Dispersed camping on BLM land is generally limited to 14 days within any 28-day period, per the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Then you must move, often at least 25 to 30 miles away. Colorado allows 14 days in any 30-day period under its statewide BLM rules.
Last updated: November 9, 2026
Chuck Price has 35+ years of RV camping experience and owns a 2018 Hymer Aktiv Class B.
Land access, permits, road conditions, and site availability change. Verify all information with the relevant land management agency before your trip. Conditions on remote public land can be hazardous, so assess your skills and equipment before you go.
- Must-know: BLM generally limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period, then you move, often 25 to 30 miles (BLM).
- Trip killers: Colorado allows 14 days in any 30, then a 30-air-mile move (BLM Colorado). Entering an area closed by a fire prevention order is prohibited under 43 CFR 9212.1. Staying past the limit has ended in citations and impounded vehicles (BLM Utah, September 4, 2025).
- Best for: RVers and tent campers planning dispersed stays outside developed campgrounds.
- Confirm before you go: Rules vary by state and local area, so check posted signs and your local BLM office (BLM). Ask which order or supplementary rule covers your exact spot.
BLM land camping rules at a glance
The national default is 14 days within any 28-day period, then a move of often 25 to 30 miles (BLM camping page, as of November 9, 2026). Colorado, California’s Bishop Field Office and several other areas set different numbers, and the table shows where. BLM manages 245 million acres, one-tenth of America’s land base, according to BLM. If your state is not listed, check with its BLM state office. For the wider picture of public land etiquette, see our guide to responsible boondocking on public lands.
| Rule | National default | Where it differs | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay limit | Generally 14 days within any 28-day period | Colorado: 14 days in any 30-day period at one location. California, Bishop Field Office: 14 days per year | BLM camping page, BLM California, BLM Colorado |
| Move distance | Often at least 25 to 30 miles | Colorado: 30 air miles. California: outside a 25-mile radius. Moab Field Office: 30 miles | BLM camping page, BLM Colorado, BLM California, BLM Moab guide |
| Permit | Not required in most areas | California: free campfire permit for all campfires and gas stove fires | BLM camping page, BLM California |
| Unattended property | 10 days (12 months in Alaska) | Colorado: 48 hours. Idaho: BLM says the limit differs | 43 CFR 8365.1-2, BLM Colorado, BLM camping page |
| Fire | Never leave a fire without extinguishing it. Fire prevention orders can close or restrict areas | New Mexico: campfires must be attended at all times | 43 CFR 9212, BLM New Mexico |
| Penalty | Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months of imprisonment | Closure order violations and some supplementary rules also cite fines under 18 U.S.C. 3571 | 43 CFR 8360.0-7, 43 CFR 8364.1, 89 FR, Nov. 14, 2024 |
How long can you camp on BLM land?
BLM generally limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period. BLM’s national camping page says specific stay limits vary by state and field office. BLM calls camping away from developed recreation facilities dispersed camping and describes it as short-term recreation, not long-term living. For the basics of camping without hookups, see our guide to boondocking for beginners.
Federal regulation sets no day count. 43 CFR 8365.1-2(a) bars you from camping “longer than the period of time permitted by the authorized officer” (eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026). An authorized officer is a BLM employee delegated that authority, per 43 CFR 8360.0-5. The numbers come from orders and supplementary rules. Colorado’s 14 days in 30 comes from supplementary rules published in the Federal Register (75 FR 32968).
What counts as camping and as one location
- Colorado’s rules define camping as erecting a tent or shelter, preparing bedding, or parking a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy (BLM Colorado fact sheet, January 28, 2025).
- The Colorado limit applies at any one location, including any campground on public land (BLM Colorado).
- The Colorado rules bar establishing residency. BLM Colorado says camping is for recreational purposes only.
How the 28-day clock works
- California: the 28-day period “begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location”, per BLM California. Separate visits count toward the 14 days.
- California, Bishop Field Office area: dispersed camping is limited to 14 days per year, per BLM California.
- Nevada: the period starts when you first occupy a specific site, per BLM Nevada. Staying longer requires written permission from an authorized officer.
- New Mexico: you reach the limit through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation, per BLM New Mexico.
- Idaho: BLM Idaho’s camping guidelines say you may not return to the area for 28 consecutive days after you move.
Colorado uses 14 days in any 30
BLM Colorado’s statewide supplementary rules say you must not camp longer than 14 days in any 30-day period at any one location (BLM Colorado fact sheet, January 28, 2025). The rules took effect July 12, 2010, under 75 FR 32968. The Tres Rios Field Office adds that you must not return to the area for 30 days (BLM Tres Rios).
How far do you have to move after 14 days?
BLM’s national page says to move to a new location, often at least 25 to 30 miles away (BLM camping page, accessed November 9, 2026). Local pages publish a single number for their area. Use the number for your field office, not the national range.
- 25 miles: California, as a radius from your previous location (BLM California).
- 25 miles: Nevada and New Mexico (BLM Nevada, BLM New Mexico).
- 25 miles: Idaho and Sonoran Desert National Monument in Arizona (BLM Idaho, BLM Sonoran Desert brochure).
- 30 air miles: Colorado (BLM Colorado).
- 30 miles: Moab Field Office in Utah (BLM Moab visitor guide).
How the move is measured
BLM Colorado writes the distance as air miles, which means a straight line and not road miles. BLM California writes it as a radius from the previous location. Nevada says: “After 14 days, you must move to a different place that is at least 25 miles away from the site you were occupying” (BLM Nevada).
The BLM pages we checked on November 9, 2026 do not say how to measure the move in Nevada, New Mexico or Idaho. Our suggestion is to draw a straight line on a map from your old site and add a margin. That follows the strictest wording BLM publishes.
What counts as a new site
BLM defines a new site by distance, not by moving your rig a short way. California requires you to stay outside the 25-mile radius until the 29th day after you first occupied the site, per BLM California. A move inside that radius does not reset the clock. BLM Idaho adds a 28-day wait before you return to the area.
BLM stay limits by state and field office
This table lists the stay limit and move distance BLM publishes for each area we could verify as of November 9, 2026. “Not stated” means the BLM page names no limit. It does not mean there is none. A local order or supplementary rule can still set one, so call the field office.
| Jurisdiction | Rule | Authority | Effective date | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLM national default | Stay limit generally 14 days in any 28. Move distance often at least 25 to 30 miles. | BLM camping page | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Alaska | Stay limit 14 days at a time on most BLM land. Move distance not stated. | BLM Alaska | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Arizona, statewide | Stay limit not stated on the state page. Move distance not stated. | BLM Arizona | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Arizona, Sonoran Desert National Monument | Stay limit 14 days in any 28. Move distance at least 25 miles. | BLM Sonoran Desert brochure | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Arizona, Mittry Lake Wildlife Area | Stay limit 14 days in a 28-day period. Move distance at least 25 miles. | BLM announcement, Sept. 25, 2025 | November 1, 2025 | November 9, 2026 |
| California, statewide | Stay limit 14 days in any 28 consecutive days. Move outside a 25-mile radius until day 29. | BLM California | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| California, Bishop Field Office | Stay limit 14 days per year. Move distance not stated. | BLM California | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Colorado, statewide | Stay limit 14 days in any 30 at one location. Move distance at least 30 air miles. | BLM Colorado, 75 FR 32968 | July 12, 2010 | November 9, 2026 |
| Colorado, Tres Rios Field Office | Stay limit 14 days in 30. Move distance 30 air miles. No return for 30 days. | BLM Tres Rios | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Idaho, statewide | Stay limit 14 days. Move distance at least 25 miles. No return for 28 days. | BLM Idaho camping guidelines | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Montana and the Dakotas | Stay limit not stated on the state page. Move distance not stated. | BLM Montana-Dakotas | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Nevada, statewide | Stay limit 14 days in a 28-day period. Move distance at least 25 miles. | BLM Nevada | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| New Mexico, statewide | Stay limit 14 days in any 28 consecutive days. Move distance at least 25 miles. | BLM New Mexico | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| New Mexico, Rio Puerco and Taos Field Offices | Developed campsites have a 7-day limit. Move distance not stated. | BLM New Mexico | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Oregon and Washington | Stay limit not stated on the state page. Move distance not stated. | BLM Oregon-Washington | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Utah, statewide | Stay limit 14 days at any campsite. Move distance not stated. | BLM Utah dispersed camping sheet | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Utah, Beaver Dam Wash area, St. George Field Office | Stay limit generally 14 days in 28 consecutive days. Camp only in numbered sites. | BLM Beaver Dam Wash | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Utah, Moab Field Office | Stay limit 14 days at a single location. Move distance at least 30 miles. | BLM Moab visitor guide | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Wyoming | Stay limit not stated on the state page. Move distance not stated. | BLM Wyoming | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
| Eastern States | Stay limit not stated on the state page. Move distance not stated. | BLM Eastern States | Not stated | November 9, 2026 |
Mittry Lake moved from 10 days per calendar year to 14 days in a 28-day period on November 1, 2025. BLM Idaho’s guidelines and the Moab visitor guide carry no revision date we could find.
Penalties for breaking BLM camping rules
Violations of the BLM visitor rules carry a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in prison, or both. Under 43 CFR 8360.0-7 (eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026), violations of the regulations in 43 CFR Part 8360 by a member of the public are “punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.” The same section says violations of supplementary rules are punishable in the same manner. Knowingly and willfully violating the fire rules in 43 CFR 9212.1 carries a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both, under 43 CFR 9212.4.
Where the $1,000 figure stops applying
- Closure and restriction orders: a violator may be fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571 and imprisoned up to 12 months (43 CFR 8364.1(e)).
- Federal fine ceilings: 18 U.S.C. 3571(b) allows up to $100,000 for a Class A misdemeanor and up to $5,000 for a Class B or C misdemeanor or an infraction (U.S. Code, 2024 edition). Those are statutory maximums, not fine schedules.
- Supplementary rules: Colorado’s 2010 rules refer to “enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571” (75 FR 32968). The 2024 Canyons of the Ancients rule says violators may be “fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571” (89 FR, Nov. 14, 2024).
- LTVAs: BLM revokes the permit for a knowing and willful violation. You may also face a citation or arrest under 18 U.S.C. 3571, 18 U.S.C. 3581 and 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) (BLM Midland LTVA page).
The BLM pages we checked on November 9, 2026 publish no fine amount for overstaying a stay limit. Which class of offense applies depends on the charge.
What happens when a ranger contacts you
A BLM law enforcement ranger can educate, cite, evict and impound, depending on the violation. BLM described that sequence at Lake Point, Utah, in a post dated September 4, 2025. Rangers educated local officials about dispersed camping rules, cited campers for littering, cited them for overstaying after the 14-day period, evicted them and impounded five trailers and vehicles (BLM Utah). The post gives no fine amounts. It covers one site, so it does not show how often BLM enforces the limit elsewhere.
One visitor rule applies at the moment of contact. 43 CFR 8365.1-4(a) lists “Refusing to disperse, when directed to do so by an authorized officer” among the acts that create a public disturbance or a risk to others. The same paragraph covers resisting arrest or the issuance of a citation.
What to do at the contact
- Comply with a direction to move. Refusing to disperse is itself a listed violation, so settle any dispute with the issuing office afterward.
- Ask which rule or order the ranger is applying to your spot. Supplementary rules must be posted near the site and available at the local office (43 CFR 8365.1-6). Closure orders must be posted near the affected area (43 CFR 8364.1(c)).
- Give your arrival date. California and Nevada start the clock when you first occupy a specific site (BLM Nevada).
- Ask about written permission if you need more days. Nevada says staying longer requires written permission from an authorized officer.
- Keep dated photos or receipts from your arrival. This is our suggestion, not a BLM requirement.
This section is general information, not legal advice. If you receive a citation, read it for the court date and contact the issuing office or an attorney.
Do you need a permit to camp on BLM land?
Most dispersed camping on BLM land needs no permit. BLM’s camping page says: “Most areas don’t require permits or reservations.” Some regions may require permits for large groups or campfires, per the same page. In California, all campfires and gas stove fires on public lands require a California Campfire Permit, which is free and available online (BLM California).
Special Recreation Permits cover commercial use, competitive events, group activities, recreation events and vending services, per BLM permits and fees. BLM’s camping page says that some BLM campgrounds charge a fee, and that fees and stay limits differ by campground (BLM). Long Term Visitor Areas have their own permit, covered below.
For national park land, see our guide to boondocking in national parks. For the costs that come with free camping, read about the hidden costs of free RV parking.
Leaving your RV or gear unattended
Under 43 CFR 8365.1-2(b), current as of November 5, 2026, no person shall “Leave personal property unattended longer than 10 days (12 months in Alaska)”. The limit is shorter in developed campgrounds and in Colorado, as the table shows. Unauthorized property may be disposed of under the same regulation.
| Where | Limit | What it covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public lands, federal rule | 10 days (12 months in Alaska) | Dispersed camping and other public land outside developed sites | 43 CFR 8365.1-2(b) |
| California, Nevada | 10 days | Personal property left at a dispersed site | BLM California, BLM Nevada |
| Colorado | 48 hours | Campgrounds, designated recreation areas and other public lands | BLM Colorado |
| Developed campgrounds | 72 hours, or as posted | Campers at BLM-managed campgrounds | BLM camping page |
| Developed sites, federal rule | 24 hours in a day use area, 72 hours in other areas | Developed camping and picnicking areas | 43 CFR 8365.2-3(b) |
| Long Term Visitor Areas | 5 days unoccupied without BLM approval | LTVA camping units and campsites | BLM Midland LTVA |
| Idaho | BLM says the limit differs and gives no number | Ask the local Idaho BLM office | BLM camping page |
Rangers do act on abandoned camps. In a case BLM described on September 4, 2025, rangers evicted campers at Lake Point, Utah, and impounded five trailers and vehicles (BLM Utah).
Campfires and fire restrictions
Fire restrictions on BLM land can vary throughout the year, so check current regulations and posted guidance before you go (BLM). BLM initiates restrictions or temporary public land closures to reduce the risk of wildfires, per its fire restrictions page. BLM says its preventive measures focus on human-related activities such as campfires, off-road driving, equipment use and recreational target shooting.
Under 43 CFR 9212.2, BLM officers may issue fire prevention orders that close entry to, or restrict uses of, designated public lands (eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026). Each order names the area, the time period and any exemptions, and is posted. Unless authorized in writing, 43 CFR 9212.1 prohibits these acts:
- Leaving a fire without extinguishing it.
- Building a campfire without removing all flammable material from around it.
- Entering an area closed by a fire prevention order.
- Doing anything a fire prevention order restricts.
New Mexico says campfires must be attended at all times (BLM New Mexico). At Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado, a 2024 rule requires a fire pan for campfires when no metal fire ring is provided (89 FR, Nov. 14, 2024). For general fire habits in a rig, see our RV fire safety guide.
Human waste, gray water and trash
Under 43 CFR 8365.1-1 (eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026), visitors shall pack their trash for disposal at home whenever practicable. The same section bars draining sewage or petroleum products, or dumping refuse or waste other than wash water, from any trailer or other vehicle except in places or receptacles provided for that purpose. It also bars disposing of household refuse brought from home and polluting water supplies.
BLM’s camping page recommends a portable toilet or packing out your waste if possible. In some locations, it recommends burying waste 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water and trails. For disposal options by state, see our guide to boondocking trash disposal. To find a place to empty tanks, use our RV dump station guide.
In New Mexico, camping is prohibited within 900 feet of any developed water source such as a guzzler or watering trough (BLM New Mexico).
Where you can camp and drive
Most BLM lands allow dispersed camping unless an area is posted “Closed to Camping” or has specific restrictions (BLM). Vehicles must stay on designated roads and trails unless the area is specifically designated for off-road vehicle use. BLM lists the following as best-practice recommendations, not rules:
- Camp in spots that are already disturbed.
- Stay within 150 feet of designated routes.
- Camp at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers and streams.
- Do not camp within 1 mile of campgrounds, trailheads or picnic areas.
- Use existing fire rings or a fire pan.
Local rules can close more ground. At Canyons of the Ancients, a rule effective December 16, 2024, bars camping in named special recreation management areas and within 300 feet of a developed recreation site or riparian area (89 FR, Nov. 14, 2024). Near Moab, the visitor guide says many areas are closed to dispersed camping and that a portable toilet or waste bag is required for all dispersed camping (BLM Moab visitor guide).
To locate sites, see how to find dispersed camping sites with Google Maps. For a state-by-state list of free campgrounds, see our free campgrounds guide. For picking a spot once you arrive, see choosing a campsite for a Class B RV.
Bringing a UTV or side-by-side to camp
BLM treats a UTV as an off-road vehicle, so federal off-road rules apply before you unload it. You may ride only in areas and on routes the local office designates as open or limited. Closed areas bar off-road vehicles entirely. You also need a valid state operator’s license or learner’s permit where state or federal law requires one, and state rules on registration, equipment and operation still apply on BLM land (43 CFR 8341.1, eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026).
The machine has to meet the federal minimums in 43 CFR 8343.1:
- Brakes in good working condition.
- No muffler cutout, bypass or similar device.
- A spark arrester where the local office requires one.
- Headlights and a red taillight to ride from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.
Those rules cover BLM routes only. Riding from camp to a trailhead on a county road or highway is a state question. Check our street legal UTV laws by state before you drive off the trailer and onto pavement.
Local rules can override the general limit
A BLM State Director may set supplementary rules “for the protection of persons, property, and public lands and resources”, under 43 CFR 8365.1-6 (eCFR, current as of November 5, 2026). These rules must be available at the local office, posted on site, and published in the Federal Register and locally.
State and local laws also apply on BLM land, except as otherwise provided by federal law, under 43 CFR 8365.1-7. Forest Service land follows its own rules, so see our guide to America’s national forests if your route crosses one.
How to find the order or rule that covers your spot
- Supplementary rules: ask the local BLM office for the rule text, and look for the posting near the site (43 CFR 8365.1-6).
- Closure and restriction orders: each order names the lands, the restricted uses, the start and end dates and who is exempt (43 CFR 8364.1).
- Where orders are posted: at the BLM office, near the affected area, with local media, and on at least one BLM online system (43 CFR 8364.1(c)).
- Appeals: a closure or restriction order takes effect when issued and stays in effect during an appeal unless a stay is granted (43 CFR 8364.1(d)).
Mittry Lake since November 2025
BLM announced on September 25, 2025, that Mittry Lake Wildlife Area in Arizona would move from 10 days per calendar year to 14 days within a 28-day period on November 1, 2025 (BLM announcement). BLM made the change with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Reclamation. BLM said the change “aligns Mittry Lake with surrounding BLM-managed public lands”.
Long Term Visitor Areas: rules and costs
BLM Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) are a rare exception to short-term dispersed camping. At LTVAs in Arizona and California, winter visitors may camp up to seven consecutive months with a permit (BLM). The permit season runs September 15 to April 15, and BLM’s Midland LTVA page lists two permits as of November 9, 2026. Our guide to LTVA permits, fees and rules covers the program in more depth.
- Long-term permit: $180 for the season or any part of it, in U.S. funds only.
- Short-visit permit: $40 for 14 consecutive days, and you can buy an unlimited number.
- Passes: Interagency Annual, Access and Senior Passport discounts do not apply.
- Off-season: from April 16 to September 14, camping is free but limited to 14 days in any 28-day period, then you move outside a 25-mile radius of that LTVA.
BLM’s 2024 draft business plan for the Yuma Field Office LTVAs had a public comment period from September 6 to October 21, 2024 (BLM Arizona). We found no BLM page that adopts new fees, so confirm the price with the field office before you buy.
LTVA supplementary rules
The LTVA supplementary rules apply year-round to everyone who enters an LTVA, and posted rules take precedence if they differ (BLM Midland LTVA page). These are the rules that most often surprise RVers:
- Self-contained units: Pilot Knob, Midland, Tamarisk and Hot Springs allow only self-contained units. La Posa, Imperial Dam and Mule Mountain allow others only within 500 feet of a vault or restroom.
- What counts as self-contained: a permanent, affixed waste water holding tank of at least 10 gallons. BLM does not count port-a-potty systems or systems that use portable holding tanks. If your rig has a cassette toilet, ask the field office how it classifies your setup before you buy.
- Unoccupied units: do not leave a unit or campsite unoccupied for more than five days unless an authorized BLM officer approves in advance.
- Spacing and noise: keep 15 feet between dwelling units. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour.
- Wood and perimeter camping: do not collect wood or possess native firewood. Do not camp within 1 mile outside the Hot Springs, Tamarisk and Pilot Knob boundaries or within 2 miles outside Midland.
- Revocation: BLM can revoke your permit without a refund for rule violations. You then have 12 hours to leave and cannot enter another LTVA in Arizona or California for the rest of the season.
BLM fee-free days
BLM sets its fee-free days each year and lists them on its fee-free days page. Check that page before you plan a trip around one. BLM says: “Beginning in 2026, free access on these days will be for U.S. citizens and residents only.”
Fee-free days waive standard amenity and day-use fees. They do not waive expanded amenity fees, developed camping, group day-use, cabin rentals or individual special recreation permits. For a full look at trip spending, see our boondocking cost breakdown.
Pre-trip check sequence
Run these steps in order before each BLM stay. The sequence uses only BLM pages and one phone call.
- Find the managing office. Open your state page from BLM’s camping page and note the field office for your spot.
- Look up the stay limit and move distance. Use your field office row in the table above. Where the row says “Not stated,” ask the office.
- Check fire restrictions and closures. Read the BLM fire restrictions page for your state, and ask the office about closure and restriction orders.
- Get any permit. In California, get the free campfire permit before you light a campfire or gas stove. From September 15 to April 15, an LTVA requires its own permit.
- Write down your arrival date. Map your next site beyond the move distance as a straight line, and add a margin.
- Count your unattended property limit if you leave the rig. It is 48 hours in Colorado, 10 days on most dispersed land and 5 days in an LTVA.
- Call the field office to confirm the stay limit and move distance for your trip dates. Note who you spoke with and when. Save the office number in your phone, and call 911 for an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you camp on BLM land?
BLM generally limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period, and limits vary by state and field office. Colorado allows 14 days in any 30-day period, then requires a move of at least 30 air miles. These limits are current as of September 27, 2026, so check the local BLM office before you go.
Do you need a permit to camp on BLM land?
Most dispersed camping areas on BLM land do not require permits or reservations. BLM says some regions may require permits for large groups or campfires. California requires a free California Campfire Permit for all campfires and gas stove fires on public lands. This is current as of September 27, 2026, so check the local BLM office before you go.
How far do you have to move after 14 days on BLM land?
BLM’s national page says often at least 25 to 30 miles. California, Nevada and New Mexico say 25 miles, and California applies it as a radius from your previous location until the 29th day. Colorado requires at least 30 air miles. This is current as of September 27, 2026, so check the local BLM office before you go.
Can you leave your RV unattended on BLM land?
Federal rules bar leaving personal property unattended longer than 10 days, or 12 months in Alaska, under 43 CFR 8365.1-2. Colorado’s limit is 48 hours. BLM says Idaho differs. These limits are current as of September 27, 2026, so check the local BLM office before you go.
What is the penalty for breaking BLM camping rules?
Under 43 CFR 8360.0-7, a violation of the BLM visitor rules in 43 CFR Part 8360 is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 12 months of imprisonment. The same penalty applies to violations of supplementary rules. Some supplementary rules, including Colorado’s 2010 rules, also cite fines under 18 U.S.C. 3571. This is current as of September 27, 2026.
Can you have a campfire on BLM land?
Campfires may be allowed unless a fire prevention order closes the area or restricts fire use under 43 CFR 9212. Check the BLM fire restrictions page for your state before you go. Never leave a fire without extinguishing it. California requires a free campfire permit, as of September 27, 2026.
Are LTVAs different from regular BLM dispersed camping?
Yes. At BLM’s seven Long Term Visitor Areas in Arizona and California, a permit lets winter visitors camp up to seven consecutive months, from September 15 to April 15, as of September 27, 2026. Our LTVA guide covers permits and site rules.
