Wild camping (aka stealth camping) is a free, off-grid getaway that reconnects the soul with nature.  It is a go-to summer activity in our simple living lifestyle.

East Coast Canada is perfect for wild camping.  There are so many back roads, rivers, and coastal beaches that you can practically spit and hit an amazing rough camping spot.

That being said I’ve camped in some pretty amazing places in Arizona, New Mexico, and New York, so Canada can’t claim all the breath taking wild camping locations.

Sweetie (in almost every photo) and I have fully embraced wild-camping and have made our second vehicle a converted, second-hand van to take on adventures.

A favorite spot overlooking the Nashwaak River.  New Brunswick, Canada

Photograph by Nola Noreen!

Is It Legal?

The answer to that depends on where you are camping.  In my province, camping on Crown land is permitted.  A quick internet search will tell you more about the rules in your area.

That being said, we have yet to seek out a Crown land camping spot. We have camped all over the place and never had a problem.

We usually look for a spot on a beach or near a river or stream.  Old ferry and bridge crossings are ideal locations.  Waterfalls are great places also!

We look for places where we will not disturb anyone.  If we see locals we talk to them immediately and let them know who we are and what we are doing to put their mind at ease.

I’d be concerned if I saw a tent pop up or a van pull up near my home in some unexpected location.  I would want to know what is going on.  As with almost everything, communication solves half your problems!

Why Wild Camping Is Amazing

You Don’t Have To Plan Ahead

I use all my organizational and planning skills at work.  In my private life, I wing it!

I may not know that I want to go camping until Friday afternoon rolls around and it occurs to me that the weather is fine and I need a dose of deep nature.

When we are road-tripping, it is hard to predict where we will be each night.  It depends on what interesting things you find along the way!

You never have to pre-book a wild camping spot.  It keeps life simple.

There Is No Need To Be Social

It seems to me there are two types of campers:

1. Those who like to hit the campground to meet up with friends and family for a weekend of fun.

2. Those those who want to get away from it all.

I fall into the latter category.  I do not want to smell what everyone else is cooking on their BBQ, hear the commotion of others around me, or put up with someone else’s music or lights when I would rather be asleep.

I want to hear the waves and the seagulls.  Sit quietly on the beach and hear the fire crackling.  Go to bed when the sun goes down, and get up when it rises.

I prefer to sit in front of a fire in the morning while I’m drinking my coffee, over the late-night bonfire.  It takes the chill off until the sun warms things up!

We never play music when we are camping.  We prefer the sounds of nature.

We just aren’t social campers.

Stepping away from the paid camp grounds is also stepping away from the complexities of life where you have to follow rules, make compromises, and keep up with the Joneses.

You Discover Amazing Things

When you are off the beaten path the views, trails, and hole-in-the-wall businesses you find are incredible.

From swimming holes to fruit stands that sell the BEST blueberry pies, there is always a discovery to be made.

It’s Free (And Stress Free) Fun

Wild camping requires very little of us.

The site is free.  You don’t need any special  equipment. Basic camping gear will do. Bring some food.

The less you bring along, the better.  You never know if you might want to hike in to a prime location.  You always want a quick set-up and tear down.

A tent, a cooler, a coffee maker, and a camp chair (because I’m not 25 anymore) are all that’s needed.

Now that we have the van that we converted (by taking out the seats and adding a mattress and storage), we don’t always use the tent.  It depends on location.

The Most Important Things To Remember When Wild Camping

Leave nothing behind – including TP!

Wild camping, stealth camping, or boondocking is becoming more and more popular.

If anything will wreck it (and why it is illegal in so many places) is because many campers leave trash or damaged property behind.

Just don’t.

Make sure you have a bag with you to take out any trash you create. We make a point of cleaning up any trash left behind by others.  Almost always, the site is in better shape when we leave than when we arrived.

That includes toilet paper.  No, I’m not kidding.  This is a huge pet peeve of mine.

We have visited so many spots that are polluted with half-decomposed wads of toilet paper.  Just tuck it in a bag ladies, and schlep it out with you.  I usually bring smaller bags for just this purpose.

Be respectful of other’s property. 

No matter where you are, someone owns the land.

Don’t cut (or pull) down live trees or rip branches off of them.  Don’t dump your uneaten leftovers on pathways.  Please don’t spray paint rocks, trees, covered bridges, or ANYTHING!  Last, but certainly not least, always put out your fires.

We have seen all this and more. Treat the land like it is your own back yard.

Choose your wild camping site carefully

We don’t do much deep woods camping and stick to more populated areas for ease of access and because we enjoy visiting new coffee shops, markets, etc. when we are out for adventures.

I recommend the software app iOverlander to find locations, and have used it often.  When we pick a location that’s not already registered on the app, we add it so that others will know about more places they can go.

What makes a good site?

Sites that are clearly accessed by the public are always a good choice.  I don’t recommend sneaking into a farmer’s back field or setting up near somebody’s private camp.

If the public (or at least the locals) are accessing it there is usually a well beaten road or trail.  Often there is already a fire pit.  There will likely be some trash around as evidence that others have been freely using the location.

Places that people visit during the day but don’t stay overnight like swimming holes, beaches, covered bridges, waterfalls, or trailheads are always a good bet.

There are often access roads or trails into local fishing holes or spots with particularly nice vistas or points of interest.

Find a place where you can park your vehicle without blocking any road access.

The Golden Rule

If you are asked to leave, leave.

This has never happened to us (yet!) and hopefully never will, but we discuss it often.  We agree that if we are ever asked to leave a location, we will just pack up and go.

If you are wild camping, you know you are flirting with societal rules (at a minimum) and even local laws in some cases.

There is no point in leaving a bad taste in someone’s mouth.  Move on and find a new location.  Think of it as part of the adventure!

Part Of A Simple Lifestyle

Wild camping doesn’t require much money and almost zero planning, unlike even the simplest vacation plan where you have to pick an area and book lodgings ahead of time.

It is very economical, which means you can do it more often.  We travel around all summer long.  We will even do one-nighters on those weekends when we have other commitments.

Being in nature is something we value, so it is a much better choice for us than staying at a hotel.

Questions?

I’ve only hit the highlights of wild camping.  If you have specific questions, don’t be afraid to ask.

Share your own story in the comments, or drop me a line at NolaNoreen@gmail.com.

I would love to hear about your adventures!