A few summers back I did a solo bikepacking loop through Northern Wisconsin. I loaded up my bike with a tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, and a plan to find free camping somewhere in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. About 25 miles in, I turned off a forest road and found a little pull-off with enough room for my tent. I ate some dehydrated beef stroganoff, watched the sky fill with stars, slept like a log, and woke up with a dozen mosquito bites. And with that, I was hooked on dispersed camping.
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking or primitive camping, is camping for free on public lands, outside of any designated camping area. There’s no reservation system, it’s basically first come, first serve to claim a piece of dirt to call yours for the night. It's definitely a more secluded and rugged camping experience. There are no amenities like toilets, water, picnic tables, or fire rings. There are also no noisy neighbors and no Camp Host telling you what you can and can’t do. In other words, you’re on your own. Just you and nature.
Sound good? Here are a few things to know before you go:
The Rules
Here are some basic ground rules to follow:
- Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams
- Don't clear brush or build new fire rings
- Obey fire bans (seriously – don't be that camper)
- Stay no more than 14 days in one spot (most places)
- Tell someone where you're going (especially if traveling solo)
- Practice Leave No Trace principles
What to Bring
Proper planning is essential, but your gear list will depend a lot on how you travel (RV, car, bicycle, foot, etc.), so aside from your shelter, cooking, and sleeping gear, here are some must-haves which are especially important for this experience:
- Plenty of water (or a reliable filter)
- Trash bags (leave no trace!)
- Portable toilet or a trowel (bury it at least 12 inches deep)
- First aid kit
- Navigation tools (offline maps or GPS app)
- Lighting (headlamp = MVP)
- A good attitude (seriously - things will go sideways)
RV folks: don’t forget to check battery levels, empty tanks, and know your clearance before heading down sketchy roads.
How to Find a Spot
Unfortunately, you can’t just pull off the road anywhere. You don’t want to wake to angry landowners or ticket wielding rangers. Dispersed camping is allowed on national forest land and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land unless specifically prohibited. It’s also allowed in many state forests and parks, but rules differ so checking on specific land is essential. If allowed, follow any of the forest roads and look for already-used clearings, as you’ll usually find a decent patch to call home for the night.
These websites and apps are helpful for finding sites:
- National Forest website
- BLM websites: the motor vehicle use maps show legal roads and camping corridors
- iOverlander - great for van lifers and tent campers alike
- FreeCampsites.net - crowdsourced and super useful
- Campendium - especially helpful if you're in an RV
- The Dyrt (Pro) - subscription-based, but has offline maps and camping overlays
- Gaia GPS - a lifesaver when you're offline and deep in the woods
Dispersed camping is not for everyone. But if you’re into quiet evenings, stargazing without light pollution, and waking in a private paradise... it’s kind of perfect. So, pack light, plan ahead, and hit the road. The wild’s waiting.
- Guy F (part of the Forsake fam since 2018)