How to Find Public Lands
- Craig Kaiser
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
America's public lands represent one of our nation's greatest treasures. From towering mountain ranges to sprawling deserts, these protected spaces offer endless opportunities for adventure, recreation, and connection with nature. But here's the challenge many outdoor enthusiasts face: how do you actually find these hidden gems? With over 640 million acres of public land across the United States, managed by various federal, state, and local agencies, discovering where you can legally explore isn't always straightforward. In this guide, we’ll break down how to find public lands using modern mapping tools and explain the different types of access you’ll encounter.
Key Takeaways
Public lands are owned collectively by American citizens and managed by federal, state, and local agencies for conservation, recreation, and public benefit
Over 640 million acres of public land exist across the United States, managed by various agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Traditional methods of finding public lands involve visiting multiple agency websites and using physical maps, which can be time-consuming and quickly outdated
Modern GPS-enabled apps like LandApp consolidate information from multiple sources, provide accurate property boundaries, work offline, and show your real-time location relative to public lands
What is Public Land, and Who Owns it?
Public land is land that is owned collectively by American citizens and held in trust and managed by federal, state, or local government agencies. Unlike private property, which belongs to individuals or corporations, public lands are maintained for the benefit of all Americans. This collective ownership is what gives you the right to access, explore, and enjoy these spaces, though certain rules and regulations apply to protect the resource for everyone.
Depending on where you are in the country, the owner of public land will fall into one of three categories:
Federal Government: The largest holder of public land (and the largest landowner in the U.S.), managed by agencies like the BLM and Forest Service. This land belongs to all U.S. citizens.
State Government: Owned by the state and managed by agencies like State Parks or Departments of Natural Resources. Many states also have trust lands originally granted for funding public institutions like schools, though access rules can vary.
Local Government: Owned by counties or municipalities, providing easily accessible green spaces closer to urban areas (like parks and open spaces).
Public lands serve multiple purposes: conservation of natural resources, protection of wildlife habitat, recreation, timber and mineral extraction, grazing, renewable energy production, and preservation of cultural and historical sites. The concept dates back to the founding of our nation, when vast territories were held by the federal government before being settled. While much of this land was eventually transferred to private ownership, significant portions were deliberately set aside for public benefit.
While many people dream of building a secluded cabin in a National Forest or living off-grid on BLM land, the reality is far more regulated. Federal law generally prohibits building a permanent home or living long-term on public land, so you can not build or live on public land. In limited cases, the BLM may issue a right-of-way (ROW) if a project serves the public interest, but a ROW is required for any construction or activity that significantly disturbs or alters public land. You can stay on public land in a mobile setup- like an RV, van, or tent- but only temporarily. Most BLM and U.S. Forest Service areas enforce a 14-day stay limit before you’re required to move on.
What are the Types of Public Lands?
Across the United States, public land spans approximately 640 million acres. This vast network comprises 59 National Parks, 154 National Forests and grasslands, over 245 million acres of BLM-managed land, and 560 National Wildlife Refuges.
National Parks: National parks are large, protected landscapes preserved for their natural, cultural, and historical value. Created by Congress and managed by the National Park Service, they are designed to remain unimpaired for future generations while offering recreational opportunities.
National Wildlife Refugees: National wildlife refuges focus on conserving wildlife and habitats, while also offering recreation like hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing. Managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, these lands welcome more than 50 million visitors each year.
National Conservation Areas: National conservation areas are BLM-managed public lands set aside by Congress to protect scientific, cultural, and recreational resources for long-term public enjoyment.
National Monuments: National monuments protect specific natural, cultural, or historic features. Some iconic national parks, including the Grand Canyon and Zion, were first designated as national monuments.
Wilderness Areas: Wilderness Areas are the most strictly protected public lands in the U.S., preserved in a natural, undeveloped state under the Wilderness Act of 1964, where humans are visitors, not residents.
National Recreation Areas: National recreation areas are typically located near reservoirs and support water-based activities like boating, fishing, and swimming, while also protecting important natural and cultural resources.
How to Find Public Land
To find public land, you can use traditional methods (government agency websites or physical maps) or modern-day mapping tools and apps like LandApp.
Traditional Methods for Finding Public Land
The old-school approach involves visiting multiple websites for different land management agencies. You might start with the National Park Service website to find parks, then check the Forest Service site for national forests, followed by your state's department of natural resources page. While thorough, this method requires patience and often leaves you juggling multiple maps and sources of information.
Physical maps and atlases designed for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts have long been valuable resources. These detailed publications show property boundaries and land ownership, but they can be expensive, quickly outdated, and cumbersome to carry in the field. Local ranger stations and visitor centers remain excellent resources for current information, trail conditions, and insider tips. However, you need to know where these facilities are located and visit during business hours.
Modern Methods for Finding Public Land
Modern technology has transformed how we discover and navigate public lands. GPS-enabled smartphone apps now put comprehensive land ownership data literally in your pocket. These tools overlay property boundaries onto topographic maps, showing you exactly where public lands begin and end- critical information for staying legal and safe during your adventures. The best digital solutions consolidate information from multiple agencies into a single, user-friendly interface. Instead of checking five different websites, you can see National Forests, BLM land, state parks, and more on one map.
Examples of apps that help you find public land are the US Public Lands app and LandApp. LandApp is a free tool that you can download on the Apple and Google Play stores that shows you Wilderness Areas, National Parks, State Parks, and their boundaries across the country. By upgrading to LandApp Pro for $6 monthly, you can see property owner names overlaid on each property.
Tips for Finding Public Land and What to Look For
When searching for public lands, certain features make the process significantly easier. Accurate property boundaries help you avoid accidentally trespassing on private land, a serious concern in many regions where public and private parcels intermingle. Real-time location tracking shows your exact position relative to these boundaries as you move.
Detailed information about access rules, seasonal closures, and permitted activities saves you from planning a trip only to discover your intended activity isn't allowed. Topographic maps help you understand terrain and plan routes, while satellite imagery gives you a realistic preview of what to expect. Similarly, trail systems, camping locations, boat launches, and other points of interest transform a simple map into a comprehensive planning tool. The ability to mark waypoints, save favorite locations, and share coordinates with friends enhances both the planning and execution of your outdoor adventures.
For hunting-specific public lands, your state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Fish and Game website is a goldmine. Look for "Walk-In Access" (WIA) programs, where states lease private land for public hunting use. These boundaries change annually, so checking the current year’s atlas is vital.
Download LandApp: See Public Land Maps for Free
Finding public lands doesn't have to mean hours of research across multiple websites or investing in expensive atlas collections. With the right tools, you can quickly identify accessible public lands anywhere in the country, understand what activities are permitted, and plan adventures with confidence. Whether you’re a land investor looking for adjacent public perks or an outdoor enthusiast planning your next trip, having the right data is everything. LandApp provides 40+ data layers, including property lines, soil types, and public land boundaries, to help you navigate the outdoors with confidence.
