Bureau of Land Management
Learn about camping and boondocking on BLM land
Hot Springs LTVA, Holtville, CA
Hot Springs LTVA, Holtville, California While technically not free camping, Hot Springs LTVA offers “dirt cheap” boondocking in the California desert for the entire snow bird season. We’re talking $180.00 for 7 months (that’s roughly $0.85 per day). That’s good from September 15 through April 15. The rest of the year, it actually is free. However, it has the normal 14-day maximum stay. But, at this time of the year, the weather gets really hot, like up into the 100s. And you don’t have to spend all that time at this location. That price is good for all of the Long Term ... Read more
High North Campground, Grand Junction, CO
Rabbit Valley, High North Camping Area Rabbit Valley, Colorado is part of the greater McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area. Because it’s designated for use as an OHV (off-highway vehicle) area, you can expect to hear dirt bikes, quads, and side-by-sides running past your campsite all day long. Weekends are the heaviest times of the week, while weekdays tend to be quieter. High North Camping Area is located on the north side of I-70, accessed by Rabbit Valley Rd, the first (or last) exit along the freeway just a few miles from the Utah border. A dirt road turns left and runs ... Read more
Hayfield Rocks BLM
Hayfield Rocks, BLM Camping Note: Hayfield Road is hard packed gravel, though the access road into the campsite can get soft at times. We recommend 4WD vehicles only. How Crowded: Usually no one here during the week, but it does become occupied on the weekends with off-road enthusiasts. How Noisy or Peaceful: Mostly peaceful and serene during the week, but road noise from off-road enthusiasts is common on weekends. Cellular Phone Signal: AT&T comes in well, with Verizon and T-Mobile coming in average. Road Conditions: Gravel road, but soft in some places. 4WD vehicles only. Amenities Within Campground: No amenities. Cost of Camping: Completely free.
Gold Park Road
Gold Park Road, BLM Camping Note: Gold Park Road has areas of soft sand, and it’s easy to get stuck here. Only bring 4WD vehicles here. Also note, this area is located in a wash, avoid camping here when rain is in the forecast. How Crowded: Usually no one here due to being a lesser-known camping area. How Noisy or Peaceful: Mostly peaceful and serene here, though sometimes off-road riders will come through here. Cellular Phone Signal: Verizon, T-Mobile, comes in fairly well. AT&T is weaker, though still usable. Road Conditions: Gravel road, but soft in many places. 4WD vehicles only. Amenities Within Campground: No ... Read more
South Loop Trailhead, Sprague, WA
If you’re looking a place to camp with your RV for free, Fishtrap Recreation Area does NOT offer much. The few parking lots it offers are the only places to set up an RV or trailer. Although, if you want to pitch a tent, there are plenty of nice areas with great views. You just have to deal with the ticks.
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.
