Dispersed Camping For Beginners
Dispersed camping is one way to say that you’ve camped in its more pure form. No campsites or amenities for you – just finding your way on a road or trail, locating a safe place to set up camp, and getting everything together on your own. What you bring is up to you, but at the end of the day, no one is coming to assist you with setting up a fire, digging a cat-hole, or pitching your tent. Why do it? Because camping, that’s why.
In this Guide:
Who should go dispersed camping?
Where to go dispersed camping
Dispersed camping gear checklist
Essential skills and safety
Stewardship and etiquette
What to expect dispersed camping
Plan a dispersed camping trip
Dispersed camping tips for beginners
Resources
What Is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping (sometimes called “wild camping” or “backcountry camping”) is any camping on public lands outside of developed areas or campgrounds. This can include include car camping, backpacking, and solo camping, but it means no facilities, no campground host, and no fire rings. It’s just you and the gear you bring.
Dispersed camping requires a bit more self-reliance and preparation, which we review in detail below.
Why Try Dispersed Camping?
- Challenge: This is a great way to expand your camping horizons and practice the skills you have learned from easier camping trips.
- Exploration: More deeply explore our public lands by going down forest service roads and epic trails to discover beautiful areas.
- Solitude: The extra self-reliance and sacrificing certain comforts enables you to access some of the more remote areas of our public lands, away from roads and other campers.
- Flexibility: Easy to do on a whim, especially with the abundance of areas available for dispersed camping on our public lands.
Who Should Go Dispersed Camping?
- Intermediate level campers who have camped before and understand the foundations and principles
- Not ideal for beginners unless going with a more experience camper
- Campers looking for more solitude and exploration
- Families or friends looking for a great bonding experience
- Anyone who enjoys camping at all
Where You Can Dispersed Camp
National Forests And Grasslands
- With one of the largest networks of both trails and public access roads in the country, National Forests are ideal for dispersed camping trips.
- Dispersed camping is typically a cheaper or free option for camping, especially since it does not involve developed campgrounds. However depending on your destination, reservations or fees may still be associated with entry to a specific area, or for overnight permits.
- Check out our detailed guide for the Sierra National Forest, which is an excellent area for dispersed camping.
- For a full guide on camping in National Forests, read our How To Camp In National Forests article.
Wilderness Areas
- For the ultimate sense of solitude and resourcefulness, Wilderness areas are for foot travel only and can be a true reprieve for dispersed campers looking to detach from modern society.
- All overnight trips in Wilderness Areas require a permit. Because Wilderness can be managed by any of the public land agencies (NPS, USFS, BLM, USFWS), you will need to follow their specific permitting process. Some are free, and some require a fee. Depending on your destination there might be a quota or limit on how may permits are available.
- For a full guide on camping in Wilderness Areas, read our How To Camp In Wilderness Areas article.
BLM Land
- With an abundance of road access and trail systems, there is no shortage of dispersed camping in BLM lands, often leading to some of the most epic landscapes.
- Dispersed camping is typically a cheaper or free option for camping, especially since it does not involve developed campgrounds. However depending on your destination, reservations or fees may still be associated with entry to a specific area, or for overnight permits.
- For a full guide on camping on BLM land, read our How To Camp On BLM Land article.
National Wildlife Refuges (USFWS)
- Access roads and trail networks can bring you to some of the more remote areas in National Wild Refuges which are great places to go dispersed camping.
- Dispersed camping is typically a cheaper or free option for camping, especially since it does not involve developed campgrounds. However depending on your destination, reservations or fees may still be associated with entry to a specific area, or for overnight permits.
Restricted:
- National Parks: Because National Parks primary goal is to preserve our ecosystems and wild areas, dispersed camping (i.e. camp anywhere) is typically not allowed. All camping in National Parks is either done at developed campgrounds, or designated backcountry sites with primitive setups.
Learn more about all of our public lands in our Intro To Public Lands article.
Where You Camp For Dispersed Camping
Forest Service Or Access Roads
These roads can be found in many public lands and primarily exist to provide access to access logging, timber, recreational, or fire maintenance areas. These roads are usually unpaved and require AWD and high-clearance vehicles, but for that reason they provide a great way to discover or set up a dispersed campsite away from the crowds.
Trails And Backcountry Areas
The extensive network of trail in our public lands provide nearly endless opportunities for dispersed camping. Whether you’re traveling one mile or several hundred, hopping on a trail and establishing (or ideally re-using) a dispersed campsite is as good as it gets for dispersed camping.
Dispersed Camping Gear Checklist
Dispersed backpacking essentials (not a comprehensive list):
One of the Ten Essentials *
- Backpacking pack
- Shelter (tent, rainfly and footprint)*
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Water system (filtration, container, bladder)*
- Light (headlamp)*
- Tools (knife, multi-tool)*
- Cooking setup (stove, fuel, cookware, utensils)
- Proper clothes (boots, insulating layers, rain jacket)*
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS)*
- Fire source (lighter, starter cubes, ferro rod)*
- Medical kit*
- Sun protection*
- Proper nutrition (protein, electrolytes, sugars)*
- Wag bag and toilet paper
- Cordage (paracord)
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Food/bear canister
- Bear spray
- Hand sanitizer/biodegradable soap
Dispersed car camping essentials (not a comprehensive list):
One of the Ten Essentials *
- Shelter (tent, rainfly and footprint)*
- Sleeping bag
- Extra blankets
- Sleeping pad/mattress
- Water system (filtration, container, bladder)*
- Light (headlamp, lantern)*
- Tools (hatchet, knife, multi-tool)*
- Cooking setup (stove, fuel, cooler, cookware, utensils)
- Proper clothes (boots, insulating layers, rain jacket)*
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS)*
- Fire source and firewood if allowed (lighter, starter cubes, ferro rod)*
- Medical kit*
- Sun protection*
- Proper nutrition (protein, electrolytes, sugars)*
- Soap and hand sanitizer
- Towels and trash bags
- Toilet paper and wet wipes
- Camping chairs
- Small camping table
- Day pack
- Extra tarp (for marmots that chew your brake lines)
- Spare tire (should be full-size)
- Jumper cables
- Tire patch kit and electric air pump
Interactive Camping Trip Planner & Checklist
Download a free gear and planning checklist for all your camping trips. Duplicate it for Notion (free acct. required): Free Guide: Camping Trip Gear & Packing Checklist
For a more comprehensive review on camping gear and how to get started, read our Camping Gear For Beginners article.
Skills & Safety For Dispersed Camping
General camping skills and safety:
- Bring the 10 essentials
- Wildlife awareness
- Weather awareness
- Fire safety
- First aid skills
- How to identify and select a proper campsite
Additional dispersed backpacking skills and safety:
- Learn how to read a map with a compass
- Ask Rangers about trails and conditions
Additional dispersed car camping skills and safety:
- Check your tire pressure before going
- Refuel before settling down for camp
- Ask Rangers about road conditions
Stewardship & Etiquette For Dispersed Camping
General stewardship and etiquette:
- Understand the Leave No Trace principles.
- Keep light levels reasonable and respectful. Especially floodlights.
- Keep noise levels reasonable and respectful. Especially music.
- Do not ever feed, approach, or disturb any wildlife.
- Pack everything out, including trash.
- Do not book extra campgrounds that you don’t need.
- Leave the place better than you found it.
Dispersed car camping stewardship and etiquette:
- Do not leave your car running or your headlights on.
- Park in proper areas and not on sensitive vegetation.
- Do not steal other campers’ parking spots for convenience.
Dispersed backpacking stewardship and etiquette:
- If dispersed camping, try to find and utilize and already established camping spot.
- Do not cut trails or switchbacks. This is very dangerous and damaging.
- Do not disturb trail markers or cairns.
What To Expect When Dispersed Camping
Camping is not always as glamorous as instagram makes it out to be. And it shouldn’t be. A couple of key things to understand when you’re camping:
- It always requires some hard work.
- There will be bugs.
- There will be bad weather.
- There will be spooky sounds.
- You will get dirty and smell.
- You will forget something.
- Your feet, back, and shoulders may be sore.
- It can feel a little scary at first.
- Weather exposure and falling tree branches are way more of a threat than animal encounters.
- You will have a lot of fun.
How to Plan A Dispersed Camping Trip
Dispersed backpacking general step-by-step plan
- Pick a destination (NPS, NFS, BLM, etc.)
- Check local fire restrictions
- Check local road and access restrictions
- Check the weather (snow, rain, wildfire watch)
- Confirm the trail(s) and route you will be backpacking
- Confirm how and where you will camp
- Developed campground
- Primitive campground
- Dispersed camping
- Complete any permits or reservations needed
- Plan out your meals
- Test out your gear
- Fit your backpack
- Learn rules/etiquette of where you are camping
- Make sure your car is ready (oil, gas, fluids)
- Let people know where you’re going
- Enjoy the journey
Dispersed car camping general step-by-step plan
- Pick a destination (NPS, NFS, BLM, etc.)
- Check local fire restrictions
- Check local road and access restrictions
- Check the weather (snow, rain, wildfire watch)
- Confirm how and where you want to car camp
- Developed campground
- Primitive campground
- Dispersed camping
- Complete any permits or reservations needed
- Plan out your meals
- Test out your gear
- Pack your car
- Learn rules/etiquette of where you are camping
- Make sure your car is ready (oil, gas, fluids)
- Let people know where you’re going
- Enjoy the journey
Dispersed Camping Tips For Beginners
General camping tips:
- Keep first trip short (1–2 nights).
- Borrow or rent gear before buying.
- Practice setting up tent and gear at home.
- Expect the first time to be a challenge and learning experience.
Dispersed car camping tips:
- Practice packing your car efficiently (take your time doing it).
- Bring extra everything just to be sure (food, water, blankets, etc.)
- Check where your closest fuel station is relative to your campsite
Dispersed backpacking tips:
- Break in your boots and shoes on a couple long walks or hikes.
- Practice packing your backpack efficiently (take your time doing it).
- Check where your closest fuel station is relative to your trailhead.
