Unpopular opinion: designated backcountry campsites beat stealth camping

I always thought sticking to designated sites was just for people who like rules, but after a trip in the Sierra last fall where I pulled into a marked spot with a fire ring and bear box, it saved me an hour of setup and hassle. The next night I tried stealth camping off trail and woke up with pine needles in my tent and no clear morning route. Anyone else go from hating designated sites to actually preferring them?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.taylor4d ago

Ha I went from stealth snob to 'oh wow a flat spot!' real quick.

andrew_miller904d ago

You ever wake up with a rock digging into your spine and think "why did I do this to myself"? @wright.taylor hit it exactly - once you find that flat spot with a bear box already there, you never go back. My trick is to call ranger stations ahead and ask which sites get the least use, then book those. You get the convenience without the crowds. Also helps to bring a small shovel even at designated sites, because sometimes the fire ring is full of trash from the last guy. That Sierra trip sounds rough though - pine needles in the tent is a classic "I'm a moron" moment, happens to all of us.