What exactly is dispersed camping? What exactly is boondocking? How are they similar and how are they different?
Well, I’m the author of Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands, and as you can see, I put both terms in the title of my book. Let’s look at the two in detail…
What Is Dispersed Camping?
As defined by the United States Forest Service, dispersed camping:
- Takes place on public lands (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other federal and state lands)
- Costs nothing (however, in a few jurisdictions you’ll have to buy a permit just to be on the land)
- Occurs outside of organized campgrounds (and usually far away from them)
- Offers no amenities (no toilets, no tables, no water, no nothing)
- Is subject to rules and regulations that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
What Is Boondocking?
“Boondocking” is a term most commonly used in the RV community. Boondocking is a type of dispersed camping, but it usually refers to dispersed camping in places accessible to RVs and vehicles pulling travel trailers. Boondocking sites are accessed by wider roads that are in good shape, and they have enough space for big rigs to turn around.
However, the overwhelming majority of dispersed camping sites lie down dirt roads that are narrow and rougher, some requiring high clearance and AWD/4WD. These roads are not suitable for most RVs and travel trailers, especially the larger ones.
Dispersed Camping Versus Boondocking
To summarize…
Dispersed camping is the more general term, the one that encompasses all potential situations of camping for free on public lands, whereas boondocking refers to RVs camping for free on those public lands that they can reach with their much larger vehicles.
Camp for Free in the Backcountry
My book shows you everything you need to know to find and enjoy secluded dispersed camping (boondocking) spots in the backcountry:
- Public lands where you can camp for free
- Researching the best locations
- Finding the best camping spots
- Backcountry safety and ethics
- What to take
Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Apple, Kobo, and Nook
Not Everyone Agrees with These Definitions!
Especially with the term boondocking. Lots of people use the term boondocking, even though they are actually using a van to camp in places where an RV could never go, which I (and many others) call dispersed camping.
Overall, far more people have heard of “boondocking” than have heard of “dispersed camping,” so be prepared to see the first used more frequently in online articles, Youtube, and elsewhere.
Other Commonly Used Terms for Dispersed Camping/Boondocking
There are several terms you’ll frequently see that are related to dispersed camping.
Free Camping
This means exactly what it says: you pay nothing to camp. This includes dispersed camping, of course, but it also includes a number of actual campgrounds in more remote places that don’t charge. These campgrounds often have tables, toilets, fire pits, and water, and they can be quite enjoyable, as long as others using the campground are good neighbors.
Primitive Camping
The term “primitive camping” can mean the same thing as dispersed camping, but the term can also refer to campgrounds with few amenities: for example, sites may have a table and a fire pit, but there is no potable water and no toilets. These campgrounds may or may not charge a fee.
Remote Camping
Another term with multiple definitions, remote camping basically means camping far away from organized campgrounds. It’s a broad term that can include dispersed camping and primitive camping.
Dry Camping
At its most basic, dry camping means no supplied water. This describes virtually all dispersed camping sites, plus many of the primitive/remote sites.
Wild Camping
Wild camping is a term used almost exclusively in Europe. It refers to camping outside of organized campgrounds, usually for free. I did this quite a bit back in my twenties when I spent two summers hitchhiking throughout Europe.
How I Chose the Title of My Book
I put a lot of thought into it. There are all those terms above, some of which have different meanings to different people. Fundamentally, though, this book is about how to find and enjoy dispersed campsites that are free. And, as explained above, boondocking is a very common term that many people know that is essentially a restricted type of dispersed camping. Thus the title:
Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands
I use the term “dispersed camping” throughout the book, although much of what I say also applies to RV folks who “boondock.”
Find Solitude through Dispersed Camping
My book shows you everything you need to know to find and enjoy secluded dispersed camping (boondocking) spots in the backcountry:
- Public lands where you can camp for free
- Researching the best locations
- Finding the best camping spots
- Backcountry safety and ethics
- What to take
Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Apple, Kobo, and Nook
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