Dispersed Camping for Photographers: How to Find Legal Spots (BLM + Forest Service)
- Jessica Santos
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
There’s something special about waking up already in the landscape you came to photograph. No driving in the dark, no racing sunrise, no waking up an extra hour to get to your spot. Just unzip the tent, step outside, and the world is already there waiting.
Dispersed camping makes that kind of experience possible. It’s one of the best ways for photographers to save money, stay close to remote locations and immerse themselves in the light, weather and mood of a place. Allowing you to capture the things you might not have been able to without already being there. But it only works when you know where it’s legal and how to find good spots responsibly.
This guide breaks down how to use BLM and National Forest land to find legal dispersed campsites, with photography in mind.
The Mojave Desert offers many dispersed camping options with beautiful views right from the campsite.
What is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping means camping outside of developed campgrounds on public land. There are no facilities, no designated sites and no reservations. You are fully self-supported and responsible for choosing a location that is legal, safe, and low-impact.
For photographers, this often means closer access to remote areas, darker skies for night work and the freedom to stay as long as conditions are good rather than working around campground availability or check-out times. It also means being more intentional about preparation, navigation and land stewardship.
The Best Part of Dispersed Camping:
Closer access to remote landscapes
Darker skies for night photography
No strict check-in or check-out times
The freedom to move with the light
Left: There are many dune areas that are part of BLM Land || Right: Being there for the weather is what sets this type of camping apart
Why Dispersed Camping Works so Well for Photographers
Photography rarely fits neatly into a fixed schedule. Sunrise may be earlier than expected, the Milky Way may rise after midnight and weather can shift plans entirely. Dispersed camping gives you the flexibility to respond to those changes instead of fighting them.
Being close to your subject allows you to scout in good light, return when conditions improve and work a scene over multiple days if needed. It also makes it easier to shoot blue hour and night scenes without feeling rushed or fatigued from driving. Over time, staying in one place and watching how light and atmosphere change can lead to more thoughtful compositions and a deeper understanding of the landscape.
It also allows you to:
Scout locations at golden hour
Shoot blue hour without rushing
Walk outside for night skies
Return to the same composition over multiple days
National Forest Land offers many beautiful campsites and are great for sometimes escaping summer heat
Dispersed Camping Photography, How to Find Legal Spots
The most important part of dispersed camping is knowing where it is actually allowed. Not all public land permits it, and rules can vary by agency, region, and even by specific road corridor.
A reliable starting point is to use map tools that show land ownership:
Timelapse taken directly from camp on National Forest Land
Knowing the Rules
On BLM land, dispersed camping is generally allowed unless posted otherwise. Most districts limit stays to around 14 days and require camping a certain distance from water sources, roads or sensitive areas. Local BLM field office websites usually provide the most accurate and current regulations for specific regions.
Common rules for BLM:
Stay within 14 days in one area
Camp at least 200 feet from water
Use existing pullouts when possible
No camping in day-use only zones
National Forest land also allows dispersed camping, but restrictions are often more location-specific. Some areas prohibit roadside camping along busy highways, close certain roads seasonally or restrict access during high fire danger. Forest Service websites and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) are especially useful for understanding which roads are open and where vehicle-based camping is permitted.
On National Forest Land Watch Out For:
No-camping corridors near highways
Seasonal closures
Fire restrictions
Designated dispersed zones
Look for Physical Signs When You Arrive
Even with apps, always confirm in person. If it feels questionable, move on.
Good signs:
Existing fire rings
Flattened pull-outs
Tire tracks
No “No Camping” signs
Bad signs:
Private property markers
Restoration fencing
Wildlife protection signage
Posted closures
Being prepared for changing weather conditions is extremely important when camping in remote areas. (Photo by Ryan Oswald)
Safety Tips for Remote Camping
Dispersed camping is quiet and rewarding, but it also means being more self-reliant. Having offline maps, extra water, basic first aid, and reliable weather information is essential. In very remote areas, a satellite communicator can provide peace of mind.
It is also wise to let someone know your general location and planned return time, especially when traveling alone. Simple communication and preparation go a long way in making remote trips feel both safe and relaxed.
Bring:
Offline maps
Extra water
Headlamp
First aid kit
Weather app
Satellite communicator if remote
Whether you're in a photo-worthy camp OR you find a short hike to a photo spot, it always helps to choose something with a view.
Photography Tips for Choosing a Campsite
When selecting a dispersed campsite, it helps to think about light and composition as much as comfort. Open horizons are useful for sunrise and sunset, natural features can provide foreground interest and distance from artificial light improves night sky conditions. Wind exposure, terrain stability and level ground also matter for long exposures and tripod work (and for your comfort sleeping)
Before committing to a spot, take time to walk the area and visualize where the sun, moon and Milky Way will appear, if you plan on photographing from camp. This small investment of time can make your shooting sessions far more efficient and enjoyable. My best night sky images are taken from the comfort of camp (if you know, you know), but this also makes a great opportunity for Milky Way shooting. Specifically, when shooting with a tracker or panoramas.
Choose spots with:
Eastern or western horizon views
Natural foregrounds
Minimal light pollution
Wind protection
Level ground
Before settling in, walk around with your camera and visualize:
Where the sun will rise or set
Where the Milky Way will arc
How the landscape changes after dark
Left: Cryptobiotic Soil, this is very important not to travel on or over || Right: Old abandoned Ghost Town in the Mojave Desert
Leave No Trace (This is the MOST Important of All)
Dispersed camping depends on responsible use. Staying on existing sites, packing out everything you bring, avoiding fragile soils and vegetation, and minimizing light and noise all help protect access for the future.
As photographers, our relationship with these places goes beyond visiting them once. The care we take directly affects whether they remain open, wild and available for ourselves and others to experience and document again and again.
The places we love to photograph are fragile:
Pack out everything.
Don’t move rocks or plants.
Use existing sites.
Avoid trampling cryptobiotic soil.
Leave it looking untouched.
Final Thoughts
Dispersed camping is not about making trips harder. It is about positioning yourself closer to the places and light you care about and giving yourself the time and space to work with them thoughtfully.
Once you become comfortable finding legal spots on BLM and Forest Service land, dispersed camping becomes less of a logistical challenge and more of a natural extension of your photography process.
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