The world is your playground. It can also be your campground. Well, about one-quarter of it in the U.S., anyway. The combined 5.9 million miles of land operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comprise more than 23 percent of the entire country.
And while most state and national parks have established campsites even in the backcountry that require permits (and payment) for a night under the stars, their less-frequented counterparts have an open-door policy when it comes to pitching a tent.
That’s not to say camping in these areas is without rules, though. Most stem from the fact that the lands are without amenities – as in zero. No potable water. No bathrooms. No tent pads. No trash cans. No picnic tables. And, let’s just repeat: no bathrooms.
Getting away from it allFor that reason, it’s important to know (and follow!) Leave No Trace ethics.
Let’s look at some other numbers related to dispersed camping, the term for camping outside of designated campsites.