Permit and Campsites

[bombadil]

I have heard from from friends that some times trail permits are necessary for hiking/backpacking. When/where are these necessary?

Also does anyone have any advice on how to pick sites to set up camp?

Thanks a lot for the help.
Tim

[brad nicholson]

are really depending on where you go, and sometimes when. i would check with the local forest service office, etc.

as for picking a camp site, my requisites are some water right beside or perhaps within a few hundred meters, and not able to be seen from a trail.

[walt walkabout]

Be sure to check out the contour of the land your setting up camp on. Drainage,flatness,soil type,windy is good for buggy areas, bad for stormy weather,shade in hot weather, sunny in cold, enough room for a group to set up in, in short be aware of the situation and time your going to spend there. One camp site can have a great view but be heck to camp in while the one a little way down the trail may not be as scenic but the ground gives you a much better sleep.
Happy Trails
Walt

[Jay H]

Check with the park rangers or authorities, many National Parks will require a permit and fee, such as Denali, the Chilkoot Trail, etc. etc. And also many areas will require you to register, the ADKs in NY now have a ticket system, albeit it is free. Other areas depending on usage will have fees and/or a permit system. Hawaii's Kalalau trail has both now but it typically depends on the usage, you can try to contact the park office and inquire about fees/permits if you can't find anything on the web.

Jay

[backpacker777]

Some of them require advance notification, others you can walk into the office and pick up.

You should get a complete guide book or map of the area you are travelling and call all of the offices.

On my route this summer in the US there are at least 8 permits to get (probably more)

-Poncho


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