My book Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands (updated for 2025) tells you everything you need to know to find secluded and beautiful campsites on the over 400 million acres of government-owned lands in the United States, primarily national forest and Bureau of Land Management lands, but also national monuments and state lands.
For Now, the Print Book Is Exclusively for Sale on Amazon
It’s 156 pages in the print version, and it’s packed with all the important information you need to be safe and happy while you’re camping for free in America’s forests, or deserts. Of course, there’s also a Kindle edition.
Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon (including Kindle).
You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here.
I’ve Been Doing Dispersed Camping for a Long Time
I have over 30 years of dispersed camping and boondocking experience in a variety of vehicles. I’ve camped down backroads in much of the western United States, including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. I bring all my knowledge, experience, and extensive research together to detail everything you need to know to get out into nature on public lands and find primo dispersed camping spots, while saving a ton of money in the process.
I’m an Experienced Writer
So you’re in good hands. I’ve been comfortably supporting myself as a writer since 1992, primarily by creating a variety of content for businesses and nonprofits, but also as the author of several hiking guidebooks on Northern California, all published by Mountaineers Books, one of the world’s premier publishers of outdoor books.
Are Dispersed Camping and Boondocking the Same Thing?
Fundamentally, the book is about “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)
- Is free (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
“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. 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, especially the larger ones.
Therefore, dispersed camping is the more general term, and dispersed camping is the term I use most in this book. But, if you have an RV and want to “boondock,” this book has plenty of information for you!
Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon (including Kindle).
You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here.
This Book is Your Bible for Dispersed Camping and Boondocking
Scroll to the bottom to see the detailed table of contents. But in a nutshell, here’s what Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands covers:
- In-depth discussion of the different types of federal and state lands where you can do dispersed camping and boondocking: national forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, national monuments, state forests, and more
- Detailed advice of how to research the best areas to go dispersed camping and boondocking, including getting intel on finding specific campsites
- Clear guidelines that help you find excellent campsites once you’re out on dirt roads in the wild – and what you need to do to not get lost!
- Key characteristics of a good dispersed campsite, and how to make sure it’s a good fit for you and your camping companions
- How to minimize your impact on the land using Leave No Trace principles
- How to be as safe as possible when camping, and when exploring territory near your campsite
- How to keep your dogs safe
- Advice on where you can sleep legally in towns and cities, and along highways
- A comprehensive list of everything you need to take with you
- Discussion of the wide range of vehicles you can use for dispersed camping: RVs, full-size vans, minivans, trucks with camper shells, travel trailers, cars, and motorcycles
- A comparison of dispersed camping with regular pay campgrounds, and why sometimes it can be a good idea to stay in a campground
- Maps showing the distribution of U.S. Forest Service (national forest), Bureau of Land Management, and other federal lands across the United States, plus over two dozen photos
Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon (including Kindle).
You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here.
What This Book Is – and What It Is Not
There are hundreds of thousands of places where you can legally boondock and do dispersed camping in the United States, so this is not a guidebook to specific places. Rather, it’s how-to manual that makes sure you know how to find the best dispersed camping and boondocking sites in the United States, and that you maximize your enjoyment and safety.
Detailed Contents of Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands
Introduction
What This Book Is About
What This Book Is NOT About
This Book Is for You…
Boondocking…
Organization of This Book
The Stories
Why My Website DispersedCamping.net Is So Important
Dispersed Camping: An Invitation…
My Story: A Recent Dispersed Camping Trip
Chapter One: Dispersed Camping Defined
Dispersed Camping and Boondocking
Other Commonly Used Terms
How I Chose the Title of the Book
Why Do Dispersed Camping?
Advantages of Organized Campgrounds
Disadvantages of Organized Campgrounds
Potential Downsides to Dispersed Camping
Not Sure? Just Try It!
Stephanie’s Story: Sometimes a Traditional Campground Rocks!
Chapter Two: Vehicles for Dispersed Camping
Full-Size Van
Truck with Camper Shell
Minivan
SUV
Car
RV
Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel, Popup Trailer
Motorcycle
Buying a Vehicle?
Making Do With the Vehicle You Have
Converting Your Vehicle for Living/Dispersed Camping
My Story: All My Vehicles
Chapter Three: Where You Can Go Dispersed Camping
Public Lands
Dispersed Camping: It’s Best in the West
What About the Rest of the Country?
Typical Rules
United States Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
National Monuments
National Preserves and National Recreation Areas
What About National Parks?
Wildlife Management Areas (Federal and State)
State Lands
Public Utilities
Private Lands
Canada: Our Neighbor to the North
Mexico: Our Neighbor to the South
Our Story: Primo Spot in Mojave National Preserve
Chapter Four: Before You Go Dispersed Camping
Where Do You Want to Go?
What Is Your Time Frame?
Get Official Recommendations and Check Regulations
Get Unofficial Recommendations
Some Places Aren’t Safe
Camping Prohibitions Near Towns
Camping Prohibitions Near National Parks
Get Good Maps
Where to Obtain Maps
Google Maps
Get Good Apps
Google Earth
Check the Weather
Make Sure Your Vehicle Is in Good Shape
Make Sure You Have a Good Towing Plan
Make Sure You Have Everything You Need
Our Story: Waking Up to Snow
Chapter Five: Finding the Best Dispersed Camping Sites
Find Your Site in Daylight!
Starting on a “Portal” Road
Watch for Secondary Roads
Choosing Your Dispersed Camping Site
Found Your Site? Check a Little Farther…
Sharing a Site with Strangers?
Dispersed Camping and Boondocking With Others
Keep a List of Your Favorite Spots 52
Stephanie’s Story: “Just a Little Farther…”
Our Story: Someone Wants to Share the Site
Chapter Six: Dispersed Camping Best Practices
Camp and Walk on Durable Surfaces
Pack It Out, All of It
Campfires: Skip Them!
Campfires: If You Must
Pooping and Peeing
Staying Clean
Washing Dishes Outside
Respect Wildlife
Respect Plants and Rocks
Be a Good Neighbor
My Story: Dark Skies and Starry Nights
Chapter Seven: Dispersed Camping Safety
Pick a Safe Area
Check the Weather
Don’t Get Lost When Searching for Campsites
Watch Out for Other Vehicles
Watch Out for Animals
Don’t Get Stuck
But If You Get Stuck, Do This
Choosing Your Site: Avoid Natural Hazards
Don’t Count on Cell Phone Coverage
Water
Sanitation
First Aid
Medications
Manage Your Power
Campfires
Wildfires
Lightning
Hunters
Bears
Mountain Lions
Other Large Mammals
Snakes
Personal Protection
Exploring
Keeping Your Dogs Safe
My Story: Hana and Molly Find the Way Back
My Story: Hana and Molly DON’T Find the Way Back
Chapter Eight: Sleep for Free in Towns and Cities
So You Want to Sleep for Free…
Friends and Family
Couch Surfing
Sleeping at City-Approved Sites
Business Parking Lots
Sleeping on Residential Streets
My Story: Sleeping Alongside Highway 101 in Northern California
Our Story: Sleeping Alongside Highway 50 in Nevada
Appendix: What to Take
About John Soares
Acknowledgements
Please Review This Book!
Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon (including Kindle).
You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here.
