We pulled into a rather unique dispersed camping area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. While this area is heavily used, the USFS has mowed several campsites in a rather smallish area, and has posted the length of stay regulations and other pertinent information concerning campfires and motorized use of the area. There are 7 or 8 campsites in this small area.
When we arrived, there were just two other campsites taken, so we pulled into one that looked relatively level, and I jumped out and opened the storage compartment where I store my leveling blocks to finish the job.
What happened next is the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
A guy with a nice toy hauler comes trotting down the road and yells at me "That's a federal offense!". I was so surprised by the initial contact with this fellow that all I could do was say "what??". Again he says "that's a federal offense". My response this time is "what's a federal offense?". To which I'm told it's a federal offense to dump my tanks. I was so surprised to be told that leveling my rig (what I thought I was doing) was a federal offense that all I could say was "I'd never do that" after he lets me know he thinks I'm dumping, to which again he says "well it's a federal offense to dump your tanks", again getting my response "I'd never do that". He turned and walked away, and I finished leveling the rig.
I've never had someone come storming up telling me what to do or not do on public lands before. I arm myself with knowledge of the local laws and restrictions before I dispersed camp, so being chastised for something I wouldn't ever consider doing by someone I've never met rubbed me the wrong way.
Shortly after I finished leveling my rig, the guy with the toy hauler loaded up and headed on down the road. After some thought about the incident, I guess he thought I was in the dump valve compartment, but why he would automatically think I was about to dump my tanks when I just arrived is a mystery to me. If it was me thinking a newcomer was about to dump their tanks, I'd go introduce myself and explain the rules, rather than re-enact the encounter I had.
In retrospect, I should have confronted the guy only to say that I appreciated his comments, but he was way off base as I was about to level my RV with blocks stored in the compartment, and I know the rules of dispersed camping.
Next time...
Please Support Multiple Use of our Public Lands!
Brian & Margie www.rv-camping.org
'10 Sunseeker Class C - Gozer II
'13 Jeep JKU (Wrangler) - Billie
Whoops! I just KNEW you were going to finish up with... later, learning that a valve had opened, you were, in fact, going down the road dumping your tank.
He was trying to save the spot for his buddy and you messed it up. He was hoping you would get freaked out and leave or he was just a psychotic tree hugger.
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