I have always loved camping: being out in nature, breaking it down to the basic necessities and it is way cheaper than any hotel I have ever stayed in. However, those $20-$30 campsites add up quickly over time, especially if you plan on sleeping under the stars as much as possible.
I began searching for ways to cut down costs when on road trips and traveling and I found so many resources out there to find free camping. Who knew there was so much land around the US where you can just set up your tent for free?
Here’s everything you need to know on how to find free campsites:
What to know before using free campsites:
- Amenities
Typically, when you stay at a free campsite, you will not have the same amenities as paid camping sites which means no toilets, tables, trash cans, showers, or fire pits. This isn’t always the case but do your research beforehand so that you can plan and pack accordingly! And with this said, please follow the Leave No Trace principles. Learn how to pick a spot to set up your tent, how to use the bathroom outside, and more. Respect the land!
- Roads
I have stayed in free campsites right off main roads and I have stayed in sites that took an hour from town to get to with long, bumpy dirt roads. Check beforehand for any road closures or if a 4×4 with high clearance is needed.
- Service
Lots of dispersed campsites do not have phone service and many sites are not marked. I recommend downloading an offline map or bring paper maps with you just in case.
Where can you find free camping?
- National Forests
National Forests are public, protected lands where you can camp for free. There are over 175 National Forests across the US. You can typically find places to camp right off main roads or you can find remote sites along forest access roads. You can stay up to 14-16 days at a time and should stay at least 200 feet from any water sources.
- BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
BLM is a government agency that manages over 250 million acres of land around the US, mostly out west, and is used for recreation, mining, conservation, grazing, and more. You can usually camp on BLM land for up to 14 days.
Here are the 5 best websites to find free campsites:
1. Campendium
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2. Freecampsites.net
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3. The Dyrt
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4. iOverlander
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5. Free Roam
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