Table of Contents
What Is “Off-Road Trails for Long Term Camping”?
Off-Road Trails vs Backcountry Routes
Off-Road Trails are clearly defined vehicle paths suitable for 4×4 vehicles, ATVs, or adventure rigs, often maintained by federal or local land agencies.
Backcountry Routes can include more primitive, minimally maintained paths requiring advanced navigation and survival skills.
Both serve as frameworks for long term camping and overland journeys, but backcountry routes often entail more risk and less infrastructure.
Long Term Camping / Overlanding
Long Term Camping: Extended stays in outdoor environments — weeks or months — with self-sufficient setups.
Overlanding refers to self-reliant travel to remote destinations where the journey itself is part of the adventure.
This trend has grown dramatically in the U.S. over the past decade, with search interest for overlanding increasing more than 20-fold since 2016 and peaking seasonally in summer months.
Campsite Categories
Established Campsites: Designated sites with defined spaces, fire pits, sometimes water access.
Dispersed Camping: Wild, unregulated camping often found along federal land and backcountry roads.
For true long term camping on off-road trails, dispersed camping often unlocks the most freedom but requires meticulous planning.
Water Sources vs Resupply Points
Water Sources: Natural springs, river access, or known hydrants near trail segments.
Resupply Points: Town stops where food, fuel, and essentials can be replenished.
Understanding these helps you gauge how remote your itinerary can be without compromising safety.
Navigation Terms
Waypoints: Specific GPS coordinates marking notable locations like campsites or water stops.
Tracks: Routes recorded as paths or lines in GPS apps.
GPX / OSM: Standard file formats used for sharing navigation routes and maps.
If you’re new to finding trails, tools like GPX downloads, OnX Offroad, Gaia GPS, and crowd-sourced platforms help identify routes and campsites efficiently.
Best Off-Road Trails for Long Term Camping Worldwide
Below are some of the most sought-after regions for overland adventures, each with distinct environments, tactical considerations, and seasonal strategies.
North America
1. Trans-America Trail (TAT) — USA
Location: Tellico Plains (TN) to Oregon Coast
Terrain: Mixed dirt, gravel roads across rural America
Season: Spring–Fall
Difficulty: Intermediate
Water & Camping: Frequent small towns; dispersed camping common
Key Tips: Ideal for those seeking exploratory, long-distance travel across diverse terrain.
2. Rubicon Trail to Sierra Nevada Backroads
Location: California
Terrain: Rocky, technical off-road segments
Season: Summer
Water & Camping: Dispersed campsites with scenic views
Key Tips: Best for experienced off-road drivers; plan water caches where possible.
3. Mojave Road
Location: Mojave Desert, CA
Terrain: Historic desert trail, sandy washes
Season: Late Fall–Spring
Water & Camping: Very limited water — bring extra supplies
Key Tips: Great for solitude and desert adventure.
South America
Patagonia Backroads
Location: Argentina / Chile
Terrain: Steppe, mountain, and coastal trails
Season: Southern hemisphere spring/summer
Difficulty: Moderate
Water & Campsites: Natural water sources frequent but uneven
Key Tips: Remote landscapes; advanced planning essential.
Andean Altiplano 4×4 Routes
Location: Bolivia, Chile, Peru
Terrain: High-altitude desert and salt flats
Season: Dry season essential for access
Water & Campsites: Scarce; prioritize mapping and supply caches.
Europe
Scandinavian Wilderness Tracks
Location: Norway, Sweden, Finland
Terrain: Forests, lakes, rocky trails
Season: Summer
Water & Campsites: Lakes plentiful; dispersed camping allowed widely
Key Tips: Ideal for scenic shoreline camping.
Iceland F-Roads
Location: Interior highland routes
Terrain: River crossings, volcanic landscapes
Season: Mid-Summer only (typically June–Sept)
Water & Campsites: Numerous natural water sources
Key Tips: Check seasonal closures; unpredictable weather.
Africa & Middle East
Sahara Perimeter Tracks
Location: North Africa
Terrain: Sand dunes, rocky terrain
Season: Winter months best
Water & Resorts: Very limited water; highly remote
Key Tips: Only advanced overlanders should attempt with adequate water caches.
Morocco Atlas Passes
Location: High Atlas Mountains
Terrain: Mountain passes and villages
Season: Spring–Fall
Water & Campsites: Springs and village access helpful
Key Tips: Combines culture and adventure.
Australia & Oceania
Outback Long Haul Tracks
Location: Central Australia
Terrain: Red dirt, desert plains
Season: Cooler months (Apr–Sep)
Water & Campsites: Stock up at small towns; water tables remote
Key Tips: Remote and magical landscapes.
New Zealand Rugged Backroads
Location: South & North Islands
Terrain: Forests, coastal cliffs, mountain trails
Season: Summer
Water & Campsites: Streams and alpine lakes
Key Tips: Permits sometimes required for remote zones.
How to Plan an Off-Road Trail for Long Term Camping
Proper planning transforms adventurous ideas into memorable journeys.
1. Route Planning Checklist
Choose your region and season based on weather and accessibility.
Download GPX files and backup navigation maps.
Mark water sources and resupply points.
Allocate daily distances and overnight campsites.
2. Navigation Tools
To safely travel off-grid:
Offline Maps: Essential when cell coverage drops.
GPX Routes: Preloaded via mobile GPS apps.
Waypoints: Flag planned camping, water access, and hazards.
3. Must-Have Equipment (Checklist Style)
Navigation system with offline capabilities
Emergency communication tools
Portable water filtration and extra storage
Vehicle recovery gear and spare tires
Power systems (solar, batteries)
First-aid and safety kits
Off-Road Camping Trends & Data Insights
Outdoor recreation continues its upward trajectory. Campgrounds, national parks, and dispersed wilderness areas consistently appear among the top Google searches for outdoor travel, reflecting consumer desire for nature-centric experiences.
The rise in dispersed camping on public lands — such as BLM and forest service roads — reflects a shift away from traditional sites toward more self-guided, long-term adventure travel.
Meanwhile, overlanding continued to grow in popularity for more than a decade, with Western U.S. states showing the strongest regional interest due to proximity to expansive public land and rugged terrain.
FAQ – Off-Road Trails for Long Term Camping
Q1: What makes a trail suitable for long term camping?
A trail suitable for long term camping provides reliable access to water or resupply, multiple dispersed campsite opportunities, manageable navigation, and predictable seasonal conditions.
Q2: How do I assess water availability on remote trails?
Map known springs, river crossings, and official water points — and always maintain a buffer of additional carried water.
Q3: What vehicles are best for extended overlanding?
Any rig with off-road capability, sufficient clearance, and storage for gear can work. Proper setup for navigation and recovery is crucial.
Q4: What safety precautions should I consider?
Inform someone of your itinerary, carry redundant communication tools, and prepare for weather and terrain challenges.
Q5: How do I navigate where GPS is unreliable?
Pack paper maps, compass backups, and pre-downloaded GPX routes for layered redundancy.
Conclusion
Exploring off-road trails for long term camping combines the thrill of exploration with deep connection to wild landscapes. Markets show increasing interest and participation in overlanding and off-grid camping in the U.S. and globally.
Start with clear planning — route, gear, water access, and navigation — and embrace the journey as much as the destination.