Dispersed Camping and Boondocking Apps and Websites

This page lists the top dispersed camping/boondocking apps, websites, and Facebook pages, along with other websites that provide more general information about official campgrounds and federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service (national forests) and the Bureau of Land Management.

I’m the author of Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands (updated for 2023). The book provides all the details you need to find the best dispersed campsites in the United States, and how to enjoy your backcountry camping experiences safely and responsibly.

(Also see my detailed dispersed camping and boondocking checklist of what to take.)

Using Gaia GPS and Caltopo Apps for Dispersed Camping/Boondocking

Gaia and Caltopo, discussed in detail below, have similar features for making your dispersed camping/boondocking adventures in the backcountry both easier and safer.

Why You Should Buy the Premium Version of the Gaia App or Caltopo App

The most important reason to pony up for an annual subscription to one (or both) of the Gaia app or the Caltopo app is this:

The premium versions of Gaia and Caltopo allow you to download map layers that work even when you don’t have cell phone service. This is crucial because many of the places you want to boondock/dispersed camp are likely in the mountains, hills, forests, or remote deserts, and you can’t count on getting signal for your phone.

The premium versions always show your location, and they show you road networks, recreational features, and, crucially, the topography of the area, which allows you to find more-level areas which are most likely to have sites for dispersed camping/boondocking. You can also create GPS tracks of the roads you drive, which makes it easy to find your way back to civilization.

Gaia GPS: A Great App for Dispersed Camping/Boondocking

Gaia GPS has dozens of layers to choose from. These are the most important layers you need for navigating backcountry roads and finding good areas for dispersed camping and boondocking…

• A topo layer. Gaia Topo is your best bet. This allows you to see the topography in the area of the roads you’re traveling; more level areas are more likely to have dispersed camping/boondocking sites.
• USFS 2016. This is the United States Forest Service layer, and it’s especially suited for showing roads and other features on national forest lands.
• USFS Roads and Trails. Contains great info on United States Forest Service roads, including accessibility by different types of vehicles.
• MVUM = Motor Vehicle Use Maps. MVUM are created by the United States Forest Service; they indicate which roads are open to traffic and what types of vehicles are suited to drive on those roads.
• Public Land. This lets you know when you’re on public land and when you’re on private land. You can only do dispersed camping/boondocking on public lands (when agency regulations permit it).

Also consider these Gaia GPS layers (read the info for each to get full details):

• Cell Coverage. Only use this layer when you actually want to check coverage, as the layer makes it difficult to see data from other layers. Also,the cell coverage layer doesn’t distinguish between individual carriers.
• USFS Recreation Sites. Info on various recreation opportunities, including trailheads and campgrounds.
• Precipitation Forecast (requires cell connection)
• Numerous others that might interest you at specific times and places. Poke around!

Caltopo: Also a Great App for Dispersed Camping/Boondocking

Caltopo has an excellent app for both Android and iOS. It has many layers that are the same or similar as Gaia GPS. These are the ones you’ll most want to download so that you can use them in the backcountry:

• Forest Service Topo. I go with 2016 white. This layer contains data from the United States Forest Service, including roads and other important features found on national forests across the country.
• MVUM = Motor Vehicle Use Maps. The United States Forest Service issues MVUM. MVUM are great for showing you which roads on USFS lands are open, and they also indicate which roads are suitable for which types of vehicles.
• Public Land. This crucial layer indicates boundaries of public lands. Dispersed camping/boondocking is only allowed on public lands, subject to local agency rules.

Also consider these other Caltopo layers:

• Contours. Choosing this layer makes the topo lines pop more, making it easier to find level areas more condusive to dispersed camping/boondocking. I like to use the “mixed” setting.
• Cell coverage. You can choose between T-Mobile, ATT, and Verizon, the main national carriers. I like this better than the comparable Gaia GPS layer because you can choose your specific carrier (as long as it’s one of those three).
• Forecasts. You can get estimates of precipitation and wind speeds (requires cell connection).
• Fire History. Find out which areas have been burned in wildfires, and how long ago.
• Fire Activity. Let’s you know the location and approximate size of wildfires (requires cell connection for latest updates).
• Check out the many other options that may appeal to you.

Dispersed Camping and Boondocking: Where-to-Camp and Related Apps

Note: most of these apps focus on organized for-pay campgrounds, but also have some coverage of free campgrounds, plus dispersed camping and boondocking sites. They also use crowd-sourced information: this means some of the information may be incorrect. Also, there are typically far, far more places to do dispersed camping and boondocking on public lands than what’s shown on these apps.

iOverlander Android and iOverlander iOS

The Dyrt Android and The Dyrt iOS

Free Campsites Android

OnX Hunt Android and OnX Hunt iOS are very useful, especially for determining boundaries of public lands.

Outly Android and Outly iOS is another app that helps find dispersed campsites, plus helps with hiking and outdoor activities.

Boondocker.org iOS only

Dispersed Camping and Boondocking Websites

Note: as I discuss in Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands, you should always search for the rules of the specific jurisdiction of whatever federal agency where you plan to do dispersed camping or boondocking.

U.S. Forest Service: National Forests Dispersed Camping
Use the search bar to look for dispersed camping in specific national forests.

US Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Maps
Home page to find motor vehicle use maps for every national forest in the United States. Download as PDF files and print them out.

United States Forest Service Land: United States
Shows boundaries of all national forests in the United States.

Bureau of Land Management Dispersed Camping
This is the main official page for both Bureau of Land Management dispersed camping and official campgrounds. Look for regions and then specific rules for regions.

BLM Maps
Database of all BLM maps: download as PDF files and print them out.

BLM National Data Viewer
This sophisticated webpage lets you zoom in on BLM land anywhere in the United States.

Caltopo.com
Based on USGS topographical maps: you can print custom maps for anywhere in the United States. Use the map layers function on the right side to choose important options like “Public Lands” and “Motor Vehicle MVUM,” which are U.S. Forest Service national forest motor-vehicle use maps which show roads open to vehicles. You can also examine the contour lines on the Caltopo topographical maps to find flatter areas that are more likely to have dispersed camping sites. Note that some of the roads on the maps may be closed or no longer passable by vehicles, even though they appear on the map. See below for more information on the Caltopo app.

National Monuments in the United States
Many national monuments allow dispersed camping and boondocking, especially the larger ones in the western United States.

National Recreation Areas in the United States
National Recreation Areas, especially larger ones in the West, may allow dispersed camping.

Google Earth lets you zoom in on specific areas and scout the terrain.

Dispersed Camping and Boondocking: United States Where-to-Camp Websites

Note: most of these websites focus on organized for-pay campgrounds, but also have some coverage of free campgrounds, plus dispersed camping and boondocking sites. They also use a lot of crowd-sourced information: this means some of the information may be incorrect. Also, there are typically far, far more places to do dispersed camping and boondocking on public lands than what’s shown on these websites.

FreeCampsites.net
Shows you both free campgrounds and some areas where you can do dispersed camping.

Boondocking.org
Shows places you can sleep in a vehicle legally and for free. Some are beside major highways, while others are in quiet, natural areas.

FreeRoam.app
Features mainly free campgrounds, not boondocking or dispersed camping spots.

Campendium.com
Also has numerous places you can camp for free across the United States.

Allstays
This extensive website covers many places to camp, including free ones, plus many other amenities and services of interest to travelers.

Other Ways to Sleep for Free

Note: this is not dispersed camping or boondocking. Rather, it’s parking for free somewhere and sleeping in your vehicle. Chapter 8 in Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands covers this also. These sites are useful when you’re in-between places for dispersed camping and need to sleep for a night, usually near a town or city.

Wal-Mart RV Parking
This provides everything you need to know about parking overnight at Wal-Mart.

Casino RV Overnighting
List of casinos that allow you to spend the night in your RV or van.

Boondockers Welcome
This website is for RV users only. An annual fee give you the possibility to stay in your RV for a night or two (in most cases) at various private-property sites around the country.

Harvest Hosts
A membership site that lists agricultural properties where you can camp for free in self-contained vehicles only; you are strongly encouraged to buy products from the farmer, rancher, or vintner. You may also be encouraged to actually help out on the property. I have friends who harvested wine grapes for an afternoon.

Facebook Groups for Dispersed Camping and Boondocking

Facebook groups are a great way to connect with other people who love dispersed camping and boondocking. You can ask for suggestions of places to camp, and you can also use the search bar to find past posts for the specific region you plan to visit. You can also ask for and share advice on vehicles, equipment, and just about anything else related to dispersed camping and boondocking.

Here’s a list of the most popular and most useful Facebook groups. New ones can certainly pop up. To find them, use the main search bar on Facebook to enter your specific search terms, and then select “groups.” Note that there are also some pages and communities for dispersed campers and boodockers, but groups allow the most interaction of members.

Boondocking & Free Camping USA

Free Camping, Boondocking, and Public Lands

BOONDOCKING & FREE CAMPSITES!

Boondocking & free camping in the USA

Free BLM and National Forest Camping

Dispersed Camping

FREE CAMPING LIFE! 😀

Free BLM – Nomads of North America – Boondocking Vans and RV’s