Bureau of Land Management
Learn about camping and boondocking on BLM land
Cedar Pocket Road Arizona
Cedar Pocket Road, Arizona Cedar Pocket Road cuts through the middle of Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness Area, providing a vehicular thoroughfare connecting I-15 at the Virgin River Gorge and County Rd 91 just north of Littlefield, AZ. The road itself is technically not a part of the Wilderness Area, and thus is permissible to drive vehicles. There are numerous places to camp along Cedar Pocket Road, however the popular area is closest to I-15, just a 1/10th of a mile up. There are enough sites here to accommodate four or five RVs. This area, however, is also frequented by cattle. Keep ... Read more
BLM Road 4725
Boondocking at Canyons of the Ancients Canyons of the Ancients offers no developed or designated campgrounds. If you want to camp along one of its many canyons, you’re going to have to boondock. There isn’t a whole lot of boondocking available here, however. But where there are sites, they’re all found deep along its dirt roads. BLM Road 4725 seems to offers the best boondocking in terms of easiest access and widest campsites. You will still have to navigate along several farm roads until you get into BLM grounds, and from there travel about another two miles of dirt road until ... Read more
Buttercup Sand Dunes, Winterhaven, CA
Buttercup Sand Dunes, Winterhaven, California What actually makes Buttercup Sand Dunes such a popular place for overnight boondocking is that it’s so very close to Interstate 8. It’s literally just get off the freeway, and you’re right there. There’s no driving for several miles, and there’s no washboarded roads. It’s all paved and you can literally pull off the road, and you’re on firm, flat ground. Even better yet, is the fact you can see the area from the Interstate, and be able to determine if its too crowded or not. Buttercup is also home to the last-remaining section of wooden plank ... Read more
BLM Road 717, Grand Staircase Escalante, UT
BLM Road 717, Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah BLM Road 717 starts at US-89, about 23 miles east of the City of Kanab. It’s a hard-packed, red dirt road that runs for about 10 miles south east towards the Utah-Arizona border. It stretches through a rather unremarkable, often forgotten portion of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. As such, boondocking is open here, and this road is rarely patrolled by BLM officials. There are dozens of campsites along this road but the most desirable site, and the easiest to get to, lies close to US-89, just about 1/8 mile from the highway. This particular ... Read more
Can You Camp on BLM Wilderness Areas?
Yes, you can camp on BLM wilderness areas. However, vehicles are not allowed. This means you must park your vehicle outside of wilderness boundaries and hike your camping gear in.
A Guide to Boondocking on BLM Land
Boondocking on BLM Land! Boondocking on BLM Land remains the most popular option for dispersed campers seeking free places to camp. While all BLM lands are focused in the western part of the United States, there is still more BLM land available for camping than all of the other federal land management agencies combined. BLM Boondocking Map This BLM 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… [AK] [AL] [AR] [AZ] [CA] [CO] [CT] [DE] [FL] [GA] [HI] [IA] [ID] [IL] ... Read more
How Close Can You Camp Next to a BLM Developed Campground?
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not currently dictate the minimum camping setback from a developed campground. There are no rules that specify how close you can camp next to a BLM developed campground. However...
Can You Buy BLM Land?
Yes, you can buy BLM land. The Bureau of Land Management does sell off parcels of land, though not very often. But, when the BLM puts up parcels of land for sale, you are allowed to make bids on them. Should you end up with...
Can I Ride a Gas-Powered Mini Bike on BLM Land?
Yes, you can ride a gas-powered mini bike on BLM land. You will, however, be required to keep that mini bike on established roads, trails, and clearings. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not allow you ride...
Is Nudity Permitted on BLM Land?
Yes, nudity is permitted on BLM Land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not have any rules "in general" addressing nudity on their lands. However, each BLM state office, or field office, may at their discretion prohibit...
