Believe it or not, there are even some national parks that have free random camping. Of course, there are entrance fees, but most people touring include the national parks as part of their tours, anyway. Surprisingly, Yosemite is one of the national parks that has free backcountry camping. You have to have a permit and use bear containers, but it is truly amazing to find solitude in Yosemite.


2002 Half Dome near Campsite

Although other national parks charge for backcountry camping, cyclists should consider this option as one of the finest ways to experience these parks. Backcountry camping in national parks does require a permit, so it really stretches the definition of dispersed camping. Still, leaving the bike and hiking in can be truly amazing in place like Glacier and Denali.


2004 Cracker Lake Campsite

Two federal agencies have built dams and reservoirs – the Bureau of Reclamation, mostly in the West, and the Army Corps of Engineers, mostly in the East. Although both agencies have recreation sites, the BuRec more often allows dispersed camping on their lands than does the COE.

Finally there are state lands. These usually appear as blue squares in sections 16 and 36 on maps. States are required to have income from state lands; thus, random camping is restricted. But, and it’s a big but, most state wildlife agencies operate state game lands and fishing areas that often allow free camping and often even have free campsites in remote locations.


2007 Starvation Lake, Washington

These sites are managed by state departments of natural resources. Maryland, that’s right – Maryland, has many free places to camp in wildlife management areas. There’s one place right off Chincoteague Bay.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/allwmabyregion.asp
Similarly, Washington State has numerous fishing lakes with free camping. Starvation Lake is just off the Northern Tier route. I was the only person there and watched the sunrise over the lake.


And Canada, eh?

If you haven’t noticed, Canada is a big country. And the majority of the land in Canada remains public as Crown Lands. In British Columbia, about 95% of the province is public land most of which is administered by British Columbia Forests. There are thousands of kilometers of forest roads and, perhaps, a thousand basic recreation sites – most of which are free. Or course, dispersed camping is also permitted. In Alberta, the major area is the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve which stretches from Waterton National Park to Jasper. Certain areas have limitations – especially in Kananaskis Country, but vast stretches allow superb random camping in the Front Ranges of the Rockies.


2004 Elk River Road, British Columbia

In addition to the forests, the Canadian national parks and provincial parks offer excellent backcountry opportunities – with an important extra. These parks allow cyclist to ride on old fire roads to spectacular backcountry campsites. Again, like U.S. national parks, these backcountry campsites require permits and fees, so they are not really dispersed camping, but they are not to be missed.


2005 Kinney Lake Backcountry Campsite

In the North there is another free option – roadside cabins. In the Northwest Territories, there are emergency shelters every 60 kilometers or so. They are primitive, the doors don’t close tightly, but they do offer a dry spot if the ground is wet. Plus, if you get a smoky fire going, you can get some relief from the black flies and mosquitos. Probably the most famous cabin is the Nadahini Hilton on the Haines Highway between Haines, Alaska and Haines Junction, Yukon. It is in the tundra country in that tiny sliver of British Columbia that wedges in between Alaska and the Yukon. Since the border crossing closes at night, you have absolute peace and quiet.


2000 Nadahini Cabin, Haines Highway

Finally, United States and Canadian law designate the beds of all navigable rivers and streams as public. Camping in dry streambeds in the American Southwest in not only not recommended, it is dangerous because of flash floods. However, in the North, the river beds are huge with dozens of braids in the gravel due to spring runoff. Once the rivers subside, you can use these river bars as camp sites. Because you are away from foliage the bugs are more tolerable – plus you have more breezes. There is driftwood for a fire and water nearby.


2002 Delta River, Alaska

Whenever random camping, it is essential that you use “No Trace” camping techniques. Campfires and fire rings scar the land. During warmer, dryer months in areas where wildfires are possible, campfires should be avoided. All fires, even camp stoves, are a risk in dispersed settings. Use extreme caution. Bury human waste well away from water sources. Leave no litter and take any you might run across. Store food by proper hanging when possible. Even outside of bear areas, raccoons will rip your tent to get to food. And NEVER eat in the tent you use for touring.

If you do a little research, you can find fabulous, free place to camp.
So - - - that about does it for now.
Why not try some incredible random camping next time?

Please, add any and all public free camping that you know of. Certainly, many small towns have great free camping. Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, other countries? Your experiences are what make it work.