Year long backpacking trip: permits and laws?

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mestenio_lara

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I am a student in California and I'm planning a one year backpacking trip from Mexico border to Canada, and need to know what laws will restrict me and what permits/licenses I need. Will be following california coastline until Redwoods area, after that we should be staying pretty close to Pacific Crest Trail but not all the time. Camping on beaches? Camping with a hearing dog? (one of the campers is slightly deaf and she wants her dog with her, what are the laws for bringing him into state/national parks/forests? Is Yosemite going to be a problem for her? He's very quiet and professionally trained). Campfires? Is there a pass that will give me access to all public parks/forests/etc.? Or do I seriously have to pay each and every camping fee for every stinking camp ground we stay in on the way?
If we end up getting a fine for something like camping in an undesignated area or whatever, can I wait until the end of the trip to handle the court appearance/fees/etc.? Is there any way to get some of the fees wavered? Like attending classes and getting permits or something?
We aren't planning on doing any hunting/fishing along the way.
And is there a good resource for getting state/ county maps with tons of trails on them? Getting a little tired of using fifty different maps and books....
 
Man that's going to be a lot of jurisdictions your going to walk through. The answers are going to be a varied as they are different.

While I cant answer your questions I can point you to a book I really enjoyed about this topic.

http://www.peterjenkins.com/books_profile_AWAA.htm
 
a service dog can go anywhere that is open to the public so don't worry about that as long as the dog is a register service dog. There are no laws to worry about either, that is one of the greatest things about America there are no internal check points. You may travel freely anywhere inside the borders without being hassled by the authorities. Why would you want to camp somewhere where camping is not allowed? If you do, just be respectful to the environment you are in, if a ranger catches some kids camping where they shouldn't be he usually just tells them to move along. But if you site is littered or you are being careless with a fire he will throw the book at you and in some parts of califonria having a fire where it is not allowed will get you a night in jail and thousands in fines. Don't mess around with fires where it is not allowed, they take this very serious.
 
All of these things you are asking about will very from state to state, city to city. You will have to know the laws of those cities and states. Sorry, can't be anymore help then that.

No, you will have to show up to court on the date it says, or a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Unless you can give the court a good reason for not showing up.
 
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