BLM camping?

Escargot wrote:
I have PublicLands on my iPhone. It was developed by a couple who are fulltime RVers / programmers. It's GPS based so you know if the strip of land you're on is public or private, and it has other functions as well.

Very good app!

After reading this comment, I downloaded the app to my tablet and then spent some time looking around the country at the public lands.

Looking at Red River NM, the app shows the entire town to be sitting on national forest land... all the streets, the buildings, everything... that can't be right.

Then I had a look at Michigan, the state I grew up in. Hiawatha NF in the UP is a good example for me to make my point about the app. In Delta County, the Stonington Peninsula is roughly half public and half private (somewhat checkerboard fashion) according to my paper "Mapbook of Michigan Counties," but the app colors all but the very bottom tip of Stonington in NF green. Another problem spot is about 12 miles north of US 2 in that same county, where there should be about 60 square miles of private land forming a rough oval starting south of Round Lake and proceeding northward several miles; the app colors the entire thing as NF.

I'm not sure the app is ready for 'prime time'. For $2.99 I won't demand a refund, in hope that the app gets updated with more accurate data as time goes on, but I don't think I can rely on it yet for my boondocking site choices.

Here are a couple resources that may help the OP...

Dispersed Camping - Boondocking Explained

BLM Campgrounds and LTVA's

The DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer books show public lands. Once you have picked an area, go to the appropriate office and get a detailed map so you KNOW where you are. An error of less than 100 feet could leave you open to trespassing charges!
BLM is not the only type of public land. There is also National Forests, State School Sections, state and national parks, etc. In fact, Nevada is over 80% public land of one kind or another. Wyoming is about 75%, Montana about 1/3 of the state.
Have fun, but KNOW hwere you are, and KNOW the rules that apply to where you are!

BLM land that you can use for camping is not "all over the place." Most of this category of public lands is in five southwestern states, and you are in the one that is crowded with people whi have diverse interests in the use of the lands.

Rules for use are different for different BLM properties. You need to do your homework before you go.

If you don't do the home work, and find yourself where you are not supposed to be, you might be asked to move. If you are not in a condition to make the move, the people doing enforcement may be inclined to move you to an internment facility, and your rig to an impoundment facility. Much depends on the attitude you display during the encounter.

If you do your homework, know the place you stay is a place you are permitted to stay, there will be no encounter. I use "permitted" in both general and specific sense. There are some places on BLM land where you need to buy a permit. Do your homework, make no general assumptions. It is all about specific places, specific times, specific uses; most users of public lands do it by permit or lease. "Camping" is one of the easiest uses, but don't assume you can do it just anywhere.

I don't think you can generalize about any Gov't camping. I have camped at some great BLM campgrounds but they did cost and there were time limits. I have also camped at disbursed camping in Mojave National Preserve. The Free Campgrounds, Western Addition by Don Wright is a great guide. It, with Benchmark Atlas' are a great resource for finding places where you can disperse camp or pay a minimal fees. Happy trails. Hope you have a great time.

I have PublicLands on my iPhone. It was developed by a couple who are fulltime RVers / programmers. It's GPS based so you know if the strip of land you're on is public or private, and it has other functions as well.

Very good app!

Sometimes folks will remove BLM-placed signage, making it appear as if the leased BLM land is actually private. Pretty simple reasoning: Visitors tend to leave gates open or damage fencing. Illegal to remove those signs, yes, but it does keep others out of the leased lands.
:(
Lynn

Try: geocummunicator.gov
You can zoom in and see which lands are BLM by check marking the Surface Management box on the right hand side of the screen. At the bottom of the page check mark the Roads box and the Places box. Then if you have specific questions about a particular area check with a BLM office. This advice is offered in addition to the above links.

DesertHawk wrote:
BLM.gov

BLM New Mexico

BLM AZ

BLM CA

BLM NV

BLM UT

Thanks buddy!

Wish I could just go with out planning anything but knowledge will add to making the trip better I have learned.

& with each trip I learn more & the next one becomes easier & easier.

BLM.gov

BLM New Mexico

BLM AZ

BLM CA

BLM NV

BLM UT