Did you ever want to get away from it all? To be all alone in the wilderness far from the crowds? To share in a unique experience that few campers are aware of? Then dispersed camping on BLM lands may be just what you are looking for.
The Bureau of Land Management is the Federal Agency that controls much of the public land in the western United States. The BLM controls 13% of all the land available in the United States. Much of this land is open for camping unless otherwise posted. Yet most of the public knows little about this style of getting away from it all.
Dispersed camping means no facilities
Dispersed camping basically means camping, self-contained, with no facilities. There is no electricity, no running water and no toilet facilities that normal campgrounds usually have.
You must:
- bring in your own food,
- bring your own water, and
- have your own toilet facilities.
Many backpackers and tent campers use dispersed camping areas. They pack their stuff in and bring their refuse out. They leave nothing but their footprints.
Recreational vehicles are ideal for dispersed camping
This type of camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it. Recreational vehicles are ideal for dispersed camping because they are self-contained with their own electrical supply, water, and toilet facilities.
This article will deal mainly with Recreational Vehicles,or RVs, as they are called. Rvers willing to take a chance and campout far from civilization can have a safe and pleasurable experience.
Rules for dispersed camping
Bureau of Land Management rules allow you to stay up to 14 days in one spot. Then you must move 25 miles away from the previous spot. This is done to allow each area to recover and not suffer from overuse. A very wise conservation policy indeed.
There are vast areas in the western states that are uninhabited. These areas are far away from cities and towns and way out in the boondocks. The term Boondocking is used by RVers to mean camping away from civilization and bringing all your food,water, and comforts with you.
Experienced Boondockers relish this type of get away from it all camping. When they break camp, they take their trash with them and leave no sign that they were there. Remember to leave no trace and take everything back with you so that the next person can enjoy camping there.
Areas for dispersed camping
The Bureau of land management dispersed camping areas range from the deserts in California and Arizona to mountainous areas and forests of the Western states. Dispersed camping is not very well-known to the public. Many campers that use BLM land away from the crowds want to keep it their little secret. I can’t say that I blame them. It’s a big country out there, and there’s plenty of room for everybody.
Being closer to nature is what boondockers are looking for. Boondockers enjoy being away from noise and city lights. The lack of light from nearby cities makes viewing the stars at night an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for peace and quiet and a unique getaway, then dispersed camping may be just what you’re looking for.
The BLM asks that you try not to stay too close to small bodies of water. Your presence may scare the wildlife away from their water source. This may be the only source of water around for miles. That,and being careful with fires and taking all trash with you isn’t much to ask for the privilege of being closer to nature.
If you are out west and would like to get away from it all, you may want to try dispersed camping in your RV on lands managed by the BLM.
The Bureau of land management has a website that gives you a state-by-state breakdown of the areas that allow dispersed camping.