How BLM Dispersed Camping Rules Actually Work
A lot of the free camping on this site — including everything near Moab and Zion — sits on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. BLM's dispersed camping rules are more permissive than most people expect, but they're also more locally variable than most people expect.
The basic rule
On most BLM land that isn't otherwise posted or restricted, you can camp for free, without a permit or reservation, outside of developed recreation sites. There's usually no fee and no booking system — you find a spot, you camp. This is the default rule across the vast majority of BLM-managed land in the West.
What's typically required anyway
"No permit" doesn't mean "no rules." Common BLM conditions include staying within a set distance of an existing road (usually to limit new tracks being cut across the land), camping a minimum distance from water sources (often 100–200 feet), and respecting the stay limit — almost always 14 days, covered in detail in our stay limit guide. Fire restrictions can also change on short notice during dry seasons, independent of camping rules.
Why it varies by field office
BLM manages land through dozens of local field offices, not one national policy. Two BLM parcels in different states — sometimes even different districts of the same state — can have meaningfully different rules. The Zion / SR-9 corridor is a real example: some heavily used BLM areas there are actively being shifted toward designated-site-only management, which is a stricter model than the "camp anywhere eligible" default. Always check current status with the specific field office before you rely on open dispersed camping in a given area.
What this means for a DispersedUSA listing
Every BLM site listed on this directory notes its permit status and any known access restrictions directly from the source. That said, BLM policy can change faster than any directory can track — the disclaimer on every campsite page (verify with the local field office before you go) is not boilerplate, it's the actual state of how this land is managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to camp on BLM land?
Generally no — most BLM dispersed camping requires no permit or reservation, but always verify with the specific field office since rules are set locally, not nationally.
Is BLM dispersed camping free?
Yes, in the areas where it's allowed at all — there's typically no camping fee, though some trailheads or day-use areas nearby may have separate, unrelated parking fees.
How long can I stay on BLM land?
The standard limit is 14 days, usually within a 28-day period, after which you generally have to move a minimum distance (commonly 25 miles) before camping again in the same area.