#Best boondocking for free#
#Best boondocking how to#

Type 'Gooseberry Mesa' into Google Maps-it will take you to the entrance. detour from Hurricane (but totally worth it).ĭirections - A little tricky without help, since there's not a ton of info online about this place. It's also a popular mountain biking area if you can bring a bike.Ĭons - A little off the beaten path-roughly a 30-40 min. southwest of Zion's main entrance, Gooseberry Mesa is a great night 1 campsite to rendezvous if you're coming from the west to help cut the drive short. Pros - Jaw dropping views in the morning if you find a campsite along the canyon rim.

#Best boondocking for free#

Gear Junkie - Camp for Free on Public Land: Dispersed Camping 101īureau of Land Management - Laws & Regulations (complete 120 pg handbook) Remember to LEAVE NO TRACE-be respectful of the land, and only bring in what you’re able to pack out.īureau of Land Management - Maps for Every BLM Territory in the US If you decide to go and you’re new to this, read and have a copy of the instructions below. At the same time, for brand new outdoorsmen and women with families, this may not be the best option. The best campsites I’ve ever stayed at have ALL been on primitive/BLM land. Know your comfort level in the wilderness and choose wisely. It means that people might not be around in case of emergency, and in the same context, it also often means no cell phone service. Because you’re staying in remote territory, roads in & out aren’t always paved or accessible for low-clearance vehicles. You’ll be responsible for your own fire safety and packing out your own trash.

Yes, you’ll be digging holes in the ground to poop (or finding restrooms in town). Restrooms, running water, picnic tables, grills for barbecuing food-you have to bring all of that swag yourself. Talk to any experienced outdoorsman, and they’ll tell you that dispersed camping is the only option they look for on an adventure. Since they are (by definition) located outside populated city limits, dispersed camping areas are almost always exponentially more beautiful, remote and exciting to stay at-you’re actually having the authentic outdoor experience that you came for (imagine that). No crowds, no costs, no formal campgrounds, no reservations.

#Best boondocking how to#

city area and how to best preserve the land you’re staying on. The links below (as well as Google) can tell you where to find said land around each U.S. Camping at a designated campground, for example, is not dispersed camping. You won’t find dispersed camping areas anywhere within national parks, city areas, private property, protected wilderness, etc. However you can find primitive camping in other areas as well (not always exclusively BLM). taxpayer land, also referred to as BLM land (Bureau of Land Management). Boondocking is most commonly available on publicly-owned U.S. …and it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Dispersed camping (aka boondocking) is essentially free camping on open land…