The Top Spots in the US to Bug Out

Via Survival Sullivan

When you plan a bug out strategy, the location is one of the most important considerations. I think some people plan to just grab their bug-out bag and start walking. That is a recipe for disaster. To be successful you need to carefully plan a bug out location along with a route to get there. This means you need to live relatively close to this location. If the highways are clogged when SHTF, you may be walking to your bug out destination.

When selecting a location, there are a few priorities that need to be evaluated. One of the most important is accessibility. Can you get there? If the location is too far away or on the other side of a natural barrier like a river or a cliff, you are going to have a hard time making it to safety. I suggest you find a spot that is under 100 miles away and has a clear path to get you there.

On the other hand, you want this property to be inaccessible for other people. It needs to be hidden, so a location that is heavily wooded or one that has lots of ridges and valleys is ideal. You will want this spot to be well off the grid, so miles from the closest road or trail. If you have geographic features that would block other people, that is even better. Try finding a spot on a steep hillside or one that backs up to a river or bluff. If it is wooded then thick brush is a good deterrent. Of course you can always put up a fence, but natural barriers are even better.

The next priority is your ability to defend the location. If you have a crew trying to enter your camp and take your supplies, can you hold them off? Military strategy says the best option is high ground. If you can find a tall ridge that is heavily wooded, that would allow you to view intruders from all sides. In addition, the steep terrain would slow down any intruders making them easy targets. Another good option is putting your camp against any geological feature that protects your backside. If your camp backs up to a tall cliff side or even a cave, that prevents intruders from flanking you.

Another point of focus needs to be your proximity to large cities. There are several reasons that big cities are an issue. One is that the closer you are to a large city, the more likely you are to be overrun by occupants of that city. Urban areas in particular have a high percentage of inhabitants lacking survival skills. These people are more likely to take supplies from those that are more prepared.

The other major concern is that large cities could be targets for attack. Any presence of enemy soldiers would be a concern, but the big issue is chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks. Any of these scenarios could end up in your back yard if you are too close to the blast. Whether it is fallout, gas clouds, or infected victims, you do not want to be anywhere near an attack.

The weather trends in the area you select are important as well. An ideal setting would be an area having a temperate climate. If the weather gets too cold or drops several feet of snow in the winter, your location could be dangerous. In addition to hypothermia and frostbite, just getting around would be an issue. Extreme drought is a red flag as well. If your area is so dry that finding water or growing a garden is difficult, you should probably mark that spot off your list. Drought areas are also more prone to wildfires which could wipe out your camp.

Be wary of areas prone to natural disasters. Lowlands that are prone to flooding or coastal areas prone to hurricanes should be avoided. Although hard to predict, you may want to shy away from areas prone to tornadoes or earthquakes. The odds of these disasters damaging your property are small, but still worth considering.

Areas that have a potential for a major disaster in the near future may be a bad idea. For example, many scientists have predicted that the Yellowstone Caldera may erupt in the near future. This would wipe out the Pacific Northwest and send an ash cloud covering the entire western half of the United States.

Two other areas to be wary of are the San Andreas and New Madrid fault lines. These faults run along the entire west coast as well as along the Mississippi River. Seismologists have hypothesized that there could be very destructive earthquakes in both areas in the near future. There is no way to accurately predict an earthquake, but there are signs that can be followed. We can also look at damage from previous earthquakes in these areas to determine how bad it could be.

Finally, you should look at the natural resources available on the property. Sure you may have a stockpile of food and clean water, but that can always run out. Look for areas that are heavy with game and fish. Try to find land with a natural spring or at least a clean creek. Focus on areas that have rich black soil for planting a garden. Do not forget about fire wood either. Try to find an area with plenty of dead trees you can cut up for the fire.

Here are my rankings of the top areas in the US for bugging out:

Ozark Mountains (MO, AR, OK)

Maybe it is because I grew up in this area, but I feel that it has everything you could need for a bug-out location. This hilly area is thick with white pine and oak trees, and the woods are teeming with wildlife. I hunt in this area every year and I have yet to go a single day without seeing at least one deer.

The streams have trout, bass, and catfish along with all kinds of other wildlife. Natural springs are plentiful and there is an extensive array of limestone caves. The soil is fairly rich and the climate is mild. You can have cold winters and hot summers, but nothing unbearable. The land is also inexpensive and sparsely populated.

The Ozarks do not have any major cities that would be targeted. These hills, forests, and caves make it easy to disappear. You can hide your camp where nobody would find it, and the caves and bluffs can make it easy to defend if needed. There are several areas that are miles from the closest road or trail. Also the gun and building permit laws are fairly loose in these areas.

There are only three minor downsides. The Ozark Mountains are somewhat close to the New Madrid fault line, but they are far enough away that damage would be minor. There are some military bases in central Missouri, but they are far enough that they should not be major concern. You will occasionally get tornados in this area, but they typically damage an isolated area.

Appalachian Mountains (GA, TN, KY, VA, NC, WV)

These mountain areas are ideal for many of the same reasons that the Ozarks are ideal. This area consists of plenty of bluffs, caves, and springs. It is heavily wooded and has an abundance of game in the forest and countless fish in the streams. Also the soil is typically rich and fertile.

Most of these states are lax on gun laws and building permits. However, certain parts of the Appalachians are close to large cities. You need to be selective about which sections of this mountain chain you consider. If you are far enough into the wilderness, the land is cheap and easy to defend. It is also incredibly easy to stay hidden. The weather is similar to the Ozarks, but the Appalachians have a greater potential for heavy snow as you move to higher elevations.

There are a few downsides to this area. The proximity to major cities could mean issues with foreign attacks or looters invading your property. The potential for heavy snow makes it a bit more difficult to get around. Certain parts of this area are close to the New Madrid fault line. The key to bugging out in the Appalachian Mountains is to find the right spot. The more remote, the better.

Rocky Mountains (CO, WY, MT)

The Rockies may be the most remote location in the lower 48 states. There are areas that are so remote that they have never been explored. You can travel dozens of miles in the Rockies without crossing any roads or trails. There is also a heavy population of elk, so you have the potential to feed your family for months with one hunt.

This area is pristine and has plenty of game animals and fish. Huge salmon and trout can be caught in the streams and provide a great food source. There are an abundance of springs and clean rivers. In lower elevations the soil is rich, but it gets rocky as you increase in elevation. The weather is ideal except for during the winter.

In this area the land is inexpensive. The laws on guns and building permits are pretty flexible. The jagged mountains and dense forests make it easy to vanish and also easy to defend your location. There are not many major cities to worry about in this area. Just steer clear of Denver and you are fine.

There are some major issues with this location. The winter weather is horrible. It is not uncommon for people hunting at high elevation to get stranded by unexpected snow storms. The temperatures are low and the snow can come down by the foot. Also there are some military installments in the area that could be targeted. Finally, predators can be a concern in certain portions of these mountains. Bears, wolves, and mountain lions mean that you are not at the top of the food chain.

Pacific Northwest (ID, WA, OR)

If you want to vanish off the face of the earth, what better spot than bigfoot country? In the lush rainforests of the Pacific Northwest you will find an abundance of wildlife and rich black soil. There is an ample supply of clean drinking water year round.

If you need to keep your camp hidden, the dense forests of this area are ideal. Some parts of this region are hilly and easy to defend, while others are flat and harder to defend. There are also several large cities in this area, so staying hidden is even more important.

Aside from the dense population in certain areas, there are other issues with this location. In parts of the Pacific Northwest it rains constantly. In others you will find a desert like climate that gets almost no rain. The snowfall in winter can get pretty intense and the temperature drops well below a comfortable point. You would also be very close to the Yellowstone Caldera, so the entire area could be wiped out at some point.

Probably the two biggest concerns are the laws and the land cost. Land can be very expensive in this region, so you will have to try to find a deal. In addition, this area has become flooded by liberal politicians in recent years. They are making prepping and survival much more difficult with the laws they have passed.

Swampland (AL, MS, LA)

The swamps are notorious for being an excellent place to dump a body. This also makes it a good location for bugging out. There is plenty of cheap, uninhabited land. You can easily stay hidden and can easily defend a camp if you choose the right location. The swamps are full of game and fish. You should have no problem finding dead trees for firewood, but finding dry wood could be an issue.

There are problems with this location as well. The heat and mosquitoes are very intense. There is also great risk of hurricanes and flooding, so you almost have to build a home or shelter on stilts. The weather also makes growing any crops very difficult, and clean water is hard to come by. There are also a few major cities that could be targeted.

Honorable Mention

The Dakotas could be considered a good area, but the winters are rough and the land is flat. It can be hard to hide or defend a camp. There are also several military installments that could be targeted.

Central Alaska is a survivalist’s dream location, but it is so remote and harsh that most people would not survive. Between the negative temperatures and the bears, this area is awfully dangerous for a bugout spot.

Northern Maine is a great location. There are dense forests filled with Moose and other wildlife, but it is fairly close to Boston, NYC, and other major cities. That whole area could be targeted by another country.

Texas has areas that could make for a good bug-out location, but most of it is dry and flat making it hard to defend. It also borders Mexico which brings along its own challenges.