Imagine if lodging were free when you’re traveling, imagine how much more you could afford to see and do! The great news is that it can be! A huge part of why we are able to afford to travel as often as we do, is because we camp the majority of the time. We love finding a cheap place to lay our head for the night so that we can save our money for the fun parts of the trip. Below are some of our favorite tips, tricks, and resources for finding free camping in the United States!

Exploring the great outdoors and embarking on epic adventures doesn’t have to put a strain on your wallet. With a wealth of stunning natural landscapes and public lands to discover, the United States offers numerous opportunities for free camping, allowing you to experience the beauty of the country without the hefty price tag of traditional lodging and campgrounds. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the secrets of free camping in the US, sharing tips, resources, and strategies to help you find the perfect, budget-friendly campsite for your next adventure. Whether you’re an RV enthusiast, a tent camper, or a backpacker, we’ve got you covered with insights into how to access these hidden gems and make the most of the outdoors while keeping your costs to a minimum. Get ready to embrace the freedom of the open road and the thrill of wild, untamed nature – all without emptying your wallet.

What is free camping?

If you’re a camping newbie (Hey, we all start somewhere!), you may be confused by all of the different terms that are used when it comes to free camping. You will commonly hear the terms boondocking, dispersed camping, backcountry camping, dry camping, and wild camping. We’ve broken down the main types of free camping below so that you have a general idea of the differences.

Boondocking: Typically involves camping in self-contained vehicles like RVs, often in remote or undeveloped areas. Campers may stay in designated areas on public lands, but without amenities like water or electricity hookups.

Dispersed Camping: Generally allowed on public lands like national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas. Campers choose their own campsites within guidelines and often lack amenities like toilets and trash disposal.

Backcountry Camping/Primitive Camping: Occurs in pristine, natural environments, far from established campgrounds, and requires hiking or backpacking to reach the camping location. Campers must carry all necessary supplies and adhere to wilderness ethics.

Dry Camping: Refers to camping without access to utility hookups or amenities, often in campgrounds offering no water, electric, or sewage services. Campers rely on their own resources.

Wild Camping: Often involves camping in truly remote and undeveloped wilderness areas, with no designated campsites and strict regulations to preserve the natural environment. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient.

Now, while there are slight differences in each term, they all essentially mean the same thing: finding a place to camp for free and all free camping comes with a particular set of advantages and drawbacks.

The Pros of Free Camping

Free camping, particularly dispersed camping, in the United States offers outdoor enthusiasts a host of advantages that can enhance their camping experience. First and foremost, it provides a sense of freedom and flexibility that’s hard to find in established campgrounds. You have the freedom to choose your campsite, often in more secluded and pristine natural settings, away from the crowds. Moreover, free camping is a budget-friendly option, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank, as many of these sites come with no or minimal fees. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level, where the absence of amenities fosters self-sufficiency and encourages campers to hone their survival skills. Additionally, free camping often aligns with the principles of Leave No Trace, promoting responsible outdoor ethics and stewardship of the environment. So, if you’re seeking an authentic and affordable outdoor adventure in the US, free camping is a fantastic choice that brings you closer to the untamed beauty of the wilderness.

The Cons of Free Camping

While free camping and dispersed camping in the United States offer many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider. One of the primary concerns is the lack of amenities and services. Free campsites often do not have facilities like toilets, showers, or potable water, which can make for a more rugged and less comfortable camping experience. Depending on the location and season, access to essential resources can be limited, necessitating careful planning and preparation. Additionally, the absence of established campgrounds means that there may be no designated fire rings or picnic tables, and campers are responsible for maintaining the site and adhering to strict Leave No Trace principles. It’s important to note that some free camping areas may have limited accessibility, requiring vehicles with higher clearance or specific equipment, which can be a challenge for some campers. Furthermore, because free camping allows for greater solitude and autonomy, it can also come with a degree of risk, as you may be in more remote areas with limited cell phone reception and less immediate access to help in case of emergencies. Careful consideration of these factors is essential when deciding if free or dispersed camping is the right choice for your outdoor adventure.

Where to Find Free Camping

From camping at the base of a mountain to sleeping in a Walmart parking lot, there are tons of places you can find free camping in the US, but you have to know where to look. Here are some of our favorite resources that we use to find free camping in the US!

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing public lands that are used for a variety of purposes. Though the Bureau of Land Management does have paid campgrounds available, the majority of their land is available for dispersed or free camping. Camping on BLM land is great for both tent camping and RV/car camping.

Things to know when camping on BLM land:

BLM dispersed campsites are usually located along secondary roads and may not be marked, meaning that they may be difficult to find, so you’ll want to allow plenty of time to find the perfect spot. In our experience camping on BLM land, it is so much easier to find a campsite in the daylight! I would recommend arriving before dark or have a general idea of where you plan to go if you know you will be arriving at dark.
Roads on BLM land are usually not maintained, so it is typically helpful to have a high-clearance vehicle to access sites along rougher roads. However, you can still find places accessible in a smaller car, but again, you will want to allow plenty of time for this.
Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM lands for no longer than 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period, after 14 days you must move to a new site.
It is recommend that you camp in previously used sites to prevent disturbing the environment. You can typically look for signs that a site has been used before such as flat or cleared ground, a fire ring, or tire marks.
You must setup your camp at least 200 feet away from any water source.

Use this interactive BLM map to find free camping near your destination!

where to find free camping - national forests

National Forests, Grasslands, & Seashores

There are 154 National Forests, 20 National Grasslands, and 10 National Seashores that offer over 193 million acres of public land to enjoy, absolutely free! The best way to find areas open to dispersed camping is to contact the nearest Forest Service office to the area you wish to visit or use the Forest Service’s interactive map. You can also find helpful information on their website.

Free campsites are usually found by driving out on a forest service road until you find a good place to set up camp. Make sure that you drive on existing roads and if possible, try to find a previously disturbed spot by looking for signs of a fire ring, tire marks, or cleared ground.

Things to know when camping in National Forests:

You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area. Campers may not spend more than 16 days of any 30 day period at the same dispersed area.
You must set up camp at least 100 feet from any water source
You must be self contained, meaning that there is no water, restrooms, or trash services
Follow Leave No Trace principles

National Parks

Several national parks allow varying forms of free camping, most often including dispersed camping, dry camping, and backcountry camping. The easiest way to determine what type of free camping (if any) is allowed in a national park is to call the specific park that you plan to visit, or stop at the park’s visitor center to speak with a park ranger. In our experience, park rangers have been happy to provide recommendations for where to go. They are also able to provide maps of the area and helpful information such as permits required, fire bans, and other useful knowledge.

Below, are just a few examples of National Parks that offer free camping:

Death Valley National Park allows free dispersed camping in several areas of the park, stop by the visitor’s center to get a map of the various locations to camp.
Badlands National Park offers free backcountry camping, meaning that you must hike to find a spot to camp. The park also offers free dry camping at Sage Creek Campground.
There are also several national parks that offer free backcountry permits in the off season, including Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Again, to find out which specific national parks offer free camping, you should check on the National Park Service website or contact the park directly.

Things to know when camping in National Parks:

National Parks tend to have more regulations and restrictions when it comes to free camping, so you’ll always want to verify what is required in each park. For example, you will need to check if there are any current fire bans, road closures, permits required, and other important details before you set out on your adventure.

Business Parking Lots

There are several businesses that allow you to park overnight in their parking lots for free. This form of free “camping” involves sleeping in your car or RV without any electrical hookups, also known as boondocking or dry camping. Below are some popular businesses that frequently allow boondocking in their parking lots.

Cracker Barrel- Most locations allow you to park overnight, but it’s best to check with the store location before doing so.

Walmart & Sam’s Club- Several Walmart and Sam’s Club locations allow free overnight parking, here is a map of locations that do and do not allow overnight parking.

24 Hour Fitness Centers- Several Anytime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and Planet Fitness locations allow free overnight parking. This is especially great if you are a member, so you can take advantage of the gym bathroom and showers and free wifi.

Camping World- Several locations will allow you to camp overnight in your car or RV, and some even offer a free water and electrical hookup.

Cabelas- Select Cabelas locations will allow you to camp overnight, just call the store to be sure.

Rest Stops- You are allowed to park overnight in some rest area parking lots, just make sure there aren’t any “No Overnight Parking” signs posted. You can find a list of rest area locations in the US here.

Things to keep in mind when “camping” in a business parking lot:

Always check for permission from the business or property owner before parking overnight in their lot.
Respect Rules: Obey any posted regulations, such as time limits or specific areas designated for overnight parking.
Noise and Lights: Keep noise levels down and avoid using excessive exterior lights to be considerate of the business and other potential campers.
Clean Up After Yourself: Leave no trace – dispose of trash properly and respect the area you’re in.
Self-Sufficiency: Ensure you have enough supplies, including water and power, as you won’t have access to hookups.
Safety Tips: When you’re parking in more populated areas or near roadways, anyone could drive by, so it’s important to take some extra safety precautions. Lock your doors, park in a well-lit area if possible, and try to cover your windows so that people won’t be able to see where you are in the car.
Arrive Late, Leave Early: Arrive late in the evening and leave early in the morning to minimize disruption.
Support the Business: Consider making a purchase from the business to show your appreciation.
Know Local Laws: Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding overnight parking.

How to Find Free Camping

There are several apps and websites that make it easier to find a free campsite. Below are some of our favorite resources that we routinely use to find free campsites. They all make it super easy because you can simply search by location and see several different forms of free camping available in an area. Plus, they typically share photos and user reviews of the campsites so that you have a better idea of what to expect when you get there!

iOverlander

iOverlander is a free app and website that helps you find free campsites based on your location. We use this app frequently to help us find campsites along our route on road trips and we love that they list the GPS coordinates for all of the free sites listed. In addition to campsites, they also list the locations of several different travel/road trip necessities with everything from short-term parking, fuel, showers, and tourist attractions to mechanics and medical facilities. The platform is run completely by volunteers, so all of the features offered are free to all users and they share locations for sites across the globe, making iOverlander a great option for international travelers!

Campendium

Campendium has both a free app and a website that list several free camping options in addition to listing paid campsites. This is a great option for all types of campers and there are several helpful features for RVers such as maps listing RV dump sites and campsite search filters that allow you to select the size of your RV when looking for a site. Thanks to a high number of Campendium users, the majority of the campsites include numerous reviews and photos, making it more comfortable and predictable for first-time free campers! You can unlock additional features on Campendium by purchasing Roadpass Pro, which includes the pro versions of Campendium, Roadtrippers, and ToGo RV. If you’re not familiar with Roadtrippers and ToGo RV, they basically help you plan an epic road trip – you tell them where you want to go and what you like to do, and they map out amazing attractions and sites along your route! The additional features on Campendium include layered maps of public lands, trail maps, search filters for elevation and cell service, and the ability to save your favorite sites. They even offer smoke maps, so you can check wildfire smoke conditions in real-time!

The Dyrt

The Dyrt has a website and an app that allow you to search for both paid and free campsites. As with the previous apps mentioned, you can also search on a map and see reviews and photos of the locations listed. Most features on The Dyrt are only included in the Pro Membership, which costs $35.99/year. Perks include full access to all campground listings (both free and paid sites), discounts on paid campsites, and a camping road trip planner. In addition to the free campsites listed, they also provide maps with layers showing BLM and USFS land so you can see exactly where you can pull of even if an exact site isn’t listed in the area. With the Pro version, you can download maps and the campsite database to your phone so that you have offline access anywhere!

Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts is a unique option for RVers looking to dry camp. For $99 annually, members gain access to 5,000+ farms, wineries, breweries, museums, golf courses, and attractions that offer a piece of their land to RVers to stay overnight for free. Harvest Hosts stays are intended to be single-night stays (unless a host offers you an additional night) and all campers must be completely self-contained. Since hosts offer their space for free, it is encouraged that you support their business, whether that means enjoying a tasting at their winery or brewery or purchasing produce from their farm.

Whether you want to wake up on a golf course on the California coast, a maple farm in Vermont, or a horse farm on the coast of Maine, there’s no shortage of unforgettable, picturesque locations to choose from!

FreeCampsites.net

Freecampsites.net has an interactive map that you can use to find both paid and free campsites. Once you view a listed campsite, you can save the location for offline access. Users can submit new locations to be added to the website, and you can view photos, reviews, and descriptions for each of the sites listed. Freecampsites.net is great because it’s free to use, but the website is less user-friendly than some of the platforms listed above.

Things to Remember

Dispersed camping means that you won’t have the same amenities as a normal campground, so you will need to pack everything that you will need, including plenty of water!
Always follow leave no trace principles and take all of your trash with you when you leave and try to find a pre-disturbed spot to set up your tent or start a fire. In more remote areas, it may be a while before someone else comes after you to use the site, so make sure you completely distinguish all fires before you go!
For safety, be sure to let family or friends know where you will be staying for the night and when to expect you back!

By thoroughly preparing and respecting the natural environment and local regulations, you can have a safe and memorable camping experience in a free camping area while minimizing your impact on the wilderness.

How To Find Free Camping in the U.S.