What BLM land is
The BLM, part of the Department of the Interior, manages the public land that was never homesteaded, sold, or assigned to a park or forest: mostly desert, sagebrush, and canyon country. Nevada is about 63 percent BLM, Utah 42 percent, and Arizona, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, and California each hold tens of millions of acres. East of Colorado there is almost none. The land is managed for "multiple use": grazing, mining, energy, and recreation share it, which is why you camp next to cattle guards and gas wells.
For RVers, the practical upshot is simple. Unless a sign or map says otherwise, you can drive an existing road onto BLM land, pull off on already-disturbed ground, and camp for up to 14 days at no charge. See the BLM camping category for developed sites by state.
Developed campgrounds vs dispersed camping
Developed BLM campgrounds
The BLM runs a few hundred developed campgrounds. They tend to be simple: gravel pads, a vault toilet, picnic tables, sometimes a water spigot, and rarely electric. Fees run $5 to $20 a night, half price with a Senior or Access pass. Standouts include the campgrounds along the Colorado River north of Moab (Goose Island, Big Bend), the Alabama Hills area (now designated sites only), Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, Valley of the Gods, and the string of campgrounds on the lower Colorado near Lake Havasu and Parker. Many are first-come; the busier ones near Moab and Sedona are on Recreation.gov.
Dispersed camping
Everything outside those campgrounds is dispersed. No sites, no toilets, no fees, no reservations. The rules:
- 14 days in any 28-day period, then move at least 25 miles (varies by field office).
- Camp on existing pull-offs, within about 300 feet of a road, on bare ground.
- Pack out all trash and waste. No gray water on the ground.
- Respect closures: many field offices have closed specific areas near towns to camping because of abuse.
- Fire restrictions change weekly in summer; check the field office website.
Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs)
Southern Arizona and southeastern California have seven LTVAs where the 14-day rule is replaced by a permit system:
| LTVA | Near | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| La Posa (North, South, West, Tyson Wash) | Quartzsite, AZ | The big one, thousands of rigs, dump stations, water, trash, some 3G-era cell towers now upgraded |
| Imperial Dam | Yuma, AZ / Winterhaven, CA | Sunny, close to Yuma services and Mexico for dental and pharmacy runs |
| Hot Spring | Holtville, CA | Natural hot spring on site, popular with long-term regulars |
| Pilot Knob | Winterhaven, CA | Small, near the Algodones border crossing |
| Mule Mountain, Tamarisk, Midland | Blythe, CA | Quieter, fewer services, cheaper diesel across the river in Arizona |
Permit prices: $40 for 14 days, $180 for the full season (September 15 through April 30). The long-term permit is valid at every LTVA, so you can move between them. Outside the season, the areas revert to standard 14-day dispersed rules. You must be self-contained (a permanent toilet in the rig); tents and truck campers without toilets get turned away.
Quartzsite in winter
Quartzsite is a town of about 2,500 that hosts several hundred thousand RVers between November and February. The draw is the January RV show and swap meet, the rock and gem shows, and the sheer amount of free land. If you do not want the LTVA permit, the free 14-day areas (Plomosa Road, Dome Rock, Hi Jolly, Road Runner, Scaddan Wash) surround town. Services in town: several private dump stations at $10 to $15, water fills, propane trucks that drive through the LTVA, and a Roadrunner Market. The nearest full grocery run is Parker or Blythe. Our Arizona RV parks page also lists the private parks in town for anyone who wants hookups for a week during the show.
Road conditions and getting stuck
BLM roads are graded gravel at best and unmaintained two-track at worst. The specific hazards for RVs:
- Washes. Sandy crossings that a dually handles easily and a front-wheel-drive Class C does not. Never camp in a wash; flash floods happen under a blue sky.
- Clay. Utah and New Mexico bentonite turns to grease after rain. If the forecast calls for rain, park close to pavement.
- Washboard. Shakes cabinets open and loosens screws. Air down slightly and drive slow.
- Turnarounds. Scout with the toad or on foot before committing a 35 foot rig to a road with no visible loop.
Carry traction boards, a shovel, and a tow strap. A tow from a remote BLM road costs $500 to $1,500 and the wait can be most of a day.
Finding BLM sites
- Identify the field office for your area on blm.gov; each has a recreation page and often a PDF map of camping areas and closures.
- Cross-check with iOverlander, Campendium, or FreeRoam for recent reports on road condition and cell signal.
- Use a satellite layer to spot existing pads and turnarounds before you drive in.
- Arrive in daylight, ideally midweek. Weekends near Moab, Sedona, and Lake Havasu fill by Friday afternoon.
For developed options, browse our directory by state: BLM camping in Arizona, Utah, or Nevada, and combine with free campgrounds for the no-fee developed sites.
Water, dumping, and supplies on BLM land
Nothing is provided at dispersed sites. Plan a loop: fill fresh water and dump at a state park, a Pilot or Flying J with a dump station, a city-run station (many Arizona and Utah towns have them for $5 to $10), or an LTVA. Our dump station guide covers the etiquette. In the Quartzsite and Yuma areas, mobile services will pump your tanks and deliver water at your site for a fee, which is how many people manage a 7-month stay without ever moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is BLM camping free?
Dispersed camping on BLM land is free for up to 14 days. Developed BLM campgrounds charge $5 to $20 a night, and Long-Term Visitor Areas require a $40 (14-day) or $180 (seven-month) permit. A few high-use areas near Moab and Sedona have converted to fee-only designated sites.
Can I camp anywhere on BLM land?
Almost anywhere that is not signed closed, inside a wilderness study area with vehicle restrictions, or on an active lease. You must use existing roads and disturbed ground. Check the field office map, because closures near towns have expanded in the last few years.
What is the difference between BLM and national forest camping?
The rules are nearly identical: 14 days, dispersed camping along open roads, pack it out. The land is different. BLM is mostly low desert and sagebrush, ideal in winter; national forests are higher and wooded, ideal in summer. Many RVers alternate between them by season.
How do I find the BLM field office for an area?
Search blm.gov for the state, then the district or field office. Each office page lists recreation sites, camping areas, current fire restrictions, and closures. Phone numbers are listed and staff will answer questions about road conditions for large rigs.