US Forest Service
Learn about camping and boondocking in national forests and grasslands.
Oak Flat Campground, Castaic, CA
This is a free, developed campground offered by Angeles National Forest, located close to I-5 freeway, about 15 miles north of the town of Castaic. There are 20 campsites with picnic tables and campfire rings, vault toilets. It's a highly popular campground that fills up fast on weekends.
Forest Road 64J, Tres Piedras, NM
Free, dispersed camping is allowed along Forest Road 64J located off of US-64, one mile west of the town of Tres Piedras, NM. The forest road runs a short distance of about 1/2 mile, but offers about a dozen or more previously-used campsites nestled under pine trees and under the base of a giant rock formation.
LBJ National Grasslands Camping Map, Decatur, TX
Located near Decatur, TX, the US Forest Service-managed LBJ National Grassland is a popular area for free camping. This camping map was compiled based on our visit to the Grassland in November of 2023. We scoped out every boondocking site as well as noted the locations of paid campgrounds. We also noted which gates were kept locked and which dispersed camping areas were blocked off.
Dispersed Camping Near Reserve, NM
There are several free camping areas operated by Gila National Forest within a short drive to Reserve, NM and nearby attractions. These camping areas offer some modern amenities, including restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash cans. All are "first-come, first-serve", with no fees and no permits required. They also allow you to remain camped there up to 14 days.
Forest Road 147, Huxley, TX
This is a forest road where dispersed camping frequently occurs, though technically, according to Sabine National Forest's motor vehicle use map (see link below), this forest road is not on the list of roads permitted for dispersed camping. Yet, it remains a popular area for tent camping, car camping, and RVs.
Rio de Los Pinos Campground, Antonito, CO
This is a free, developed campground offered by Carson National Forest. The campground is actually located in New Mexico, about 8.6 miles south of the border, and about 16.3 miles south of Antonito, CO. However, the nearest town with supplies and fuel is Antonito.
Lower Hondo Campground, Taos, NM
This is a free, developed campground offered by Carson National Forest. There are four (4) campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, large enough for small to medium-sized RVs, but there are few other previously-used dispersed sites that smaller vehicles can get into.
Cuchillo Del Medio Campground, Taos, NM
This is a free, developed campground offered by Carson National Forest. There are only three (3) campsites, too small for most trailers and motorhomes, but capable of handling tear drop trailers, or trailers up to 16 feet in length. This campground is open seasonally from April to December, depending on weather.
Cuchilla Campground, Taos, NM
This is free, developed campground offered by Carson National Forest. There are only three (3) campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. It's located along State Highway 150, about 4.9 miles west of Taos Ski Valley. It's open only during a brief period from May to September each year.
