Boondocking in National Parks

Map of Roadside Campsites at Big Bend National Park

This map of backcountry roadside campsites at Big Bend National Park is based on information published by the National Park Service. It displays the sixty-four...

Is Boondocking Allowed in Big Bend National Park?

Yes and no. Boondocking and dispersed camping is not technically allowed in Big Bend National Park. However, the park does have 64 primitive backcountry “roadside...

Is Dispersed Camping Allowed in Denali National Park?

No, dispersed camping is not allowed in Denali National Park. The National Park Service restricts all camping to its six (6) developed campgrounds. Three (3)...

Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake National Park

There is plenty of dispersed camping near Crater Lake National Park because its almost entirely surrounded by Fremont Winema National Forest and Rogue River-Siskiyou National...

Dispersed Camping Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Dispersed camping near Bryce Canyon National Park is plentiful within adjacent Dixie National Forest and BLM lands, all within a 15-20 minute drive to the...

Dispersed Camping Near Great Sand Dunes National Park

Dispersed camping near Great Sand Dunes National Park is available depending on how far away you want to camp, and what kind of vehicle you...

Dispersed Camping Near Zion National Park

Dispersed camping near Zion National Park is plentiful due to the abundance of surrounding BLM lands. You can find dispersed camping, boondocking, and free camping...

Dispersed Camping Near Glacier National Park

Is there dispersed camping near Glacier National Park? Yes there is, and lots of it! The park is bounded on its west side by Flathead...

Places for Free Camping Near Yosemite National Park

There are places just outside of Yosemite National Park that allow free camping. Camping inside the Park requires a reservation and fees. But there are...

Where Can You Camp for Free in the Grand Canyon?

You can boondock just about anywhere in Grand Canyon National Park, as long as you have obtained a “backcountry camping permit”. Unfortunately, backcountry camping is...

Free Camping at Joshua Tree National Park

Free camping inside Joshua Tree National Park actually does exist. But it’s not a practical opportunity for RVers. Much of Joshua Tree National Park is...

Is Dispersed Camping Legal in National Parks?

Yes, generally speaking, dispersed camping is legal in national parks, but it depends on which park. Many national parks allow “backcountry camping” which is primarily...

Can You Camp Wherever You Want in a National Park?

Yes and No. Most national parks allow for “backcountry camping”, which is the terminology the National Park Service prefers to use. The NPS allows for...

Is Boondocking Allowed in Yellowstone?

Yes, boondocking is allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, boondocking is limited to just tent camping only, and only in specific areas of the park....

Boondocking in National Parks – How and Where?

Boondocking in national parks starts out as the goal of most would-be boondockers, but ends up becoming the biggest disappointment due to the lack of...

Is the National Parks Pass Worth Buying for a Boondocker?

The National Parks Pass may not be worth buying if you’re a boondocker, mostly because the National Park Service offers few boondocking opportunities. However, it...

Why Is There Private Property Inside National Forests and Parks?

Not all land inside a national forest or national park is public. A lot of this land is privately owned by residents, businesses, and organizations....