Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campgrounds (there are 1,200 campgrounds in 14 states) and dispersed sites (aka Boondocking or Off the Grid) may include various facilities, such as restrooms, potable water, electrical hookups, picnic areas, and group shelters. However, many sites do not have all these amenities and may only have a picnic table and fire ring.
Are the campgrounds free?
Most BLM campgrounds and dispersed sites require a fee to use a campground that helps maintain the facilities. Some campgrounds take reservations that you can make at recreation.gov. BLM retains and expends 100% of collected recreation fees for maintenance, improvements, and visitor services at the sites or areas where fees are collected. Dispersed campsites are usually on a first come, first served basis.
Dispersed campsites
Dispersed campsites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. You can recognize popular locations by the telltale signs of disturbed areas used as a campsite. Unfortunately, not all sites are flat.
You can camp in BLM areas for 14 days before moving at least 25 miles to another spot. This is to minimize damage to sensitive areas due to prolonged human impact.
National Forests
National Forests can differ in dispersed camping rules, but a standard practice they all have is that you can camp everywhere besides developed campgrounds and
recreational areas.