Motorcycle Stealth Camping | GTAMotorcycle.com

Motorcycle Stealth Camping

Scob

Scob

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I did a few overnight camp outs on my bike this year including Mosport and Shannonville for the vintage race weekends. I also did a couple of weekends in provincial parks but was turned off by the crowds and the ridiculously high fees for a simple tent with no additional hook ups.

I've read discussions on this forum about stealth camping and crown lands but I can't find anything on safe and semi-legal stealth camping opportunities within a couple of hours ride of Toronto. I'm setting up a KLR as my camping bike this winter so I won't be doing hard core trails but back roads should be no problem.

I am looking for quiet places where I can throw up a small tent on a Saturday evening, camp overnight, and then head out early the next morning. If any one has any personal experience I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions.
 
Post this in the touring forum
 
There are always building lots out in the boonies, abandoned buildings, farm access roads.

On the way to Labrador three of us balked at the price of a Chalet in Quebec for $180 and found a cottage lot bulldozed back in the woods.

In Newfoundland I found a lovely spot by an access road by the river.

I think it really depends on how remote your travels are. If you are looking around built up areas then good luck.

Now if you want a state park in Vermont, they are twenty dollars a night plus one dollar for a dog.

Our camp site a Big Deer State Park near Groton Vermont.
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While touring around the Gaspe in August, I spent about $25 Canadian a night in Nouvelle and Matane, but the Quebec Provincial Park, Camp Des Voltigeurs in Drummondville was about $42.

Nouvelle Quebec along the Gaspe.
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If you are going to stealth camp, buy a little trowel to bury your waste, and pack out all of your garbage. If someone finds you, being respectful goes a long way.
 
You can camp on crown land just outside of Bobcaygeon, in the Kawartha's. the area still has a fair amount of crown land but the majority has been sold off to private land owners. There are more than a few fire access roads that run through the area as well as tons of ATV/sled trails that with an OFTR pass you can ride with your KLR. Of course avoid any trails marked no trespassing. no need for being stealth, you can camp right beside the trail. Obviously any fires need to be drowned completely there are on an average weekend probably 50+ camps set up, seen many more this year than previous years. You can find many good spots right next to a stream or lake for fishing and washing up, etc. Of course bug spray is a definite requirement.

Scob said:
I did a few overnight camp outs on my bike this year including Mosport and Shannonville for the vintage race weekends. I also did a couple of weekends in provincial parks but was turned off by the crowds and the ridiculously high fees for a simple tent with no additional hook ups.

I've read discussions on this forum about stealth camping and crown lands but I can't find anything on safe and semi-legal stealth camping opportunities within a couple of hours ride of Toronto. I'm setting up a KLR as my camping bike this winter so I won't be doing hard core trails but back roads should be no problem.

I am looking for quiet places where I can throw up a small tent on a Saturday evening, camp overnight, and then head out early the next morning. If any one has any personal experience I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions.
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Thanks - I was wondering about the fire roads (red signs) and if it was ok to ride on them. I came across some while riding from Bobcageyon to Kinmount last weekend but wasn't sure if they went through private property.
 
Good thread = I wondered about stealth camping. All I need is a few square yards for the tent. No fire no nada.
I looked at camping site prices in the US and some are higher than some motels.
 
Scob said:
Thanks - I was wondering about the fire roads (red signs) and if it was ok to ride on them. I came across some while riding from Bobcageyon to Kinmount last weekend but wasn't sure if they went through private property.
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Yes you can drive on the them, of course they aren't like regular dirt roads there can be protruding rocks etc. The OPP S.A.V.E team does patrols in 4X4 trucks as well as ATV's in the area, you "might" also see MNR out there from time to time. Of course we will soon, (Oct and Nov) be into the various hunting seasons. This area is HEAVILY hunted with many hunt camps on the private properties. Not a good time to be camping out..lol

Having said that "some" of the fire access roads do pas through private property, BUT the road allowance remains crown property, (66' from edge to edge or 33" from the center of the roadway, for those unaware). So as long as you remain ON the road your good to ride. Some of the ATV/sled trails intersect the roads so you can camp, at the junction more off to the side of the trail.
 
Here's my tip. Either buy an expensive bivy or DIY a tyvek bivy. When you are out just roll up the whole thing with the sleeping bag and foam pad in it. Very low key and quick.

BTW any one know where to buy tyvek by the foot?
 
Thanks - I have considered a bivy sack and will look into that in more detail over the winter.
 
That's a swag in Australia - maybe that's a solution for me as it's all I need. Skip the tent.

mind you my tent is not much bigger but this is easier

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This cool too....I like hammocks.

http://hennessyhammock.com/catalog/#hammock

Some discussion here on tent, bivy and hammock

http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/81118-bivy-sack-tent-hammock-touring.html

This is very nice.



http://www.milesgear.com/UberBivy.html
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$_20.JPG

Good deal for someone

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-image.html?adId=1013350326&image=0&enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

This kinda nice at $99
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http://www.rei.com/product/794292/rei-minimalist-bivy-sack-regular

Like this too...$78 the price is right. Decent reviews - under 3 LB
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http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Solita...TF8&qid=1409622346&sr=1-8&keywords=large+bivy

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Thanks MacDoc - some great suggestions there. I'm leaning towards an all mesh bivy to ward off the mossies. If there is a risk of showers or heavy overnight dew, a simple tarp should be sufficient for a quick over-nighter.

I was on Google Maps and just a cursory look along Highway 49 north of Bobcageyon identified three or four fire roads and a some other promising dirt tracks including Bass Line Road, which I've heard others talk about, as well as a couple of other single tracks into the woods. From the Google Maps street view, I found a couple that do not appear to have any signage or gates preventing their use. I'm not sure if these are on Crown Land but will investigate further.
 
If I were in Australia I'd be all over the hammocks. Better to be off the ground away from some of the things that might try to kill you.

I saw some article about "future tents" just like 2 days ago which included something called a "jakpak" which was supposedly a jacket, sleeping bag, and tent, all in one. Didn't really look into it but here ya go: http://jakpak.com/home.aspx
 
I believe valuable stealth camping advice, especially the legal kind, can be gleaned from actual street people. I see a lot of success stories out there.
 
MacDoc said:
Yeah I have no need for fire or cooking - might have to pack the black Burgman rain cover - kinda obvious as it is.

$39 at Canada Tire - hokey video but helps to see how easy - he needs to forget the very annoying music.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/escort-hiker-dome-tent-2-person-0765194p.html#.VAXPm0tuFic
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Thanks = t
hat looks perfect for my needs.

Regarding the comment about a fire, I don't plan to have a fire but from what I can tell reading online, fires are permitted on Crown Land so long as an open fire ban has not been issued.
 
Careful with bivys. Condensation is a huge issue. Thermal regulation and venting are critical. Cheap ones are steam bags. The REI one for example is quite bad.

Usually you shouldn't even bother being in the bivy. Sleep on top of it if weather permits.
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