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I am aware this highly depends on the specifics of the site, but I am apprehensive about the risk of my car being obvious (parked on the side of the road, in a vacant properties driveway), especially if there are inhabited places in the near vicinity. I would like to get some advice on this topic, or if it's something I should really worry about since I doubt a passerby will care enough to report it. I plan to primarily do this at night if that's better or worse.
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Im also new but i would say park near the spot if its in a more rural or remote area so you dont get lost of if you need to get out quickly. if it somehwere in the city maybe somewhere a little down the road in case someone decides to report it.
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You should not doubt the potential threat of passersby in rural/remote areas, especially in areas with generally low traffic. It is more likely than not in these areas that whoever is driving on the roads is quite familiar with that area and its inhabitants, and a random car parked near a known abandoned structure can certainly attract the wrong attention, especially in the US where rural folk can be more prone to contacting police or waving a gun in your face. Not to mention domestic structures can be incredibly dangerous and potentially fatal to navigate, which may motivate owners to keep people out. Also if a passerby can easily notice it, so can a cop.
There's many ways to go about this, all dependent on the site itself. Are there parks or small towns nearby? A railroad path? Roads where people are generally parked in front of houses? You can park somewhere, make your way to the spot before dawn and make a quick escape in daylight hours. But you're going to want to be sure there's a POE before you make that trek, right? Especially for a smaller structure that may not be so rewarding. Are you going to cut through private property to avoid being seen? If so, what about dogs? Don't be fooled by small towns either. They can be just as bad as any major city, if not worse because a traveler more easily sticks out (look at Salem NJ). How long are you going to be there? Is the place empty, or is there much to explore? Often hard to tell just by driving by.
In my opinion, a good scouting mission for such locations is appearing around dawn or in daylight with a tripod and camera. Set up a shot, then wander around the building looking for different angles and perspectives. Take more shots. Spend about 10-15 minutes there. Really you're looking for a POE, paying attention to your surroundings and people driving by. Are they slowing down and looking at you or your car? Is someone coming out of their house to look at you? Perhaps someone will approach you rather quickly. Maybe nobody will care. Maybe you can get in and out right then, especially if it's a small structure with not a lot inside. Getting a feel for the environment around the site and the attention it gets from the people nearby will go a long way in helping you determine the best course of action, as well as if a site is truly worth visiting. All depends on how stealthy you want to be, how long you want to be in there, and how much you're willing to do to get in.
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Two-wheeled vehicles are always a lot less conspicuous. If you have to get there by car, could you ride a bike the last little way.
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If there is an easy spot to park nearby and walk to it I will do that. But 95% of the time I park right in front of the spot, on the shoulder, or if there is a driveway left still. These rural houses are usually pretty quick explores.
I've never had to do this, but always keep it as an option if there is a house that is big enough and interesting enough to be more than a 30 minute visit. After pulling over jack up your car and take your tire off and put in your trunk with a handwritten sign that says something about returning with a repaired tire.
I hear a lot of stories about gun wielding neighbors, I have yet to see one. I've met a lot of neighbors that like to visit and tell me stories about the houses and area.
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Posted by magic man
You should not doubt the potential threat of passersby in rural/remote areas, especially in areas with generally low traffic. It is more likely than not in these areas that whoever is driving on the roads is quite familiar with that area and its inhabitants, and a random car parked near a known abandoned structure can certainly attract the wrong attention, especially in the US where rural folk can be more prone to contacting police or waving a gun in your face. Not to mention domestic structures can be incredibly dangerous and potentially fatal to navigate, which may motivate owners to keep people out. Also if a passerby can easily notice it, so can a cop.
There's many ways to go about this, all dependent on the site itself. Are there parks or small towns nearby? A railroad path? Roads where people are generally parked in front of houses? You can park somewhere, make your way to the spot before dawn and make a quick escape in daylight hours. But you're going to want to be sure there's a POE before you make that trek, right? Especially for a smaller structure that may not be so rewarding. Are you going to cut through private property to avoid being seen? If so, what about dogs? Don't be fooled by small towns either. They can be just as bad as any major city, if not worse because a traveler more easily sticks out (look at Salem NJ). How long are you going to be there? Is the place empty, or is there much to explore? Often hard to tell just by driving by.
In my opinion, a good scouting mission for such locations is appearing around dawn or in daylight with a tripod and camera. Set up a shot, then wander around the building looking for different angles and perspectives. Take more shots. Spend about 10-15 minutes there. Really you're looking for a POE, paying attention to your surroundings and people driving by. Are they slowing down and looking at you or your car? Is someone coming out of their house to look at you? Perhaps someone will approach you rather quickly. Maybe nobody will care. Maybe you can get in and out right then, especially if it's a small structure with not a lot inside. Getting a feel for the environment around the site and the attention it gets from the people nearby will go a long way in helping you determine the best course of action, as well as if a site is truly worth visiting. All depends on how stealthy you want to be, how long you want to be in there, and how much you're willing to do to get in.
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Thanks a lot for the detailed description, and it's all something I will seriously consider and add to my arsenal. My friend also has a drone with a camera and I expect this to also be a great tool for scouting things out. Being from Wisconsin, the people here tend to be pretty nice in my experience but I didn't even think of passing cops. All this advice is extremely helpful, thank you!
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Posted by Steed
Two-wheeled vehicles are always a lot less conspicuous. If you have to get there by car, could you ride a bike the last little way.
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This is an idea I was considering, but would mainly work if I was solo and I plan to go with some other explorers. It would also be challenging with my camera equipment, but it's definitely something that could happen in the warmer months. Thanks!
Posted by NeuroticMatt
If there is an easy spot to park nearby and walk to it I will do that. But 95% of the time I park right in front of the spot, on the shoulder, or if there is a driveway left still. These rural houses are usually pretty quick explores.
I've never had to do this, but always keep it as an option if there is a house that is big enough and interesting enough to be more than a 30 minute visit. After pulling over jack up your car and take your tire off and put in your trunk with a handwritten sign that says something about returning with a repaired tire.
I hear a lot of stories about gun wielding neighbors, I have yet to see one. I've met a lot of neighbors that like to visit and tell me stories about the houses and area.
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One of the things I've been hoping for when it comes to an abandoned house/farm would be a long driveway concealed by woods or other buildings. I like your idea of the tire method, and I imagine I'll become more creative once I get more experience with exploring. And you say you mostly just park in front, and I'm sure if I did so I would be fine, but you truly never know. Thanks everyone for your help.
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I tend to park as close as possible without raising suspicion or have someone drop me off and wait nearby if I have to. I stick to somewhat residential roads with at least one car parked on them or empty dirt lots. If I have nowhere to park I will have my girlfriend or friends drop me off at a spot and wait nearby to pick me up. This is stupid and a lot of steps but I'd rather be safe than sorry if I don't have an easier spot.
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Posted by Gauge-
I tend to park as close as possible without raising suspicion or have someone drop me off and wait nearby if I have to. I stick to somewhat residential roads with at least one car parked on them or empty dirt lots. If I have nowhere to park I will have my girlfriend or friends drop me off at a spot and wait nearby to pick me up. This is stupid and a lot of steps but I'd rather be safe than sorry if I don't have an easier spot.
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I had the same idea coming to dropping people off. It is definitely a good idea but it wouldn’t be the best in case something went wrong, but everything has its pros and cons. And it’s most certainly less conspicuous in the more farmlands region where headlights can be seen miles away. Thanks.
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Whenever I go urbex in an abandoned rural area, I tend to just park on the side of the road and maybe throw my hazards on if I won’t be long. Frankly, people just assume your car has broken down or you’re related to or are a farmer. I wouldn’t stress too much about it as I haven’t had any issues
just someone hoping to escape it all |
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