If you wanted to boondock in a national forest or in a Bureau Land Management areas, are there "campsites" or are you able to drive in and find a nice spot anywhere and set up camp? Obviously, I have never done this, but we think we might try it next year...we prefer State and National park campsites to the "luxury" RV sites. Thanks

Boondocking is out in the boonies, away from people and civilization, so there are no campsites. It’s also dry camping, but you can also dry camp in a campground if you pass on any hu’s. I do it all the time. Most BLM land I’m aware of is lower elevations and I spend almost all of my time in mountain national forests. So I’ll let those who use BLM land speak to it. In the nf’s, you can just drive back in on a forest road and set up about anywhere that looks good to you. There may be some restrictions, but they’re typically signed as you go in. Or you can ask at a local ranger station to play it safe. Actually, your rig is a bit big for that sort of camping, forest roads are usually rough, unimproved, narrow and heavily treed. But you could stay out close to the pavement as long as you have room to maneuver. If you want to go back one of those roads, unhitch and scout it out with the TV first. I’ve seen some people in very awkward positions as the road deteriorated and they couldn’t maneuver or turn around. The few times I’ve used BLM land I treat it the same as nf land. Park where I want while watching for any signs or restrictions. I’ve been doing it for about 50 years with no issues at all.

Slightly off topic - If you like National Park and state park campgrounds and haven't yet tried Army Corps of Engineers camping, check that out sometime, too. (Not boondocking, but established campgrounds that can be nicer than a good state park, and at lower rates.) Like the NF established campgrounds, you get a 50% discount if you have a senior pass (get one when you turn 62).We're at Ives Run below Tioga, PA today - big paved site, paved roads, water & electric, great view of the lake.

The term the federal agencies (USFS & BLM) use for boondocking is "dispersed camping". Each local FS Ranger or BLM District office will have specific regulations for their area. The general guidelines are the same, but each district may have specific closed areas and other local limitations. The US Forest Service web site is a good source of info for each of the National Forrest's camping resources, or dispersed camping guidelines, such ashttp://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/recreation/camping-cabins/?cid=stelprdb5366585

Here's one of the best sites to find boondocking spots - http://freecampsites.net/usa/ But you are kind of big for many back country sites so you may want to look at some of the spots these guys chose - Big class A - http://www.wheelingit.us/category/boondocking-2/Pulling a trailer - http://www.watsonswander.com/category/boondocking-2/

sgrizzle wrote:If you wanted to boondock in a national forest or in a Bureau Land Management areas, are there "campsites" or are you able to drive in and find a nice spot anywhere and set up camp? Obviously, I have never done this, but we think we might try it next year...we prefer State and National park campsites to the "luxury" RV sites. Thanksechoing what others have said, it depends on the agency and region. around here, Uncle Sam has both marked dispersed camp sites, and unmarked dispersed camp sites, managed by USDA (USFS)I seem to recall reading on the website, you can camp anywhere, as in, hike in with your tent or paddle in with canoe. drive in camp sites have to be along established roads (2-tracks mostly). for example, you shouldn't just bulldoze your way into the woods in a lifted 4x4 truck camper.

Booning in National Forest or BLMs | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

4runnerguy
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
For Moab, check out this map for info on where dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land.
zman-az
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
sgrizzle wrote:
Thanks Zman-AZ!

Great info...any idea on the late May, early June camping around there...will the camper heat up too much and during the day and not cool off very fast at night for sleeping? We are making a loop from Sand Dunes National Park-Durango, CO-Moab, UT-Grand Junction, CO - Denver- Back to Nebraska...We are wanting to balance boondocking time with some "normal" camping from time to time.

I do worry about the Moab area and not having AC for sleeping...thanks!

Can get real hot that time of year, nights can cool down but odds are it will be hot and by the time it cools down the sun will be up. If you do camp look for something along the river as that will be a little cooler. Moab might be a good spot to hang in town at a rv park. You can then run AC, dump waste and refill water for the rest of your trip. Not sure on your budget but I always stay at canyon lands rv park. It's real close to the Moab brewery and when I come out of there I need to walk back. Moab will be busy and the blm campsites are first come so you may not find anything near town. Rv parks will also fill up fast so make reservations if you can.
avoidcrowds
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
When in Moab - 38.575409° -109.346143°

Up high with a GREAT view! Got our Jeep GC and TrailManor up there, no problem. Assume your TT is 29', so you may have a tight turnaround. But, just 50 yards down the hill is another "campsite" or two. While there is a vault toilet near the lower sites, it is not a "campground". It is just a spot that people camped in, and the FS put a vault toilet there. I saw a couple other spots like that.

There are trails to hike. This is on the edge, and in, the NF, not the State Park that the bike trails are on. Way out of Moab, but still only about a 20 minute drive to get to town. We camped there 3 nights, and I didn't feel we were too isolated to see everything in the Moab area (and there is lots to see!)
NinerBikes
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
sgrizzle wrote:
Great info! We are pretty cautious and we would definitely unhitch and explore before bouncing off into "the wilds". We are planning our trip through Colorado (I-70 this trip) and into the Moab, UT area for hiking and mountain-biking!!

I really appreciate your expertise!

Lot's of stuff north of town about 10 miles or more from Moab proper. Maybe go to the Mountainbike Utah website, and ask a few questions there. It's most likely going to be hot in Moab until October, so if mtn biking, bring lots of water. You might want to find some day trip stuff higher up in the La Salles, south and east of town, if the temps are too hot in the valley below. moonlight trail, or something along those lines, rings a bell, up in the La Salles, for mtn biking on some single track.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
Thanks Zman-AZ!

Great info...any idea on the late May, early June camping around there...will the camper heat up too much and during the day and not cool off very fast at night for sleeping? We are making a loop from Sand Dunes National Park-Durango, CO-Moab, UT-Grand Junction, CO - Denver- Back to Nebraska...We are wanting to balance boondocking time with some "normal" camping from time to time.

I do worry about the Moab area and not having AC for sleeping...thanks!
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
I agree with the recommendations of the MVUMs and Google Earth (or Google Maps with the satellite layer on). Most of the fun of boondocking on Federal lands is doing the research and exploring to find a site. BLM maps are also useful for finding likely sites on their holdings. A stop into the nearest USFS ranger station or BLM field office and talking to them can be very helpful as well.
zman-az
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014
sgrizzle,

Not going to find much "boondocking" around Moab. The BLM has closed a lot of dispersed sites but does have some designated campgrounds with a small fee near Moab.

If you stay in a national forest see if you can get a MVUM map (free at the local ranger station). These maps will show you what roads are open and where you can camp and how far off the road you can camp. If you have a smart phone get the Avenza PDF map program. You can download forest service maps (again for free) that show what roads are open and where you can camp. Not sure if all forests are available but I do know many of the forest in Arizona are using it. Also keep in mind that just because a road has a number with a sign does not mean it is open, you have to refer to the map to verify it the road is open or not.

As far as BLM goes, I have not seen anything consistent from them. It varies all over. Typically you can camp just about anywhere unless its marked that you can't. The more active a area is the more restrictions in place.

I will also use google maps with satellite images to find camping sites. However with pine forests it is hard to find those dispersed camping sites as the trees cover the sites.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2014
I have never heard of a ranger discussing a specific spot -- usually, they will just describe an area -- "near Deadman summit," or "north of Virginia Lakes," or "near Carson Pass." Then you have to go hunt for camping sites on your own in those areas. That's part of the fun!
dave54
Nomad
Jul 29, 2014
Opie431 wrote:
I Email or call the various NFs or BLMs and ask them.

You may just get a recitation of the dispersed camping rules.

If you can talk to someone who has an RV themselves you may get clued in on some real prized 'secret' spots. Most but not all employees will reveal their favorites. When I worked for the FS I begrudgingly disclosed some of my hidden boondocking sites (and later regretted it when the sites showed up on boondocking web sites and got overused and trashed.)
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2014
When you call, watch out -- the person on the other end of the phone may be a volunteer or part timer -- often a person with a good attitude and not much valid info. If possible, try to get a real ranger, although they are usually busy with more serious issues.