Free Campgrounds Directory
Find free campgrounds and dispersed camping spots on BLM, Forest Service, and other public land. Search by state, filter by what matters, and camp for free with no reservation needed.
Stay limits, water setbacks, fire rules, and why the Motor Vehicle Use Map decides legality.
Water, power, arrival, and communication: the beginner checklist for safe boondocking.
Try a different search term, pick another state, or clear the filters below.
Boondocking (also called dispersed camping) means camping outside developed campgrounds, usually for free, on public land. You bring everything you need, water, power, waste disposal, and you pack everything out. There are no hookups, no reservations, and often no cell service.
Yes, on the public lands listed here there is no nightly fee and no reservation to book. You still pay in self-sufficiency: no water, toilets, trash pickup, or hookups. Bring it all in, pack it all out.
No. Every site in this directory is first-come, first-served with no reservation system. Arrive early on weekends and holidays, popular areas fill fast.
Most BLM and Forest Service land limits stays to 14 days in a 28-day period, then you must move on (typically 25 to 30 miles). A few areas differ: parts of the Beaverhead National Forest in Montana allow 16 days, and Anza-Borrego allows 30 days per calendar year.
Often, yes. Sites tagged big-rig friendly have room for large RVs and fifth wheels, based on camper reports. Always scout access roads on foot before driving a heavy rig onto soft desert ground or a rutted forest road.
Usually none of the above. A few sites note nearby vault toilets or strong cell signal, but plan for zero services: carry drinking water, a waste plan, and offline maps.