I'm planning a trip to VI this summer. Never been camping on the Island so I know nothing about what can and can't be done in terms of primative camping. I'll have a JKU with a small off road utility trailer so the road can be rough but not ridiculous. I'll likely stay at Browns Bay initially but want to venture out from there.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Welcome to the site, and soon the Island. You'll basically have two options for camping - campsites, or bush (depending on your preference). If the latter as your description implies, then basically it will be a matter of finding a logging road and driving it until you find somewhere nice. Best bet would be to check out google earth and plot a few roads heading inland. I don't know that particular area but if it were me I'd probably try to get up on that mountain to the south. Looks like it has some access and probably some good views of the straight as well!
So this implies primitive camping is allowed but how do I know where? I don't want to stake a claim on private land by mistake and piss off the owner. Is all government land fair game?
Thanks for the help.
A huge chunk of the island is owned by the forestry companies and technically private, but most of us use it respectfully without issue. I would feel comfortable heading down any open logging road that doesn't have explicit signage restricting entry. Individually owned private land will generally be marked and gated. One thing to be aware of is that active logging does take place all over the island so if you're on a road that looks well used, be ready to give right of way to any logging trucks you see. For camping, you will often find smaller unused roads that you can explore and find nice secluded areas to set up. Just use common sense and don't pitch your tent in the middle of an active logging road and you should be good :)
Awesome, thanks for the intel.