Recreation.gov is kind of like Ticketmaster for campsites — a government website that controls access to the most popular recreational sites on federal public land. Many critics say it’s not fair.

With wild camping, the mindset is “hike less, camp more, explore everywhere,” he said. In order to wild camp, Owens said there needs to be lawful land recreation and uninterrupted wilderness.

Wild camping is actively encouraged in Norway, where the mountains soar and the waterfalls thunder. There are plenty of spots to pitch up by water, gazing over glassy lakes with your morning coffee.