New to all of this, need help with some good camping spots

I've been wanting to go camping in the Southwest for a long time using the BLM lands available (live in Chicago atm), and I was wondering if any of you suggest any good spots nearish a city/town that I could replenish supplies. Near some lakes or streams too. That would be great.
 
dude I'm not from that side of the country but your best bet is to go to the blm office or the forest service office and get a map or two, get an atlas and look at them...
 
Every journey starts with a single step. You may have to do a bit of work on your own behalf. You may have a great plan but then have to experience a bit of trial & error. There are others who also use BLM lands during the winter. I would suggest using the tools of the internet & formulating a basic plan; then improve & evolve that plan in real time. Camping on BLM land often involves moving camps every one in awhile, anyway. So while a suggestion may help you in this planing phase it will undoubtedly lead you to somewhere; that leads you elsewhere & so on. Knowing this makes flexibility the most important thing when even the most thorough plan falls apart.

Good Luck
 
campendium.com and freecampsites.net are a few sites i've used. Con cuidado amigo, nothing free is guaranteed to be good.
 
Google maps satellite view can reveal some true gems with a bit of digital exploring.
Also try freecampsites.net
 
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Really all that matters when you're journeying is that you're out about and experiencing. Basically if you're new to travelling then, welcome to the community, the folks above speak about doing research and intellectualizing your journey ahead. What I recommend you do instead, is put on your hiking gear and get out hiking hitching or however you want to conduct yourself travelling.

Put on the boots, and get out there.
 
A couple of places to start are southern Utah, Northern Arizona, southern California, southwestern Colorado, and northern New Mexico. Google "good campsites" in those locations.

There are abundant areas near towns for resupply. You might have to get creative in some areas.
 
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