Boondocking Rules

Can You Fly Drones in a National Forest?

Yes, you can fly drones in a national forest and national grassland. The U.S. Forest Service does not prohibit flying drones over much of its...

Is it Illegal to Walk Through Someone Else’s Campsite?

Does a person have a legal basis to charge you with violating their rights just because you walked through their campsite? Are there any laws...

Can You Collect Firewood in a National Forest?

Yes, you can collect firewood in a national forest. In fact, every national forest allows visitors to collect firewood and burn it at their campsite....

Is Dispersed Camping Allowed in the New York State Forest System?

Dispersed camping is allowed in the New York state forest system if you’re a hiker with a tent. But if your goal is to boondock...

Is Boondocking Allowed on Indian Reservations?

Generally speaking, no, boondocking is not allowed on Indian reservations. Lands designated as “Indian reservation” were set aside for Native American tribes, and not for...

Cherokee National Forest, Camping Rules

These official camping rules and regulations for Cherokee National Forest were gathered from Orders and documents issued by the Supervisor of Cherokee National Forest, along...

Is it Illegal to Camp On Private Property Without Getting Permission?

Yes, it is illegal to camp on private property without getting permission. All states refer to this as “criminal trespass”, and it is a criminal...

Can I Have a Firearm In My Camper While Traveling Through Different States?

Yes, you are allowed to have a firearm in your camper while traveling through different states. There is a federal law called, Firearm Owners Protection...

Is it Legal to Leave Your RV Unattended While Boondocking?

Yes, it is. It is totally legal to leave your RV unattended while boondocking on all federally managed lands, and even most state managed lands....

Do State and Local Laws Apply to Federally Managed Lands?

No, they do not. State and local laws do not apply to federally managed lands. The U.S. Constitution actually states this. Technically, state and local...

Can You Run a Generator While Boondocking?

Yes, you can run a generator while boondocking. Some federal and state land management agencies do not prohibit the use of generators while boondocking or...

Is Collecting Dead Wood Legal?

Yes, collecting dead wood is legal depending on how you use the wood, and whether or not you plan to remove the wood from the...

Rules on Collecting Firewood for Camping

There are rules on collecting firewood for camping. In most cases, you are free to collect “dead and down” wood for your own personal camping...

The BLM 14-Day Rule for Camping Explained

The BLM 14-day rule for camping refers to the maximum number of days for camping on BLM land. It’s a common rule found on most...

Can You Have a Campfire While Boondocking?

Yes, you can have a campfire while boondocking on BLM and US Forest Service lands. Other federal land management agencies including National Park Service, Army...

How Far From Water Should You Camp?

Camping too close to a water body is a big deal in most states and federal land management agencies. How far from water you should...

Is it Legal to Camp Anywhere in a National Forest?

Generally speaking, yes it is legal to camp anywhere in a national forest. However, there are certain exceptions. Some of these exceptions apply to all...

Camping on State Trust Lands

Free camping on State Trust Lands is available in many states. State Trust Lands are lands granted by the federal government to states when they...

Camping on Utah State Trust Lands

Camping on Utah State Trust Lands is permitted for everyone, and is free of cost. The State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Land Administration...

Camping on New Mexico State Trust Lands

The New Mexico State Land Office does not permit “recreational camping” on its trust lands. But, it does support camping for hunting purposes, in limited...

Camping on Colorado State Trust Lands

Colorado permits camping and other forms of recreation on a small portion of its State Trust Lands (STL). However, Colorado’s State Land Board (SLB) does...

Is It Legal to Dump Composting Toilet Waste on the Ground?

No. It is not legal. Composted toilet waste is technically not “compost” simply because it takes at least 120 days or more to completely compost...

Is It Illegal to Live in a National Forest?

Yes and no. If you are a camper or RVer, it is illegal to live in a national forest or grassland. The U.S. Forest Service...

Where Can I Camp on BLM Land?

You can camp just about anywhere on BLM land. The Bureau of Land Management controls 245 million acres of land and nearly all of it...

How Long Can You Boondock on BLM Land?

14 days is the popular answer to how long you can boondock on BLM land. However, this is not always the rule. Officially, there is...

Is It Illegal to Start a Campfire?

No, it is not generally illegal to start a campfire on most federally managed lands. However, there are many restrictions and guidelines. Each of the...

Is Boondockers Welcome Illegal?

It depends. Boondockers Welcome might be illegal depending on the location being offered for parking, and depending on local ordinances. Many cities and counties have...

Can I Park on the Street Overnight?

Yes, for the most part, you can park on the street overnight. As long as there are no signs posted against parking, you are permitted...

Can I Dump Grey Water Anywhere?

The short answer is, “No” you cannot dump grey water anywhere. However, there are places where it is legal to dump grey water the ground,...

How Much Does it Cost to Camp in a National Forest?

The cost to camp in a national forest can range from $0.00 up to about $80.00 a night, depending on a couple factors. If you...

Is Nude Camping Legal on Federal Lands?

From a technical standpoint, yes, nude camping is legal on federal lands. But it also depends on the agency because each handles nudity and disorderly...

The 200 Feet Water Setback Rule for Camping, Explained

You may have heard that there is a rule prohibiting camping within 200 feet from a body of water. This rule has been printed in...

Can You Camp For Free on BLM Land?

Yes, for the most part, you can camp for free on BLM land. However, it does depend on what types of BLM land, and which...

Can You Live on BLM Land?

No, you cannot live on BLM land. At least, not at the same campsite. However, you can keep moving from one location to another and...

How Many Days Can You Camp on BLM Land?

How many days you can camp on BLM land depends on each BLM State Office and each BLM Field Office. Each of these offices are...

The Six Types of Federal Public Lands

There are actually six types of federal public lands that you can camp on. These are broken out into six different federal land management agencies....

Is Boondocking Illegal?

Boondocking is not illegal on public lands. It’s actually encouraged by local, state, and federal agencies as a way to relieve crowding at developed campgrounds....

Can You Legally Live in an RV on Your Own Land?

Yes, it is possible to legally live in an RV on your own land, but only depending on the city or county you live in....

Can I Live in a Motorhome On My Own Land?

Maybe, or maybe not. It depends on the city or county. Most cities have laws against camping within their borders, with exceptions for RV parks...

Is Camping on Your Own Land Illegal?

It depends on the city and county. Most medium to large cities have enacted laws to prevent home owners from creating eye sores within their...

Is Stealth Camping Illegal?

Yes, stealth camping is illegal in most cities. It has nothing to do with being stealthy, but just the fact that you’re camping within city...

Is it Illegal to Live in a Tent in Your Backyard?

Surprisingly, the answer is “yes” in most cities. Most cities have ordinances that prohibit camping within city limits, even on private property. However, even though...

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....

Can I Drive My RV Off-Road on BLM Land?

Generally speaking, no you cannot drive your RV off-road on BLM land. You are required to remain on established roads and vehicle trails, except when...

BLM Camping Rules – How to Camp on BLM Land

BLM camping rules vary depending on the type of BLM land you’re looking at. There are four primary types of BLM lands… Note: See our...

What Types of BLM Lands Are There?

The Bureau of Land Management administers the bulk of federally-owned lands in the United States, and because there is so much of it, they have...

Can I Drive Anywhere on BLM Land?

No, you cannot drive anywhere on BLM land. However, yes, you are allowed to drive your vehicle off-road as long as you don’t cause any...

What Are the Quiet Hours for Boondocking?

Quiet hours for boondocking don’t really exist when boondocking on open lands. However, there are particular jurisdictions that do define quiet hours, even when boondocking....

Must Dogs Be Kept Leashed When Boondocking?

It depends on the jurisdiction. Some land management agencies require dogs to always be leashed or caged, while others will allow dogs off-leash as long...

Can I Shoot My Gun on Public Lands?

Discharging firearms on federal lands can be legal or illegal depending on the jurisdiction. If you’re looking for a place for RV boondocking where you...

Do I Have to Shut Off My Generator at Night?

You might have to shut off your generator at night while boondocking, depending on what government agency is in charge of the land you’re on,...

USFS: Rules for Boondocking on USFS Lands

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages all of the United States’ National Forests and National Grasslands. They also manage several National Recreation Areas. What are...

Can I Dump my Gray Water on the Ground?

Dumping your gray water, or emptying your gray tank, is generally only permitted on BLM managed lands, but may still be illegal by state law....