True Tent camping and Backpacking hard to come by?

[Skyguns MKII]

Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?

[MrBill]

180 out to Kanawyers then hike up into Kings Canyon.
299 to French Gulch then up French Gulch road to the end, hike up into the Trinity Alps.

No gas, no amenities, no lights, no cell service ... your on your own ... enjoy.

[B-17]

Well... do you canoe?

Tends to be quite easy, at least up in Algonquin Park in Ontario, or on the Spanish/Temagami Rivers. Set up a trip, set the length, pack up all you need, then leave.

Downside=you still have the dirt sites on the side of the river.
Upside=not too many people, if you go at the right time of year, and there's some wicked canoeing to be had

Not sure if it's helpful, just my $0.02

[eagl]

I think lots of people walk around lake tahoe, and there just isn't much out there.  This time of year it ought to be darn near deserted, although if they've had much snow recently they'll probably ask for some sort of credentials proving your 1337 outdoor skillz before they let you outside the manicured portions of the park.  So call ahead and ask.

I think the hike around tahoe takes about a week if you take the scenic trails.  The park service ought to have trail maps available.  Upside is that it's badazz back country, downside is it's waaay up the mountain so during the winter it's not a good place for amateurs to try.

There are lots of other state parks in calif though...  You just need to do some googling and then give the park service a call or go visit a ranger station nearby to get their recommendation.  If the ranger blows you off, keep checking around until you get some decent intel.

[B-17]

Oh, you're in Cali...

disregard my post lol.

[oakranger]

Wyoming's Wind River range or western Montanda has a lot of backwoods trails that you would go 3-5 miles. 

[saggs]

I'm nearly completly baffled by the OP.  

Can't find a place to go backpacking in California??  Seriously??

There are literally tens of millions of acres of designated wilderness area, BLM land, FS land and National parks in California, I honestly don't understand what your issue is.  

To bluntly answer the question that is your thread title.  No, it's not.  Your entire premise is completely backwards.  There are more people getting out into the backcountry now then there probably ever has been.  It kind of ticks me off because some of my favorite places where I used to not see another soul for a whole week trip, and now getting too crowded for my liking. 

Wyoming's Wind River range or western Montanda has a lot of backwoods trails that you would go 3-5 miles.  

That wins the understatement of the month award right there  .  I worked as a backpacking/climbing guide in the Wind Rivers for 6 straight summers, I kind of consider the Wind River backcountry my second home. There is easily over a thousand miles of trail just in the Winds alone, and humongous tracts of pristine trail less areas as well.  I say if you're not going at least 10 miles from any parking lot/trailhead then it's not really camping.  Personally I like to go off trail as often as possibly too, just to get away from as many people as possible, I've hiked to lakes and peaks in the Winds that are many miles from any trail...  not that I recommend that to a novice...

[VonMessa]

If you can't find a place to backpack in California, you are looking in the wrong place.  

I live just North of Philly and there are a hundred places to camping less than an hour from here.  The Appalachian Trail is just one of many that do not have any amenities...

[CAP1]

Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?

 yea. get outta kalifornia.

[Jenks]

299 to French Gulch then up French Gulch road to the end, hike up into the Trinity Alps.

Anywhere into the Trinity is an awesome trip. Might be a little bit o' snow this time of year tho'. 

[Skyguns MKII]

I'm nearly completly baffled by the OP.  

Can't find a place to go backpacking in California??  Seriously??

There are literally tens of millions of acres of designated wilderness area, BLM land, FS land and National parks in California, I honestly don't understand what your issue is.  

To bluntly answer the question that is your thread title.  No, it's not.  Your entire premise is completely backwards.  There are more people getting out into the backcountry now then there probably ever has been.  It kind of ticks me off because some of my favorite places where I used to not see another soul for a whole week trip, and now getting too crowded for my liking. 


That wins the understatement of the month award right there  .  I worked as a backpacking/climbing guide in the Wind Rivers for 6 straight summers, I kind of consider the Wind River backcountry my second home. There is easily over a thousand miles of trail just in the Winds alone, and humongous tracts of pristine trail less areas as well.  I say if you're not going at least 10 miles from any parking lot/trailhead then it's not really camping.  Personally I like to go off trail as often as possibly too, just to get away from as many people as possible, I've hiked to lakes and peaks in the Winds that are many miles from any trail...  not that I recommend that to a novice...

then who better to help me out than you...

[oakranger]

Another great place is the Grand Canyon.  Going down into the canyon is one thing, but going back up is anal prob at best. 

[fbEagle]

Here’s the deal. IV been desiring to go backpacking/tent camping somewhere in California for a while. I put the idea up on the table for my friends as an after graduation celebration idea. They liked the idea and we start researching... Now we don't want to do any of that "payment membership campground trailer B.S." We have done that before and the only thing enjoyable is what’s local. We wanted to do the classic 3-5 mile walk into the middle of nowhere, make fire and camp, and stay as long as our supplies let us. One issue, the Californian state/national areas idea of this is, pay a parking fee, drive up a dirt road usually a mile or less from a busy one, park your vehicle, and set up camp in that dirt slot you have reserved. This is NOT camping. Can anybody help me here?

  come to michigan theres no shortage of nothing up here lol

[EskimoJoe]

Move to Alaska.

[ozrocker]

If all else fails- Join the US Army Infantry
Leadership never seemed to have problems finding
a desolate place for me to sleep.(When you can squeeze in an hour or so of napping
ie, Plane trip, helo ride, etc.)
Always had a place for "backpacking" (Anywhere you go).
70 to over 120 lbs of gear anytime for up to & beyond 20 miles a day. And usually timed or Mission based timing.
Had my fill of "Camping"
Hope you'll find a nice Civilian style Camping/Hiking spot.

                                                                                                                       Oz