My friend Katrina called it a "disaster with a view." Her first attempt at a bicycle camping route involved a 70-mile day on a loaded bike, a wrong turn that added an extra hour of climbing, and a frantic search for a campsite after dark. She learned the hard way that throwing a tent on your rack and pedaling into the sunset isn't a plan—it's a gamble.
But when done right, combining cycling and camping is pure magic. It's travel at the perfect pace: fast enough to cover ground, slow enough to smell the pine trees and hear the rivers. You're self-sufficient, carrying your home on two wheels. The challenge isn't just finding a route; it's building one that matches your legs, your gear, and your appetite for adventure.
This guide is the manual I wish Katrina had. We'll move past generic advice and into the nitty-gritty of planning a bicycle camping route that you'll actually enjoy from start to finish.
Quick Navigation: What You'll Find Here
How to Plan Your Bikepacking Route (Step-by-Step)
Forget just looking at a map and drawing a line. A great bicycle camping route is a puzzle with four key pieces: distance, terrain, resupply, and sleep.
First, be brutally honest about your daily mileage. A loaded bike changes everything. That 60-mile day ride you crush on a weekend? Cut it by 30-40% for a loaded touring pace, especially if there's hills. I aim for 35-50 miles max on mixed terrain. It leaves time for photos, long lunches, and not arriving at camp completely wrecked.
Next, terrain is king. Use a tool like Komoot, Ride with GPS, or Gaia GPS. The secret sauce is layering the bicycle touring layer and the surface type layer. You're looking for low-traffic roads (greenways, forest service roads, rail-trails) with a rideable surface. A "scenic route" that's a busy state highway is a nightmare. A dirt road that turns to peanut butter mud after rain is a hike-a-bike session waiting to happen.
Finally, permits. This is the trip-killer nobody talks about until it's too late. Many popular backcountry areas, like those managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Parks Canada, require advance permits for dispersed camping or specific backcountry sites. Research the land management agency for your route and book well ahead. I've had to reroute entire trips because I missed this.
The Non-Negotiable Gear List for Bike Camping
Packing is a constant tug-of-war between comfort and weight. Every gram counts when you're pushing it up a hill. The goal isn't to bring everything you own for camping; it's to bring the right things that serve multiple purposes.
Here’s a breakdown of the core system, prioritizing lightweight and compact items. This is for a typical 3-season trip.
| Category | Essential Items | Why It's Critical & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter & Sleep | Ultralight tent/tarp/bivy, Sleeping bag/quilt, Sleeping pad | Your recovery zone. A good pad is non-negotiable for sore muscles. Skip the heavy car-camping bag for a down or synthetic backpacking quilt. |
| Kitchen & Water | Compact stove, Fuel, Pot, Spork, Water bottles/bladder (3L capacity), Water filter | Hydration is safety. A filter (like a Sawyer Squeeze) opens up natural water sources. A simple alcohol or canister stove is perfect. |
| Clothing | Cycling kit, Warm layer (fleece), Puffy jacket, Rain jacket, Camp clothes, 2-3x socks/liners | Merino wool is your friend. One set for riding, one dry set for camp. Never underestimate how cold it gets at night. |
| Bike & Repair | Multi-tool with chain breaker, Spare tube, Patch kit, Tire levers, Pump, Chain lube, Zip ties, Duct tape (wrap on pump) | You are your own support vehicle. Know how to fix a flat and a broken chain. Practice at home first. |
| Navigation & Safety | Phone/GPS, Power bank, Headlamp, Basic first-aid kit, Whistle, Physical map (backup) | Don't rely solely on phone battery. A paper map sealed in a plastic bag has saved me more than once when electronics failed. |
The biggest mistake I see? Bringing "just in case" tools. You don't need a full socket set. A quality T-handle hex set and a chain tool cover 95% of trailside repairs. The other 5% is a problem you'll need to walk out from anyway.
Making It Happen: The Day-by-Day Execution
Planning is one thing. Riding it is another. A successful day on a bicycle camping route has a rhythm.
Morning (6 AM - 10 AM): This is your golden window. Pack up camp, eat a quick breakfast (oatmeal is fuel), and get rolling. The air is cool, the light is beautiful, and you'll cover miles before you even think about being tired. I aim to be pedaling within an hour of waking up.
Mid-Day (10 AM - 3 PM): This is for grinding out miles and taking strategic breaks. Find a nice spot for a big lunch—a park, a scenic overlook. Resupply food if needed. This is also when you check your navigation against your progress. Falling behind? Maybe skip that extra side trail.
Late Afternoon (3 PM - 6 PM): Start looking for camp. This is crucial. You do not want to be deciding where to sleep as the sun dips. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to find your site, set up, filter water, and cook dinner before dark. A relaxed evening is the reward for a good day.
One more tactical note: food. You'll burn 4,000-6,000 calories a day. Snack constantly—every 45 minutes. Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. Don't wait until you're hungry or bonked. Dinner should be hearty and simple: dehydrated meals are easy, or pasta with a packet of tuna.
Three Bicycle Camping Route Ideas to Steal
To make this concrete, here are three route concepts at different difficulty levels. Think of them as templates you can adapt.
Route 1: The Gentle Introduction (Rail-Trail Weekend)
Concept: A 2-day, 1-night trip on a paved or crushed limestone rail-trail. Minimal traffic, gentle grades, established campgrounds.
Example Template: A section of the Katy Trail (Missouri) or the Great Allegheny Passage (PA/MD). Ride 25-35 miles to a trailside town with a hiker-biker campground (like in Rocheport on the Katy).
Why it works: No route-finding stress. Easy bail-out options. You can focus on the rhythm of touring without technical challenges.
Route 2: The Forest Explorer (3-4 Day Mixed Surface)
Concept: A loop or point-to-point using forest service roads and quiet backroads. Mix of pavement and hard-packed dirt.
Example Template: A loop in the Olympic Peninsula (Washington) or the White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire). Plan for 40-50 mile days with significant climbing. Camp at designated USFS campgrounds or practice Leave No Trace dispersed camping where allowed.
Why it works: True immersion in nature. Requires more planning (water, permits) and fitness, but offers solitude and stunning scenery.
Route 3: The Point-to-Point Odyssey (5+ Days)
Concept: Linking together smaller routes or a section of a famous long-distance route. Resupply in towns every 2-3 days.
Example Template: A segment of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route (e.g., Oregon coast) or the Trans Canada Trail through the Canadian Rockies. Use state/provincial parks for camping.
Why it works: It feels like a real journey. Logistics are more complex but often supported by established cycling infrastructure and services.
Expert Answers to Your Tricky Questions
The beauty of a bicycle camping route is that it's yours to design. It doesn't have to be epic. It just has to get you out the door, pedaling towards a patch of grass you'll call home for the night. Start small, learn what works for you, and the horizons will keep expanding. Now go check your tire pressure and start plotting.
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