We’ve all seen them.
Pictures posted by influencers of these amazing campsites with breathtaking backdrops.
So how do you find your own little slice of paradise?
Before you load up your sleeping platform and gear, use this guide to help map out an epic campsite!
Step 1 - Researching your potential destination
First things first - figure out where you want to go!
You need to have a general idea or location for your destination.
From there, you can use popular apps to research these locations and find roads/trails that will take you off the beaten path and into these awesome off grid campsites.
Off-roading/overlanding apps/Maps
These are our absolute favorites for finding a dispersed car camping site. The trails/spots mapped on these apps (usually) traverse through National Forests and BLM land.
BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) and National Foresters are your best friends. They are usually riddled with dispersed campsites, epic vistas, and typically take you away from private land that you aren’t allowed to camp on.
On X Offroad and Trails Offroad have difficulty ratings on trails as well as helpful updates from users and admins about potential obstacles. Use these ratings and obstacles to determine if your vehicle is suitable for making it to your campsite…
Take your time when researching potential trails and camping spots. We recommend finding a general area where you want to camp/visit, then search for adjacent trails.
Example - if Moab is on your bucket list for car camping - go to the map view, zoom in on Moab and look for nearby trails.
Do these trails mention dispersed camping? Does the app/users mention private land that you can’t camp on? Are the obstacles something your vehicle can clear?
It might require you to look at a handful of trails before finding one you and your vehicle are equipped for.
Step 2 - Respect Regulations
Depending on where you stay, there might be rules and regulations for dispersed car camping. Take a look at these common guidelines to ensure you’re camping respectfully:
- Stay Limits: Most areas have a maximum stay limit, typically ranging from 14 to 21 days. This is to ensure no one permanently moves into the area. Most car campers won’t spend more than a few nights at a specific spot, so don’t stress too much on this one.
- Campfire Restrictions: DO STRESS ON THIS ONE. Please check for any fire bans or restrictions, especially during dry conditions as wildfires can be easily sparked.
- Leave your campsite better than you found it: Pick up your trash, soak your fire pit, and do a thorough sweep of your campsite before leaving to ensure it's better than you found it. See trash that wasn’t yours? Pick it up!
Step 3 - Make sure you are equipped - know your limits
To find these epic car camping sites, it usually takes some offroading.
Off-road conditions may vary due to rain/snow/mud, so ensure your vehicle is suitable for the terrain. Here are some tips:
- 2WD, 4WD or AWD Vehicles: Can handle rough or unpaved roads? Does it have enough clearance for obstacles?
- Navigation: Utilize GPS or offline maps (on those apps mentioned) for reliable navigation - it's easy to get spun around out there!
- Recovery gear: Tow rope, jumper cables, tire patch kit, spare tire, portable air compressor
If all hell breaks loose and you find yourself stranded without a working vehicle - are you healthy enough to hike out? Do you have enough water/food to wait for help? Did you tell a trusted family member/friend where you were headed?
These are important considerations when choosing how far off the beaten path you should go.
Step 4 - Scout your campsite
Once you arrive at your epic site, it’s time to scout for a suitable camping spot. Look for the following features to determine the best location:
- Flat Terrain: Choose a flat area to set up your vehicle for a comfortable stay (unless your sleeping platform is adjustable)
- Drainage: Avoid low-lying areas that may collect water during heavy rain.
- Distance from Water: Stay a reasonable distance from lakes or rivers to avoid potential flooding.
Do a 50 yard perimeter sweep of your area to look for potential hazards.
On one of my trips into grizzly country, I thought I found the “perfect spot” until I found a massive mound of fresh bear scat 20 yards from our site during my sweep.
Onto the next spot!
Step 5 - Safety First
Safety is always first when choosing a dispersed car camping site:
- Wildlife: Be aware of wildlife in the area and take necessary precautions to store food securely. Camping in bear/cougar country? Keep bear spray on you at all times.
-Weather Conditions: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for unexpected changes.
-Cell Service: Although dispersed camping is about getting away, having cell service for emergencies can be useful - make sure you are comfortable leaving this behind as most dispersed camping spots will lack reliable service.
Another safety measure is camping inside your vehicle. It provides more protection than a canvas tent & quick access to your driver seat for a swift get away.
Check out the Hele Box if you are looking for a lightweight sleeping platform for your vehicle. Elevating your car sleeping platform also allows you to carry more gear.
If you want to learn more about the importance of car sleeping platforms for when camping, check out this article.
Have fun!
Dispersed car camping might take a bit more effort and preparation, but the pay-off is well worth it!
If you are wondering what you should bring with you on your trip, check out our Ultimate Car Camping Checklist.
See you on the trails!