Dispersed camping is a wonderful way to get out and explore natural, uncrowded areas, especially in the West. Most dispersed camping takes place on public lands, in spaces where there aren’t developed campgrounds. And we have a lot of those spaces in the vast, sweeping deserts, mountains, and other Western environments.
This article will answer the question: What is dispersed camping? You’ll learn the difference between dispersed camping, boondocking, and dry camping. You’ll learn where you can go dispersed camping. And you’ll learn what to bring and how to plan for a dispersed camping trip.
Why Dispersed Camping Is Worth Exploring
Dispersed camping is a wonderful option for two very big reasons. It’s cheap. And it’s secluded.
You don’t have to pay for a campsite when you are dispersed camping. As long as you follow the rules laid out by the Bureau of Land Management, you can pick a spot and set up camp. No official campground and no fancy campground amenities mean that there’s also no cost. There’s no overhead when you’re not providing electricity or water or even basic bathrooms that need to be cleaned. It’s camping at its most basic and most cheap.
About one-tenth of all United States land is Bureau of Land Management land – about 382,000 square miles. And while not every square mile is available for dispersed camping, that still leaves a lot of elbow room when you’re looking for a camping spot. Boondocking on BLM land does require more work and more research than pulling up to a private campground and hooking up your services. But that means you’re likely to find fewer crowds here as well. Campgrounds are developed, often paved, and sometimes full of people. But in certain dispersed camping areas, you might not see another person during your entire stay. There’s a very good chance you can find solitude if you’re looking for it.
What Is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping is camping outside of a formal campground, with no hookups or amenities. No showers, no bathrooms, no trash removal – anything you bring with you into your camping area is going right back out with you when you leave. You’ll need to make sure you Leave No Trace. This means:
- Plan ahead and prepare for your trip
- Camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of your waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize your campfire impact
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
In practice, this means packing out everything, including trash and waste, and scattering your campfire ring and ashes when you leave. The area where you camped should look like you were never there.
Dispersed Camping, Boondocking, and Dry Camping
Dispersed camping, boondocking, and dry camping are all similar types of camping but they have a few differences. Dispersed camping is about where you are, boondocking is about how you camp (off-grid), and dry camping is about what’s not provided, regardless of where you are. Here’s a chart to help you understand the differences and similarities between the three:
| Term | Basic Definition | Typical Location | Amenities Provided | Vehicle Requirement | Rules & Restrictions | Common Use of Term | Key Difference |
| Dispersed Camping | Camping outside of developed campgrounds, usually on public lands | National Forests, BLM lands, some state lands | None | Any (car, tent, RV, van), but must be self-sufficient | Usually limited to 14 days; must follow “Leave No Trace” and land agency rules | Used mostly by public land agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and BLM | Focus is on location — outside designated campgrounds |
| Boondocking | RV or van camping without hookups, often for free | Remote public lands, big-box store lots, rest areas, urban stealth spots | None | RV, camper van, or similar self-contained vehicle | Varies by location; public lands have time limits, private property needs permission | Used mostly in the RV community | Focus is on style — off-grid, often remote, no hookups |
| Dry Camping | Camping without water, sewer, or electrical hookups | Usually developed campgrounds | None | Usually RVs, vans, or campers; tents possible | Depends on landowner or campground rules | Common in RV parks and public lands | Focus is on amenities — simply means no hookups, regardless of location |
Where You Can Dispersed Camp Near You
Public lands managed by several different agencies usually allow people to disperse camp in certain areas. Here are a few agencies that usually allow dispersed camping, plus a few that do on rare occasions.
Agencies that often allow dispersed camping
- U.S. Forest Service – Allows dispersed camping in most areas outside developed campgrounds. Head to the Forest Service website, select your national forest, and look for “Maps” or “Recreation → Camping → Dispersed Camping. You can also get Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) that show where roadside camping is allowed.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Allows dispersed camping in most areas not otherwise closed to camping. Visit the BLM website and select your state or district. Click on “Maps” or “Camping.” You can check out interactive maps or printable PDFs (a good option if you’re not sure about cell coverage in the area).
- Bureau of Reclamation – This agency covers lands and water around reservoirs and dams. They sometimes allow dispersed camping, but it varies. Check the agency website to see if your reservoir or recreation area allows dispersed camping and where.
- State land departments – Some state land departments allow dispersed camping in certain areas. Rules vary, depending on the state and you may need a permit. You can check for the state where you’re interested in camping by searching the state name + state land trust camping. You can also find the state’s Department of Natural Resources page and see if they have information for you.
- State parks & forests – Like land departments, some state parks and forests allow dispersed camping but rules vary by state. State parks usually only allow camping in designated campgrounds, while state forests often allow dispersed camping with some rules. You can visit the state’s DNR website or visit the website for the state park you want to visit.
- County/municipal open spaces – Some rural areas allow dispersed camping on local preserves or open space lands, but this is rare. Search the open space policies for the county where you want to camp.
- National parks, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Areas managed by these agencies very rarely allow dispersed camping. A few national parks allow backcountry dispersed camping, and the other two agencies generally only allow camping in designated camping areas.
How to Pick a Safe, Responsible Spot
Once you’ve found an area to dispersed camp near you, it’s time to pick a safe, responsible place to set up camp. Here are a few tips for picking where to camp.
- Make sure it’s legal. Check the websites above to make sure you picked a good spot to camp. You can also look at sites like iOverlander, freecampsites.net, and Campendium for suggestions on where to camp.
- Look for an existing site. You’ll have less of an impact on the environment if you pick a spot that was already used. It will also likely be safer for you and clear of rocks, sticks, and other debris. Look for flattened dirt patches, tire marks, or old fire rings and set up camp in these areas.
- Have an escape route. Make sure you can turn around or drive out without getting stuck, especially when there is rain or snow. Even better – back into your site so that if you have to evacuate, you don’t need to spend time backing out and turning around.
- Check for hazards. Look for dead branches above that can fall. Watch for loose rocks or erosion that can make your campsite unstable. Look for steep drop-offs and any other hazards nearby. Avoid low-lying areas and dry washes that can flood during a storm. Avoid camping near patches of berries, carcasses, or other obvious sources of food for wild animals.
- Watch for a spot with level terrain. That will make setting up camp much easier after you pick your spot. Look for firm soil, and avoid sand, mud, or soft grass.
- When picking a fire ring or using an available one, make sure all flammable material nearby is cleared. Look for overhanging branches, grasses, and other vegetation near the ring. Also, check local fire restrictions to make sure you can have a campfire in the first place.
- Stay close to help. If you’re a dispersed camping beginner, start by camping within half an hour of a ranger station or nearby town. If you do camp in very remote areas, have a GPS communicator or satellite phone in case of emergencies.
- Be mindful of neighbors. You’re probably all out there to get some solitude, so try not to disperse camp too close to other campers.
What to bring
You’ll want to stock your RV for dispersed camping with many of the same items that you would for any other camping trip. But there are some items you’ll want to add to make your trip a success. Also, when you’re packing food and water for your trip, bring enough for at least one extra day and possibly more. You may show up and love it so much you want to stay longer. You may also be hit with an unforeseen reason why you can’t leave on the day you had planned (like bad weather). You’ll want to prepare for the unexpected as much as you can. From clothing to gadgets to essentials, here’s a packing list to get you started. You can download the list as well, so you can print it and use it as a checklist.
Water & Sanitation
- Fill water tanks before leaving
- Extra jugs or collapsible containers for refills
- Portable water filter or purifier if you plan to use local water sources
- Empty gray and black tanks
- RV-safe toilet paper
- Know where the closest legal dump station is
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer (to conserve water)
Power & Energy
- Fully charged house batteries
- Generator with extra fuel or solar setup
- Extension cords and/or inverter
- LED lanterns and headlamps
- Extra batteries for all devices
Food & Cooking
- Food for all meals and snacks, plus 1-2 extra days
- Full propane tanks
- Portable stove or grill
- Cooler and extra ice
- Cookware & utensils
- Food storage
Navigation & Communication
- Paper MVUM and BLM maps (good when there’s no cell service)
- Offline navigation app like Gaia GPS or OnX
- Two-way radios (if traveling with others)
- Satellite communicator for emergencies
Safety & Emergency Gear
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Basic tool kit
- Tire repair kit & air compressor
- Jumper cables or portable jump starter
- Weather-appropriate clothing + layers
- Emergency cash
Comfort & Daily Living
- Camp chairs & table
- Shade or awning
- Insect repellent
- Extra bedding or blankets
- Entertainment (books, cards, games)
- Trash bags
Environmental & Wildlife Preparedness
- Bear-proof food storage
- Odor-free trash storage
- Campfire gear: shovel, bucket for water, fire starter
- Rake for smoothing campsite
- Gloves for trash pickup
Dispersed Camping Rules & Regulations
Check with the agency that manages the particular area to make sure you’re following the dispersed camping rules for that area. Here are some of the most common:
- Stay limits: Most areas allow you to stay for up to 14 days within any 28-30 day period.
- Distance from roads or water: Camp at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, and trails when you’re not in a designated site.
- Campfires: Follow local fire restrictions, use existing fire rings, don’t leave campfires unattended, and make sure campfires are completely extinguished.
- Waste: Following Leave No Trace Rules, be sure to pack out all of your trash. If you don’t have an RV with a bathroom, bury human waste 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet from a water source.
- Existing sites: Use existing clearings to avoid damaging vegetation and natural areas.
- Vehicles: Drive on designated roads or spurs. Driving off-road is usually prohibited unless you’re in an area that indicates it’s allowed.
- Noise: Respect standard quiet hours – usually from 10 pm. – 6 am.
- No claiming spots: You can’t park your RV or tent on a spot for days without being present, in order to hold your spot.
Dispersed camping can be a wonderful way to create family memories while getting away from the rest of the world! Family bonds get stronger when everyone has to cooperate, rely on each other, and turn to each other for company while you’re camping. It’s true, it takes a little more planning and careful packing to go off the grid. But you gain freedom, flexibility, and a true connection to nature by being out in the wild. As an added bonus, campsites are free!
If you don’t have an RV, or don’t have one that will stand up to the rigors of dispersed camping, browse RVshare. They’ll likely have a rental that will meet your needs.