Camping
Camping and public lands
How to check the manager, reservation, fire, food, pet, water, road, and closure rules before you camp.
Camping starts with the land manager. A state park campground, national park site, national forest campground, BLM dispersed spot, and county park can all have different rules.
Do not treat a tent icon on a map as permission. Some sites need reservations, some need permits, and some areas close for fire, snow, flood damage, wildlife, or repair work.
Before you pack the cooler, check the official page for the exact spot: reservation, fire rules, water, toilets, road access, food storage, pets, and posted limits.
First moves
- 1
Pick the exact campground, forest road, desert area, or park unit.
- 2
Check whether reservations, passes, timed entry, or permits apply.
- 3
Check fire restrictions every trip, even if there is a fire ring.
- 4
Check water, toilets, road access, food storage, pets, and posted stay limits.
Watch for
- 1
Dispersed camping is not allowed everywhere on national forest or BLM land.
- 2
A free campfire permit is not permission to have a fire during a local ban.
- 3
National parks and famous trailheads can need separate permits or reservations.
- 4
Bear, food-storage, and pet rules vary by place.
Go deeper
State park passes and reservations
Start here for day-use fees, annual passes, camping reservations, and the up-to-six-month booking window.
Outdoor weather and hazard checks
A last-check guide for weather, smoke, fire, heat, surf, rivers, snow, roads, earthquakes, and the live sources to trust before you leave.