Camping in Day Use Only sites?

[dmulk]

Just curious how many of you have overnight camped in Day Use Only sites and what your experiences have been?

It seems that many ADV and KLR650.net riders use these sites overnight....

Cheers!

<D>

[Fireball]

depends on where you are i guess. US BLM Dept. of Rec rangers take a very dim view of it around here. Cal State parks too

[Lowrider]

I think it is called trespassing here in MD. DNR and Park Rangers on night shift have little else to do but look for intruders....most I would guess are teenagers looking for love.

[George]

I've used rest stop picnic tables a couple times. It's too easy to find an out-of-the-way spot to take a chance on being hassled. My opinion.

[Mellow]

I've never had a big problem finding a national or state park somewhere. I never really thought about a day use spot just because I didn't want to get hassled about it. Nothing worse than having to pack all your stuff up after you just unpacked it... LOL

[Mark]

I've never had a big problem finding a national or state park somewhere. I never really thought about a day use spot just because I didn't want to get hassled about it. Nothing worse than having to pack all your stuff up after you just unpacked it... LOL

and then pay a fine to boot...

[PaPa John]

Just curious how many of you have overnight camped in Day Use Only sites and what your experiences have been?

It seems that many ADV and KLR650.net riders use these sites overnight....

Cheers!

<D>

As a retired LEO from Saskatchewan, I can only speak for myself. It is unfortunate that if someone attempts to camp overnight in a Day Use Site or a Picnic/Rest Area only site at the side of the road is taking a chance on the whime of the enforcement officer that stops by.

I have always allowed the use of overnight camping in these locations in my jurisdiction. My idea was, if a person is too tired to continue their trip, I would rather see them pull over, pitch their tent, use their trailer or even sleep under the stars, than risk going down the road and something disasterous happen. In fact, I have even had tourists ask where the next campground was as they were to tired to push much further. I would direct them to the nearest rest area for the night. I would supply them my business card/or name and phone number with instructions that should any other officer hassle them, they were to have that officer call me at anytime during the night. If there were people overnighting in the above types of sites, I would make some extra patrols into the area to ensure they were safe and secure.

Maybe I'm the old style copper, respect for other people safety comes first and foremost. Enforcement and hanging paper on them is secondary.

I have never been in this situation, but I hope the officer would be understanding.

That is my .02 cents for today.

John
Its not what you ride, its about enjoying the ride.

[Mellow]

Great post John, thanks...

[George]

Reflecting on this question, it seems that cars (I've done it myself) frequently stop for a cat nap (Catt nap in my case :D) at interstate rest stops without getting hassled. I'd feel less secure doing the same with the motorcycle unless traveling with another rider. I've done that, tho.

[NorCal_Ed]

If other officers adopted John's logic, there would be fewer accidents with driver (or rider) fatigue as a contributing factor.

You're right on John!

Rgds, Ed