Dispersed Camping on Public Lands Explained! (Finding Free & Cheap Campsites)

[@abcsandoval]

Because you did your homework a lot of us have benefited in becoming responsible campers and more confident in planning trips. There are gate keepers and then there are gate openers. You're the latter. Thank you!

[@jkneeshaw]

A comprehensive list of the public land areas and their associated dispersed camping rules would be super helpful.

[@SUVRVing]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@tinepick6175]

@@SUVRVing A list seems almost impossible with all the variables, and with rule changes That would most certainly happen. But commendable for offering. Maybe commenting on freecampsites.net with links to your post there. Just a thought. Thanks for the videos.

[@user-bh3ew6ii4g]

yes please, a list would be a great help!

[@deomeslives]

99cent app, UC public campgrounds. Over 43000 sites, it's pretty badass.

[@BrakerOfStones]

boondockinglife Fremont national forest in SE OR is a great place. Beware of cougars, bears, wolves, cows, and horny bulls....seriously. Graze land.

[@davidgodley521]

This is a big help to me because I'll be heading west this year. My home is Charleston SC. I'll be in a Ford Transit van.

[@stalin1909]

Man . I gotta thank u . I’m a big fan of camping exactly your way . I’m actually camped now in Lassen national forest . You pointed the national forest fact before . And it’s excellent. I bought your guide as well . So again best of luck and never stop .

[@peghu71]

Oh yes! A comprehensive list of public lands that are camping friendly would be great! Thank you!

[@whitney5130]

love how ur explaining this while hiking. great vid!

[@Sewspcl]

I love how you can hike and talk! Very informative! Thanks.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks!

[@JudiChristopher]

YES... in the Film business, we call this "Show don't Tell"... he is showing and telling at the same time... less boring... great video.

[@alanaugust8853]

Yes for the list!! Thank you for a very informative video. Here in northeast Wisconsin (Door County), among the various state parks, we have Newport State Park. It is the only ‘wilderness-designated’ state park in Wisconsin. It is a walk-in/hike-in only area, thus restricting it to no vehicle/mechanical access. By standards for most of the people visiting this area, this nearly 2400 acre ‘parcel’ represents the ‘wildest’ area they will ever visit or encounter. Of course there is a fee structure to enter this park.

[@maggiej.8425]

Ayyyy a fellow Wisconsinite 😁

[@alanaugust8853]

Maggie J. Indeed I am. While being a transplant from, ehhem... south of the border..., doing my best to blend in as I am enjoying my retirement.

[@Larrythe11th]

YES, make that big list, please!! That would be so helpful!! Thanks!!

[@estherstephens1858]

Hi Tristan, first let me begin by saying I had to “replay” this several times. At several points during your recording (@7:12-8:51 and @10:17-12:11) the view was so beautiful (you probably weren’t aware of this). I stopped paying attention to what you were saying to enjoy the views as well. That sucks because this is information that is very important to me. Thank you for sharing great info.

[@SUVRVing]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I figure it's more enjoyable to watch a video like this than to watch one of me sitting a desk in my office.

[@Rebeccamyst]

Excellent video breaking it all down! My SUV and I are currently off the road the last 3 months to replenish funds and replace tires. Just needed a break from full time tent camping. I call my place Basecamp. I am surrounded by 2 national forests in the Colorado Rockies. Going to winter here and catchy breath. Great video as always, Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@emilygibson9248]

I've read a lot about BLM's and National Forests, but this is the best comprehensive description! Thank you.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Emily!

[@emeryrowand2903]

great information and a fabulous view! I like that you trekked to the top with the drone so you could share the views with us!

[@divinaflamingarrow9556]

Yes please do make that dispersed camping 🏕 list!! I have been enjoying your videos all year!

[@gloria5873]

very nice and informative video. A list of public land areas for camping would be very helpful. Thanks for another very nice video.

[@davidwhite7789]

Hey Tristan,bought your book a while back because I'm getting ready to head out in my Expedition pretty soon. To me it's definitely a must have and have read it from cover to cover twice already. I'll be leaving Boise,Idaho in May 2020 but seeing as how you're from the Gem State too,maybe we'll run into each at some point and you can give me some extra pointers. Thanks again Tristan for your amazing videos and the confidence you've given to myself and others to give the life on the road a chance....and the freedom we're all after.

[@bobde4705]

Thanks for your help. We are so lucky to have so many places to go.:-)

[@SUVRVing]

I agree!

[@rowanmulvey8632]

Yes, I agree that a list would be spectacularly helpful!

[@benwells2338]

Great summarization of the types of public land available and their general requirements, thank you!! What’s funny is towards the end when you brought up State Parks as not generally being good for dispersed camping I was thinking to myself, well wait, I literally just found that capability near me at…you guessed it, Anza Borego State Park 🤣

[@abbymoser8996]

That was a great explanation of all the different areas/designations.

[@BWZ420]

I knew this was Pebble Creek! Hope you enjoyed your time in our neck of the woods.

[@SpiritualGrowthGuy]

So dense with info and specific details. Thanks bud, great stuff.

[@benjaminhowell9270]

You know your stuff! First time leaving a comment on KZbin, but I had to say thanks for the wealth of information. A comprehensive list would be great, but I think it would be difficult to maintain with updating for changes. Thanks again!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Enjoyed the camping info! A beautiful trek up the mountain!❤️😀🇺🇸🌏🚙

[@teslah2997]

another great vid.....much beauty and useful info you shared......thanks so much, Tristan!

[@badams63adams48]

I think a list would be absolutely great as I have problem finding a lot of these places. I'm new to the van life.

[@kizzy8685]

How r u doing now

[@davidwellen830]

I am new to your channel but I really enjoyed this video. It was very informative and like you I prefer to camp for free away from the crowds. I live in Utah and Travel all over the state but Idaho is my favorite place to visit in the summer. I ride four wheelers a lot but I am not the guy who tears things up. I just like to explore different places. I love all the National Forests in Idaho and they all have excellent facilities (pit toilets) and free campgrounds and sites. Ice Hole and Fir Creek are two of my favorites. I mention them because it seems to me that you would probably be familiar with both. You covered several of the places I have visited and I agree with your assessment of each of them. Thanks for a great video. I will be looking forward to more of your videos.

[@threedogsandacamper503]

Thanks, very thorough. I’ll need to do some research and see if I can take some of those forest roads I see leading off from the main road.

[@connievantravels]

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I need to know. I will be starting my journeys next month.

[@SUVRVing]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching.

[@lareekline8232]

Very helpful video! Thank you and a list would be fantastic.

[@freedomdove]

Yes, please, on the list--though that would be a lot of work for you, so only if you have time for it.

[@safaabarakat9535]

Lots of good information. Thank you! Would love a list for free camping. I love what you do!

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

If you have time, a list would be awesome. Thanks!

[@alexanderweaver7066]

That list would be a tremendous help, Tristan.

[@kristyst.germaine2018]

Thanks! Never understood the difference between those parks and areas. Great videography-You’ve proven one of Snyder’s theories, keep moving and you can tell us as much as you want. Love the inspiring scenery and destination. I am really to go out and find our high point this weekend! Unfortunately, I think its just the 2nd floor of the local library! Happy Thanksgiving.🦃

[@brianw4brian]

people litter the parks dont bury their poop. dont know how to make a fire pit clear the fire pit 50 feet away from debris leaves twigs brush grass. some people dont think at all.

[@deborahsofia4732]

Thank you for explaining this. Yes, a list of all would be very helpful.

[@bryanbressem5026]

Our state forests you can camp in, MN, lots of them

[@kathleendeane4252]

yes, that would be so helpful, a map of dispersed campsites

[@precisiont5188]

Very helpful.

[@rastus666]

Inside the boundaries of the Grand Canyon National Park, there is a National Forest Road that has dispersed(free) camping with good road, and is about 10 miles from the main village at the GCNP. Close access to the south rim. Long Term Visitor’s Areas are not quite free, usually around $40/14 days, but are often in scenic areas. My favorite website to find free camping is Campendium.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Alan!

[@gailbutler483]

A list is a great idea! I'd buy it!

[@brentperez4700]

Just discovered this channel. Great find. Who knew Andy Samberg was so into camping?

[@kristyst.germaine2018]

On a side note Anza Borego is an amazing place to camp and hike. You can see rams in action, rock jumping in their natural habitat.

[@howardbethyname9773]

Great info!!! It’s wonderful you share your tips and tricks. I just found your channel. We just arrived home from a 16 day trip from Michigan to Oregon sleeping in our truck with topper with 3 KIDS (7 month old, 5yr old and 7yr old) Make shift bunk, and screen. We utilized the BLM and NF land as well! Question, I was watching another video of you backpacking with a friend…while I was cleaning so didn’t catch it all, but you had a fishing pole, could you please share which one that was? Our next adventure is to try backpacking and I didn’t know they made such a thing as lightweight backpacking fishing poles. Thanks, and happy travels!!!

[@stevewalcott9546]

Very helpful information! Thank you for sharing!

[@maabsuavyaaj6530]

Yes, please make the list of various camping rules at various parks

[@robandnell4305]

That would be quite a task as rules can vary within every region. I'm in central Idaho.

[@erikawoods8975]

This is super helpful. I am new to the backpacking world and I have asked around about where is safe to disperse camp and people look at me like I have three heads, especially experienced hikers.

[@bigmac3006]

Fantastic information, thank you!

[@daleclark6990]

Love to see a detailed list or map of what this video is about.

[@jasonbishop3988]

Yes, a list would be amazing!

[@patsikora5169]

Thank you Tristen !!!!! Great info !!!!!!

[@adavell]

excellent information!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for hiking and disperse camping! You are very kind :)

[@rastus666]

The first three days of camping at the city park in Lander, Wyoming, are free. Good grass for tent camping, sinks and flush toilets. Same for the fairgrounds in Roundup, Montana.

[@SUVRVing]

Good to know 👍

[@ruthtretter2628]

Yes please, for the list!

[@dougoverhoff7568]

Thank for the informative video. I was kinda hoping to hear you mention what the elevation was at the top, on the peak where you ended up.

[@christymerks5479]

Thank you so much for the info... We started our journey but having trouble finding free spots in Colorado a list would be ideal and a god send 💕 happy travels and may peace and safety follow you always.

[@coniferousforests8030]

thank you for putting it in terms Im capable to understand. Otherwise it takes hours and hours of research. I always thought that wilderness is the most relaxed in terms of where you can camp and do things, turned out to be totally opposite.

[@robandnell4305]

Yes, wilderness is VERY specific about what you can and cannot do there!

[@premix929]

Great info, thanks for taking the time to video and talk about. Hope you get to hit all your check marks

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Craig!

[@pru6er]

Yes! Create a list!

[@denaarenz9012]

Thank you for this video - I would also appreciate a list! Do you have much experience in the Southeastern part of the country that you can share?

[@SUVRVing]

Nope, I have zero experience camping in that part of the country. Sorry!

[@henryi9738]

I found this very informative, thank you !

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@Kudeghraw]

Good Vid. Plotted out a couple spots that have a bit of water I plan to investigate. I want to do some bushcrafting and test out some of these survival products to see if they actually work. Like my Sawyer water filter, Silky saw, this "survival" shovel I have a few doubts about, and see if I can start a fire with a ferro rod. My Estwing hatchet was a champion on my last trip. It would be nice to find a spot where I can blow up my Intex Mariner 4 for a float in the summer even on a small micro pond that might have some fish in it. While it would be enjoyable to rough it a bit, getting a couple of practice reps in before any SHTF situation would be beneficial.

[@cherylseefeldt1952]

Thanks for the info. That’s a good goal to hike to the highest peak in the county. 👍✌️

[@SUVRVing]

I think so 😁

[@gaypreator8547]

Pretty hike. Don’t overlook Mt. SunFlower in the great State of Kansas. Wallace County, 1/2 mi. East of Colorado State line. 🙂 ~ 4040’ How many mikes do you reckon you have hiked? 🤔

[@slimpickins9124]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks.

[@TheBeowulf55]

Great Video wish I saw this before my first strip out to big sur but definitely a big YES to the comprehensive list 😁

[@JudiChristopher]

Have you made a list yet? Thank you if you have... it would be great to know. Thank you for this great video.

[@krisstuff8681]

Thank you! This video was very helpful.

[@DGILtv]

Very helpful dude thanks!!

[@sissy6159]

Great informative video, thanks for sharing.

[@linhill6169]

Yes, please make a list of free camping of BLM, Nat’l Monuments, National Forests, etc! Lin H.

[@rowanmulvey8632]

Those small huts are often to store rescue sleds for transporting wounded peple in winter. Ski patrols and search and rescue folks use them.

[@fromred2black436]

Great info. Appreciate you!!

[@Serf_dumb]

Thanks for the excellent tips and resources!

[@keefercaid-loos5742]

Superb video! Subbed

[@mp412cutube]

Love your videos...! Where do you call home and why?

[@SUVRVing]

I live in Idaho because the mountains here are amazing, it's a cheap place to live, and it's not crowded.

[@darwinjames2000]

I need a list. Planning to fish and camp this summer...

[@darwinjames2000]

blackened 1 was just thinking that.

[@robandnell4305]

@ Totally agree--it's very easy to find a spot for the night. Our children live in NE and we find the farther east we go, the more difficult it becomes. Of course, we're usually waiting until after dark to shut down for the night:(

[@YosiNaturalGuerrera]

Hi, yes make the list.

[@jeffsten1]

Thank you for this info very helpful a list would be helpful too!

[@lewispowell1443]

Hey I am thinking of doing a 6 month camp trip along the west coast I live in Santa maria I don't have an RV but a SUV and I wanted to know the realities about camping for that period of time affordably

[@MadLivin]

6 months? Wow that's awesome. I think the biggest thing is do a good amount of research. Lots of free places but everyone a little different. I SUV camp too

[@nancychao6850]

Yes please for the listing we are newbies camper

[@kristophernekula5151]

I have always found it weird that while NPS and BLM are under the Department if the Interior, the USFS is under the USDA

[@chelsearschulz]

This was extremely helpful!

[@mtss0917]

A list would be terrific. I would be willing to pay a small fee for it too.

[@cn7449]

Mike Scherer a list of what?

[@jakelehman8268]

Where do you park your car when venturing out for disperse camping?

[@alanaugust8853]

Jake Lehman Probably the nearest 24 hour Walmart parking lot ...... 😂

[@SUVRVing]

That's literally what this entire video is about

[@rvlucky2909]

Thank you for sharing I really appreciate it I always watch your channel I very seldom comment but this video is extra ordinary

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@williamweck7087]

This was very helpful, thanks! When you go boondocking in the national forests, should you try to find a spot on google maps satellite view or are they quite easy to find when there? I would be hoping to pull my car off the road and set up a tent. And also one more thing, are campfires allowed in the national forests? Thanks

[@robandnell4305]

I'm in central Idaho. Campfires in our area are usually allowed unless it's fire season--usually from the middle to end of July on. You just have to check with the agency of the land you wish to visit. Have fun:)

[@russlehman2070]

As for campfires, in general they are allowed on Forest Service and BLM land, but, in high fire danger conditions (which are becoming the norm in much of the western US) restrictions or outright bans may be declared either by federal land management agencies or by local governments.

[@Teri728]

Yes, list please! That would be so helpful. I’d pay for a good list.

[@SUVRVing]

Good to know. Thanks Teri!

[@terrycuyler1020]

A list would be an exhaustive undertaking. I think the videos suggestion of using Google Earth, along with Forest Service Maps and BLM maps for YOUR area would make sense. Also there are some “camp for free” websites where you can search for free campgrounds in your area. If SUV RV in wants to do the work for a list it would be awesome but a lot of work.

[@kcreeves199]

Very important. Most National Forests and some BLM areas have Travel Management regulations in place. You need to look at the Motor Vehicle User Map associated with the National Forest to see which roads are open to the public and where dispersed camping is allowed. Each forest has different allowances for dispersed camping. For example, Coconino National Forest allows travel for up to 300 feet from the edge of the road for dispersed camping purposes. Kaibab only allows 100 feet. Another important item regarding travel in national forests is that many of the roads you come across are not open to the public, even if they are signed with a road number. If it isn't on the MVUM, it's not open.

[@MaxZomboni]

For the record Western Oregon has lots of BLM Forest land. It's definitely not desert. But it tends not to be as well preserved as NF Land, and it's mostly a checkerboard pattern of BLM and private land. So it's hard to know what is BLM and what is private. It's also the area where most of the logging goes on. But if there is no active logging, I think you can stay the 14 days on it.

[@billraleigh4529]

thank you tristan....

[@5stardave]

Get a BLM or forest map from their office. Since you are camping for free the least you can do is buy a map to help support the land you are staying on. National Forest maps will also mark out private property within the forest.

[@mimitravels710]

Yes on big list!

[@nursekt90660]

Great video and info thanks for posting

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@susanmboudreau]

Of course I would love to see a list but it sounds like a lot of work for you thanks for your video

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Susan 👍

[@deewhitney9298]

I have only recently found your site which I love. What I'm wondering is do you have a site that tells what you take in your car. Do you travel in the winter?

[@chriskelleher349]

How do you call for help, radio wise to reach a ranger ? I hope your hips are OK. Just tuned into your channel.

[@terrycuyler1020]

Wise tips. I. Admiring the little pocket on your right pack strap. Can you tell me where to obtain one like it?

[@SUVRVing]

I made it, but if you just search Google for "shoulder strap pocket," you'll find similar things.

[@Filkins_Vanture]

very helpful information, thank you

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Crater Lake National Park allows permitted wilderness camping...