Dispersed Camping: Where It's Legal and How to Find Spots

Dispersed camping means camping on public land outside of a developed campground: no campsite numbers, no bathrooms, no fees, usually no neighbors. It's legal on a lot of federal land in the U.S., and it's one of the best ways to camp in fall, when the crowds are gone.

01Where it's usually allowed

National forests

The U.S. Forest Service generally allows dispersed camping in national forests unless an area is posted closed. Rules vary by forest and ranger district, so check with the local office or its website.

To find the roads you can legally drive and camp along, look for the forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is free from the Forest Service.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land

The BLM manages huge areas of public land, mostly in the West. Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land unless posted otherwise.

Where it's usually NOT allowed

• Most national parks don't allow dispersed car camping. Backcountry camping usually requires a permit.
• State parks usually require you to camp in designated sites.
• Private land, of course, without permission.
• Many wildlife refuges and some state forests have their own rules.

02The rules most places share

These vary, but these are common:

• Stay limits: often 14 days within a set period (such as 28 days), after which you have to move a set distance. Check the local rules.
• Distance from water: camp well away from lakes and streams. Leave No Trace guidance is about 200 feet; some forests set their own minimum.
• Use existing sites: if there's already a fire ring or a cleared, flat spot, use it rather than making a new one.
• Fire restrictions: fire bans are common in dry seasons. Check before you go; they can change daily.
• Pack it in, pack it out: there are no trash cans.
• Human waste: dig a cat hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, trails and camp, or pack it out.

03How to find spots

• Call or check the ranger district for the area. They'll often tell you where people camp and which roads are open.
• Use the MVUM for national forests.
• Apps and websites list dispersed spots shared by campers. Treat them as a starting point; conditions change.
• Drive forest roads in daylight and look for established pull-offs and clearings with existing fire rings.
• Arrive early on weekends.

04Before you go

• Download maps. Cell service is often gone.
• Bring all your water, or a way to treat it.
• Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
• Check road conditions. Forest roads can be rough, and fall rain or early snow can make them impassable.
• Know the hunting seasons. Fall is hunting season on much public land. Wear bright orange when you're out of camp.

05Be a good neighbor

Dispersed camping only stays legal if campers take care of it. Pack out everything, leave fire rings cold, and don't cut live trees. See Leave No Trace in plain words.

New to camping? Start at a campground first; see car camping for beginners and Recreation.gov booking tips.

Photo: Dispersed Camping (14903054048).jpg) by cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0.

Related: Locked Gates and Dry Spigots: How to Check a Fall Campground Before You Drive · Rainier campground and roads closed, and a parkwide fire ban