What is Dispersed Camping?

In a nutshell, dispersed camping is a form of boondocking. More specifically, it’s camping outside of a designated campground. Many RV enthusiasts have embraced this way of camping because it’s a fun challenge! 

Granted, there is a lot of responsibility and skill required for dispersed camping and you need to be knowledgeable about it before you attempt it. 

So, here are a few other things to consider if you want to try out dispersed camping:

• You won’t have amenities – If you’re used to boondocking of any sort, you know that you need to be completely reliant on yourself for electricity, water, and food. But you can boondock in a park that has showers and toilets and other amenities. True dispersed camping means those extras won’t be available. No bathrooms, no showers, no tables, sometimes no fire pits, no trash removal. Just you, your rig, and nature. But with good planning ahead of time, you can be entirely self-contained, prepared to Leave No Trace, and camp like a champ. 
• You won’t need to make a reservation – Sometimes with boondocking, you may not need to pay for your site. But with dispersed camping the goal is to not have to make a reservation. And the more remote your campsite, the better. You might be parked on a dirt road in the middle of a forest or on a stretch of land in a desert. Just make sure you’re on land that you can be on legally. This includes any federally designated land, such as:
  • Certain trailheads
  • Some county parks and city parks  
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands 
  • Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)
  • National forests
  • National grasslands

This also means you will be able to camp for free. Be sure to do your research and scout out locations properly. Check the restrictions as well, but in general, you can camp in one dispersed area for up to 14 days. 

• You probably won’t see others around you – And that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Dispersed camping means you will be spread apart from others. So if you’re feeling social, dispersed camping may not be right for you. 

Have you ever tried dispersed camping in your RV before? What did you like or dislike about it? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!