Already have an account? Photo: Christian Schrader If last summer taught us anything, the upcoming hiking season is going to be a crowded one. A host of national parks, other federally- and state-managed lands, and campgrounds both public and private are preparing for an influx of hikers by implementing reservation systems and limiting the number of visitors at any one time. Overall, these systems are a good thing: They help preserve the wild places we love by mitigating overuse. But they do make it harder to find a place to pitch your tent, especially for car campers. Thankfully, the United States—especially the western half of the country—is blanketed by federal public lands that offer scenic, (relatively) easily accessible, and free campsites if you’re willing to do some research and exploring to get to them.