Use FreeRoam and MVUMs for dispersed camping

Use FreeRoam and MVUMs for dispersed camping.

The easiest way. Pull up the app FreeRoam. It maps public land boundaries, shows spots other campers have used, and has offline mode. For the official version, download the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the National Forest you’re targeting — that tells you exactly which roads allow dispersed camping.

National Forests are your best bet. Most have “open unless posted closed” policies. That means you can pull onto any forest road, drive until you find a flat spot at least 100 feet from water, and set up for free, usually for up to 14 days. BLM land works the same way but tends to be more deserty and less shaded. iOverlander is a solid backup app, especially for finding crowd-vetted spots with GPS coordinates and recent condition reports.

Watch for local restrictions: fire bans (common in summer), seasonal closures (wildlife or mud), and “closed to camping” signs near trailheads. And pack it out — free camping only stays free if people don’ trash it.

Just don’t trust Google Maps pins blindly. Stare at satellite view and make sure the spot looks flat and legal before you drive an hour down a logging road.