Since the COVID-19 pandemic in particular, Easley said he\u2019s seen an explosion in popularity of dispersed camping, with more and more people attracted by the lack of reservations amid an often hyper-competitive booking environment online<\/a> and the fact that these sites are very often free. (That popularity doesn\u2019t mean dispersed sites are all filled up all the time, though \u2014 more on that below.)<\/p>\n And like other dispersed campers, he too is drawn to it for the quieter, more rugged experience it can offer.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still some amazing campgrounds out there, don\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I think once you get turned on to dispersed camping, you can make better educated decisions on where to camp that are gonna meet your criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s another catch about dispersed camping: If you live in San Francisco or the greater Bay Area, \u201cyou\u2019re probably gonna have to do a little bit of driving,\u201d Easley said.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because the Forest Service or BLM land where dispersed camping is typically allowed tends to be in more remote areas.<\/p>\n So if you like the idea of being more remote, don\u2019t mind a more rustic site (and bringing your own water) and are prepared to do a little research to find a potentially free campsite, dispersed camping could be for you.<\/p>\n As for how to actually try it \u2026<\/p>\n First, decide (roughly) on the region you want to visit:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure where you want to go, start exploring online to zone in on an area of federal land you could visit.<\/p>\n A big thing you\u2019re looking for: Which agency <\/em>manages the land you\u2019d like to dispersed camp on, whether that\u2019s the Forest Service or BLM.<\/p>\n From online forums to YouTube channels to guidebooks, there are tons of resources out there on the wealth of federal land here in Northern California, and all it has to offer.<\/p>\n You could try:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find there are lots of people online willing to share their wisdom about dispersed camping: both on how to find sites<\/a> and what to do from there. Just remember to make sure the dispersed sites you\u2019re looking at aren\u2019t backpacking camping spots <\/a>way out in the wilderness that you can\u2019t drive up to.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve decided where you want to go generally, there are tools and apps \u2014 some free, some paid \u2014 you can use to find out what\u2019s public, private and who owns what and where specifically you might find legal places to camp.<\/p>\n Paid apps to find dispersed camping sites:<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember, you can always try out more than one of the apps with their free trials before committing. Premium apps like this can be especially helpful for discovering new places to camp or getting into the nitty-gritty for backcountry travel.<\/p>\n Free apps to find dispersed campsites:<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember: you don\u2019t need these apps, paid or otherwise, to actually do <\/em>your dispersed camping. In fact, many people get into dispersed camping in the first place out of pure curiosity, simply by driving down a dirt road near their neighborhood or on vacation and finding an empty space to camp.<\/p>\n The main key is to figure out the land manager for where you want to go \u2014 at which point you can go to their <\/em>website to find all the information you need.<\/p>\n For dispersed camping on Forest Service land:<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ll find general information on dispersed camping on U.S. Forest Service land in Northern California online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n From there, you can look up the local district office<\/a> and a Motor Vehicle Use Map<\/a> that shows the road systems available to get you where you\u2019re going. Check the website for the forest you\u2019re visiting<\/a> for information on closures, fire restrictions and information on camping.<\/p>\n For dispersed camping on BLM land:<\/strong><\/p>\n The BLM California homepage<\/a> has a wealth of information, where you can find regional pages<\/a> that have detailed maps, safety information and local regulations and closures.<\/p>\n And if you get confused or simply want advice, your best bet is to give the district office of either the Forest Service or BLM a call, Easley said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d be amazed how much information you can simply get by just picking up a phone,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd sometimes the people that you talk to will tell you their secret spots to go check out as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Can I just use ChatGPT or other AI to find dispersed camping?<\/strong><\/p>\n Easley cautioned against taking information only directly from AI tools without double-checking it, as there are many different regulations across different forests, and they can have unique rules.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so easy to just punch something in there, but they hallucinate,\u201d he said. \u201cAlways go to the source.\u201d<\/p>\n Dispersed camping is almost always free. There are some exceptions, though: With the post-COVID spike in national park visitation, some parks that used to allow dispersed camping anywhere no longer do \u2014 and now have designated dispersed spots to concentrate campers in one area and leave the rest of the wilderness alone.<\/p>\n Others require permits to enter the wilderness at all. Even so, these permits and fees are typically low, around $10.<\/p>\n And everyone who is planning to camp and use a stove, make a campfire or use other cooking equipment needs to have an up-to-date California campfire permit<\/a>, which is free and available online.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to do your research ahead of time \u2014 checking the regional websites or calling the local ranger station \u2014 so you know all the regulations in effect and what to expect, Easley said.<\/p>\n Just don\u2019t overstay your welcome on a longer trip: Two weeks is the usual limit for staying in a dispersed campsite.<\/p>\n Before you head out, make a phone call to the local land manager, pop onto their website and double-check your app, guidebook or map with public lands layers to make sure the spot you\u2019ve chosen is actually on public land. But in Easley\u2019s experience, \u201cif somebody has private property, they\u2019re absolutely going to let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you encounter a gate that\u2019s locked and says \u2018private property,\u2019 don\u2019t go through it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n It can <\/em>sometimes get confusing, Easley said: For example, the road itself will be public while the land around it is private. That\u2019s why it\u2019s good practice to have a backup option or two (also, in case someone is already in your spot \u2014 more on that later).<\/p>\n But in general, look for signs and don\u2019t assume you\u2019re on federal land just because it\u2019s remote. \u201cJust because you\u2019re on a dirt road does not mean you can just pull over anywhere and set up camp,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re unsure, I would just say don\u2019t go through.\u201d<\/p>\n When you arrive at what you believe to be a dispersed camping spot, look for signs someone has used that site before, such as a fire ring or pit, flattened ground and tire tracks.<\/p>\n Be extra cautious if dispersed camping alone. You may be a confident, experienced camper when staying in developed campgrounds, but remote dispersed camping carries a few more risks, Easley said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think if you\u2019re going solo, the risk-taking decision needs to be a lot more risk-averse,\u201d he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to put yourself in a situation where you\u2019re getting stuck.\u201d<\/p>\n People go out into the wilderness to do all sorts of weird stuff, he said, but Easley\u2019s rule of thumb is this: \u201cIf you feel uncomfortable and absolutely if you\u2019re feeling safe, you should get up and move.\u201d Listen to your gut.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re used to camping at a developed campsite, dispersed camping is not so different.<\/p>\n Bring all the usual things \u2014 a shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and enough food for however long you\u2019re spending in the wilderness.<\/p>\n But because of the lack of services, there are <\/em>some extras you\u2019ll need to remember:<\/p>\n Water<\/strong><\/p>\n Dispersed campsites won\u2019t have a spigot, so you need to be prepared. Either bring all the water you\u2019ll need (plus some extra just in case) or plan to camp next to a water source that you can filter<\/a>. Double-check that any water source you\u2019re relying on isn\u2019t seasonal or contaminated in any way.<\/p>\n Firewood<\/strong><\/p>\n Be sure to check if you\u2019re allowed to build a campfire<\/a> in the first place. Then, check if you\u2019re allowed to collect firewood at your site, or if there are any regulations around bringing wood into the area. Because of disease-spreading beetles, many wilderness areas prohibit you from bringing your own firewood<\/a>. If you\u2019re allowed to collect wood onsite, only collect dead wood that\u2019s on the ground.<\/p>\n Tools to put your fire out<\/strong><\/p>\n This includes enough water to smother the fire and a shovel<\/a> to stir it until it\u2019s fully out. Unlike at a developed campsite, there won\u2019t be a camp host or ranger around to make sure all fires are fully out, so it\u2019s on you.<\/p>\n Extra food\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Because you might be truly out on your own, Easley said he always brings extra nonperishable food, \u201cwhether that\u2019s chili in a can, beans in a can, stuff that isn\u2019t gonna go bad in five days,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I kind of have a surplus of that stuff that I just carry with me, and it always stays in my food bins.\u201d<\/p>\n Emergency devices<\/strong><\/p>\n You might be dispersed camping in a place with zero cellphone signal. Many iPhones have satellite messaging now, <\/a>but if yours doesn\u2019t (because it\u2019s older than the iPhone 14<\/a>) or if you\u2019re worried about being completely out of cell service and alone, consider bringing a satellite messaging device.<\/a><\/p>\n A trash receptacle<\/strong><\/p>\n There won\u2019t be anywhere to dump your waste while you\u2019re dispersed camping, so don\u2019t forget to bring something to put your trash in. In some wilderness areas, that might also include your human waste. Make sure you know local regulations ahead of time and, if required by the land manager, come prepared with W.A.G. bags<\/a>: Waste Alleviation and Gelling bags, which are smell-proof ziplocks that you poop in<\/a> in highly impacted wilderness areas (and which rangers will often provide if you ask).<\/p>\n The right vehicle<\/strong><\/p>\n Most dispersed campsites are located off paved roads, so be sure to look up road conditions ahead of time and bring a car that can handle a few bumps and potholes. Be aware that if it\u2019s rained recently, roads might be muddy or impassable. Have a plan B or C if your spot isn\u2019t reachable, and always be prepared to turn around if it gets too dicey.<\/p>\n Food storage\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In some forests, your vehicle might be enough to keep food away from animals. In other places, you might have to bring specific bear-safe food storage<\/a>. Be sure to check beforehand.<\/p>\nHow to find a place to dispersed camp<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/05\/DisperseCamping2.jpg\")
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/031626_PinnaclesForTheDay-_GH_034_qed.jpg\")
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/05\/DisperseCamping3.jpg\")
Do I need to pay or get a permit to dispersed camp?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/08\/campfire-photo-sarah-wright-e1755279648823.jpg\")
How can I be sure my dispersed campsite is legal \u2014 and safe?<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/07\/RS57479_pexels-anastassiya-golovko-8659561-qut.jpg\")
What to bring dispersed camping<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/05\/BigSurCamping.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.kqed.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/040526CheapCamping_GH_018_qed.jpg\")