Spend some quality time in the great outdoors on a freedom camping trip
Find yourself yearning to leave the city behind and get back to nature? Freedom camping could be the answer.
What is freedom camping?
Freedom camping is basically the opposite of regular camping - no allocated spot, no campground whatsoever, and often no facilities to speak of. Instead, you just have to locate a spot in which you're legally allowed to pitch up overnight free of charge, then simply sit back and watch the world go by. Bliss!
Image: studio tdes, CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr
When and where can you do it?
Theoretically, you can enjoy freedom camping at any time of year. After all, you're not reliant on pitching up at a regular camping area. But just as campgrounds tend to close over the colder months, it's unlikely you'll want to head off into the boondocks in the depths of winter.
The question of where you can go freedom camping is a little more complicated. Regulations vary from country to country, and often from one state to the next. However, some countries are unquestionably more popular - and offer more flexibility - to freedom campers:
New Zealand
Arguably the spiritual home of freedom camping, New Zealand offers hundreds of freedom camping spots, from holiday parks to Department of Conservation campsites. However, some rules - spoken and unspoken - still apply.
Many campgrounds are only open to fully certified, self-contained vehicles - in other words, motorhomes in which you can live for three days without taking on more water or dumping waste.
If you're ever unsure about whether you're allowed to camp somewhere in New Zealand, ask at an i-SITE or Department of Conservation visitor centre.
Likewise, with some caveats, freedom camping is an option in Australia, too.
Iceland
Go freedom camping in Iceland to explore the iconic Golden Circle - a 300 km loop from Reykjavik to the southern uplands and back.
Nature preservation laws in Iceland allow camping away from registered campsites. Camping tents can be pitched in most parts of the country's highlands, but if you've got a motorhome, you'll need to seek permission from the landowner or rightsholder.
North America
Freedom camping in the US and Canada is a delight, with countless spots to pick from in some of North America's most beautiful locations.
Unless otherwise marked, freedom camping in the US and Canada is legally allowed within national forests and grasslands, Bureau of Land Management sites, and Canadian Crown Land. It's also permitted in the backcountry of national parks and monuments, although you'll need a permit.>
Basic etiquette for responsible freedom camping
Freedom camping isn't just a fantastic way to spend some quality time in the great outdoors - it's also about looking after the places you visit. Always aim to leave places looking as good as - if not better than - you found them; you want future visitors to enjoy it just as much as you do! With that in mind, here are some tried-and-trusted tips for responsible freedom camping:
● Dispose of all rubbish responsibly, or take it away with you if there aren't any bins.
● Look out for recycling facilities to dispose of plastics and glass responsibly.
● Just because you're getting back to nature, you should still use onsite toilet facilities or the toilet in your motorhome!
● Use designated public dump stations to empty your toilet and wastewater. Keep an eye out for the blue dump station symbol, or find your nearest using the AA map.
● Obvious as it may sound, don't chop down trees or vegetation to start a campfire - this is about looking after nature, after all!
● Make sure to keep soaps, detergents and toothpaste out of rivers and creeks when washing.
As a general rule, remember that you're fortunate enough to be enjoying the beauty of nature without having to pay for hotel or camping costs, so do your bit by keeping the place spotless while you're there.
