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What is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking or dry camping, is camping outside of developed campgrounds on public lands. Unlike traditional campgrounds, dispersed camping sites typically have no facilities, no fees, and minimal restrictions. This type of camping allows you to enjoy nature in its purest form while having the freedom to choose your own spot.
The majority of dispersed camping opportunities exist on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service. Most dispersed camping follows the "14-day rule," meaning you can camp in one spot for up to 14 days before needing to move at least 25 miles away.
BLM Land vs National Forest Camping
BLM Land Camping
Bureau of Land Management lands cover over 245 million acres, primarily in western states. BLM lands typically offer wide-open spaces in desert and plains environments, perfect for RV camping and stargazing.
- Usually more open, desert terrain
- Easier vehicle access
- Popular for RV and van camping
- 14-day stay limit is standard
National Forest Camping
National Forests encompass 193 million acres of mountains, forests, and wilderness areas. These locations offer cooler temperatures, shade, and scenic camping with trees and mountains.
- Forested, mountainous terrain
- Cooler summer temperatures
- More challenging road conditions
- Better for tent camping
Leave No Trace Principles
When camping on public lands, following Leave No Trace principles is essential to preserve these beautiful areas for future generations.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Research regulations, check weather, and download offline maps before heading out.
Camp on Durable Surfaces
Use established sites when possible, camp at least 200 feet from water sources.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack out all trash, including toilet paper. Bury human waste 6-8 inches deep.
Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from distance, never feed wildlife, store food securely.
Safety and Preparation Tips
Successful dispersed camping requires proper preparation and awareness. Unlike developed campgrounds, you won't have access to water, facilities, or emergency services nearby. Always tell someone your plans and expected return date.
Essential Items to Bring
- Adequate water (1 gallon per person per day minimum)
- First aid kit and necessary medications
- Offline maps and GPS device
- Emergency communication device
- Weather-appropriate clothing and rain gear
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured Free Camping Spots
Highly-rated dispersed camping locations hand-picked from across America
Tonto – Roosevelt Lake North Shore
Free dispersed camping at Tonto – Roosevelt Lake North Shore in Arizona. Desert benches above the lake with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Roosevelt. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. No shade; heat Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Black Gap WMA Vicinity (outside closures)
Free dispersed camping at Black Gap WMA Vicinity (outside closures) in Texas. Chihuahuan Desert backroads with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Black Gap. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Permit rules apply Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Gold Butte National Monument
Free dispersed camping around BLM Gold Butte, Nevada. Desert sandstone and Joshua tree basins with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Whitney Pockets. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Rough roads; no water Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Burr Trail Dispersed Zones
Free dispersed camping around Boulder Backroads, Utah. Canyon views and slickrock benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Long Canyon/Boulder. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow shoulders; limited shade Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Teanaway Backcountry Roads
Free dispersed camping around Okanogan–Wenatchee NF, Washington. Ponderosa slopes and river benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Teanaway. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Seasonal fire restrictions Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Ozark NF – Big Piney Roads
Free dispersed camping around Ozark NF, Arkansas. Creeks, waterfalls and bluffs with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Pedestal Rocks. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Low-water crossings Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Popular Free Camping States
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Alabama Free Camping
Alabama offers diverse free camping opportunities from the Appalachian foothills to coastal plains, with excellent dispersed camping in Bankhead and Talladega National Forests.
Alaska Free Camping
Alaska provides unparalleled wilderness camping experiences with vast public lands, from Arctic tundra to temperate rainforests, offering true backcountry adventures.
Arizona Free Camping
Arizona is a premier boondocking destination with extensive BLM lands, desert landscapes, and year-round camping opportunities in the Sonoran Desert.
Arkansas Free Camping
Arkansas offers excellent free camping in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains with pristine forests, clear streams, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
California Free Camping
California offers diverse free camping from coastal redwoods to high Sierra mountains, with extensive national forest and BLM lands for dispersed camping.
Colorado Free Camping
Colorado provides exceptional high-altitude camping with stunning mountain vistas, alpine lakes, and extensive national forest dispersed camping opportunities.
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All Camping Spots (346)
La Sal Mountains Dispersed Camping
Free dispersed camping around Manti–La Sal National Forest, Utah. Aspen groves, alpine meadows, and cool temps with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Warner Lake and Geyser Pass. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. High-clearance advised on rough spurs Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Valley of the Gods Roadside Camping
Free dispersed camping around BLM Valley of the Gods, Utah. Sandstone buttes and open desert benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Mexican Hat and Monument Valley. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Flash floods and strong winds Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Temple Mountain Pullouts
Free dispersed camping around San Rafael Swell, Utah. Rugged reef walls and wide benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Temple Mountain Wash. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Remote; no services Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Hole-in-the-Rock Road Dispersed
Free dispersed camping around Grand Staircase–Escalante, Utah. Slickrock, slots, and pinyon-juniper flats with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Dry Fork/Peekaboo/Spooky. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Deep sand after storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Burr Trail Dispersed Zones
Free dispersed camping around Boulder Backroads, Utah. Canyon views and slickrock benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Long Canyon/Boulder. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow shoulders; limited shade Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
North Klondike Bluff BLM Corridors
Free dispersed camping around Moab BLM, Utah. Red rock mesas and singletrack access with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Klondike Bluff trails. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Crowded on weekends Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Gooseberry Mesa Vicinity
Free dispersed camping around Hurricane Mesa BLM, Utah. Rim-country camping with bike trails with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Gooseberry Mesa. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Soft sand; respect closures Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Diamond Fork/5th Water Corridor
Free dispersed camping around Uinta–Wasatch–Cache NF, Utah. Canyon benches and creek pullouts with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Spanish Fork Canyon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Seasonal closures; heavy use Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Mirror Lake Highway Spurs
Free dispersed camping around Uinta Mountains, Utah. Subalpine forests and lakes with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Bald Mountain/Provo River. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Cold nights; storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
San Rafael Desert Rim Sites
Free dispersed camping around San Rafael Desert, Utah. Remote rim benches and open views with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Green River/Temple Mountain. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Very limited cell coverage Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Koosharem/Monroe Mountain Roads
Free dispersed camping around Fishlake NF, Utah. Aspen high country and meadows with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Monroe Mountain. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Monsoons rut roads Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
North Fork Uinta Backroads
Free dispersed camping around Uinta–Wasatch–Cache NF, Utah. Primitive creekside sites with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by North Fork River. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow, rough spurs Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Cedar Breaks Plateau Spurs
Free dispersed camping around Dixie NF, Utah. High alpine meadows and bristlecone with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Cedar Breaks vicinity. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Cold nights; afternoon storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Manti Skyline Drive Pullouts
Free dispersed camping around Manti–La Sal NF, Utah. High-elevation ridge with lakes with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Fairview–Huntington divide. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Snow into July some years Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Caineville Desert BLM Flats
Free dispersed camping around Henry Mountains/BLM, Utah. Badlands benches and wide open flats with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Factory Butte. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Strong winds; no shade Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Pine Valley Mountain Backroads
Free dispersed camping around Dixie NF, Utah. Pine forests and cooler temps with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Pine Valley. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Seasonal closures Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Goblin Valley BLM Corridors
Free dispersed camping around Central Utah BLM, Utah. Desert flats near hoodoos with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Goblin Valley area. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Pack out all water and waste Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Valley of the Gods East Bench
Free dispersed camping around BLM Valley of the Gods, Utah. Wide pullouts with iconic views with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Cedar Mesa. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Limited shade; soft sand Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Rabbit Valley Recreation Area
Free dispersed camping around McInnis Canyons NCA, Colorado. Desert benches with OHV access with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Rabbit Valley. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Crowded spring/fall Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Divide Road – Uncompahgre Plateau
Free dispersed camping around GMUG NF, Colorado. Pinyon–juniper to ponderosa transition with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Uncompahgre Plateau. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Dusty; limited water Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Your Complete Guide to Free Camping in America
What is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking or dry camping, refers to camping outside of designated campgrounds on public lands. This type of camping is typically free and offers a more primitive, wilderness experience.
Where Can You Camp for Free?
- • National Forest Service lands
- • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas
- • Some state parks and wildlife areas
- • Army Corps of Engineers properties
Free Camping Etiquette
- • Follow Leave No Trace principles
- • Respect 14-day camping limits
- • Camp in previously used sites when possible
- • Pack out all trash and waste
- • Respect wildlife and other campers
Popular Free Camping Apps
While there are many apps available, Camping in the USA provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date directory of free camping spots across all 50 states.