Backcountry adventures: Throwing a dart

You're a camper, that's the whole reason you're reading this blog. Camping is a great escape from the hassles of home and a chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural earth. Most people are happy to head to a destination campground and pitch a tent for a weekend.

But what about the trips where you felt like you never got away from the crowds? Maybe there was a beer-soaked bachelor party in the site next door? Or an RV that ran its generator 24/7.

Many people don't realize that you don't need a campground to go camping. The U.S. has thousands of square miles of National Forest land, among other public lands, where you can make a camp virtually anywhere for free (contact the ranger station for restrictions).

First you need to figure out the general area you'd like to explore, and how you'll get there. Backpackers typically have the least restriction, but you can also bike, paddle, snowshoe, ski, ride a horse, or drive to get there. Find a USGS topographic map of the area. You can purchase them at REI, at the ranger station, or download them free here.

Now that you have your map laid out on the kitchen table, take a close look at it. Maybe there's a geographic feature you'd like to camp near and explore. I often look for a body of water that we can swim in. Study the contour lines on the map to see if there is a spot that has an elevated view of the surrounding terrain.

Unless you're really good at orienteering, you'll probably want to find a trail that leads to your destination. The map will indicate what kind of trail it is, and the contour lines on the map will tell you how steep it is. The closer the lines are together, the steeper the hill. If the trail crosses the lines at a perpendicular angle, it goes directly uphill.

Much of our National Forests are quite well covered by fire and logging roads, and you may be surprised to find that they are often accessible to two-wheel-drive street vehicles. These tend to be unpaved dirt and gravel roads, but after the snow has melted and the rainy season is over, you may be able to get much further into the wilderness than you expected. Check with the local ranger station to find out the condition of these roads.