There is little free information available for breaking into the wild or stealth camping scene. Initially we weren't sure what to expect. We worried over fines, angry land owners, wild animals and snoopy passers by.
No signs saying to not do what we're doing. Fairly obvious right? No trespassing, private property and no camping signs are all campsite killers
No fences. A fence suggests that we are not permitted in or that something else is not permitted out. Either way we pass these spots by.
No signs of use. If there is a beaten trail to the camping spot, it would suggest that someone else is using the spot. I would say not being seen from the road, someone's home or business would fall under this category.
We are respectful of our host by always leaving the camping spot better than we found it. It's good camping karma.
If given the opportunity we will ask locals if they know of a free place that we can pitch our tent. Often the people we ask will tell us of an epic spot or invite us to their lawn or into their home.
We have never had a problem while wild camping. In Ohio, at the end of a day of constant climbing we started to pitch our tent in what we thought was an unused space when the owner of the land rolled up in his truck. David and I walked sheepishly over to his truck, worried that he would tell us to leave. Instead he recommended we travel a little further to escape the rain under a covered stage he had built. Complete with outhouse, electrical outlets, fresh water and beer! It pays to wild camp in the USA. Mr.Z brought us sausage in the morning from a hog he had raised. We ended up eating it with another unplanned host just outside of Steubenville, Ohio. The USA is full of generous people like this.
Sitting about 120 miles from the Mexican border now, I hope that we will be able to continue finding safe, beautiful, free camp spots further South all the way to Paraguay. Let me know if you have any hosts or suggestions that we could try.
Wishing you all much success in your future wild camping adventures. Xx H