Wild camping or dispersed camping is the act of camping in areas other than designated camping sites. Typically this means open countryside. This can form part of backpacking (hiking), or bikepacking, possibly along a long-distance trail.

In Australia, wild camping may be referred to as "bush camping". The regulations differ by state. In New South Wales, some national parks permit bush camping.^[1] In Victoria, bush camping is permitted in many, but not all, of the parks managed by Parks Victoria.^[2] Additionally, bush camping is permitted in assessed parts of the Victoria's Crown water frontages, which are strips of Crown land 20 metres or wider lining waterways in Victoria.^[3]

Camping outside of designated campsites is generally not permitted in national parks, provincial parks and cities in Canada. However it is typically allowed on Crown land, which covers 89% of the country.^[4] Regulations for camping on crown land vary by province, for example Ontario,^[5] Quebec,^[6] British Columbia.^[7]

Wild camping is legal in Finland, even on private property, as long as it leaves no trace and does not impede the privacy or other rights of the landowner. In Finnish, this is known as Jokaisenoikeudet or 'the everyman's rights'.^[8]

Relevant legislation in New Zealand includes the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and the subsequent updated guidance for local authorities^[9] which states "freedom camping is permitted everywhere in a local authority area unless it is prohibited or restricted in accordance with a by-law".

Wild camping is legal throughout Oman; tents can be pitched on public land.^[10]

In Sweden, a right of public access – allowing outdoor recreational activity on privately held wilderness – is enshrined in the constitution.^[11]

Although land access for outdoor recreation was improved in England and Wales with the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, there is still no assumed right to camp in open countryside without the landowner's permission. There are certain areas where it has traditionally been tolerated, such as Dartmoor National Park,^[12] however in 2023 landowners challenged this access in the courts. ^[13]

In Scotland, following the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, people may camp on most unenclosed land, whether state or privately owned, provided they adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Dispersed camping is the term given to camping in the United States on public land other than in designated campsites. This type of camping is most common on national forest and Bureau of Land Management land.

• Freedom to roam