When I was section backpackint the Shennandoah Nat'l. Park section of the AT I stealth camped off the trail about 100 yards or more when it suited me. Stealth camping requires one to do the very best LNT camping possible.

Camping away from shelter areas is forbidden exactly because rangers don't want a gazillion campsites, fire spots and rock circles, etc. all over the woods. Thus LNT is even more essential when stealth camping.

When staying at shelters I always tent camped. I am most definitely not a shelter person and don't like the "experience" unless I (or my buddy) am the only one there.

Now that I've moved from Pennsylvania to Nevada it's tenting all the time. I just find a place for my TarpTent Moment and it's home. But LNT is also critically important when I camp in the desert because the desert environment takes far longer to "heal" than wooded areas do.

Eric