National parks and monuments, state parks and recreation areas, Forest Service lands, BLM lands, Canadian Crown lands—when you add it all up there are a few billion acres owned by the public, and most of that land is available for exploration. You can camp, ski, hike, and climb in more places than will fit into a single lifetime, or even a dozen. You can experience everything from primitive camping at the base of a rock face to a developed campsite with a view of a famous landmark in Yosemite or Glacier National Park. Our YETI Ambassadors, who spend most of their year exploring the landscapes of North America as outdoor professionals and public lands advocates, share their favorite ways to get deeper into the wild. Here’s their take plus a few helpful tips.
CAMPING IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY
Yosemite National Park - NPS
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
I love being in Yosemite, the vast landscape makes me feel both small and immersed at the immensity. Time slows down, minutes stretch into hours, a day climbing rolls into evening. The trees, smells, sounds—they’re all more vibrant when I sleep under the stars.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
Late summer and early fall. By late September and in October, the mosquitos have died down, the summer rush is over, and the world is a little slower and quieter.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Reservations cost $10 per night for a 1 person permit (and may cost more in the Valley) and are required for all campgrounds from April through October. But because Yosemite is one of the most visited National Parks, reservations can be very difficult to get and you should make a reservation as early as possible – you can book up to 5 months in advance. Check out NPS.gov for step-by-step instructions on booking your Yosemite campsite. In late fall, winter, and early spring, there are first-come, first-served campgrounds available. If you want to camp and climb, the Mountain Project is an incredible resource to research different routes in the area. *Note the Tuolumne Meadows Campground will be closed until 2024 or 2025 as a rehabilitation project is underway.
BETH’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
“Take only pictures, leave only footprints” is an easy way to remember leave-no-trace principles and a great way to behave in fragile and beautiful environments."
CAMPING IN THE REMOTE
CORNERS OF THE SOUTHWEST
Moab, Utah - BLM and Forest Service
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
There is nothing like climbing and camping in the area near Moab, Utah. It’s the perfect mixture of brightness and solitude being surrounded by the desert and cliffs.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
Spring and fall are primetime, you’ve got the best temperatures and plenty of daylight.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
I use the area around Indian Creek on BLM land as my basecamp when living off grid. It’s not only the perfect place to camp – it’s home to Incredible bird watching. Accessing the public lands here is free, although there are areas with fees so it’s always good to have cash on hand. Since it can be difficult to know just where you can camp when you’re on public lands. BLM Utah has a great interactive map to help your planning.
STEPHS’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
I use the area around Indian Creek on BLM land as my basecamp when living off grid. It’s not only the perfect place to camp – it’s home to Incredible bird watching. Accessing the public lands here is free, although there are areas with fees so it’s always good to have cash on hand. Since it can be difficult to know just where you can camp when you’re on public lands. BLM Utah has a great interactive map to help your planning.
CAMPING IN THE HIGH
SIERRA NEVADAS
Desolation Wilderness Area - NPS
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
The Sierra Nevada mountains rise right out of Lake Tahoe stacked with craggy peaks, optimal fall lines, and perfectly spaced old growth forests. To have this much public access is really special and I am incredibly grateful that this landscape is open to the public.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
Winter. Splitboarding and ski touring are the most fun and efficient ways to move through the wilderness. Splitboarding season in Tahoe usually starts around Thanksgiving. Then, weather depending, you can still get after it through April and the beginning of May. For the best snow and the least amount of campers, I definitely prefer the winter. Just make sure you’re prepared for the cold with plenty of layers and necessary equipment. I’ve been doing this in the Sierras for two decades and I rarely ride the same line twice.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Visitors must obtain a Desolation Wilderness permit for overnight camping as well as day visits, year-round. You can obtain a permit at Recreation.gov. In my experience, the trickiest part of accessing public lands can be parking. Anticipate the crowds and get to the trailhead early or late in the day to avoid parking issues. Check out this printable Desolation Wilderness Planning Guide with helpful maps, overnight camping guides, trail mileage, and more.
JEREMY’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
Don’t geotag location in your social media posts and try lots of different locations so you don’t blow out a spot.
CAMPING IN THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES
Glacier National Park & Flathead National Forest – NPS & Forest Service
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
I love that this area is one of the world’s last remaining intact ecosystems. Most of the plants and animals are native and free from invasive species. You can do your part to keep it that way by being a responsible and informed visitor. Glacier National Park Conservancy directs visitors to “Make sure your boat is clean, drained, and dry before you come to the park to launch.” Learn more about their inspection process before you arrive.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
Once the rivers drop and clear in mid-summer, the fishing turns on and hot days are cooler on the river.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Do your research before you go – ticketed entry requirements, backcountry permits, seasonal fire rules, and boating regulations are all specific to Glacier. Learn more about Glacier National Park Montana. Also, Flathead National Forest regulations vary from Glacier National Park’s and there are specific details to know about camping along the river. You can find them here. Or, give our fly shop a call – we run guided multi-day float trips on the Flathead all summer long and we’ll handle everything for you, or we can just point you in the right direction.
HILARY’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
Have a plan for packing out trash and human waste. The ecosystem remains relatively intact because visitors are careful to reduce their impact. This includes little things, like not throwing an apple core into the woods and accidentally growing non-native fruit trees.
CAMPING ON THE BEACH
British Columbia Crown Lands - Vancouver Island
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Getting out into the wilderness with my family, spending time on the beach and on the water.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
My kids like late summer and early fall—that’s when the waves are the best, but it’s also busier due to the warm weather. I like April and May and all of the fall months.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
In British Columbia, you can camp on crown land for up to 21 days. A map helps to determine which land out here is public. You can always camp on the beach between the high-tide line and the ocean. Check out more about camping on Vancouver Island and the surrounding area at VancouverIsland.com.
RAPH’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
Hang your food in a bear-proof container, for your sake and the bears’. Feeding wildlife encourages the bears to come to the campsites for their meals and they’ll end up being put down. With bear-proof locks, the Tundra Hard Cooler is perfect for this.
CAMPING ON THE DEVILS
RIVER IN TEXAS
Devils River State Natural Area – Texas Parks & Wildlife
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
I love the way the Devils River rises out of the desert landscape and cuts a ribbon of life along its banks.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
I prefer spring and fall for the beautiful weather and mild temperatures – which in Texas means lows in the 50s, highs in the mid-70s. It’s extremely hot during the summer, and colder water temps during the winter months make for tough fishing.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Devils River Access Permits (DRAP) and camp reservations are required and need to be reserved in advance. The DRAP is $10. Book here through Texas Parks and Wildlife, or download the Texas State Parks app. These resources are detailed, easy to use, and also provide up-to-date information on river conditions and any burn bans in effect.
ALVIN’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
Try to leave it better than you found it. Even picking up the smallest pieces of trash makes a difference in the long run.
CAMPING IN THE
SELKIRKS
Canadian Crown Lands
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
The variety of lines and terrain. There are so many great valleys providing chutes and pillows and the access to the next one is easy when you run out of terrain!
MY FAVORITE SEASON
March is my favorite month to winter camp in the Selkirks. You still get fresh powder, but the days get longer and the sun visits more than it does in deep winter – the perfect balance of cold and sunny.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Selkirks are a multinational mountain range that spans northern Idaho and Washington and Southeastern British Columbia. If traveling into Canada from the U.S. by car, be sure to have your passport ready. Learn more about registering and receiving permits campsite and backcountry camping at BCParks.ca
ROBIN’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
Remember that you’re visiting the homes of the animals out there, so be respectful and give them space.
CAMPING ON AN ISLAND
Kalōpā State Recreation Area - Hawaii State Parks
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
We love that the park allows us to get out with our kids, watch the turkeys, play Peter Pan, and roast marshmallows. There’s a plant we call sleeping grass (mimosa pudica) and when you touch it “falls asleep.” When we run into patches we can’t leave until they’re all sleeping.
MY FAVORITE SEASON
Hawaii is unofficially known to have two seasons – summer and winter. While the weather doesn’t vary throughout the year, our rainy season is typically November through March. The “seasons” mostly impact surfing and hunting. For camping, Hawaii is great year ‘round.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
With the little ones, accessibility is key. At Kalopa, we can drive right up to a campsite or rent a cabin with a toilet, which is nice. It’s also good to know that the state park has different rates for Hawaii residents and non-residents, and permits are required to be printed and on-hand while camping. Which means if you’re visiting from the mainland, you might want to get that taken care of before traveling, because who wants to find a printer on their Hawaiian vacation? Check out Hawaii.gov to make your reservations.
JUSTIN’S GOOD STEWARD TIP
If you have small kids, make a game out of cleaning up trash on public lands. We say, “whoever finds the most trash, gets candy at the snack store.” Somehow it’s always a tie.
Before you head into Public Lands on your next adventure, grab YETI gear built for the middle of nowhere.
