Random Camping: What Is It and How to Do It Responsibly
Standing on the headwall overlooking the lake’s turquoise waters, it felt as if we were tucked away from the rest of the world until soft rock music began to echo through the valley.
Every time I venture into the backcountry, I leave refreshed, but after a short backpacking trip to Carnarvon Lake, I instead left with some weighty reflections on the seemingly bleak future of random camping.
Random camping, also known as backcountry camping—referred to as dispersed or wild camping in some provinces—is camping in a remote area where there are no facilities or services of any kind. Random camping is not the same as hiking into designated backcountry campgrounds but is often only allowed in wildland parks or on public land use zones (crown land).
Often the only restrictions to this kind of camping are that you remain more than one kilometre from roads, infrastructure, provincial or national park boundaries, designated backcountry campgrounds and far from any “No Camping” signs. But specific restrictions can vary by province.
Since Carnarvon is located on wildland, no reservations are required, and random camping is permitted.
Carnarvon Lake sits tucked beneath Mount Strachan and Mount MacLaren in the Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park. I heard about this place a few years back and have had it on my backpacking list ever since. But with some research and asking around, it seemed this gem had long been “discovered,” and I anticipated the lake had only grown in popularity since.
There is certainly an added freedom that comes with venturing into wildland or public land use zones. Dogs can often run free off-leash; some areas allow ATVs and for those with an adventurous inclination, no facilities or official trail signage can be a major draw. But maybe this “freedom” mindset has gone too far for some.
After an 11-kilometre trek and about 850 metres elevation gain, we reached the lake and wandered past a couple anglers fishing for cutthroat trout at the lake’s rocky edge. Otherwise, the place appeared surprisingly quiet—unfortunately, this didn’t last.
After setting up camp and a much-needed snack break, we took to exploring the area. It didn’t take long to see the human impacts left behind. The fire pit built in our campsite by previous campers was full of garbage. Dehydrated meal packs were discarded, half-burnt and covered under rocks, as if that was supposed to somehow lessen the impact.
A bit more exploring was all it took for an unfortunate run-in with someone’s “bathroom spot.” If you’ve encountered the same, you know what an abhorrent sight this is. This camper decided not to bother burrying their waste nor pack out their toilet paper.
That wasn’t all. Remains of chopped trees were scattered throughout sites, and other micro-trash could be found on the forest floor—from small wrappers to cigarettes.
“Since the explosion of random camping in 2020, there have been numerous reports that [Leave No Trace principles] are being ignored, especially in some of the popular places like Picklejar and Carnarvon,” says an article on the Friends of Kananaskis website.
This all had me wondering: How much more can this place handle? What will it look like in a few years if the same influx of people floods the lake and surrounding area every season?
Is there a different mindset when random camping vs. camping in national or provincial parks? Are people simply uneducated on backcountry etiquette or just careless?
After a sleepless night, we arose just in time to watch the sunrise before hiking out. We packed up camp as quietly as possible and meandered our way through several campsites leading to the main trail. Since we were tucked away in the farthest site, we didn’t realize just how many hikers had arrived the day before. We counted about 11 tents on our way out. In the golden morning light, we said our goodbye to the lake, leaving with somewhat heavy hearts.
By the time we reached the parking lot, we had passed over seven groups heading up to the lake. The majority looked like backpackers planning to stay the night.
Seeing the impacts campers had left on the landscape reminds me that implementing Leave No Trace principles is more important than ever.
There is a bounty of wilderness here in Canada full of prime recreation opportunities, but it is up to each of us to treat these places with respect, or the future of random camping will look grim.
So, How Should You Respectfully, Responsibly and Safely Random Camp?
Every area differs in its rules and regulations regarding where you can camp. Look up the specific rule for the area you are going beforehand. But whether you’re in a public land use zone or a national park, camping responsibly is a given.
Pack Out What You Pack In
From apple cores to wrappers to human waste, pack out everything you take with you. Never burn your trash; instead, bring an extra couple Ziploc bags to seal your garbage and haul it back down the mountain.
Poop Responsibly!
If you can’t pack out your waste using something like a Wag Bag, then you need to dig a cathole that’s at least 15 to 20 centimetres deep. All toilet paper should be packed out. Bring an extra Ziploc designated for toilet paper that’s wrapped in duct tape and marked with a sharpie. You don’t want to mix it up with another bag! Always make sure you do your business at least 50 metres from a water source or trail.
Respect Wildlife
Always keep your distance; never approach or feed wildlife, no matter the setting. I know those chipmunks can be pesky sometimes, but don’t share your scraps with those little guys either.
When random camping, bear bins are often not available, requiring you to make your own bear hang for food, cookware and fragrant items. This can be in a tree, in between two trees or on a cliff, depending on the landscape of the area. Find a tree at least four metres off the ground, at least 1.3 metres from other trees or features and at least 50 to 100 metres from your tent.
Clean up After Your Pet
Abiding by Leave No Trace principles, cleaning up after your dog can be treated similarly to dealing with human waste. Dig a cathole (15 to 20 centimetres deep) and place your dog’s waste in there. Alternatively, pick up after your dog like normal and pack it out with you until you reach a garbage bin where you can dispose of it.
Consider Others
One of the major draws to random camping is the escape from crowds and the opportunity to find silence and solitude. Many other campers do not want to hear your music blaring loud for all to hear. Consider your noise level and whether or not you are disrupting the peace. This can include throwing rocks or being loud at camp late at night. Most provincial and national parks establish quiet hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., these apply for random camping as well.
Campfires
It is never acceptable to cut down trees for firewood. Even in wildland and public land use zones where collecting deadfall is permitted (this does not include standing deadfall), you should use a stove over a fire unless you have to build one. If you do use rocks to make a fire ring, disperse them and the ash when you’ve put out your fire.
Respect Fire Bans
Check the Parks Canada website and find the area you plan to go to for current fire restrictions or bans. Before leaving camp, make sure your fire is completely out by soaking it with water, stirring it and then soaking it again. Be sure it is cool to the touch before you go.
A great adage to take with you on your next random camping excursion is to simply leave the place better than you found it. Even if you weren’t the one who left the garbage, pack it out with you anyway.
