This map gives you a very visual idea of the amount of Public land on the East and West Coasts. The yellow areas are BLM land and the green is National Forest. Obviously there is much, much more out West. Why is that important? Because you can camp for free on BLM or NF land. Which looks preferable to you?
That’s especially on my mind because of the terrible winter most of the country has had this year. While many of you were setting records for cold and snow, here in the Southwest we were setting records for warmth and comfort. This has been one of the nicest winters I’ve experienced in the last seven years of spending my winters here. In fact, as I’m writing this, it’s been in the high 80’s all week and today it will hit 90 for the first time and then stay in the low 90’s the rest of the week. That’s much too hot for me, so being a good Snowbird, it’s time to move! The question is, “Move to where?”
This is today’s weather forecast for Ehrenberg, AZ; it’s hot!! So it’s time to move, but where?
The Prescott National Forest is the perfect place! It’s 20 degrees cooler!!
The great thing about the West is you can get such dramatic differences in weather in very short distances. In this case, by moving a mere 250 miles, it’s 20 degrees cooler. In 6 weeks it’ll be too hot there, but I can move another 60 miles to Flagstaff and it’ll drop another 10 degrees.
- In the spring I went to a gathering of vandwellers in Ohio where we camped for a week on electric utility company campgrounds that were free.
- I spent a week in Washington DC and surrounding areas in April for the Cherry Blossom Festival and explored the Atlantic coast all the way down to Kitty Hawk, NC.
- In June I explored Roan Mountain on the Tennessee and North Carolina border during the peak Rhododendron bloom, and fell deeply in love with it!
- In the fall I spent 6 weeks as a “Leaf-Pepper” exploring fall colors in New England. I traveled from Niagara Falls to Adirondacks State Park in New York, into Vermont and quite a bit of time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. From there I explored Maine and then followed the fall colors south over the Blue Ridge Highway.
- Because my mom lives in Florida, I took numerous trips to visit her and explored Florida in the winter.
- I spent a little time on the Natchez Trace.
I found very little free camping in my travels, so I spent most nights in the parking lots of Wal-Mart stores and other black-top boondocking. That’s okay for short trips, but it isn’t how I want to live my life. In March of 2008 I left North Carolina and have been living the life of a Snowbird on Public Land on the West coast for the last seven years. With very few exceptions, I’ve camped for free on National Forest or BLM land in a beautiful setting without crowds, little noise and without asking permission. For the most part, that simply is not possible back East.
Because I’m from Alaska I don’t have a vested interest in preferring one over the other and yet I’ve lived and traveled in both places. I’m in a unique position to directly compare the two Coasts and form a reasonably fair assessment of which is objectively better. That’s what I’m doing in today’s post.
First, let me say that I’m well aware that circumstances often conspire to limit us to one place and keep us from traveling—that exact thing happened to me. After my divorce my kids went with their mom and lived in Alaska so I had no choice but be a vandweller in Alaska. No matter how much better it would have been somewhere else, I had to stay there. If you are in that situation, I’m hoping this information will be helpful to you in the future, even if right now your finances, family or friends confine you to one place.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the simple fact is that the great majority of our scenic National Parks are in the 12 Western state. California alone has more than all the states East of the Mississippi combined.
Why I believe the West Coast is the best place for every vandweller.
Much better camping. There is dramatically more public land available for dispersed camping out West compared to the East Coast. The sheer number of acres of National Forests (NF) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is so much greater that it’s very easy to find a free camping site in all the Western States. The BLM is a prime example. It administers more public land – over 245 million surface acres – than any other Federal agency in the United States. Most of this land is located in the 12 Western states, there is almost none in the Eastern states. The map at the top of this page illustrates that dramatically.
Much easier to be a snowbird. Out West it’s easy and cheap to move with the seasons and find comfortable weather year around. In both California and Arizona you can be a snowbird without leaving the state. You can be warm at sea level in the winter and cool at 9000 feet in the summer by only driving 300 miles. No matter how tight your budget, you can probably afford that. If you can afford to travel, the three big mountain ranges (Rockies, Cascades and Sierras) offer camping up to 12,000 feet that is cool all summer and are also incredibly beautiful.
The weather generally is better. Most of the West has very low humidity so even if it gets hot or cold, it’s much more bearable than the very high humidity that blankets most of the East.
The scenery is spectacular! Because nature photography is my primary hobby, wherever I go I look for not just pretty places, but the places that make you stop dead in your tracks, your jaw to drop, and involuntarily say “Wow!” Those places are common out West, and rare back East. Don’t get me wrong, there are many pretty places back East and I’ve tried to visit them all. But very few of them take your breath away, bring a tear to your eye and make you say “Wow!” Of course that’s just my subjective opinion but solid evidence can be found in the sheer number of National Parks out West and the very few back East. Then, when you visit the ones out West the first thing you’ll notice is the giant number of tour buses filled with tourists from foreign countries. When you walk around you’ll hear much more German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish than you will English. People fly in from all over the world to see the scenery out West, very few do to see the scenery back East.
Cities tend to be much more stealth parking friendly. There are many exceptions to that but for the most part there is generally a much greater “Live and let live” attitude in the West.
The weather is much less dangerous. The East is plagued with Tornadoes, Floods and Hurricanes all of which are fairly rare in the West. No one out here lives in fear of them. You’ll probably respond that the East doesn’t have earthquakes. That’s true, but deadly earthquakes are rare here; there certainly is not an earthquake season every year when you grit your teeth and hope you aren’t hit by one. Plus, if you get inland away from the Pacific coast, they simply stop. Out West, they are a non-issue everywhere except the “Ring of Fire” which is California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
The East is too crowded. This one is totally subjective, but there are just simply too many people packed into too small a space in the East for me to be comfortable. Often, that makes them irritable and unpleasant–but not always, the mountain people in North Carolina were among the nicest I’ve ever met.
Less Noise, Air, Light and People Pollution. I’m looking for peace and quiet in pristine nature. There is very little of that back East but it’s common out West.
The West is wild and untamed. Growing up in Alaska did leave me with one very strong prejudice, I only want to live in a beautiful place full of wild mountains, rivers and animals. I need to live in a place with an edge to it! I’m addicted to wild, raw nature and that means it must have an element of risk and danger to it. As far as I’m concerned, tamed nature is a ridiculous oxymoron and is not nature at all, it’s a zoo or a park. Those are okay to visit, but I don’t want to live in one! The East coast is tamed nature; it was destroyed and then rebuilt at man’s whim. To me, I don’t feel awe and wonder or get in touch with the part of my heart that beats with wild, raw, primitive nature; no, I mainly feel sorrow for the humans that are so cut off from nature that they did these terrible things and pity for their victims.
It’s close to Mexico with its very cheap dental work, glasses and prescription medications. The cost of all those things are skyrocketing and health insurance often doesn’t cover them, so being able to get them for pennies on the dollar is a huge plus for the West coast.
As always, there is no one way that works best for everyone. Just because the West is best for me, doesn’t mean it will be best for you. We are all so different and distinct that we must each find our own way through the maze that is our lives. My only goal here was to lay out some information and give you my reasoning. What you do with it is entirely your decision. My only wish for you, is a wonderful, free, happy life, wherever and however it unfolds.
bob, totally agree with what you had too say, the west being the best to boon docking, did a washinton an oregon coast road trip, an i’m happy to report that i didn’t have to pay for camping and stay on the beach the whole fourteen day trip. great trip!!!!! i would like to add that there is a lot of free camping in baja mexico too, along with good dental an medical !!!!
Glad to hear it Gary, it sounds like a great trip!
Bob
Good observation on east vs west coast. Need to ask as advice
Love your site! very informative and inspirational!!
Thanks John, glad I could help!
Bob
Great post as always, Bob. I agree with your assessment. I’m stuck on the east coast until summer, but then it’s back west for me. 🙂
Gennifer, hang in there, your time will come!
Bob
We’re not safe in the mid west and east from earthquakes either…
One of the largest fault lines in the US is the New Madrid seismic zone. In 1812 an earthquake there caused part of the Mississippi River to flow backwards for 24 hours, creating Reelfoot lake. Earthquakes that occur in the New Madrid Seismic Zone potentially threaten parts of seven American states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi.
In comparison…There are estimates that the earthquakes were felt strongly over roughly 130,000 square kilometers (50,000 sq mi), and moderately across nearly 3 million square kilometers (1 million square miles). The 1906 San Francisco earthquake, by comparison, was felt moderately over roughly 16,000 km2 (6,200 sq mi).
In a report filed in November 2008, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency warned that a serious earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone could result in “the highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States,” further predicting “widespread and catastrophic” damage across Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and particularly Tennessee, where a 7.7 magnitude quake or greater would cause damage to tens of thousands of structures affecting water distribution, transportation systems, and other vital infrastructure.
Just a few more reasons to go west, young man
Tommy, I don’t give earthquakes a lot of thought. The odds of being hurt in one are astronomically low. Plus, I was in the largest earthquake ever in North America, and third largest ever, anywhere. If that couldn’t get me, I feel pretty safe!
Bob
I’m one of those people that loves the west. Lived here all my life. Born in the salt lake area and when i was two my family moved to phoenix. Went from cold to hot after a couple years.
Your camp near chino is southwest of where I used to “survivalist” camp. Making your own shelter.
Douglas, I’ve found the desert grows on me and it becomes addicting!
Bob
Just took road trip to central Texas, planned on a week but lasted 2 days. Mainly because I couldn’t afford 150 to 200 a night for a room. Beautiful hill country. Currently waiting on drier weather to build my “nest” in La.(metal barn w/living space). Then build my 6×12 cargo trailer RV, by next summer plan to hit the road. Your site is my favorite, so much useful info. My philosophy and opinions are so similar to yours. Keep on keeping on!!
Steve, I’m glad I can be of help! My camp is always open to you!
Bob
I totally agree with you, Bob. I’ve lived in the southern US all my life. To each his/her own, but I *feel* better physically and emotionally when I’m out west. The low humidity, the vistas, etc. all make me feel better. My only problem has been feeling sluggish at higher elevations, but that would diminish if I were out there for a few months.
Soon …..
~Naomi
Naomi, elevation can be a big issue! Take Colorado, nearly the whole state is over 5000 feet and much of it is over 8000 feet. For most people it’s just a matter of adjusting to it but people with breathing problems it can be unbearable.
On the other hand, the area from Yuma over to the Slabs is below sea level! The West is a place of endless variety.
Bob
Hey Bob thanks for the observations on east and west coast.I unfortunately have heart and lungs condition that requires lower altitude and cooler weather .Is my dream squashed? Is there any good groups on east coast or in low altitude cooler temps
You said it Bob. Other than the Adirondack Mountains finding good boondocking is scarce here in the east. I enjoyed my 2 months out west last fall and look forward to getting back there.
Greg
Thanks Greg! It’s coming up pretty quick!
Bob
Nice post! I’ve always been East coast, but am moving West to NV, in a month or so. Can’t wait to save up for another Van or Rv, and do some extended exploring!
Joy, Nevada is a great place because it is so central. I once drew a 500 mile circle around Las Vegas (that’s one days drive) and I think there were more than a dozen National Parks.
I think you’ll like it there!
Bob
Lived in the southeast all my life (including North Carolina and Virginia, two quite beautiful states)–in 2011 took my first trip out west and was blown away by the majesty of the scenery! I had no idea what I was missing and it was life-changing. Now my greatest desire is to travel freely and explore all the awe-inspiring, fresh air and open places in our very beautiful country. Thanks for the great graphics that illustrate your point!
Lightfoot, there are many pretty places back East, but out West they are stunning and mind-blowing!
Luckily, there is an unlimited number of new places to explore, you’ll never run out and see them all!
Bob
I grew up in the East and lived 26 years in the West. Then I spent another 17 years in the East because of my career. I was more than happy to ditch the East and head back to the land of low humidity and open spaces. My sister asked if my wanderings were going to take me back east. I doubt it.
Al, you are a man after my own heart!
Bob
Bob_
Great analysis. The only place out West I want to avoid is that area in Nevada where the John Wayne movie was made and many of the actors died from cancer caused by nuclear bomb testing. If you could make a map of that area I would appreciate it.
*Just kidding about making me a map, I’m sure it’s easily found on the web.
Good one Openspaceman! 😛
I never heard of that before. If you find anything on it, would you send me a link.
Bob
The movie was The Conqueror, where John Wayne played Ghengis Khan(that was a horrible movie, BTW)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conqueror_%28film%29#Cancer_controversy
Who knows…but it seems more than a coincidence.
https://gcaggiano.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/the-conqueror-1956-the-film-that-killed-john-wayne-literally/
Thanks for the post, Bob. I’m a born and raised Southwesterner and have never had any real desire to be anywhere near or on the east coast (although I’ve been a few places out there, anyway, which has only served to solidify my thoughts on the subject) – we have everything I’ve ever needed here on the left coast. I’ve been a desert rat all my life, seemingly forever, and even though I spent a few years in the Pacific Northwest, I never got used to the months and months and months where one never sees the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars. (Yes, they’re having an unusual winter, just like the rest of us – it’s been warmer and dryer and clearer than normal.)
Thanks for the information and the opinions you’ve formed as a result of your travels – nothing quite like personal experience.
— Lois
PS. I think North Carolina is east of the Mississippi, not west as you indicated: “When I retired and left Alaska in December of 2006 I moved to just outside of Asheville, North Carolina which I think is one of the very nicest places to live west of the Mississippi River.”
Thanks Lois. Yeah, that was a silly typo. Arizona is the bet place to live West of the Mississippi.
Bob
Plus allergies are less common in the desert. I just returned to Minnesota from three months in North Carolina and the last couple of weeks there I was miserable.
We have the occasional earthquake in Minnesota as well. I know because the stove burners vibrated one day. That was it. No rolling RV like we experience in California one day when the ground decided to do the wave. The earthquake in my hometown in Illinois happened before I was born. Once in each location is just not a variable I am concerned about.
Those are all good points Linda. Many people go to the desert and West for health reasons, especially allergies and Arthritis. Judy just left for Ohio and she was dreading the joint pain the humidity would give her.
Yeah, the risk of earthquakes is just extremely low everywhere except Alaska, Oregon and California. And even there they aren’t wroth giving a thought to.
Bob
I just spent my first Winter in Florida (being from Wisconsin) and I was thinking about trying the West for next Winter. This post definitely makes me comfortable with that decision. I was worried that nights would be too cold as a tent dweller, but I have since become a car dweller, so I should be OK. Thanks for posting this.
That map of public lands is great! Is there any chance of posting a larger version of it on your website?
Thank you!
Jim, I think you will be glad you came out here. And if you don’t like it as much, you can always go back to Florida!
Each state has it’s own website so you can do a Google search on “BLM Arizona” or “National Forest Arizona” and look at the images that show up. This is the one I found showing all the public land in AZ:
Thank you Bob. I am super thankful to have found your website!
Jim
Jim, I’m very pleased to be helpful in some small way! Follow your dreams!
Bob
Thanx once again Bob. Currently live on East coast Fla. Getting hot already. Came here to find where to go in summer months. Maybe for good. Great info. always Bob. Will be full time end of this summer. Hope to meet you and the lucky tribe that has you for their Chief.
Vanstiller, my camp is always open to you! I think you are going to like your new life!
Bob
The sheer amount of BLM and Forest Service land is why I’ll be meandering southwest this coming winter. That is if THIS winter ever ends…sigh!!
Once my family connections are over here (elderly parent), I’ll be moving to BC where there’s also an abundance of free camping to be had.
I’ll be one of the ‘real’ snowbirds, 6 months up north, six months down south.
Beth, you’re in for a great new life and a wonderful adventure! I wish you all the best in following your dreams.
Bob
Good luck with your new life, Beth. BC does indeed have an amazing amount of free or very cheap camping.
Beth, Ming posted some books listing free camping in BC and I got it and he was right, there is lots of free camping there. Ming, I’ve heard that’s true of the stealth in the cities also, is that true?
Bob
he? actually, it’s she. 🙂
I asked someone about this just a couple of months ago, when I came across a guy in an older, lived in looking van. He told me that he didn’t have any trouble stealth sleeping. Driving around town, I can see lots of spots that look very possible for sleeping, and I haven’t seen too many signs around Vancouver prohibiting overnight parking. They are found around the beaches.
If you are outside town, there are lots of forestry roads, with spurs going off them that dead end. I’m sure no one would notice if you spent the night there. Logging trucks scare me though, I’m thinking of getting a VHF radio to keep track of them.
Then there are the 1000+ forestry sites that you can find in “Camp Free in BC” and “Backroads Mapbooks”. I would suggest a high clearance vehicle to access many of them, something more than the 5″ that I have right now. Some of the most popular forestry sites charge $10-12 for the increased maintenance, but not in the winter.
Some of the sites are on good fishing lakes, so you have the option of fresh trout for dinner!
oh, I totally forgot about all the other “stealth” campers I saw the summer before on my bike commute route. 2 rigs were there for months, on leveling blocks, with generators tucked under them even. Then they moved on but there were other vans/ rigs that would overnight there for shorter periods, so I guess the answer is that it’s not hard to boondock in BC.
Solid article! Northeast Illinois is a financial and weather challenge for camping, as there’s no such thing as boondocking there. If the mini-bursts don’t get you, the $500/month fees will! If I could only get the kids to move out West…
Doug, it’s amazing how much power habit and tradition have on us. It’s hard for many of us to say, “That’s all, I’m outta here.” Instead, it’s all about how we’ve always done it. Sometimes necessity really is the mother of invention.
Bob
I have been following you on this blog for a couple of years now and never knew there was a forum. Thanks for posting the link. I’ll be sure to check it out.
I see now there is a forum link in the header but I just never paid attention I guess.
Michell, yeah, I am surprised how many people don’t know about it. Check it out, It’s really good.
Bob
Everytime I try to register at cheaprvliving it goes straight to Checkmate and wants me to do a background check.
Penny, I’m assuming you are trying to signup for the forum, is that right? Email me at akrvbob@gmail.com and we’ll figure it out.
Bob
I will pretty much do what works for me and find the places where it works, but I’m a bit confused. In our discussion of tents in the last posting, you stated that the desert has high winds maybe 18 days a month in winter. How can that be good weather, especially in the desert where wind picks up sand?
Calvin, sometimes it’s not good weather. It’s not a problem if you are inside a van or trailer but it is a problem if you are in a tent.
So it’s all relative, is it better than below zero and snow? To me it is!! Remember, Florida gets cold and rain too. I went to the gathering this month and it was cold and drizzly.
But the truth is that weather-wise Florida is better for 4 months of the year. But there is almost no dispersed camping so you are either stealth parking or crowded, too civilized, too plain. Worse of all, there are no mountains. I have a rule, “No mountains, No BOB!!!! The bottom line is, I would be miserable in Florida and would get out as soon as I could.
But that is all very subjective and maybe none of that means anything to you. You can live in a tent in Florida in the winter, and if that is a high priority for you, it is a good choice.
Bob
Bob, I was reading the chapter on choosing a vehicle in your book. Under “car,” there’s a sub-heading of “Who is it for?” Both (A) and (C) describe me to a “T.” I’ll usee a minivan if I can, but the attitudes of car folks work perfectly.
On top of that, I want great mobility and the urban stealth you mentioned. With or without a tent, I will not be hanging out in that kind of weather more than about a week without an overwhelming reason. I will, however, use the higher mpg to visit the West the rest of the year except a few years when I explore the Eastern states.
Calvin, I’m glad you’re getting closer to what will work for you. I know several people who live in their cars and it works really well for them. A tent would be the perfect addition, most of the time it will greatly expand your room and when it doesn’t work you just stay in the car.
I do think a minivan is a better long term choice because you get a lot more room and comfort and don’t lose that much MPG by comparison. But, they do cost a lot more.
Bob
Great info here, Bob!
I’ll definitely have to look more into this camping on utility property thing.
I’m a little disappointed I missed this Ohio meetup you spoke of! As that’s where I am most of the time.
Oh well… 🙂
Toes, that was in 2007 so it was a long time ago!! If you get out West, we meet up a lot out here!
Bob
Thanks for the article. I was born and raised in the southeast. I just traveled out west for the first time last year and it truly was life changing. I am currently living in my van near Orlando and am making the best out of it. For me the fact that my daughter lives here and it is easy to find a server or bartending job makes it pretty good for me. I usually park in a nice park or other green space with a view. I have found quite a few places that make me say wow, staring into the boil at Blue Springs State park, the ancient oaks of Highland Hammocks, the sunsets over Mosquito lagoon, and the power and sound of the spring and summer electrical storms. I do think the summers are unbearable so I will be heading north this year. Great article Bob, the maps illustrate your point perfectly.
Gold City Guy, yeah the summers are pretty bad! I highly recommend the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. Beautiful area, very friendly people, lots of National Forests. It’s at 5-6000 feet so it is quite a bit cooler. I never tried stealth parking or boondocking so I don’t know how that would work.
Bob
I’ve been all over because of my work. I love the west. I found the east to have some good historical places to visit. The downside is the east is pretty congested and if you don’t care for the company of the masses it can feel pretty confining. I spent quite a bit of time also in the southeast, taking freight to NC. Warmer, but far more humid than the west.
I personally like the drier climate and warmer temps. I think I have less tolerance for cold the older I get. I am up further north right now, but I live in an area where ‘temperature inversions’ are common so sometimes we get pretty warm winter weather.
I’ve been working and working towards van/trailer dwelling and this being my last winter ‘up north’ and saying goodbye to a negative workplace that I seriously dislike.
One of my favorite western things: When the sky is bright blue! I saw less of that where it was more humid; seemed hazier there or more of a white/blue shade than the bright blue we get here.
Great information Bob. I spent over 12 years around San Diego when I got out of the Navy. The natural beauty out of the cities is amazing. And it makes sense to take advantage of the BLM land.
Thanks Curtis, it works for me! 🙂
Bob
Getting ready for our first trip, we’re from Florida and the heat and humidity is terrible. I’m finishing a trailer build on a boat trailer, I’m concerned if I’ll need a/c, I’m use to hot weather so 80 degree weather out west should be fine and looking forward to cooler nights. Looking to leave June and return in august, heading to Az then north, maybe all the way to glacier NP. Any advice on areas to be this time of year, my wife’s worried about having a generator and a/c and I feel we don’t need it, our first trip out west so we’ll be pretty much winging it day to day til we find a nice wooded camp site with great weather. Thx for any advice, mark and Kim.
Hi Mark, I’m going to assume your goal is to stay up in the mountains because they are beautiful and cool. If you do that, AC won’t be needed. However, if you are down the plains or desert you will wish you had it!
Here’s the problem, the mountains are all surrounded by plains or flat out desert and you have to travel through the low country to move from mountain range to mountain range. Even though the plains and desert are high country, it will easily hit 100 degrees, although it is very dry so that helps. That also means a long climb up into the mountains and down from the mountains.
Think of the mountain ranges as islands of cool surrounded by a sea of heat. So you just make a mad dash between mountain ranges and then climb back up into them as fast as you can.
And of course the trip to and from Florida will all be through extreme heat in the plains or Texas.
Bob
Thx Bob, I was thinking the lower states would be too hot for this time of year and OK to travel central and upper states like Wyoming, I’d rather not have to depend on a/c, lived in Florida too long. As for your info were getting a generator and a cheap 700 watt a/c…just in case. If anyone has some nice camping areas (free camping) plz reply. We still have a lot of homework to do so thx everyone for advice.
Mark and kim
Mark, you won’t need it in the mountains, but down in the plains of CO WY and MT it can get pretty hot. So I just stay up in the mountains!
Bob
Just recently started following you and really am inspired by what you are doing and how you are helping so many others find a new way of living. My wife and I just purchased our first class C motorhome. It is a fixer upper and are just about ready to head to the Eureka/Cresent City CA. area. Can you recommend any good boondocking spots in that area or point us to a good source of information.
I disagree. I grew up in both places as well. Spent many years in New Mexico. The nights in the desert are horribly cold, no foliage (that doesn’t have thorns). The east actually has plenty of free camping, warm nights, lush greenery and beautiful vistas. The blue ridge and smokey mountains are breathtaking any time of year. No, east is much better in my opinion for SO MANY reasons.