Well, I don't know if the same rules apply in the east, or in California, but generally out west, in less populated states, we have what is called "dispersed camping on public land." Dispersed means you can set up a tent or trailer camp virtually anywhere outside of a specified campground except where you you'd be causing a public hinderance or hazard. Public land refers to any state public land (Idaho in this case), BLM lands, US Forest Service land, National Recreational Land (like the Sawtooth National Recreation Area). There are a few exceptions to the above statement, such as designated Wilderness Areas, military bases, and nuclear test and research sites (and who'd ever want to camp there). Since Idaho is about 70 percent public land, we have a ton of dispersed camping.
In Idaho, you can take your trailer across private land via Sportman Access routes and find some terrific sites along rivers, etc. Some of these sites even have concrete fire rings. Rules for dispersed camping pretty much universally state that you must pack out everything you take in. That means, of course, not leaving the contents of your grey or black water tanks, not leaving any trash or wet garbage behind (not even buried). Nobody polices these sites except the users, so there is no trash pick-up, no dump sites, no water pumps or spigots or power boxes, no bear boxes, etc. No, you can't legally clear a timber stand to make a parking space, but you can pick up slash and other fallen trees for firewood, fire conditions permitting.
During EXTREME fire danger periods, the USFS, BLM, or whoever may limit or prohibit dispersed camping in the affected areas.
Check out the following website:
http://www.rv-camping.org/Boondocking.html
Even though I've written about western policy, I hope it gives you some ideas for your area.
Jim
We own 100 acres in northern Clarion County where we go, in fact, we will be going this weekend for the last family campout.
