Product Introduction
Dispersed is a camping app that provides comprehensive access to verified campgrounds and dispersed camping areas across US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS) lands. It combines official government data with community-driven reviews, photos, and GPS coordinates to simplify finding legal camping locations on public lands. The app offers both free access to official campsite information and a premium subscription for exclusive features like offline maps and user-submitted Hidden Gems.
The core value of Dispersed lies in democratizing access to public lands by eliminating the need for time-consuming research. It empowers users to confidently explore off-grid camping opportunities with accurate land boundary maps, real-time community insights, and tools designed for remote adventures. The app prioritizes transparency by keeping all official public campsite data free forever while offering advanced features through an affordable subscription model.
Main Features
Dispersed provides free access to over 25,000 campgrounds and dispersed sites, including 10,000+ USFS/BLM locations and 4,600+ NPS campgrounds with verified details on amenities, fees, and accessibility. Users can filter results by land agency, camping type (dispersed vs. developed), fee status, and accessibility features like RV length limits or pet policies. The app integrates public land boundary maps that visually display areas where free dispersed camping is legally permitted.
The app features a community-driven platform where users submit reviews, photos, and GPS coordinates for campsites. Premium subscribers gain access to Hidden Gems, a curated database of exclusive dispersed camping locations verified by Dispersed’s team for accuracy and legality. Community content is moderated to ensure reliability, with user contributions directly enhancing the app’s coverage of lesser-known areas.
Dispersed’s offline mode allows premium users to download maps, campsite details, and land boundary data for use without cellular service. The app leverages GPS functionality to provide navigation to remote sites even in areas with no connectivity. Premium features also include advanced search filters for Hidden Gems, such as proximity to water sources or specific terrain types, tailored for overlanding and van life enthusiasts.
Problems Solved
Dispersed addresses the frustration of spending hours cross-referencing government websites, forums, and maps to find legal camping spots on public lands. It consolidates fragmented data from multiple agencies into a single platform with real-time updates, eliminating outdated or incorrect information. The app solves legal ambiguity by clearly marking public land boundaries and providing official campground regulations.
The app serves van lifers, overlanders, and dispersed campers who require reliable, off-grid camping information beyond traditional campgrounds. It also caters to weekend adventurers seeking free camping options and outdoor enthusiasts exploring multiple states’ public lands. Government land managers and conservation groups can use the app to monitor camping patterns and reduce ecological impact through centralized data.
Typical use cases include planning multi-day overlanding routes with guaranteed offline access to maps, identifying last-minute camping options near national parks during peak seasons, and discovering secluded spots for boondocking. Users rely on the app to verify whether a site allows campfires, has cell reception, or accommodates large vehicles before arrival.
Unique Advantages
Unlike competitors that monetize access to public data, Dispersed provides all USFS, BLM, and NPS campground information for free indefinitely. The app uniquely combines official government datasets with vetted community submissions, offering both breadth and depth of camping intelligence. Competitors lack equivalent land boundary mapping precision, which is critical for avoiding fines in restricted areas.
Dispersed’s Hidden Gems database is an industry-first feature that crowdsources and verifies undispersed campsites unreported in official channels. The app employs a proprietary verification process where submissions are cross-checked against land agency regulations and satellite imagery before being added to the premium catalog. This ensures users access only legal, accessible locations.
Competitive advantages include a paywall-free approach to public land data, which builds trust and adoption, while the $2.99/month premium tier remains affordable compared to outdoor apps charging $5-$10/month. The app’s indie development status allows rapid feature updates based on user feedback, such as recent additions of wildfire risk alerts and water source availability indicators.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between free and premium features? The free version includes all official USFS, BLM, and NPS campground data with basic filters, maps, and community reviews. Premium ($2.99/month) adds offline maps, Hidden Gems, advanced filters like "4WD-only sites," and supports ongoing app development. Both tiers receive regular updates with new campsites and land boundary adjustments.
How does offline mode work in areas without cell service? Users download regional maps and campsite data via Wi-Fi or cellular networks before trips. The app uses device GPS to display the user’s location on pre-downloaded maps, enabling navigation to saved campsites. Offline maps include terrain details, land boundaries, and trail networks critical for remote navigation.
How accurate are the Hidden Gems campsites? Each submission undergoes a 3-step verification: GPS coordinate validation against public land boundaries, photo verification of accessibility (e.g., road conditions), and compliance checks with local regulations like stay limits. Dispersed’s team updates Hidden Gems quarterly to remove sites impacted by closures or environmental changes.
Can I use the app for RV camping? Yes, the app filters campgrounds by RV amenities like dump stations, pull-through lengths, and generator policies. Free users access basic RV filters, while premium subscribers get advanced options like slope gradient warnings and turnaround space indicators. Dispersed also flags dispersed sites unsuitable for large RVs based on community reports.
Is Dispersed available outside the United States? Currently, the app focuses on US public lands, covering all 50 states and territories with USFS, BLM, or NPS jurisdiction. International coverage is not planned, but the team is expanding partnerships with state-level agencies to include state forest and trust land data.
