Everything You Need To Know About Dispersed Camping
Ever see a photo of someone car camping next to an epic view at a remote location and wonder “how did they get there”?
Let me introduce you to a little friend called dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is essentially staying the night – in most cases – on federal land. Whether it’s owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the National Forest Service, these “campgrounds” are essentially just large expanses of land where camping and driving is allowed anywhere you’d like along a 4x4 road. The sites are first-come, first-serve, and can usually be stayed on for a maximum of 14 consecutive days.
There is often no fee to stay here, which makes it ideal for those on a budget. For the lack of a price, you loose access to all amenities (no bathroom, trash cans, fire rings, picnic tables, etc), and trade it for some of the most scenic camping you can find in the US.
Where Can You Dispersed Camp?
All federal land is up for grabs – however, most of this land is located out West. Although there are places to dispersed camp in the East, it is often on much smaller areas of land, and difficult to find.
Websites like freecampsite.net and thedyrt.com make it easier to find free dispersed camping locations near you.
How Does It Work?
Once you do some research and find the perfect stretch of federal land to pitch your tent on, it’s time to claim your campsite. All campsites are first-come, first-serve and no reservations can be made in advanced. In fact, sites are rarely even marked. Once you turn onto the dirt road, there is usually some sort of sign welcoming you to public land, followed by a quick list of rules and regulations. After reading everything through, drive down the road until you see an area that looks ideal for camping.
Look for patches of trampled dirt where it’s obvious cars and people have been on before, and try to avoid untouched patches of grass. Always try to keep a decent distance from other parties as to give each other some privacy. Usually, the further you drive down the road, the cooler – and more remote – the sites become. Many of the dirt roads will stretch deep into the wilderness for miles, so be mindful about how far you are venturing from the pavement.
Once you find a spot that’s to your liking, simply pull up and set up camp. Spots can not be saved, so always leave a pitched tent to “claim” your spot if you plan on driving your car to trailheads or into town during your stay.
Once it’s time to head home, be sure to pack out all trash, and strive to leave the site even more pristine than how you found it.
What Should I Research Before Heading Out?
Fire Bans: It’s always important to look into if there are fire bans in your desired camping location. Many western states enforce fire bans to protect against wildfires in the dry summer months. Always look for this information beforehand, and follow all fire precautions.
Road Conditions: Many dispersed camping areas are located multiple miles down dirt roads – it always pays to read first hand experience about getting to the campsite from reviews on websites like freecampsite.net and thedyrt.com. Some campsites will require 4wd even when road conditions are dry. Other roads may be accessible to 2wd cars on normal days, but impassable after summer storms (heavy rain often creates thick mud), or in the winter when multiple inches of snow are covering the road.
Back Up Plan: In more popular areas (located right outside of national parks or popular trail towns), campsites will fill to capacity on holiday and summer weekends. It always pays to have a back up plan since sites are usually first-come, first-serve. Look into other dispersed camping areas nearby, or (worst comes to worst) have a hotel as your Plan C.
Emergency Services: It’s always smart to know how far are you will be from help in the case of an emergency. Most dispersed camping areas offer little phone or internet service, so knowing the fastest way to towns, hospitals, and highways can help on the off chance you are in a sticky situation.
Less is More With Packing
As always, less is more when is comes to dispersed camping. We have a thorough car camping packing list here, but listed some easily overlooked items below:
Everything You Need for Cooking: This means all food, utensils, and, most importantly, lots of water. Unless you are camping along a lake or creek, then bringing as much water as you can fit will makes things much easier when it comes to cooking, staying hydrated, cleaning, and brushing your teeth. A cooler will also kick your camp meal game up a notch.
Camp “Bathroom” Necessities: This often translates to biodegradable toilet paper, and a trowel for digging a cat hole. When burying your business, always dig a hole at least 6 feet deep, and make sure everything is covered completely when you’re finished. Nobody likes pulling up to a poop and toilet paper covered campsite, so make sure you are doing your business a respectable distance away from the main camping area, and properly cleaning up after yourself.
Auto Emergency Supplies: Always opt for bringing a small kit with jumper cables, a spare tire, and sometimes even extra fuel depending on how far you’re heading out. The worst thing that can happen is a car malfunction while several miles down a dirt road without phone service – come prepared in case of the unexpected. It also gives piece-of-mind to bring a reliable and rugged vehicle in case road conditions are worst than expected.
A Word To the Wise
When it comes to dispersed camping (especially in busy locations or on holiday weekends), it pays to get to your site early. Not only is it extremely difficult to find a site after dark, but beating the crowds will ensure you can score a killer spot with a view.
Happy camping!