{"id":6278,"date":"2020-06-30T06:41:03","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T13:41:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?page_id=6278"},"modified":"2026-01-11T08:27:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:27:58","slug":"dispersed-camping-boondocking-book-camp-free","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-book-camp-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping and Boondocking Book"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Camp<\/a>My book Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands<\/em> (updated for 2026)<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

For Now, the Print Book Is Exclusively for Sale on Amazon<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon<\/a> (including Kindle).<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I’ve Been Doing Dispersed Camping for a Long Time<\/h2>\n

I have over 30 years of dispersed camping and boondocking experience<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

I’m an Experienced Writer<\/h2>\n

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<\/strong>, all published by Mountaineers Books, one of the world’s premier publishers of outdoor books.<\/p>\n

Are Dispersed Camping and Boondocking the Same Thing?<\/h2>\n

Fundamentally, the book is about \u201cdispersed camping.\u201d As defined by the United States Forest Service, dispersed camping:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Takes place on public lands<\/strong> (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other federal and state lands)<\/li>\n
  2. Is free<\/strong> (however, in a few jurisdictions you\u2019ll have to buy a permit just to be on the land)<\/li>\n
  3. Occurs outside of organized campgrounds<\/strong> (and usually far away from them)<\/li>\n
  4. Offers no amenities<\/strong> (no toilets, no tables, no water, no nothing)<\/li>\n
  5. Is subject to rules and regulations that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cBoondocking\u201d 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.<\/strong> Boondocking sites are accessed by wider roads that are in good shape, and they have enough space for big rigs to turn around.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    Therefore, dispersed camping is the more general term<\/strong>, and dispersed camping is the term I use most in this book. But, if you have an RV and want to \u201cboondock,\u201d this book has plenty of information for you!<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>Click the button, or click here to order on Amazon<\/a> (including Kindle).<\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    You can also buy ebook versions on Apple, Kobo, Nook, and Scribd here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    This Book is Your Bible for Dispersed Camping and Boondocking<\/h2>\n

    Scroll to the bottom to see the detailed table of contents. But in a nutshell, here\u2019s what Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America\u2019s Public Lands<\/em> covers:<\/p>\n