When I first started camping like most people I mainly camped in designated campgrounds in National Parks or States Parks.
However, I quickly found out about this whole other world that existed beyond campground camping called dispersed camping which you can do in national forests or on BLM land.
When on national forest land you can typically camp anywhere unless otherwise noted. Keep in mind though that there are usually restrictions and rules when camping in national forests that you need to be aware of. For example, while in national forests you are usually prohibited from camping within a 100 feet from a road or within 200 feet from a water source or waterway.
As mentioned above while you can camp almost anywhere in a national forest there is a lot to know about camping in a national forest and plenty of do’s and don’t we will discuss below that you need to be aware of.
Can You Camp Anywhere in a National Forest?
While you can camp almost anywhere in the vast 193 million acres of land that make up national forests and grasslands there are some important guidelines and restrictions to keep in mind while dispersed camping in national forests.
Is It Free to Camp in National Forests?
As if there weren’t already enough great benefits from camping anywhere in a national forest like peace and quiet away from noisy camp neighbors, amazing views, and a deeper connection with nature.
The amazing thing is that it’s actually completely free to camp on national forest land.
It actually took me a little while to get used to this at first as I was so accustomed to paying anywhere from $15 to $30 a night to camp in campgrounds inside of National Parks or State Parks.
Because I actually prefer to camp on national forest or BLM land as opposed to campground camping this just seems like an awesome bonus.
How Long Can You Stay When Camping in a National Forest?
While camping in a national forest the general rule is that you are allowed to camp for up to 14 days in the same spot.
This rule is mainly in place to keep people from just moving into an area and never leaving.
But there are many people such as two of my favorite people Elsa Rhae and Baron Link that have actually turned staying on free national parks land or BLM land into an alternative lifestyle and cheap way to live and be free from modern-day trappings.
Check out this video below from YouTube that shows them moving every 14 days.
Do You Need a Permit to Camp in a National Forest?
You do not generally need a permit to camp in a national forest. However, it is always a good idea to check in with the ranger station either by phone or in-person to make sure that you are familiar with all the rules of that particular national forest to keep your self out of trouble.
Another option is to go to the website of the national forest that you are planning to visit to make sure that they don’t have any special rules that you need to be aware of such as a fire ban.
Is Dispersed Camping Allowed in National Forests?
Dispersed camping is allowed in national forests unless otherwise noted or posted.
If you are unfamiliar with what dispersed camping means it is generally defined as camping anywhere in a national forest outside of a designated campground.
Basically dispersed camping is what this whole article is about.
What’s the Difference Between a National Forest and a National Park?
Sometimes there can be confusion as to what actually constitutes as national forest land. As people sometimes get confused between national forests and national parks as they are both public protected lands in the United States.
To begin with, to help separate them more clearly in your mind they are actually managed by two completely different branches of government. Whereas national forests are managed by the Department of Agriculture, national parks are managed by the National Park Service or NPS.
While this distinction might not matter all that much to you, how they manage the land they’re charged with caring for can have a big impact on camping and what you’re allowed to do while on the land.
As a general rule of thumb, national parks are much more strict about dispersed camping and pets compared to national forests.
In addition, while it’s free to camp on national forest land and you don’t need a permit, when you camp in a national park even while dispersed camping you must have a permit and it’s not free. If your curious about what it’s like to camp in a national park check out our article on camping in Yosemite.
What it’s Like Camping Anywhere in a National Forest
While dispersed camping or camping anywhere in a national forest it’s important to set appropriate expectations on what it will be like before you go.
To begin with, while dispersed camping on national forest land you can expect little to no amenities while camping, this means no toilets, no showers, no fire pits or rings, no trash cans, or even clearly marked campsites.
Also if you’re camping in bear country there are usually no bear lockers either so it’s important that you store your food away from your campsite and hang it high enough in a tree in an airtight bag like this one on Amazon so that bears cannot reach or smell the food.
So if you’re planning on dispersed camping in a national forest you need to be completely self-sufficient and bring everything with you might need including but not limited to water, food, shelter, etc…
Also for those that are used to camping in campgrounds with pristine cleared flat campsites, remember that while dispersed camping you are usually camping on raw land that has not been touched by man. Meaning that where you camp might not be level and the ground can often be rocky or uneven.
While this might not be for some campers I actually prefer this type of camping with no amenities and in untouched nature because it allows me to feel and get much closer to nature than I ever could while camping in a campground.
Don’t worry though if you’re nervous about dispersed camping, as most people that are used to camping in campgrounds with amenities are surprised at how quickly and easily it is to transition to this type of camping where there are no real amenities to speak of and just wide-open countryside.
Where to Camp Inside National Forests
While you can for the most part camp anywhere in a national forest in practice there are places that you should ideally camp and some places that you should not.
Below is a list of where to camp inside a national forest and places that you are not allowed to camp in a national forest without special permission.
- When camping in a national forest you want to camp at least 100 feet away from roads.
- Pick a campsite that is at least 200 feet away from any water source or waterway while in a national forest.
- Be aware that private land does exist in national forests and as a general rule, you are not allowed to camp on private land without special permission.
- While there are no designated campsites on national forest land there are usually turn-offs or roundabouts off the main forest service roads that the Department of Agriculture has cleared in order to make it easier to find a spot to camp.
- As you are camping in nature and not in a designated campground when looking for a place to camp you always want to choose a location that has already been camped in as opposed to disturbing another area for your campsite.
- The main rule to keep in mind when camping on national forest land is to “Leave No Trace” so when choosing a campsite keep this in the back of your mind and always choose a place to camp that will be the least impactful to the natural environment around you.
Best Ways to Find a Place to Camp in a National Forest
When it comes to finding a place to camp in a national forest there are several best practices and techniques to keep in mind so that it’s easier and less stressful.
Do Your Research and Be Prepared
Before attempting to camp in a national forest you always want to do some preliminary research before you go as it will make your life so much easier once you get there.
The first place I always start is the National Forest Service Website to start getting a lay of the land and learn more about the particular national forest I plan to visit. As national forests are spread out all over the country and can be vastly different from one another.
Also, certain national forest roads or areas actually close for the season which is not something you want to be finding out by running into a road closed sign when you’re in the national forest.
As a general rule, when I am on the website I look for things like rules and regulations, what to expect, FAQs, things to do, etc… basically any information that helps me understand the national forest better.
Google Maps
Once I have done my preliminary research and I have a good understanding of the national forest I’m going to. I will then bring up Google maps to get an overview of the land and start to find some areas that I find interesting or that I want to explore.
Keep in mind that national forests are massive pieces of land that can encompass hundreds if not thousands of acres. So it will be impossible to explore the national forest in a single visit or in many cases even after multiple visits. Because of this, I will typically use some of the information I found while doing my preliminary research to help narrow down where I might want to camp while in the national forest.
After narrowing done the area I want to camp in I will then zoom in on Google maps to find some places that I might want to camp.
Make sure you are using the satellite view on Google maps and not the road view as most forest service roads that you will be traveling on are not marked as roads on Google maps and they will not show up. So you need to use the satellite map in order to visually see the forest service roads that criss-cross the land that will lead you to your campsite.
Be Flexible and Have Back-Up Sites
Unlike campground camping, there is no reserved spot waiting for you when you are dispersed camping so it’s important to have several back-up campsites in mind in case the first one doesn’t work out.
There can be many reasons why the first campsite didn’t work out but some of the most common include someone is already in the campsite you planned to camp in, there are too many other campers in the area, you don’t like the lay of the land, or you feel too exposed or unsafe in the area.
So when you are camping in a national forest have a primary location that you want to camp in but also have a few back-ups in case the first one doesn’t work out.
Always Have a Physical Map of the Area
When camping in a national forest it’s always a good idea to have a physical map with you of the area because while you might have internet for your phone to be able to bring up Google maps or an online map there is a good chance that you will not.
Often times national forest land is in very remote areas so cell coverage may be limited or won’t exist at all. This is why it’s so important not to rely too heavily on technology while in a national forest and to always have a physical map with you so that you can navigate the land and look for a campsite without the use of a cell phone.
If you want to learn even more about the best ways to find places to camp in a national forest check out this super helpful YouTube video.
How to Camp Responsibly in a National Forest
When dispersed camping in a national forest you want to be the best steward of nature you can be and always remember the golden rule “Leave No Trace”.
But what exactly does leave no trace mean and what should you do and not do when camping on national forest land to help protect the beautiful natural world around you?
Best Practices for Camping Responsibly
- Check with the local ranger for the national forest to find out about any restrictions while camping.
- Be aware of fire bans as many national forests especially in drying climates can have fire bans year around. This means that campfires are not permitted while camping on the national forest land.
- Never create a new campsite if one already exists in the area. Instead, use the existing campsite to reduce your impact while camping.
- Always pack and remove all of your trash and waste out of the campsite when leaving.
- Do not camp within 200 feet from any water source or waterway including lakes and streams.
- If there is not a fire ban in the national forest you can collect firewood in the area around your campsite but only collect fallen branches or limbs. Never cut down a tree that’s alive for firewood.
- Obviously this goes without saying but make absolutely sure without a doubt that the fire is completely out before leaving your campsite. Remember that you are camping in remote areas and often times there might not be another person in that area for days or even weeks, so no one will be there to sound the alarm bells if a fire where to start from a campfire that was not extinguished properly.
- Always bury human and pet waste in a cathole at least 6 inches deep and 200 feet away from any water source. For those that don’t know a cathole or cat hole or pig hole is it is basically a pit dug in the ground to dispose of human or pet feces.
- Always “Leave No Trace” when you leave your campsite, your goal should be to make it nearly impossible once you have left the campsite for anyone to ever tell that someone camped there the previous night.
- Make sure to always follow all pet rules including keeping a leash on your pet if required.
- Be fully prepared to camp self-sufficient when dispersed camping. Remember there is no convenient camp store nearby so before heading to the campsite always check and recheck to make sure you have everything you will need to safely camp.