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Dispersed Camping

Camping outside of developed campgrounds on public land, typically BLM or National Forest Service. Free, but no amenities.

Also called: dispersed camping, dry camping, BLM camping, USFS camping, free camping, wild camping

Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds on public land — typically Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service land. It’s a specific subset of boondocking.

The defining characteristics:

  1. No amenities. No water, no electric, no sewer, no bathrooms.
  2. No reservations. First-come, first-served on most public land.
  3. No fees. Free in most BLM/USFS areas, with stay-limit rules.
  4. Specific land designation. Not just any wilderness — only land designated for dispersed use.
  • Most BLM land — millions of acres in the West. 14-day stay limit per site.
  • Most National Forest land — varies by district. Confirm with the district ranger.
  • Some state trust lands in the West.
  • Specific dispersed-use areas in some state parks.

Where it isn’t

  • National parks (in-NP camping requires a designated campground or backcountry permit)
  • City streets
  • Private property without permission
  • Wilderness areas (often require permits even for dispersed camping)

Apps:

  • Campendium — crowdsourced dispersed camping with reviews
  • FreeRoam — overlays BLM/USFS boundaries on satellite imagery
  • iOverlander — backpacker-oriented but includes RV sites
  • Allstays — paid app with multiple campground types

Government:

  • BLM district office maps
  • USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) — shows where dispersed camping is allowed

Etiquette

  • Pack out everything. Including toilet paper. Including grey water (don’t dump on the ground in arid areas).
  • Don’t trench around your tent. Don’t blaze new fire rings.
  • Use existing fire rings where they exist; check fire restrictions first.
  • Stay 200 ft from water sources (federal rule on most public land).
  • Camp on durable surfaces — rocky areas, established sites, never on cryptobiotic soil.
  • Respect stay limits — typically 14 days, then you must move 25+ miles.

What renters need

  • Full fresh water tank
  • Empty grey/black tanks
  • Generator or solar for power
  • Bear/food storage (in bear country)
  • Offline maps (no cell signal in most dispersed areas)
  • Sufficient fuel to drive in and out

Dispersed camping is the cheapest RV travel possible. Done right, an RV trip can cost less per night than tent camping at a developed campground.