The camping experience in America has almost reached a breaking point. Popular dispersed camping sites (those often unofficial spots scattered throughout national forests where adventurers can pitch tents without reservations or fees) have become victims of their own accessibility. What once offered solitude and connection with nature now frequently resembles overcrowded parking lots, environmental degradation, unhoused travelers, and frustrated land managers. But a solution comes from an unlikely source: a Missoula, Montana-based company that has quietly revolutionized how Americans navigate public lands.
Founded in 2009, onX emerged as a pioneer in digital outdoor navigation when accurate GPS mapping for remote areas was still nascent technology. What began as a tool for hunters has evolved into the most trusted navigation platform for outdoor recreationists, with specialized apps serving hunters (onX Hunt), off-road enthusiasts (onX Offroad), and backcountry travelers (onX Backcountry). The company’s success stems from its deep understanding of off-the-beaten-path experiences and its commitment to both technological innovation and conservation advocacy.
Unlike generic mapping services that treat wilderness as empty space between roads, onX builds products specifically for people who venture beyond pavement. The platform provides detailed property boundaries, land ownership information, and activity-specific features that mainstream apps cannot match. This specialization has earned onX the trust of millions of users who depend on accurate navigation in remote areas where cell service disappears and wrong turns can have serious consequences.
onX’s influence extends beyond software development into public land advocacy. Since 2018, the company has contributed to securing and improving public land access through direct funding and legislative support, working with various partners to support key legislation with data analysis and research. This dual commitment to technology and conservation positions onX uniquely to address challenges like dispersed camping overcrowding—problems that require both innovative tools and deep understanding of outdoor recreation dynamics.
According to The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report, 81.1 million Americans camped in 2024—including 5.8 million first-timers—while 56.1% struggled to book sites due to full campgrounds, and more than half prefer vehicle-based camping with three out of four having camped in or next to their vehicles.
onX’s newly launched Dispersed Camping Layer represents the first comprehensive attempt to solve this problem through technology rather than restrictions. Launched May 19, 2025, this industry-first motorized dispersed camping feature maps nearly 140,000 miles of roads and trails across the US National Forest System where the practice is legally permitted, transforming how outdoor enthusiasts find and access remote camping opportunities while potentially alleviating pressure on the most popular sites.
The innovation addresses a fundamental information gap that has plagued dispersed camping for decades. Previously, campers faced two imperfect options: navigating bureaucratic Forest Service PDFs that list regulations without geographic context, or relying on user-generated apps that mark individual sites with questionable accuracy. Neither approach provided the comprehensive view necessary for informed decision-making, creating a system where campers often arrived at destinations without understanding legal boundaries or alternative options.
“Before this layer, campers would cobble together information without a clear picture of what was actually allowed or accessible, leading to overcrowding, environmental strain, and even closures in some cases,” explains Chris Cordes, onX’s Offroad Content Manager. The company developed the feature in consultation with land managers who specifically requested tools to help distribute camping pressure more evenly across available areas.
The technology’s approach differs significantly from existing solutions. Rather than pinpointing specific campsites—which tends to concentrate impact—the layer highlights entire road and trail corridors where camping is permitted. When toggled on, the layer displays these areas in bright yellow on users’ maps, and clicking on any road or trail reveals specific regulations for that area. This methodology encourages exploration of lesser-known areas while ensuring compliance with local rules that can vary dramatically between forest districts.
At launch, the Dispersed Camping Layer covers eleven western states: Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. onX plans nationwide expansion later this summer and eventual inclusion of other federal lands beyond the Forest Service system. The feature is available to onX Offroad Premium and Elite subscribers, integrating dispersed camping information directly into the navigation tools these users already employ for off-road adventures.
The timing coincides with dispersed camping’s surge in popularity over the past five years. The practice appeals to campers seeking alternatives to crowded, reservation-required campgrounds, offering privacy, flexibility, and often spectacular settings. However, this growth has created management challenges as popular sites become overused while thousands of legal alternatives remain unknown to most recreationists.
The dispersed camping phenomenon reflects broader shifts in outdoor recreation preferences. Modern campers increasingly value authentic wilderness experiences over amenity-rich campgrounds, driving demand for remote locations that traditional reservation systems cannot accommodate. Simultaneously, social media has amplified awareness of specific “secret” spots, creating concentrated impact that contradicts dispersed camping’s original low-impact philosophy.
The Dispersed Camping Layer’s success will ultimately depend on user adoption and behavioral change. If campers embrace the tool’s comprehensive approach and explore the highlighted corridors rather than concentrating on previously known sites, it could significantly reduce environmental impact while expanding access to quality camping experiences. The technology provides land managers with a mechanism to communicate regulations clearly while encouraging responsible use of available resources.
For camping enthusiasts, the layer promises to restore some of dispersed camping’s original appeal—the possibility of finding solitude in spectacular settings without advance planning or fees. Rather than competing for limited spots at well-known locations, campers can explore entire networks of legal camping corridors, potentially discovering new favorite destinations while reducing their impact on overused areas.
The broader implications extend beyond camping convenience. As outdoor recreation continues growing and public lands face increasing pressure, technological solutions that improve information accessibility and encourage responsible use become essential tools for land management. onX’s approach suggests that private sector innovation, developed in partnership with government agencies, can address conservation challenges while enhancing user experiences.
Whether this technology can meaningfully reduce overcrowding at popular dispersed camping sites remains to be seen. Success will require not just accurate mapping but also cultural shifts among campers willing to venture beyond established favorites. If the layer achieves its intended effect, it could serve as a model for managing recreational pressure across other public land activities, from hiking trails to fishing access points.
The Dispersed Camping Layer represents more than technological advancement—it embodies a philosophy that better information leads to better outdoor experiences and environmental stewardship. As summer camping season approaches, this tool offers both seasoned dispersed campers and newcomers the opportunity to explore responsibly while potentially preserving the solitude that makes this type of camping valuable in the first place.
For more information on the Dispersed Camping Layer, visit onxmaps.com/offroad/app/features/dispersed-camping-maps
