How to Become a Temporary Squatter on Federal Land

Home foreclosures, no credit, lost jobs, all very real possibilities in the next few years. What's a person to do when it appears all options have run out. Living in a vehicle is a risk. Harassment from authorities, looked down upon by society, often considered unwelcome among the "Normal" population.

Homesteading is a thing of the past. No longer can you pick out a piece of abandoned property, file some paper work, and after a period of years gain legal ownership of said land. There is a little known law that's called Adverse Possession Adverse Possession that stipulates that if a person takes possession, or "Squats" on someone else's property for a specified amount of time without the owner defending his position as legal owner, the Squatter can receive legal title to said property.

The circumstances within this law varies by jurisdiction, besides not many property owners are so clueless as to let you stay put without argument. Getting into a legal debate with authorities probably isn't something you want during times of financial hardship. Better to take advantage of what opportunities exist to legally occupy a quiet, seclude piece of land completely with the blessings of the Federal Government.

Federal Land, large quantities of Federal Land, are open to recreational use without charge. Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management allow people to stay, or camp on these unimproved lands for periods of 14 days without charge. More information about BLM camping can be found at BLM Camping Regulations.

Now don't confuse Federal Land with National Parks or State Forests. This opportunity is specific to Federal Land and does not include improved or maintained campgrounds that may lie within the borders of this vast open land.

BLM rules clearly don't allow long term or indefinite Squatting. You can stay put for two weeks, then you must relocate to a position at least 25 miles away. You can still stay within the boundary's of that area of Federal Land, you just need to pickup all your belongings and move. An inconvenience but hey, it's free.

Of course they require a light footprint. No permanent structures, and when you leave you take everything with you. Collecting firewood is allowed, but making any kind of an impact on the terrain isn't.

Much of the Land that is managed by the BLM is open desert. Though rather sparse in the way of amenities it is ideal as far as solar power is concerned. With almost endless bright sunny days, if your rig is equipped free electricity is certain.

No one will try to fool you into believing that such an existence would be easy. Without the ability to grow any crops due to constant movement, being self sufficient and living off the land would be hard if not impossible.

On the other hand if you've had the Government up to your eyeballs, or have found yourself amongst the newly homeless, maybe a little seclusion from the headaches of metropolitan life would seem like pure heaven.

What ever your circumstances, Yes, there is a place where you can at least catch your breath without fear of a financial drain. If the future looks bleak, maybe you should consider what would be required to get by in the wilderness. It may not seem such a far out idea when the masses find themselves without work, housing, or even food if things don't improve very quickly.