CIWILD is a community for rooftop tent (RTT) campers and overlanders exploring the American West. Members can discover free dispersed campsites with verified GPS coordinates, find overlanding crews for group trips, read field-tested gear reviews, and share their own camping stories and routes.

What is a rooftop tent and why do overlanders use them?

A rooftop tent (RTT) is a tent mounted on a vehicle's roof rack that unfolds for sleeping above the ground. Overlanders use rooftop tents because they set up in under two minutes, keep campers off cold or wet ground, provide better airflow, and allow camping on uneven terrain where traditional tent pitching is impossible. They are especially popular for dispersed camping in the American West where ground conditions vary widely.

How do I find free dispersed campsites in the American West?

Free dispersed camping is available on most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest land across the American West. CIWILD members share GPS-verified campsite locations across California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming — including access notes, road condition ratings, and seasonal availability. You can explore the full CIWILD campsite map at ciwild.com/pages/top-100-free-camping-sites-in-america. Always check current fire restrictions and road conditions before departure.

Is CIWILD free to join?

Yes. CIWILD community membership is free. Members get access to the campsite map, community forums, crew-finding features, and member stories. CIWILD also sells rooftop tent camping gear and accessories through its online shop, but purchasing is never required to participate in the community.

What states does CIWILD cover for campsite maps?

CIWILD currently covers dispersed camping locations across 12 states in the American West, including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Texas. The campsite database is continuously updated by community members with new GPS coordinates, access reports, and seasonal notes.

What is the difference between dispersed camping and campground camping?

Dispersed camping means camping outside of designated campgrounds, typically on BLM or National Forest land. It is usually free, has no facilities (no toilets, no water hookups, no camp hosts), and requires self-sufficiency. Campground camping uses established sites with amenities and often requires reservations and fees. Overlanders and rooftop tent campers generally prefer dispersed camping for privacy, solitude, and the ability to camp in remote locations not accessible by standard campgrounds.

How do I join an overlanding group or find a camping crew through CIWILD?

CIWILD's Find Crew feature connects overlanders and rooftop tent campers by location, vehicle type, and trip style. Members can post upcoming routes, join weekend rallies, and participate in organized off-road meetups across the Western USA. CIWILD hosts regular group events including the California Off-Road Camping Squad rallies and seasonal convoy trips.

What rooftop tent gear does CIWILD recommend?

Every product featured on CIWILD is tested in real field conditions by community members — not selected by algorithms or sponsored placements. Gear recommendations cover rooftop tents, roof rack systems, overlanding kitchen setups, power stations, sleeping bags rated for alpine temperatures, and recovery equipment. All recommendations are based on actual use from Alabama Hills in California to Steens Mountain in Oregon.

What is the CIWILD referral program?

The CIWILD referral program lets members earn a 10% cash commission every time a friend places their first order using the member's referral code. Friends receive 15% off their first order automatically. After 10 successful referrals, commission increases to 15%. There is no cap on earnings and payouts are made in cash, not store credit.

When is the best season for rooftop tent camping in the American West?

The best season varies significantly by location. Desert regions like Anza-Borrego (California), Sedona (Arizona), and Moab (Utah) are best October through April when temperatures are moderate. High alpine areas like Steens Mountain (Oregon), Gunnison National Forest (Colorado), and the Sierra Nevada (California) are accessible June through September. The American West offers year-round RTT camping somewhere — CIWILD's campsite map includes seasonal access information for every listed location.

Find Free Campsites You Can Actually Reach

Source-checked dispersed camping guides and complete overlanding routes across seven Western states—organized by road access, season, rules and real trip-planning decisions..Free to join.always.

Browse Free Campsites Explore the Community

Free-camping guides across the American West Growing community of overlanders $0 platform fee to join

Not sure where to start?

Choose a state—or begin with an editor-selected guide for the kind of trip you want.

Featured camping guides

Start with the trip you actually want

Five recently reviewed guides, selected for a specific kind of trip—from an easy first basecamp to high-clearance backcountry access.

Browse all campsites

Alabama Hills designated camping landscape near Lone Pine California

Editor's starting point

Best for a first Eastern Sierra basecamp

Alabama Hills Designated Camping

A designated BLM camping area near Lone Pine with mapped 2WD-accessible sites, Sierra Nevada views, nearby supplies and a required free camping permit.

2WD main access Free permit Best October–May

Explore the guide Planning information reviewed July 2026

Designated campsite at Sawtooth Canyon Campground near Barstow California

Best for an easy winter weekend Sawtooth Canyon Campground Free Designated sites

Jawbone Canyon OHV dispersed camping landscape in California

Best for OHV access Jawbone Canyon OHV Area 2WD main road Free camping

Eastern Sierra BLM camping pullout near Bishop and Lone Pine California

Best for route flexibility Eastern Sierra BLM Pullouts Multiple areas April–November

Utah red rock canyon country near Cottonwood Canyon Road

Best for high-clearance travel Cottonwood Canyon Road High clearance Spring and fall

Why these guides appear here

Each selected guide identifies the responsible land manager, legal camping context, vehicle access, current source links and the date the planning information was reviewed.

Open campsite finder →

From campsite to complete journey The campsite is one stop. The route connects the trip.

Build the road around where you want to camp

Continue with weekend and multi-day itineraries planned around legal camping, realistic mileage, seasonal conditions and vehicle access.

Next: flagship routes

Flagship routes

Trips built around the whole journey

Complete weekend and multi-day itineraries with realistic mileage, legal camping options, vehicle requirements and official planning sources.

Explore all routes

Vehicle campsite among rounded granite formations in Alabama Hills with the Sierra Nevada behind it

Published guide

California · Weekend · Beginner

Alabama Hills 2-Day Basecamp Route

One night near Lone Pine, an optional Whitney Portal out-and-back, and a final stop at Manzanar—built around a legal designated campsite.

Trip 2 days / 1 night

Mileage 37.2 planned mi

Vehicle 2WD in dry conditions

Camping Free permit required

View route Best for first-time route planning

Remote dirt road through High Rock Canyon in northwestern Nevada

Published guide

Nevada · Multi-Day · High Clearance

Black Rock Desert 3-Day Overland Route

Gerlach, Black Rock Playa and High Rock Canyon with two nights off-grid, long no-service stretches and strict dry-surface decisions.

Trip 3 days / 2 nights

Mileage Approx. 120–150 mi

Vehicle High-clearance 4WD

Primary risk Wet playa / remoteness

View route Best for experienced remote travel

What makes a flagship route

Only complete route guides with usable mileage, legal camping context, vehicle requirements, source links and a visible review method appear here.

How routes are reviewed →

Steens Mountain Oregon high desert overlanding rally

Next up 20 spots left Moderate–Hard

Steens Mountain Summer Run

July 19–21, 2026

Frenchglen, Oregon · 52-mile backcountry route

10 going · 20 spots left

Flagstaff Arizona forest camping rally at Ft. Tuthill County Park

Just added 8 spots left Easy

Flagstaff Forest Campout

August 14–16, 2026

Ft. Tuthill County Park · Flagstaff, Arizona

22 going · 8 spots left

Alabama Hills California dispersed camping overnight rally

Fall trip 15 spots left Easy

Alabama Hills Fall Overnight

September 12–13, 2026

Lone Pine, California · BLM land

5 going · 15 spots left

What appears here

The homepage shows only upcoming public rallies. Skill exchanges, participation terms and complete trip requirements remain on each rally detail page.

Camper and dog beside a lake campsite at golden hour in California — California · BLM land Every sunset hits different up here.

Hiker watching sunset in a mountain landscape in Oregon — Oregon · Steens Mountain Coffee first. Always.

Hiker walking along a wooden boardwalk through a wet forest — Colorado · San Juan Mountains Out here, every road is yours.

Hiker traveling along a rugged mountain trail in the American West — New Mexico · Jemez Mountains Home is wherever you park it.

Camp breakfast being prepared at a forest campsite — Wyoming · Bighorn Basin The best views require the worst roads.

Tent pitched on an exposed hilltop campsite in Utah — Utah · Moab No signal. No problem.

Friends gathered around a campfire near a forest cabin — Arizona · Flagstaff Found my crew out here.

Outdoor tailgate gathering with a large screen and camp seating — Nevada · Black Rock Desert Just you and the silence.

Travelers relaxing beside a small desert pool in an open western landscape — Oregon · Steens Mountain This is what wild looks like.

Community

There is more than one way to join the trip

Meet other campers, join an upcoming rally or share your own trip with the CIWILD community.

01

Find Your Crew

Meet campers with similar routes, skills and trip plans.

02

Join a Rally

See upcoming weekends and read the participation details.

03

Share Your Trip

Tag @ciwildcommunity and use #LifeWithCIWILD to be considered for a feature.

Choose what happens next

One campsite, one weekend, or the road beyond.

Start with a single public-land campsite or build a complete route. CIWILD organizes the road access, season, rules and official planning sources that matter before you leave pavement.

Find a Campsite Explore Routes

Browse the Top 100 camping directory

01 Find one place to camp Browse individual campsites and regional guides through the campsite finder. 02 Build a complete trip Compare weekend and multi-day routes by access, vehicle and remoteness. 03 Explore by state Start with California, then continue through CIWILD’s seven-state guide network.

Seven Western states covered Official land-manager sources linked Review dates and verification status disclosed

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