Free campsites and dispersed camping?

[sailmike]

I recently finished a 3 week camping trip across 19 states from California to Illinois to Georgia and back to California. It was an awesome trip covering 6,350 miles. I'm a tent camper and probably always will be. The biggest task during this trip was finding campgrounds. I used Allstays almost exclusively. Now, I know almost nothing about "dispersed" camping and/or free camping. Can someone please explain how and where to find them? I love being the only one at campgrounds.

Thanks a lot!

[actad]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

Hi sallmike - sounds like a wonderful trip with great memories.

As for free/dispersed campgrounds, there are some near us, but one is not usually the only person at the campground. We did get some sites that had no near neighbors, though.You might try looking at power company webistes and national forest sites

We have been camping almost exclusively at a set of campgrounds within a reclaimed coal strip mine that covers parts of several counties in SE Ohio - AEP ReCreation Lands. It is quite lovely with wildfloweres, ponds/lakes, and third growth trees, The Buckeye Trail runs through it. There is water scattered throughout from hand pumps, no electric, no dump stations, and lots of great places for both tent and RV. No check in or check out times, and all sites are free.

Wayne National Forest in Ohio has dispersed sites in the lower half of the state, Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia has some $10 sites.

[terasec]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

Free/dispersed Camping will vary by state
most have similar regs
in ny can camp in just about any state forest without a permit
permit being required for stays longer than 3 nights
some state forests also have roadside drive in sites that have no fees and no registration required
usually just a clearing, fire pit and table
they are usually very limited like 5 sites at a trailhead
in pa no permit required for camping at state forest but some regions require a permit for overnight parking
i would check each state you plan on camping in for their regs then contact local rangers to see if theres any local restrictions
state camping websites usually guide you to organized pay sites
really need to know regs to know where you can camp and how

[James.]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

I believe the rules for dispersed camping very by forest. Here in Arizona's National Forests I believe you can camp just about anywhere that is (I think) 150' from a road. They encourage you to use existing camp sites to limit disturbing the area. I am like you. I don't want to be around other people when I am camping. Of course there are no amenities when dispersed camping so you have to pack everything in, and more importantly, out.

[sailmike]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll just have to check state by state next time.

Camp anywhere? I'm sure there is still the 7-14 day limit to discourage living there for homeless people.

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

I will include a link to the USFS site. Select what state, forest or grassland you are looking for. Under that specific area, you should look under camping to see what is available.

http://www.fs.fed.us/

[terasec]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll just have to check state by state next time.

Camp anywhere? I'm sure there is still the 7-14 day limit to discourage living there for homeless people.

once you know 1 states regulations, will understand others, they are mostly similar, with slight variations. out west there is alot more federal lands than east coast, would start with those lands first
some may have different land names/designation, like state lands, state parks, state forest, game lands, wildlife refuge,

[James.]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll just have to check state by state next time.

Camp anywhere? I'm sure there is still the 7-14 day limit to discourage living there for homeless people.

Yes but if you move camp every 2 weeks you are ok.

[terasec]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

since your in CA
can start here
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/rec...n/camping.html
thats a fed BLM site
out west there is more federal land,
as you travel further east its more state lands
federal lands out west tend to have 7-14 day limits
dont know about all states but in NY and PA its 3 night limit before requiring a permit
many times permit is no big deal just stopping in rangers office and picking it one up for a fee like $10
its also a good idea to let local ranger know regardless of whether a permit is required
if they know your in the area they are more inclined to do a driveby of parking area to check up on your and/or your vehicle
my biggest fear when camping for extended days in the bush is not the bears, wolves, critters
its worrying about condition of my car when i get back to the parking area

[Happy Joe]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

OOO, ooo!
James just hit 1000 posts!
... not for long I bet...

Enjoy!

[James.]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

OOO, ooo!
James just hit 1000 posts!
... not for long I bet...

Enjoy!

Hey, I did! Apparently it lasted for 4 days.....4 loooong days.

I also want to add that camping on Reservations (here in AZ) for any length of time requires a permit.

[Irate Mormon]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

I have developed a list of websites for free/cheap camping. USFS, ACOE, etc...you just have to spend some time with it.

[WackyPup]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

I have developed a list of websites for free/cheap camping. USFS, ACOE, etc...you just have to spend some time with it.

Where is it? Do you have it posted somewhere? I would appreciate seeing it

Liz

[sailmike]

Re: Free campsites and dispersed camping?

I wrote to Allstays asking about an easier way to find those free and dispersed campgrounds. They wrote back and said that there is a setting to show only free and dispersed campgrounds. Problem solved!

i should add that the option is hidden in the advanced settings of the app.