The best campsite you’ll ever have won’t cost you a dime. No reservation, no hookups, no neighbors 10 feet away running a generator at 6 AM. Just you, your rig, and public land.
Dispersed camping — camping outside of designated campgrounds on public land — is legal on most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest land in the US. And there’s a lot of it.
Here’s how to find it.
Step 1: Understand Where It’s Legal
Not all public land allows dispersed camping. Here’s the breakdown:
Where You CAN Disperse Camp (Usually)
- BLM Land — the biggest opportunity. The BLM manages 245 million acres, mostly in the western US. Dispersed camping is generally allowed unless posted otherwise.
- National Forests — 193 million acres managed by the USFS. Most allow dispersed camping, but check the specific forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
- State Trust Land — varies by state. Some allow it with a permit, some don’t.
Where You CANNOT
- National Parks — camping only in designated areas (few exceptions for backcountry permits)
- State Parks — designated campgrounds only
- Private Land — obviously
- Wilderness Areas — no motorized vehicles. You can hike in and camp, but your rig stays at the trailhead.
Step 2: Find the Land
Tool 1: Gaia GPS
One of the best apps for overlanders. Shows public land boundaries color-coded by type (BLM, USFS, state, private). You can see exactly where public land starts and ends.
Tool 2: freecampsites.net
Crowd-sourced database of free camping locations with reviews, photos, and GPS coordinates. Filter by state and type. Read the recent reviews — conditions change.
Tool 3: iOverlander
Originally built for international overlanding, it has excellent US coverage now. Each location has user-submitted details on road conditions, cell service, and campsite quality.
Tool 4: Google Earth
Once you’ve identified an area of public land, use Google Earth’s satellite view to scout for:
- Flat spots near the road (pull-offs)
- Fire rings (they show up in satellite imagery)
- Existing two-track roads leading to camp spots
Step 3: Check the Rules
Before you go, verify:
Fire Restrictions
Check the local ranger district’s website or call them. Fire restrictions change throughout the season and can go from “campfires allowed” to “no fires of any kind” overnight during dry periods.
Stay Limits
Most BLM and USFS land has a 14-day stay limit — you can camp in one spot for up to 14 days, then must move at least 25 miles. Some areas (especially near popular towns) have shorter limits.
Distance From Water
You must camp at least 200 feet from any water source (rivers, streams, lakes, springs). This protects water quality for wildlife and other users.
Road Access
Check the MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) for the area. Only drive on designated roads and trails. Driving off-road to create a new campsite is illegal on most public land.
Step 4: Pack for Self-Sufficiency
Dispersed camping means no amenities. You need to bring:
- Water — minimum 1 gallon per person per day. More in summer.
- Waste management — trash bags (pack it all out), trowel for cat holes (200 feet from water, 6-8 inches deep), WAG bags for sensitive areas
- Fire supplies — if fires are allowed: fire pan or existing fire ring only, water to fully extinguish
- Navigation — downloaded offline maps. Cell service is unlikely.
Check out our dispersed camping starter guide for the complete gear list and state-by-state rules.
Step 5: Leave No Trace
This is non-negotiable. Dispersed camping privileges are at risk in many areas because of trash, fire scars, and human waste. Every trashed campsite gets us closer to losing access.
The basics:
- Camp on existing disturbed sites — don’t create new ones
- Pack out ALL trash, including micro-trash (cigarette butts, food scraps)
- Human waste: cat hole (6-8” deep, 200ft from water) or WAG bag
- Scatter used dishwater 200 feet from camp and water sources
- If you had a fire, make sure it’s DEAD out — drown it, stir it, feel it with your hand
Best States for Dispersed Camping
If you’re in the eastern US, your options are more limited since there’s less BLM land. But National Forests are everywhere.
Western US (the motherload):
- Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming
Eastern US (more limited but still great):
- Ouachita National Forest (AR/OK)
- Daniel Boone National Forest (KY)
- Cherokee National Forest (TN)
- White Mountain National Forest (NH)
- Green Mountain National Forest (VT)
The Golden Rule
Leave your campsite better than you found it. Pick up one piece of trash that isn’t yours. Move that fire ring rock back. The more we take care of these places, the longer we get to use them.
