“What State Has Free Camping?” – Astrid the Dog Answers

Hi.
I’m Astrid.
I’m a dog.

A medium-sized, four-legged, squirrel-obsessed, human-loving, roll-in-dirt-enthusiast kinda dog. I have floppy ears and a nose that could detect cheese through a concrete wall.

“What State Has Free Camping?” – Astrid the Dog Answers

And guess what else I’ve got?
Opinions.

Especially about camping.
Because when my human says “Let’s go camping,” I wag like it’s my job. And technically, it kinda is. I’m the Chief Happiness Officer of every trip.

So today, I’m here to answer a big, juicy question:
What state has free camping?

And the answer is...

A bunch of ‘em!
But the very best one?
Idaho.

Yeah, Idaho.
You thought I was gonna say Colorado, didn’t you? Maybe Oregon? Nope. Those are good. But Idaho’s got the goods, the vibes, the free campsites, and—this is important—rabbits to chase.

Let me break it down, tail-wag style.

Why Idaho Is My Top Pick

Idaho is like that under-the-radar dog park no one knows about, but it has shade, a fountain, and a stick collection worthy of legend.

In human terms: it’s got millions of acres of public land.
BLM (that’s not a sandwich—it stands for Bureau of Land Management), National Forests, grasslands, lakes, mountains... all just sitting there, being beautiful, and basically saying, “Hey buddy, camp here for free!”

Also, there are way fewer people than some of the other states. You won’t have to listen to some guy named Jeff snore in the tent next to yours. Jeff’s a good boy, probably. But I’m trying to enjoy nature without hearing his nasal thunder.

Where in Idaho Can You Camp for Free?

Let me throw you a few bones. I mean... examples.

Salmon-Challis National Forest – This place is massive. Rivers, trails, trees, and smells so good they’ll make a dog weep.
Boise National Forest – Near the capital. Gorgeous. Lots of spots for dispersed camping. And squirrels? Don’t even get me started.
Sawtooth National Forest – It’s got peaks. It’s got lakes. It’s got those flat rocks that humans like to skim across the water (WHY do you do that? Just throw a stick. I’ll chase it.)

Just pull off a forest road (check signs, don't be a ding-dong), park, set up your tent, and boom: free campsite. Some spots even have fire rings. That means snacks get warm. I love warm snacks.

What Does “Free Camping” Actually Mean?

Okay, let’s pause. I need to explain this to the humans.

Free camping isn’t like staying at a fancy RV park where you’ve got electric hookups and hot showers and somebody named “Janine” handing out pamphlets.

Nah.
Free camping = dispersed camping.
It’s rugged. Raw. Real. You’re out there in the wild. No bathrooms, no trash cans, no Wi-Fi. Just you, the birds, the trees, and your loyal dog. (That’s me.)

You gotta:

Pack it in, pack it out. (Even poop. Yes. Yours. And mine. Rude, but fair.)
Bring your own water.
Know where you are, so you don’t accidentally pitch a tent in a moose’s living room.

But honestly? That’s part of the charm. You feel wild. You get dirty. You bond. You roast marshmallows and pretend they're not just burned sugar.

And it costs $0.
That’s less than a puppuccino.

Other States That Slap (Camping-Wise)

Okay okay. I know I said Idaho’s the best. But here’s the thing: other states are in the club too. The Free Camping Club™ (not a real club, but it should be).

Here’s a few more good boys:

Arizona – Especially in the north. Tons of BLM land. Just don’t go in the summer unless you want to sweat your fur off.
New Mexico – Quiet, beautiful, mystical. Also, lizards. I love a good lizard chase.
Utah – Red rocks, open land, national parks all around. Free camping everywhere. You’ll feel like you’re on Mars, but with pine trees.
Montana – Big sky, big views, big freedom. Also, bears. (So… be cool. And bring spray. The spicy kind. Not cologne.)

Pro Tips From a Dog Who’s Seen Some Things

I’ve been camping across ten states, eaten approximately 47 dropped hot dogs, and dug 89 holes that my human said were “absolutely unnecessary.” So here’s some advice.

Check the rules – Not all public lands allow camping. Look online. Download maps. Pretend you’re a responsible adult.
Leave no trace – Nature’s not your trash can. You brought that bag of Doritos in, you bring the empty bag out.
Don’t be loud – You’re not the main character out here. Keep it chill. The owls are trying to vibe.
Give me snacks – This has nothing to do with camping. I just always want snacks.