How to Find Free (dispersed) Campsites in National Forests & BLM Land + My Recent Boondocking Spots!
How to Find Free (dispersed) Campsites in National Forests & BLM Land + My Recent Boondocking Spots!
Here is a video giving a brief description about free camping on public lands, and how to find these camping areas. The most common public/federal lands that allow free camping are National Forests, BLM land, Conservation Areas, and National Recreation Areas.
US Forestry homepage: fs.usda.gov
Bureau of Land Management homepage: BLM.gov
Free campsites website: freecampsites.net
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Email me at: mountainspringsadventures@gmail.com
You move the camera WAY Too Much. I’m getting motion sickness just trying to watch ur video. Sry but I’m not here to get sick, I was hoping to learn something but I guess I’m outta here.
I have plans for van camper life after retiring. Still few years left ahead for retirement, but your information is very helpful. Thank you for sharing.🙏
After 21 days, I would be completely feral. Virginia would have to tranq me and send me to a special program to reintroduce me to civilization. "He keeps chewing on shoes."
Great info, thank you!
I’ve also camped in multiple western states. Some BLM land is actually in gorgeous places. If U ever go back to Colorado, this is a fantastic spot on BLM land. It’s at lake SanChristabol just a couple miles south of Lake City. Lake city is approximately 60 miles S.W of Gunnison. The north side of Lake is free camping, and modern camping on S side. Absolutely beautiful area with 14,000 ft mountains surrounding the lake.
This is great, and I’ll certainly use it when dispersed camping while fishing for a week or so up at Clear Lake CA. But it is of no use at all for surfing for a week at San Onofre. The gas to get to the nearest BLM land, round trip, would be as much as the campsite 1 mile from San Onofre which charges $35/night.
A fire ring does not always mean a dispersed campsite. That may depended on the area that you are in. I know for a fact that in the national forest south of me, that there are day use only areas with fire rings. These are areas next to major natural water sources, in which they don’t want people camping that close to the water.
Liked at "leave no trace"
awesomee my dear friends
Awesome video thank you!
? seems like the spots you show are motorized camping sites NOT Dispersed camping sites. big difference . be sure to check with the forest office you plan to visit before hand many of those motorized sites are no longer free as of 2022. also state forest are also no longer free unless you are backpacking and do not stay in motorized spots.
Virginia has a few great spots
That was very helpful. This is my first time. I hope i will be starting in a couple of months. And want to boondock. I have had enough of fake neighbors.
This is the most informative video yet, by far. You really killed it great work. It answered so many of my questions, especially the 12 state thing.
This is great. People must practice "leave no trace" camping in these locations.
Somehow stumbled across the channel and to be honest this is exactly what I was looking for. Living that nomadic life LOL. I live in Rhode Island and bidr boondocking is much more appealing as I like the spontaneity being able to go Wherever Whenever rather than being tied down to a campsite/ Campground. Ideal spot would be somehow finding something on the coast of Maine. Got any recommendations?
in a national forest there doesn’t have to be a ‘campsite’. dispersed camping can just be in the forest usually a ceartin distance from the road or water or trailhead. there are plenty of national forest and free camping that are not in the appalachian mtns. Ky, In, Mi, Tn even florida has them
As far as the east.coast goes, pennsylvania is dope cause all of the state game land, which is all over the state, you are allowed to dispersed camp on state game land, just like nat’l forest or blm land. Something many, even those who live in PA arent aware of, but yeah, PA is the spot on the east coast for dispersed camping, also Allegheny nat’l forest is there as well … Anyway, just fyi for you all, dont blow it up, follow leave no trace principles pls. I dont live out there anymore, but, PA rivals anywhere else ive been for rad camping spots.
Promoting this type of Boondocking is no longer a good thing. Why ? Because all kinds of YT, Instag, etc vloggers are doing this. which results in more people going to what were once beautiful, quiet and remote campsites. Now thanks to this, the once great ‘get away from it all’ sites are being over run and abused. The USFS has implemented a permit system for many of its Dispersed Campsites in the National Forests. BLM is closing down many of tis Dispersed Camping areas as well. Video bloggers are not doing anybody any favors by producing these videos.
If you are not in the space at the moment then it is not appropriate to block the space off in anyway. In fact, in most areas it’s completely against the terms of use. You are not allowed, by the terms of use, to save your space when you are not there.
Very informative! Thank you.
I just found your videos, but I really like you. You’re just easy to listen to, and pretty informative. Keep it up!
Very helpful. Thanks!
Thank you for your information
Thanks for sharing your knowledge !!! It helped 🙂
Rubber-tramps beware! Get to the forests fast! Get out of the desert! Move from scarcity to plenty now. Rubber-tramps, I am one of you. Go! Now! The next plan-demic is in motion. Run! Plant seeds. Gather resources. Dig in. Enhance your perceptions. Eat together one and all. Do not fight amongst yourselves. Go! I’ll see you when you arrive… pass it on!
Thanks!
That "house" is to keep wood dry. Looks like used by locals. Do you use the MVUM at all? I bet many others have already pointed out that you have to find where it is legal to camp. A year has changed a great deal. Unfortunately many previously dispersed sites are now pay/reserve & pay.
I am a disabled senior that travels for suicide awareness in my wheelchair 2010 dodge grand caravan. I am heading to Pennsylvania in June and I am very discouraged that I cannot find any free camping. The national forest was like $120 a week state park is 200 a week. Ughh my grandson and my Chihuahuas will be going with me so it’s not like I can pull into Walmart. In a minivan., It’s a very tight space with my power chair inside.👍🏻🚐 I am looking forward to hitting Arizona in January for the first time.
Great video!
Can you make a video talking about some creepy things that have happened to you? I would imagine you’ve run into some situations.
This is the best video I’ve seen on this topic. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Everybody else talks about it and acts like the viewer knows what they’re talking about. I live in western North Carolina, and could not figure out the forest roads and camp sites, even after watching numerous videos. Everybody glossed over the basics. I have been following van dwellers way before YouTube even existed and you are the best teacher of boondocking vanlife I know. So thanks again for keeping it simple.❤
Free camp apps?
Nice
Thank you so much for how detailed you got on how to FIND the free/dispersed camping and for giving an example of what they look like!
He bro, that wasn’t a dog house. That little roof and the plastic next to it is used to keep firewood dry in the rain or heavy mist
They will fill up with illegals now… the state parks in Georgia did.
wow I’ve been watching camping vids for over 4 years and you knocked it out the ballpark… so easily explained and I loved you showing the phone apps while actually showing your phone… now if I can just find all those spots you marked…LOL…. thanks again for taking the time to do this..new sub
Great video…… lots of information. Thanks
Look into the lens, not at the flippy screen!!!!
Great information, keep it up guy!
i’m surprised you didn’t mention Gaia GPS
Very well done! Thank you!
That trail marking ribbon to keep people out is absolutely gorgeous
Indeed it was very helpful and you included good examples too. Thank you. 👍
A lot of US, State and County roads go through National Forests.
It’s easy, check in with the Park Ranger at the station, let them know you will be there, they will help you find the best spots! Free…….
Ty. This was incredibly helpful!
Thanks for the info man
Very informative! Thanks!