bestowed upon by the man above. I have the same tent but mine is OD green. I was stationed at Lackland in San Antonio and subsequently retired there. The surrounding lakes, Braunig, Calaveras, Choke Canyon and others provided some really awesome adventures for me and my buddies which included incredible bass fishing in our bass tracker. I wish that I had spent more time in East Texas though…I’ll be back someday now that I’m "totally" retired. We are considering moving to Waco as I truly love the Hill Country. I would love to meet one day on the trail.

  31. lboneyardl on August 24, 2022 at 5:32 am

    That’s 28$ tent is 122$

  32. Chala Khonwan on August 24, 2022 at 5:33 am

    👍Hi

  33. Ethan Hall on August 24, 2022 at 5:33 am

    Why are you using the red light? Is it to be less detected?

  34. Mason B on August 24, 2022 at 5:34 am

    This was made 6 years ago, and now dispersed primitive camping is the new trend. Definitely called it first!

  35. the prophet ez1 on August 24, 2022 at 5:34 am

    I have heard the early morning birds when it sounded like an orchestra with God as the conductor. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever listened to.

  36. MusicStudent1 on August 24, 2022 at 5:34 am

    I’ve got the same sleeping bag. Camping solo is cool. If you’re quiet enough, the animals don’t know you’re there until they’re right on top of you!

  37. mharm734 on August 24, 2022 at 5:35 am

    My sawyers start leaking after about 30 days of use. Like the pumps better.

  38. Crunchie on August 24, 2022 at 5:35 am

    Very wholesome.

  39. Courvoisier Hardy on August 24, 2022 at 5:36 am

    Sorry but I have watched most of ur videos an not one had a true stealth camp about them. If stealth is to be achieved underground is the only way to really me completely unseen.

  40. Primitive Daily Life Cambo on August 24, 2022 at 5:37 am

    Good

  41. Ken Potter on August 24, 2022 at 5:39 am

    Great video. Only thing I would say is clear the ground more around any stove or fire. I live out West (Oregon) and it’s really easy to start a forest fire from a spark on a dried leaf. I hike a lot on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon, Washington and California. https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/

  42. yatyas311 on August 24, 2022 at 5:40 am

    Love the vids brother.

  43. Outdoor is Living on August 24, 2022 at 5:41 am

    Ken you are an inspiration. I am 55 this year I like to hike and camp. How do you keep fit to carry those heavy weight on your back without getting hurt?

  44. Doug Baker on August 24, 2022 at 5:43 am

    It’s funny you have to make a video like this, I grew up in Texas doing this sense I was 5. Today people would be lost without technology

  45. The Prepared Wanderer on August 24, 2022 at 5:45 am

    Great video, cant believe I missed it

  46. Linda Barrett on August 24, 2022 at 5:46 am

    I’ve never heard of acorn coffee. I’ll be looking that one up! Thanks

  47. hector delgado on August 24, 2022 at 5:49 am

    Gracias, por enseñar a acampar con noblesa y respeto por los bosques y seres humanos. Dios lo Bendiga.

  48. George Henry Moore on August 24, 2022 at 5:51 am

    It is odd and even a tiny bit irksome to see that things that come natural to me since I was a kid, have to be explained to grown-ups. City dwellers, if you can’t do this or don’t want to, please stay in your urban cages.

  49. gingersnap george on August 24, 2022 at 5:52 am

    Dude this is a real adventure. I am in the gym hitting shoulders and wishing I was in nature instead.. screw it I’m finishing up after 1 or 2 more sets and am going home.. gonna prep the pack and hit the road to a primitive campsite destination

  50. chao thao on August 24, 2022 at 5:54 am

    Fuck you stupid hillbilly

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