Boondocking in National Forests!
Boondocking in national forests and grasslands are perhaps the most popular way dispersed campers get set up for free camping. The US Forest Service operates properties across the entire United States making it a sure-fire option for boondocking. The US Forest Service has some laws and regulations that you should be aware of first.
National Forest Boondocking Map
This National Forest Boondocking Map contains locations of free boondocking and free campgrounds where bloggers and YouTubers have produced detailed reviews. Click on a map marker to access their reviews…
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National Forest Boondocking Maps
LBJ National Grasslands Camping Map
Updated: May 1, 2024
This LBJ National Grasslands camping map was compiled based on our visit to the grasslands in November of 2023. We...
Dispersed Camping Near Sedona, AZ
Updated: March 28, 2024
Learn where all the dispersed camping is now legal surrounding Sedona, AZ after Coconino National Forest officials restricted dispersed camping...
Where to Camp for Free in Cherokee National Forest
Updated: March 29, 2024
Cherokee National Forest offers many places where you can camp for free. Tennessee's most popular national forest is filled with...
Dispersed Camping Near Red Feather Lakes, CO
Updated: May 2, 2024
Dispersed camping near Red Feather Lakes, CO is kinda hard to come by due to local town officials and businesses...
Dispersed Camping Near Big Bear, CA
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed camping near Big Bear, CA can be tricky to find, but there are several options available if you're willing...
Dispersed Camping Near Steamboat Springs, CO
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed camping near Steamboat Springs, CO can be difficult to come by because there is little BLM or Forest Service...
Dispersed Camping Near Flagstaff, AZ
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed camping near Flagstaff, AZ is plentiful due to the city's close proximity to Coconino National Forest. In fact, it's...
Dispersed Camping Near Silverton, CO
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed camping near Silverton, CO can be found in numerous places due to the town being surrounded by U.S. Forest...
Dispersed Camping Near Buena Vista, CO
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed Camping near Buena Vista, CO has become increasingly popular due to its close proximity to numerous mountain hiking trails...
Dispersed Camping Near Glacier National Park
Updated: April 1, 2024
Is there dispersed camping near Glacier National Park? Yes there is, and lots of it! The park is bounded on...
Dispersed Camping in Sequoia National Forest
Updated: May 2, 2024
Dispersed camping in Sequoia National Forest has risen in popularity due to the forest's close proximity to the Los Angeles...
5 Dispersed Camping Sites in Olympic National Forest
Updated: April 1, 2024
Dispersed camping (or boondocking) is allowed inside Olympic National Forest. The forest allows camping just about anywhere and everywhere within...
Places for Free Camping Near Yosemite National Park
Updated: April 1, 2024
There are places just outside of Yosemite National Park that allow free camping. Camping inside the Park requires a reservation...
Where Can You Camp for Free in the Grand Canyon?
Updated: April 3, 2024
You can boondock just about anywhere in Grand Canyon National Park, as long as you have obtained a "backcountry camping...
Places to Camp for Free in National Forests
Kelly’s Pond Campground
Updated: April 18, 2024
This is officially a "tent only" campground, where campers must utilize the adjacent parking area and walk into the camping...
Shell Oil Road Hunters Camp
Updated: April 18, 2024
One of the more popular hunters camps in Sam Houston National Forest, this campground comes with a porta-potty and a...
Forest Road 217A Hunters Camp
Updated: April 18, 2024
This hunters camp is open for anyone to camp in, even though it was originally intentioned for game hunters. It...
Bouton Lake Campground
Updated: April 17, 2024
This small campground offers seven (7) primitive campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern post at each site. There...
Neches Bluff Overlook, Weches, TX
Updated: April 16, 2024
This small campground and viewing area is offered for free by the U.S. Forest Service. All it appears to offer...
Thompson Grove Picnic Area
Updated: April 9, 2024
This is officially a picnic area though the information kiosk says that camping is allowed with a 14-day maximum stay....
Spring Creek Dispersed Area
Updated: April 6, 2024
Spring Creek Dispersed Area Named for a tiny creek that roughly parallels I-84, Spring Creek Dispersed Area is an area...
Windmill Designated Camping Area
Updated: February 17, 2024
Windmill Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowding seems to be a recurring issue, with some reviewers noting the Forest Service’s...
White River West Sno-Park
Updated: April 6, 2024
White River West Sno-Park, Government Camp, OR Located right along the headwaters of White River, right at the base of...
Vedauwoo Glen Dispersed Camping Area
Updated: April 6, 2024
Vedauwoo Glen, Laramie, WY Vedauwoo, Wyoming is located along I-80, between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming, right off of Vedauwoo Glen...
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites, Idyllwild, CA How Crowded: These sites are extremely popular. Site #1 is the most popular because...
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Site #1
Updated: April 6, 2024
Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Site #1 Yellow Post Campsites offer boondockers offer up to 14-days of continuous free camping with the closest...
Stone Creek Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Stone Creek Yellow Post Sites, Idyllwild, CA 4WD is definitely required to get to these two sites. The road up...
South Ridge Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
South Ridge Yellow Post Sites, Idyllwild, CA These three Yellow Post sites are suitable only for cars, vans, pickup trucks,...
Schnebly Hill Road
Updated: April 6, 2024
Schnebly Hill Road, Coconino National Forest Coconino National Forest remains high on every boondocker’s list of favorite forests, mostly due...
Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Santa Rosa Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF These fifteen (15) yellow post sites are all located along Santa Rosa...
Rockview Designated Camping Area
Updated: February 17, 2024
Rockview Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ The sloped terrain of Rockview can present some challenges in leveling your rig, while...
Pumphouse Wash Campground
Updated: February 17, 2024
Pumphouse Wash Campground, Sedona, AZ When Does it Open: The campground is seasonal, generally opening up around May after the...
Pisgah Point Camping Area
Updated: February 17, 2024
Pisgah Point Camping Area, Land Between the Lakes NRA Pisgah Point Camping Area, nestled within the Land Between the Lakes...
Owens River Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Updated: April 6, 2024
Owens River Road, Inyo National Forest, California Owens River Road starts from US-395 at a tiny hamlet called “Crestview”, about...
Nolan Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Nolan Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: Opinions on crowd levels differ. Some campers find Nolan less congested, with a dozen...
Moose Creek Trailhead Campground, Victor, ID
Updated: April 6, 2024
Moose Creek Trailhead Campground, Victor, ID The campground at Moose Creek Trailhead is accessed from State Highway 33, and turning right along...
Keller Peak Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Keller Peak Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: These sites are normally closed due to heavy snow from late...
Javelina Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Javelina Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Javelina Designated Camping Area, situated west of Sedona, AZ, within Coconino National Forest, offers...
Homestake Pass Dispersed Area, Butte, MT
Updated: April 6, 2024
Homestake Pass, Montana, Camping At 6,400 feet elevation, Homestake Pass Rd heads north from I-90 towards Delmoe Lake about 7...
Greasy Spoon Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Greasy Spoon Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: The campground’s popularity is evident, with reports of high occupancy levels. Some visitors...
Goff Flat Yellow Post Site
Updated: April 6, 2024
Goff Flat Yellow Post Site, Idyllwild, CA Campsite is suitable for any sized RV. How Crowded: This site is lesser known,...
Forest Road 904, Decatur, TX
Updated: February 17, 2024
Forest Road 904, LBJ National Grasslands, TX Nestled within the heart of North Texas, the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National...
Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Forest Road 689, Oak Creek, AZ Crowd Density: Forest Road 689, starting from Exit 298 at the south end to Exit...
Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Forest Road 120A, Oak Creek, AZ Forest Road 120A, is located within Coconino National Forest, about 5 miles from Oak...
Firehole Canyon Beach, Flaming Gorge, WY
Updated: April 6, 2024
Firehole Canyon, Dispersed Camping, Flaming Gorge, WY There isn’t any “bad” place for camping at Flaming Gorge. However, there are...
East Flats Road
Updated: February 17, 2024
East Flats Road, San Bernardino NF How Crowded: This area gets heavily used during the warmer months, though there are plenty...
Cougar Dispersed Camping Area, Ketchum, ID
Updated: April 6, 2024
Cougar Dispersed Camping Area, Ketchum, ID Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) covers a large area of land with hundreds of...
Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Coon Creek Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: Sites 1-10 and 15-19 have been mapped above. We have not...
Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Coldwater Canyon Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: All three sites require 4WD to access. Site #17 is large...
Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Cockscomb Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Crowdedness: The reviews indicate varying degrees of crowd density. One reviewer mentioned encountering several other...
Clark’s Ranch Yellow Post Site
Updated: February 17, 2024
Clark’s Ranch Yellow Post Site, San Bernardino NF How Crowded: This single site is frequently occupied during the warmer months. You’re...
Black Mountain Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Black Mountain Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF, San Jacinto Ranger District 4WD is definitely required due to steep inclines...
Big Bear Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Big Bear Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Note: At one time there were as many 50-60 of these yellow...
Apple Canyon Yellow Post Sites
Updated: February 17, 2024
Apple Canyon Yellow Post Sites, San Bernardino NF Site #1 – Suitable for large RVs, easy to get into, however offers...
Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ
Updated: February 17, 2024
Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, Sedona, AZ Angel Valley Designated Camping Area, situated west of Sedona, AZ, within Coconino National...
National Forest Camping Laws and Regulations
Are e-Bikes Legal in National Forests?
Updated: March 28, 2024
Yes, e-bikes are legal in national forests. The U.S. Forest Service published its official policy on e-bikes, electric bikes, electric...
Are Fireworks Allowed on National Forest Lands?
Updated: March 28, 2024
No, fireworks are not allowed in any national forest or national grassland. Currently, each national forest and grassland is covered...
Is Off-Road Bicycle Riding Legal in National Forests?
Updated: May 2, 2024
Off-road bicycle riding is illegal in many national forests. Even if a specific national forest has not banned off-road or...
Can You Fly Drones in a National Forest?
Updated: March 28, 2024
Yes, you can fly drones in a national forest and national grassland. The U.S. Forest Service does not prohibit flying...
Finger Lakes National Forest Camping Rules
Updated: March 28, 2024
Rules for camping at Finger Lakes National Forest were established by the U.S Forest Service published in Forest Orders, the...
Olympic National Forest, Camping Rules
Updated: March 29, 2024
These official rules and regulations for camping at Olympic National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...
Cherokee National Forest, Camping Rules
Updated: March 29, 2024
These official camping rules and regulations for Cherokee National Forest were gathered from Orders and documents issued by the Supervisor...
Can You Drive UTVs on Forest Service Roads
Updated: March 31, 2024
Yes, you can drive UTVs on forest service roads, but it depends on your UTV being able to meet state's...
Can You Drive on Forest Service Roads?
Updated: March 31, 2024
Yes, you can drive on Forest Service roads. The U.S. Forest Service allows everyone to drive their vehicle on all...
Is Overnight Parking Allowed in National Forests?
Updated: March 31, 2024
Yes, overnight parking is allowed in national forests. However, there are certain places where it is not allowed. As long...
What Uses Are Permitted in National Forests?
Updated: April 1, 2024
The kinds of uses that are permitted in national forests are long and varied. Almost all forms of recreation are...
Sequoia National Forest Camping Rules
Updated: April 1, 2024
These official Sequoia National Forest Camping Rules were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Sequoia National Forest, along...
Tonto National Forest Camping Rules
Updated: April 1, 2024
The Tonto National Forest camping rules published below were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Tonto National Forest,...
Prescott National Forest Camping Rules
Updated: April 1, 2024
The Prescott National Forest camping rules published below were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Prescott National Forest,...
Kaibab National Forest Camping Rules
Updated: May 2, 2024
These official rules and regulations for camping at Kaibab National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...
Can I Buy Land in a National Forest?
Updated: April 3, 2024
Yes, you can. You can buy land in just about any national forest. However, the U.S. Forest Service rarely sells...
Coronado National Forest, Camping Rules
Updated: April 3, 2024
These official rules and regulations for camping at Coronado National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...
Coconino National Forest, Camping Rules
Updated: April 3, 2024
These official rules and regulations for camping at Coconino National Forest were gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of...
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Camping Rules
Updated: May 2, 2024
Official rules and regulations for camping at Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, as gathered from Orders issued by the Supervisor of Apache-Sitgreaves...
Is it Legal to Camp Anywhere in a National Forest?
Updated: April 5, 2024
Generally speaking, yes it is legal to camp anywhere in a national forest. However, there are certain exceptions. Some of...
Is It Illegal to Live in a National Forest?
Updated: May 2, 2024
Yes and no. If you are a camper or RVer, it is illegal to live in a national forest or...
How Long Can You Camp in a National Forest?
Updated: April 5, 2024
Fourteen (14) days is the most popular answer to how long can you camp in a national forest. But it's...
Is Boondocking Allowed in Yellowstone?
Updated: April 5, 2024
Yes, boondocking is allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, boondocking is limited to just tent camping only, and only in...
Why Is There Private Property Inside National Forests and Parks?
Updated: April 6, 2024
Not all land inside a national forest or national park is public. A lot of this land is privately owned...
USFS: Rules for Boondocking on USFS Lands
Updated: April 6, 2024
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages all of the United States' National Forests and National Grasslands. They also manage several...