Dispersed Camping & Primitive Campsites

Complete guide to dispersed camping with 4033 primitive campsites across the US

4033
Dispersed Sites
3416
Free Sites

💎 2848 Hidden Dispersed Camping Gems

Get premium access to 2848 exclusive hidden gem dispersed camping spots - the most remote and pristine sites shared by our community.

Get Premium Access

What is Dispersed Camping?

Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking or primitive camping, is camping outside of developed campgrounds on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or US Forest Service (USFS). Unlike traditional campgrounds, dispersed camping areas typically have no amenities like water, toilets, or hookups.

This style of camping offers a more primitive and adventurous experience, allowing you to truly get away from crowds and connect with nature. Most dispersed camping on BLM and USFS land is completely free, making it popular with budget-conscious campers, van lifers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Dispersed camping is perfect for those seeking solitude, dark skies for stargazing, and authentic wilderness experiences. It's the ultimate way to explore America's public lands without the crowds and fees of developed campgrounds.

Dispersed Camping Rules & Guidelines

📅 Length of Stay

Most BLM and USFS lands have a 14-day limit for dispersed camping in any 30-day period. After 14 days, you must move at least 25 miles away. Always check local regulations as some areas have different limits.

📍 Distance Requirements

  • • Camp at least 200 feet from water sources (lakes, streams, rivers)
  • • Stay one vehicle length from roads (typically 150 feet)
  • • Avoid camping in meadows or sensitive vegetation

🔥 Campfires

  • • Use existing fire rings when available
  • • Check for fire restrictions (common in summer months)
  • • Never leave fires unattended
  • • Fully extinguish before leaving

🚯 Leave No Trace

  • • Pack out ALL trash (including toilet paper)
  • • Bury human waste 6-8 inches deep, 200 feet from water
  • • Leave campsites cleaner than you found them
  • • Respect wildlife and don't feed animals

Top States for Dispersed Camping

Montana

6869 campgrounds total

6522 Free USFS

Idaho

3388 campgrounds total

3079 Free USFS

Wyoming

2562 campgrounds total

333 Free NPS

Colorado

1811 campgrounds total

396 Free BLM

California

1518 campgrounds total

581 Free USFS

Utah

1300 campgrounds total

214 Free NPS

Oregon

1102 campgrounds total

348 Free USFS

Washington

707 campgrounds total

173 Free USFS

Arizona

436 campgrounds total

120 Free USFS

Minnesota

428 campgrounds total

386 Free USFS

New Mexico

259 campgrounds total

115 Free USFS

Alaska

248 campgrounds total

98 Free NPS
View All States →

Featured Dispersed Camping Sites

Chadwell Gap Backcountry Camp

Name: Chadwell Gap Backcountry Camp. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

National Park Service

FLBC Graveyard Creek Fire Ring

Name: FLBC Graveyard Creek Fire Ring. Type: Campfire Ring. Unit: Everglades National Park

National Park Service

Yankee Paradise

Name: Yankee Paradise. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Cumberland Island National Seashore

National Park Service

Stafford Beach

Name: Stafford Beach. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Cumberland Island National Seashore

National Park Service

Hickory Hill

Name: Hickory Hill. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Cumberland Island National Seashore

National Park Service

Brickhill Bluff

Name: Brickhill Bluff. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Cumberland Island National Seashore

National Park Service

Swing Bridges South Parking Area

Name: Swing Bridges South Parking Area. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

Pullout Parking At Mile Post 17.46

Name: Pullout Parking At Mile Post 17.46. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National …

National Park Service

Backcountry Parking #2

Name: Backcountry Parking #2. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#98 Chambers Creek

Name: #98 Chambers Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#97 Big Walnut

Name: #97 Big Walnut. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#96 Eagle Creek Island

Name: #96 Eagle Creek Island. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#95 Dalton Branch

Name: #95 Dalton Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#93 Twentymile Creek

Name: #93 Twentymile Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#92 Upper Flats

Name: #92 Upper Flats. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#91 Upper Lost Cove

Name: #91 Upper Lost Cove. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#88 Possum Hollow

Name: #88 Possum Hollow. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#90 Lost Cove

Name: #90 Lost Cove. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#89 Lower Ekaneetlee

Name: #89 Lower Ekaneetlee. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#87 Jerry Hollow

Name: #87 Jerry Hollow. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#86 Proctor

Name: #86 Proctor. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#85 Sawdust Pile

Name: #85 Sawdust Pile. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#84 Sugar Fork

Name: #84 Sugar Fork. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#83 Bone Valley

Name: #83 Bone Valley. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#82 Calhoun

Name: #82 Calhoun. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#81 North Shore

Name: #81 North Shore. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#78 Double Island

Name: #78 Double Island. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#77 Pilkey Creek

Name: #77 Pilkey Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#76 Kirkland Creek

Name: #76 Kirkland Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#75 Poplar Flats

Name: #75 Poplar Flats. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#74 Lower Forney

Name: #74 Lower Forney. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#73 Lone Pine

Name: #73 Lone Pine. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#72 Gunter Branch

Name: #72 Gunter Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#71 C.C.C.

Name: #71 C.C.C.. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#70 Jonas Creek

Name: #70 Jonas Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#69 Huggins

Name: #69 Huggins. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#68 Steel Trap

Name: #68 Steel Trap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#67 Goldmine Branch

Name: #67 Goldmine Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#65 Bear Pen Branch

Name: #65 Bear Pen Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#66 Lower Noland Creek

Name: #66 Lower Noland Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#64 Mill Creek

Name: #64 Mill Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#63 Jerry Flats

Name: #63 Jerry Flats. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#62 Upper Ripshin

Name: #62 Upper Ripshin. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#61 Bald Creek

Name: #61 Bald Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#60 Bumgardener Branch

Name: #60 Bumgardener Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#59 Mc Cracken Branch

Name: #59 Mc Cracken Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#58 Nicks Nest Branch

Name: #58 Nicks Nest Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#57 Bryson Place

Name: #57 Bryson Place. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#56 Burnt Spruce

Name: #56 Burnt Spruce. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#55 Pole Road

Name: #55 Pole Road. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#54 Nettle Creek

Name: #54 Nettle Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#53 Poke Patch

Name: #53 Poke Patch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#52 Newton Bald

Name: #52 Newton Bald. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#51 George's Branch

Name: #51 George's Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#50 Lower Chasteen Creek

Name: #50 Lower Chasteen Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#49 Cabin Flats

Name: #49 Cabin Flats. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#48 Upper Chasteen

Name: #48 Upper Chasteen. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#47 Enloe Creek

Name: #47 Enloe Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#46 Estes Branch

Name: #46 Estes Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#44 Mc Gee Spring

Name: #44 Mc Gee Spring. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#42 Spruce Mountain

Name: #42 Spruce Mountain. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#41 Caldwell Fork

Name: #41 Caldwell Fork. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#40 Big Hemlock

Name: #40 Big Hemlock. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#39 Pretty Hollow

Name: #39 Pretty Hollow. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#38 Mount Sterling

Name: #38 Mount Sterling. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#37 Lower Walnut Bottom

Name: #37 Lower Walnut Bottom. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#36 Upper Walnut Bottom

Name: #36 Upper Walnut Bottom. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#35 Gilliland Creek

Name: #35 Gilliland Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#34 Sugar Cove

Name: #34 Sugar Cove. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#33 Settlers Camp

Name: #33 Settlers Camp. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#32 Injun Creek

Name: #32 Injun Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#31 Porters Flalt

Name: #31 Porters Flalt. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#30 Three Forks

Name: #30 Three Forks. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#29 Ottercreek

Name: #29 Ottercreek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#28 Marks Cove

Name: #28 Marks Cove. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#27 Lower Jakes Gap

Name: #27 Lower Jakes Gap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#26 Dripping Spring

Name: #26 Dripping Spring. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#24 Rough Creek

Name: #24 Rough Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#23 Camp Rock

Name: #23 Camp Rock. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#21 Mile 53

Name: #21 Mile 53. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#20 King Branch

Name: #20 King Branch. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#19 Upper Henderson

Name: #19 Upper Henderson. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#18 West Prong

Name: #18 West Prong. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#17 Little Bottoms

Name: #17 Little Bottoms. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#16 Scott Gap

Name: #16 Scott Gap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#15 Rabbit Creek

Name: #15 Rabbit Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#14 Flint Gap

Name: #14 Flint Gap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#113 Birch Spring Gap

Name: #113 Birch Spring Gap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#13 Sheep Pen Gap

Name: #13 Sheep Pen Gap. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#12 Forge Creek

Name: #12 Forge Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#11 Beard Cane

Name: #11 Beard Cane. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#10 Ledbetter Ridge

Name: #10 Ledbetter Ridge. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#09 Anthony Creek

Name: #09 Anthony Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#06 Turkeypen Ridge

Name: #06 Turkeypen Ridge. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#03 Hesse Creek

Name: #03 Hesse Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#05 Rich Mountain

Name: #05 Rich Mountain. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#02 Cane Creek

Name: #02 Cane Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

#01 Cooper Road

Name: #01 Cooper Road. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park Service

Garner Creek

Name: Garner Creek. Type: Primitive Camping. Unit: Kings Mountain National Military Park

National Park Service

Campfire Circle

Name: Campfire Circle. Type: Campfire Ring. Unit: Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park Service

Dispersed Camping Tips for Beginners

🗺️ Finding Spots

Use the Dispersed app to discover dispersed camping areas with GPS coordinates. Look for existing sites marked by fire rings and cleared spaces. Arrive during daylight to scout for suitable spots.

💧 Water & Sanitation

Bring all water you'll need or have a filtration system. Pack a portable toilet or cat hole trowel for human waste disposal. Bring hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap.

🔋 Power & Connectivity

Most dispersed sites have no cell service. Download offline maps before you go. Bring solar panels or extra batteries for power. Let someone know your plans and expected return.

🚗 Vehicle Considerations

Many dispersed sites require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. Check road conditions and your vehicle's capabilities. Don't risk getting stuck in remote areas. Start with easy-access sites first.

Find Dispersed Camping with the Dispersed App

Get GPS coordinates, offline maps, user reviews, and access to 2848 exclusive hidden dispersed camping spots.

Download the App