The Best Apps and Tools for Remote Camping

As road trips, RVing, and remote camping (boon docking) have all gained momentum this summer. More and more camping enthusiast are looking for free overnight campsites that are less crowded than a stay at a National Park. Camping is available outside of designated campgrounds, you just have to know where to look. There are a ton of camping related apps and tools out there, but we have chosen the ones most helpful for going “remote camping” and avoiding large crowds.  

• Freecampsites.net is a website that makes it really easy to locate dispersed camping in your area. They have maps, GPS coordinates, pictures and user submitted reviews. They also recommend contacting the agency that manages the area you are interested in.
• Campendium. To find free public land camping on campendium simply use a text search to zoom into the area your interested in. Select category “all public lands” then select price- free. There are over 2,800 free campsites listed on campendium. If you’re looking for solitude, or trying to stretch your budget check out a free camping site for your next trip! This one works great on desktop and mobile and is also available as an app.
• Ultimatecampgrounds.com. This interactive map shows all public campgrounds in US and Canada. Not all of the sites listed are free, but the descriptions will tell you if there are fees and if so, what they cost. They have an IOS and android app.
• Free Roam is a nonprofit focused on helping campers find campsites and enjoy nature. It is a great desktop and mobile app with really helpful features. You can zoom in on National Forests making it easy to find public land as well as zoom in on roads/turnouts and use it for multi-day planning.
• ioverlander. An app full of user submitted campsites and other information like dump sites and water fills. Since it is completely volunteer ran it is worth doing additional research but is a great place to start.

Remote camping goes by many names. Some call it boon docking, dry camping, camping in the wild, free camping, etc. Official government organizations refer to it as dispersed camping. There are a few things to keep in mind: When you go remote camping, you are on your own. There are no RV hookups. You are responsible for dealing with waste and supplying the water needed for drinking and cooking.

Each area has its own set of rules so it’s best to contact the individual agency for specifics. In general, these are some common guidelines:

• Follow the ideals of “leave no trace” and practice the concept of pack it in- pack it out. So, don’t leave behind any trash, campfires, etc.
• Generally, overnight camping is not allowed at trailheads, picnic areas, day use parking areas and any other areas that don’t allow overnight parking.
• For dispersed camping sites, be a minimum of at least 100-200 feet away from the road, trail or water source.
• Do not travel more than 300 feet from a designated road.
• Stay a maximum of 14 days in a 30-day period.

If you are interested in learning more about how to camp remotely or go “boondocking” you can learn more from our guide to boondocking. We also have recommendations for low traffic destinations to visit this summer and tips for camping as a family.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for more inspiration and education.