Campsite Squatters

I don’t think OP is talking about people obviously breaking the laws like they were in Arizona. I think he’s saying that people following the rules are selfish. Those are two completely different issues.

Interesting and timely article on closing AZ dispersed areas in Prescott National Forest precisely because of squatters taking advantage and ruining it for us responsible people. That is why we can't have nice things...

https://www.campendium.com/camping/nfs-closures-arizona/?utm_source=Campendium&utm_campaign=d24b94571b-2020-08-26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d42c2750af-d24b94571b-113534001

Freep wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

Freep wrote:
Are you trying to be insulting or is it just my interpretation?

Take a deep breath or two.

I think it’s your interpretation just like I think it’s your interpretation of how those other campers are supposed to act. Somehow, you think everyone has to agree with how you think those areas should be used.

I’d just go explore and find other places to camp if it bothers you that much. You might find that you like those other places better away from the crowds.

You're doing a lot of interpretation here. It's not that I think everyone should agree with me on how those lands are being used. People are misusing them and treating them as their own privately owned land. I was just wondering if this is a common thing.

I have seen a lot of bad behavior from others while boondocking in public lands from minor annoyances like this to people dumping their blackwater in campsites as they leave.

I'm not big on rules, but I do like to be fair when it comes to shared resources and expect others to be fair too.

This is the very reason and the very people that rules are created.

I could continue this thought and add in politics, government, and a whole host of other things relating to not following rules.....but I won't.

jimh425 wrote:

Freep wrote:
Are you trying to be insulting or is it just my interpretation?

Take a deep breath or two.

I think it’s your interpretation just like I think it’s your interpretation of how those other campers are supposed to act. Somehow, you think everyone has to agree with how you think those areas should be used.

I’d just go explore and find other places to camp if it bothers you that much. You might find that you like those other places better away from the crowds.

You're doing a lot of interpretation here. It's not that I think everyone should agree with me on how those lands are being used. People are misusing them and treating them as their own privately owned land. I was just wondering if this is a common thing.

I have seen a lot of bad behavior from others while boondocking in public lands from minor annoyances like this to people dumping their blackwater in campsites as they leave.

I'm not big on rules, but I do like to be fair when it comes to shared resources and expect others to be fair too.

Freep wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

Freep wrote:
Being rude is not against the law either, and yet most people have a problem with that.

If you think most people agree with you, feel free to get the rules changed.

Are you trying to be insulting or is it just my interpretation?

My point was that not all civilized behavior toward each other necessarily requires rules. Rules are generally created when people start acting in ways that abuse the trust that was given.

Obviously BLM and FS dispersed camping rules don't mean you can use recreation lands that belong to all of us to store your stuff and hog the best spots that others could be using.

I feel your pain jimh425.

Somewhere along the road, some people lost, in their upbringing, the difference between 'right' and 'wrong', or treating others as you wish to be treated. Simple lessons, but too easily forgotten or never taught.

Leaving RVs at campsites on off days happens in the great North Woods of Maine, too. Have seen this action many times while camping in this beautiful state. During moose season hunting, it is almost impossible to find a spot that is unoccupied because many people set up their rigs many days before their scheduled hunts.

I just keep my mouth shut and move on to another less desirable location. Kindness within human nature appears to headed south.

Lakeside

16 days is the limit here on FS and BLM land.

I don't like it but there sure are a lot of people who do.

Complaining about it to people on a forum isn't productive...

What are you going to DO about it? What CAN you do about it?

You can complain to the folks in charge. If they choose to ignore the issue, there's not much else you can do. Find another campsite.

I've never understood this human need to be in places where you're clearly not welcome/wanted.

billtex wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
Unless they are violating the time requirement, I don’t see the issue.

Agreed. Happens all the time. We have left the camper on site for several days and gone off backpacking in the mountains.
Can’t worry about everything.

RI - your situation is different. You are still there as a homebase. This thread is about going up and leaving your rig to reserve a dispersed site.

Freep wrote:
Are you trying to be insulting or is it just my interpretation?

Take a deep breath or two.

I think it’s your interpretation just like I think it’s your interpretation of how those other campers are supposed to act. Somehow, you think everyone has to agree with how you think those areas should be used.

I’d just go explore and find other places to camp if it bothers you that much. You might find that you like those other places better away from the crowds.

What is new is the amount of people squatting on public land. They are in FS campgrounds and all over the country side. There are a lot of displaced people in America right now. It was bad before Covid 19 and now it is setting records.