Dispersed camping

Designated campsites often offer services to the campers, such as trash removal, toilet facilities, tables and/or fire pits, which are not available at dispersed camping locations.

Although dispersed camping takes place on public land, each managing agency has specific regulations for dispersed camping, though they generally all also require campers to follow Leave No Trace guidelines.

[1][2] In addition, some public lands restrict camping to 14 days.

[6][7] Camping closer than 300 feet from a water source is generally restricted.

The USFS offers free travel management maps called MVUMs (Motor Vehicle Use Map) that show exactly where dispersed camping is restricted and what roads can be traveled on.