Best Places To Camp For Free
Dispersed camping is your way to camp for free all over the United States without being around others. By dispersed camping, you can find a secluded spot – one that people who camp in the private campgrounds can only imagine. Over a quarter of the country is federally owned land, which means it is free to camp on it granted you follow the few guidelines and restrictions. These sites do not have any facilities such as toilets or places to store food away or even shower areas, which makes them free to camp. Campers are expected to pack out everything they take in a well as properly dispose of human waste. The best places to camp for free are the US forest service lands and the Bureau of Land Management.
National Forest Land
The national forest land is a perfect place to practice dispersed camping in the United States, with almost all federal forest lands considered free to camp. The US Forest Service has provided an interactive map of all the national forests to help campers determine where to camp. There are over 175 national forests and grasslands in the country which can be accessed by searching the United States Forest Service website. The lands are easy to find on Google Maps, usually green shaded areas covering large swaths of land.
Dispersed camping on forest service lands involves finding a dirt or gravel site and driving until you find a wide spot where you can set up camp. Campers can pitch a tent wherever they find the right place and stay for several days freely. The forest lands are often very remote, with no services available, almost creating the feeling of a backcountry. When lucky enough, you can find campgrounds in the national forest land with a handful of bear lockers and fire pits.
BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) district is another place you can camp for free. One in ten areas of land throughout the United States is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, encompassing some of the most underrated swaths of American topography. This BLM land is mostly found out west, and dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days. However, campers are restricted to areas close to population centres and areas used for grazing. There are tons of BLM camping available in the United States, with some states providing handy guides. The BLM has several maps online showing what land is open for anyone practising dispersed camping. However, compared to the national forest land, BLM does not have a comprehensive outline on their website showing where all the free BLM campsites are located. You can contact the local BLM office to get more information on where you can camp for free on BLM lands.
How to Prepare For Free Camping
You are unlikely to find campsites along significant highways unless you take the scenic route to the heart of national forests and BLM lands. The internet also has plenty of information about free campsites whenever looking for a place to camp for free. When choosing a destination for dispersed camping, you need to be careful and avoid travelling onto private land. Look for a site that is already flat where you won’t have to dig and level the place. There are designated campsites all over national forests and BLM land that are wild and beautiful for dispersed camping.