Best Dispersed Camping near Salida, CO

Multiple free camping areas exist near Salida, Colorado on Bureau of Land Management lands and within Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area. Primitive sites are concentrated along forest service roads, especially around Mt. Shavano, Browns Canyon, and BLM parcels along Highway 50. Most dispersed sites require no reservations and have established fire rings, though camping patterns vary from wide-open spaces that accommodate numerous vehicles to small, secluded spots better suited for tent camping.

Access roads to these dispersed camping areas are typically unpaved and range from relatively smooth to extremely rocky and rutted. Many campers report needing high-clearance vehicles to reach the better sites, particularly when venturing deeper into Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area on CR 250 and 252. Most sites lack amenities—no water sources, toilets, or trash service are provided except at a few locations like Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping, which has basic toilet facilities. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. During summer months, fire restrictions are common in this drought-prone region.

The camping areas provide sweeping mountain views with the Collegiate Peaks visible from many sites. Cell service is generally reliable, with most locations reporting good Verizon and AT&T coverage. "Rocky road but we managed it nicely with teardrop trailer. We chose one of the earlier spots on the way up and it was quiet and peaceful," reported one visitor to Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area. Another camper noted that "some spots are in close proximity to each other so you might have to skip further inside for more privacy." Wildlife sightings include cattle grazing in some areas, particularly at Browns Canyon Dispersed. The proximity to Salida (approximately 10 miles from most sites) makes these camping areas convenient for accessing town amenities while enjoying free backcountry camping experiences.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Salida, Colorado (116)

    1. Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    16 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    7 miles
    Website

    "If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different."

    "Totally Boondocking, no hookups, but close to town to refill water and such."

    2. Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Found an area right off the Colorado Trail trailhead. You don’t really need 4wd, but it is a dirt road and some parts are less smooth than others. Very close drive to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs"

    "It is gorgeous and so easy to access. From the 285 going north turn left on County road 270 until it becomes the 272 we went straight to the 274."

    3. Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton."

    "I pulled in here around 8 PM on a Tuesday and had intentions to stay for multiple nights."

    4. Shavano Mountain

    7 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    7 miles

    "Can see Salida from site. Very rough road."

    "Tough road that gets progressively technical as you go farther up towards trail head."

    5. Mount Shavano Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 553-1400

    "The area is very dry and rocky. The only way in is up the hill on 250. The pavement turns to gravel and becomes very steep and Rocky and rugged with some areas washed out."

    "BLM 

    FREE

     Limit: 14 days 

    The Wildlife Management Area is named after Mt Shavano. A mountain that is considered a must do for mountain climbers. The WMA lies at the base of the mountain."

    6. Road 240 - Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Monarch, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 539-3591

    "This spot is one of the best kept secrets for dispersed camping in Colorado. The road has plenty of camping spots all the way up to the lake. Most spots are wooded and offer plenty of shade."

    "It’s accessible but still feels a bit wild. Our site is very close to the road so we do encounter ATVs and other folks climbing higher up the mountain."

    7. Marshall Pass

    7 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    "There were sites you could pull into off of the road, but we car camped along the side since we were leaving early. Finding a spot can be difficult, but the views and location are nice."

    "Awesome group sites and very easy access to lake!"

    8. Browns Canyon Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Poncha Springs, CO
    6 miles

    "Awesome location, beautiful views of the collegiate peaks and about 20 minutes away from Salida. There are lot of spots in this area (some side roads lead you to 360 views)."

    "A nice BLM area, free dispersed camping. Some loud generators in use when we came here but so much room we could get far enough away to not mind."

    9. Salida BLM Land

    4 Reviews
    Salida, CO
    2 miles

    "Well labeled from Highway 50 just before entering Salida. About or greater than 20 camping spots (but we didn't venture to the last site)."

    "There’s two outhouses at the Race Track trailhead."

    10. Hendricks Flat

    5 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO
    9 miles

    "I think this may be the same campground as Salida North??? Our stay was 6/16/24. small sites with firepit and table available no water or toilet."

    "We were meeting up with friends in Salida on our way to Steamboat & needed an easy spot for the night. This was the perfect place. Campsites are neat, small place, and beautiful views."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 116 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Salida, CO

381 Reviews of 116 Salida Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Forest Road 130

    Absolutely awesome

    Stunningly beautiful dispersed camping at its best. To find the most precious spot you need to get to Forest service Road 130 S as in South. There is a forest service ranger station on the south side of Leadville where you can get a motor vehicle use map MVUM. But even without a map the roads are marked. 130 starts near Highway 24 on the west side across from massive lakes, near a large bank of mailboxes. You'll see a sign asking you to respect the private property owners rights. Just keep going up the hill and you will find the forest service signage indicating the public lands. Many people don't go much further. But the truly spectacular sites are a couple miles further. The roads are narrow and steep but manageable. Keep going down 130 until you reach an intersection with 130A and 130 B, A goes north and B goes south. But keep going till you reach a T intersection. 160 goes north and 130 S goes south. Go left, south till you reach a slightly challenging switch back. Just on the other side of the switchback is a wide open space with room for many rigs including good size trailers. Very quiet with very little traffic of any kind. The Leadville 100 foot race goes right by every August.

  • Lise F.
    Apr. 8, 2021

    Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping

    Space and Views!!

    We camped here for 4 nights in August 2020. It was so peaceful. Big wide dispersed camping spaces. Plenty of nice hiking - especially Brown's Creek area. Great location with easy drive to Buena Vista & Salida & Mt. Princeton. The only drawback was, well, August dryness & no water nearby. This was our first dispersed camping experience and we realize no facilities. There is one bathroom near the Brown's Creek trailhead about 2 miles away from where we camped, but we had a camper. Also, no picnic tables at all. AND cows roam freely throughout the area - drive slowly & respect them - listen for moos & coyote howls. Great bird-watching too. We enjoyed it so much!!

  • Tommie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2018

    North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    Ranger Review: Wild Zora Foods at North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camp

    Bare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado

    Campground Review:

    Needing a spot to serve as a staging area for a planned backpacking trip into the Collegiate Peak Wilderness Area of Colorado, my group discovered this gem. County roads (CR) that access national forests in Colorado often have primitive but established camping spots. Since we were going to start our backpacking trip from the North Cottonwood Trailhead, we searched online to make sure that the access road, CR 365 offered dispersed camping.

    After a nice meal in nearby Buena Vista, Co, we headed out on the 7-8 mile drive to the trailhead. Now 7-8 miles on a CR isn’t always the same as a similar distance on a paved road. The first 3 miles on the drive from town center were paved and were navigated quickly and easily. The next few miles were not and driving became more of an adventure and slowed dramatically. While in the end we saw 2 WD vehicles at the trailhead, I would suggest that at a minimum you should have a high clearance FWD vehicle. Our Subaru Outback AWD served us well. The drive took us around 30 minutes.

    2 miles away from the trailhead, you pass a Colorado Trail access point with parking and vault toilets. IMPORTANT: there are no toilets past this point on CR 365 and no facilities at the North Cottonwood Trailhead.

    We ended up driving all the way up to the trailhead to know what to expect for the next morning when we would start the hike. We then headed back down CR 365 about a mile to some of the more attractive looking camping sites along the road. In all, I would suspect you pass 15-20 opportunities along the road. Some of them are small, single vehicle, single tent areas and others could handle multiple groups.

    We ended up finding a pull off point that had a gravel road that accessed several campsites. You are encouraged to find sites that have been used in the past and most will have a fire pit. Always check with the ranger stations to see if fires are allowed in the area at the time.

    Since this site had a gravel road that took you 50-100 yards off the CR, you really felt the seclusion. The CR is not heavily traveled (maybe 6 cars used it from 7pm to 6am the next morning while we were there), being off the road really made this a nice site. The sites that are accessed via side gravel roads do have road designations. The one we chose was 365B and was clearly marked with a reflective post sign.

    The sites are adorned with pines and aspens. We were also near a stream that provided us beautiful sounds to fall asleep to. Spacing between sites is significant so you do feel remote and won’t hear much if anything from other campers. Our site had a rock fire ring but firewood is scarce so if you want a campfire, you will need to bring some with you. There is no running water at these sites but the stream is flowing and with a filtration system, you can easily fill up. No tables or benches are in the area.

    Does a bear … in the woods? Well yes and you will need to as well. This area’s minimum suggested practice was to dig your “cat hole” at least 6 inches deep, 100 feet or more away from water, camping and trail locations. Degradable toilet paper, no wipes, was suggested.

    The site was beautiful, primitive, remote, and convenient. Everything we were looking for. We experienced temperatures of 70’s during the day and mid 40’s at night. We did have the typical misty rain in the evening but it didn’t last long and the ground absorbed it well. You are at around 9500 feet above sea level so you may feel the effects of the altitude. It served as a great place for this “flatlander” to get acclimated.

    Not a site for someone that needs amenities. But if you love the thought of a controlled, primitive site, this will be right up your alley!

    Gear Review: Wild Zora Foods

    See a quick video summary of the product HERE.

    As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I often get opportunities to evaluate camping related products during my outdoor adventures. On this outing, I was able to pack a variety of Wild Zora snacks and meals to help fuel this physically demanding trip.

    The genesis for Wild Zora began in 2011 with a family that discovered the benefits of Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Primal foods. After developing their own, sharing with friends and family, the founders decided to package and offer their creations to the public. They offer meat and veggie bars, paleo meals to go, soups and teas. All are claimed to be prepared with minimally processed, high quality ingredients. The company states that it is mindful of diet restrictions and allergies.

    Testing conditions:

    I tested the product over several weeks under somewhat adverse but consistent conditions. The food was used to fuel a physically demanding trip where calorie dense foods were needed. I needed to be able to consume around 4000 calories a day to be able to backpack for miles and to climb 14,000 foot Colorado peaks. Space and weight were taken into consideration as well. We would be preparing the meals at high elevation which would affect how long and effective reconstitution of the dehydrated food would take. During most of the cooking times, temperatures were between 40-60 degrees.

    Things that stood out:

    · Conveniently packaged. Durable with no excessive packaging.

    · Shelf life was way longer than what I needed for this trip so if any was left over, it would keep for my next trip.

    · The meals and flavors offered are not limited to your common camping meals offered by others. CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE FLAVORS!

    · There is no shortage of flavor in the meals. Nothing bland about them.

    · Ingredients are top shelf and the meals and snacks have such a short but impressive ingredient list, you know you are doing your body good.

    My preferences for improvement:

    · Adjustment needed in how I ate it because of the dimensions of the meal packages. Narrow and tall vs short and wide made me adjust how I consumed the meal.

    Summary of experience with Wild Zora:

    These meals are POPPING with flavor! Since what we like in our meals is a personal preference, some may not like the strong flavors but I loved them. I am a little adventurous with my food and the flavors in all the meals I tried were distinct and pleasing – think gourmet vs fast food.

    The food is packaged with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Easy to tuck away in my backpack without being a space or weight hog and the snacks were perfect when I went “peakbagging” with a smaller daypack. Calorie dense. I was able to easily take 4 meat/veggie bars with my on mountain climbs and averaged 120 calories a bar. The bars provided satisfying protein and fat calories that complimented my quick carb foods I packed.

    Will absolutely be a part of my meals on future adventures. See a quick summary of the product HERE.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2019

    Marshall Pass

    ATV Dispersed Camping

    This site is on Marshall Pass Road off of highway 285. The dispersed sites are near the intersection of Marshall Pass Road and Forest Service Rod 200. This intersection at the base off the access road up to Ohaver Lake Campground. The primitive sites are spread along the creek just off the Forest Service Road. Like many dispersed camps, the sites only have flat cleared areas with fire pits and no other amenities. The area is a great spot for ATV Riders to trailer into area as well as horse trailers to park and access the mountain roads and trails. The location is not the best for scenery and can get busy in the summer especially on weekends since it’s so close to the highway and Salida, Colorado.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Tarryall Creek- Dispersed Camping

    Good but not great

    Tarryall creek dispersed camping. The road in is a bit bumpy. I would not trade in a low clearance vehicle. Four-wheel-drive is needed if it should get wet or slippery. Once you get onto the road, the sites are big and spacious. This is dispersed camping, so there is no water no electric and very little cell service. We have periodic two bars of Verizon. The sites are definitely big enough to accommodate big rigs. You just have to take the road really slowly on the way up. If you carry on all the way up to 10, you get to fenced areas where there is no camping so we took 293 off to the left and immediately after the Turner a couple of sites. We followed it all the way down for a long way. The road is incredibly bumpy and four-wheel-drive is absolutely necessary. Along with high clearance. I would not advise it for big rigs. The Site that we got just on the left after the turn walls reasonably wide. Big enough to get a big rig into. It’s pretty flat too but it’s also very exposed. There’s not a lot of shelter for our tent or our gazebo. The views are OK but nothing spectacular.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Fraile’s Campground - Dispersed

    Huge sites on gnarly road

    CR 290 off Tarryall Rd. Campsites are all designated on 290 but there are numerous firepits on the side roads. The road to get up is very rutted. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. Definitely four wheel drive is required. I did see a Subaru forester up near the top. The sites are wide open once you get onto the plateau at the top. Easily could accommodate a big rig, but the issue would be getting it up the road. The views from the top are really nice. It opens out and you get some spectacular views of Pike National Forest. The sites are spacious with some pine tree coverage for tent campers. This would definitely be a possible back up spot if nothing on Matukat rd was available. Because they are dispersed there is no electrical hook ups or water. There’s no Creek running through the area. I imagine it would be really quiet and remote up here because the road to get in is going to deter a lot of people. We did find some spots with fire pits, but not sure you can camp there given there is no sign post reading designated campsite but they are off the main road so give it a try.

  • S
    May. 8, 2021

    Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area

    Lots of sites and beautiful mountain views.

    If you ever been to any of the BLM camping locations around Salida, Mt. Shavano is not anything different. Some long dirt roads will lead you to multiple sites, though some of them are closer to people than I would want to be..

    There is no water source, no trash, bathrooms, and it would be difficult to get a spot with an RV or trailer at this location. I did have decent cell service (AT&T).

    One unfortunate thing I've noticed there was that it could be used as a dumpsite for illegal poachers. I saw numerous locations which had deer bones left but no head, as well as the area where presence of the animals sex was missing. I am debating reporting this to Colorado Parks and Wildlife as well as BLM to investigate.

    Overall my stay was pleasant. There was still snow in the forecast at the end of the month of April when I was there. There was quite a few people there for a Tuesday, which was quite odd but I guess it's a popular area. Some of the residents looked more permanent, but I couldn't tell since I was just there for one night.

  • Silouan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Marshall Pass Dispersed

    Dispersed camping spots with amazing views

    Turn off Hwy 285 at “Mears Junction” and head up Marshall Pass Rd. The first few miles are through private property, but then it opens up into the National Forest, with dispersed campsites interspersed regularly along the roads. There are easy camper friendly spots, and tent spots, as well as some areas where a group could be easily accommodated. The views are fantastic, there are numerous trailheads, and Poncha Creek and other seasonal creeks are running beautifully.

  • Chris P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Route 31 Camp

    Close to perfect if you’re in the right spot

    County Road 31 dispersed camping On entering the area, there is immediately a sign that reads that OHV’s are prohibited. At least in this area you know you’re going to get some peace and quiet. The road to get in is mainly washboard. Totally possible even with a low clearance 2 Wheel Dr. vehicle. The sights designated only. Once you get past the information board you’ll see turn off‘s on the left and right wave Campers and fire pits. If you continue down County Road 31 spectacular. The biggest issue I can see again is a lack of firewood. There appears to be no downed trees or burned trees in the area. You need to bring in your own. There’s also no water source in this area so come well prepared. Since this is dispersed camping, there is no reservation or electric hook ups or sewer hook ups. These sites are plenty big enough for big rigs, and most of them appear to be pull through sites. Tent campers the sites do appear to be a little bit too exposed. There are sites with better tree coverage for tent campers when you go further into the back areas of some of the side roads the downside is you lose the views of the surrounding mountains. If you keep going further back, CR 31 connects to 896, and there are sites way back there that give you the impression that you’re just even further removed from everybody else. There are so many sites in this area. This could be a good back up spot for Matukat Road if it’s not available. There is a site on 896 right before the no camping sign, which is designated as a campsite, and it has some tree coverage, and all the mountain views. 896 is a very tough road requiring high clearance and four-wheel-drive. Numerous places have deep holes and you need to take it very slow.


Guide to Salida

Rustic camping near Salida, Colorado clusters around three distinct ecological zones: semi-arid BLM lands to the east, alpine forest to the west, and the Arkansas River valley floor. Most sites sit at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet, resulting in significant temperature drops after sunset even in summer months. Campers frequently encounter 30-40°F temperature swings between daytime highs and overnight lows in these areas.

What to do

Mountain biking on nearby trails: The Colorado Trail access point near Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area connects to extensive trail networks. "We explored the road further up later on bicycles, all the way to the bridge creek crossing (few miles after bifurcation of road 250 and 252)," reports one visitor who enjoyed the area's riding options.

Fishing in nearby waters: Many campers use these sites as bases for fishing trips. The free camping areas are within 15-20 minutes of the Arkansas River's prime fishing zones. "We saw Bats, Nighthawks, Turkey Vultures, Coyotes, and Deer," noted a visitor to the wildlife areas, indicating the diverse ecosystem supporting these fishing waters.

Hot springs visits: Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site provides convenient access to regional hot springs. As one camper noted, "Very close drive to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs," making these free camping areas practical bases for day trips to natural thermal features.

What campers like

Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, connectivity is surprisingly strong in most sites. "I could see a lot of people camping but we just kept driving until we found a nice spot and once we parked, it felt like we were the only ones there... My husband and I both had full service on t-mobile and Verizon," reported a visitor to Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping.

Seasonal wildlife viewing: The wildlife viewing opportunities change throughout the camping season. "We saw Bats, Nighthawks, Turkey Vultures, Coyotes, and Deer. Check before assuming fires are okay as it depends on the fire danger," notes one camper who visited in mid-summer.

Night sky quality: The elevation and distance from light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "It was quiet and the stars was wild. And bugs wasn't as bad as other places," reported a July visitor to Shavano Mountain, highlighting the astronomical visibility in these areas.

What you should know

Fire restriction variability: Restrictions change frequently based on conditions. "Check before assuming fires are okay as it depends on the fire danger. Will definitely be back to this beautiful area," advises a visitor who experienced changing fire rules during their stay.

Wind exposure: Many sites sit on exposed ridges or plateaus with minimal wind protection. "On a plateau, so it can get pretty windy," notes a camper who visited Browns Canyon Dispersed, suggesting campers should secure lightweight items.

Road conditions deteriorate seasonally: The access roads worsen as seasons progress, particularly after summer rains. "The road is getting worse. 2wd with clearance can still get to several sites but it's not a great road," reported a July visitor to free camping areas near Salida.

Tips for camping with families

Loop selection matters: Different camping loops offer varying experiences for children. "There's three areas. A, B, and C loop. Rock fire pits and it was quiet and the stars was wild. And bugs wasn't as bad as other places," advised a visitor to Shavano Mountain.

Pack appropriate clothing: Temperature variations require layered clothing systems. "Temp in the 80's in July. Falls into the high 50's at night," noted a summer camper, emphasizing the need for warm sleeping gear even in summer months.

Consider lower elevation sites: Lower sites offer milder temperature swings for family comfort. "Easy to find, we have a 26 ft tt, no problem. Views amazing!" reported a visitor to Hendricks Flat, noting its accessibility and more moderate climate conditions.

Tips from RVers

Pre-scout sites when possible: The lack of designated camping loops makes advance scouting valuable. "A lot of stuff if the road. I was pulling a popup trailer so we didn't go too far up the road just in case it got choppy. Seemed like there is quite a few spaces," advised an RVer who visited Road 240 - Dispersed.

Water management is critical: No water sources exist at most sites. "Totally Boondocking, no hookups, but close to town to refill water and such. Beautiful view of divide in one side and Arkansas Valley on the other," notes an RV camper who planned regular water resupply trips to Salida.

Road assessment crucial: Many access roads present clearance challenges. "The road starts as tar and converts to gravel. It is a maintained road but is loaded with washboard so you may just have to take it easy if you have a motor home or trailer," advises an experienced RVer about navigating to camping areas while towing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best spots for dispersed camping near Salida, Colorado?

Some of the best dispersed camping spots near Salida include Browns Creek (South) Dispersed Camping which offers spacious sites and proximity to great hiking trails with easy access to both Salida and Buena Vista. Marshall Pass Dispersed is another excellent option, accessible from Highway 285 at Mears Junction, offering various sites suitable for both campers and tents along forest roads. For those seeking solitude, Route 31 Camp provides peaceful settings with prohibited OHV use and is accessible even with low-clearance vehicles despite some washboard roads.

When is the best season for dispersed camping around Salida?

The prime season for dispersed camping around Salida is late spring through early fall (May-September). North Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping and other areas in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness are especially beautiful during summer months when trails are clear of snow. Late summer (August) can be very dry around Horn Fork Basin Dispersed Camping, so water sources may be limited. Higher elevation sites like Marshall Pass typically aren't accessible until June due to snowmelt. Fall offers spectacular colors but nights get cold quickly. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, but many forest roads become impassable with snow and ice.

Is there free BLM camping available near Salida, CO?

Yes, free BLM camping is abundant near Salida. Mt. Shavano Wildlife Area offers typical BLM camping experience with multiple sites accessible via dirt roads. While some sites may be closer to others than ideal, it provides free camping options without amenities—no water, trash service, or bathrooms. Fraile's Campground - Dispersed off Tarryall Road (CR 290) offers designated campsites with numerous fire pits available on side roads. Note that both areas typically require high-clearance vehicles for best access, though some spots can be reached with standard vehicles during dry conditions.

What are the regulations and permits required for dispersed camping in Salida?

Dispersed camping around Salida follows standard USFS/BLM regulations: camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources, stay at established sites when possible, and follow Leave No Trace principles. At Jack's Cabin Pass and similar areas, the pack-it-in, pack-it-out rule applies with no trash services available. Forest Road 130 and other forest service areas require Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) for navigation, available at ranger stations. Most dispersed camping is free, but a 14-day stay limit is enforced. During high fire danger, fire restrictions may be implemented requiring permits for any flames. No specific entry permits are needed for dispersed camping, but backcountry permits may be required for wilderness areas.