Free Camping Website Resources for Safe and Enjoyable Camping

If you're a fan of free camping, you know how essential it is to have reliable resources at your fingertips. FreeCampsites.net is a great place to start, offering over 12,000 listings of free campsites across the United States.

This website is particularly useful for RVers, as it includes information on dump stations and potable water availability. With FreeCampsites.net, you can plan your trip with confidence and minimize the risk of surprises on the road.

Many free campsites are located near national parks, forests, and other public lands, making them perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Free camping is a great way to experience the outdoors without breaking the bank. You can find free campsites on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service, which offer dispersed camping for up to 14 days.

To find these campsites, use a text search on Campendium to zoom into the area you're interested in. Select the category "BLM" or "All Public Lands" and choose the price "Free".

One of the best things about free camping is that you can often find secluded spots that are far from the crowds. For example, in some national parks, you can find backcountry permits that allow you to camp for free.

Some of the most popular public lands for free camping include national forests, which have over 175 national forests and grasslands managed by the US Forestry Service. You can also camp for free on most BLM land for up to 14 days, as long as you're outside the vicinity of developed recreation areas.

If you're looking for free camping options in specific states, 9 states have awesome free camping options listed on Campendium. These states include areas managed by the BLM and US Forest Service, as well as other public lands.

Here are some of the types of public lands where you can find free camping:

Remember to always follow the rules and regulations for each public land, and be sure to check for any permits or restrictions before you head out.

If you're looking for alternative camping solutions, consider using apps like Campendium, which has thousands of campsites pinned, including free dispersed sites. This app is a great resource for RVers who need larger campsites with low clearance.

You can also try using The Dyrt, a top-rated camping app that has listings of all kinds of different campgrounds, including public and private ones, as well as some free dispersed camping options. Their listings include reviews, photos, information on amenities, and more.

For a more unique experience, consider joining Harvest Hosts, which allows you to park overnight for free at wineries, breweries, farms, museums, golf courses, and other attractions. Just be sure to be self-contained with a toilet.

BLM Camping on Campendium is a great way to find free campsites. You can use Campendium to search for BLM campsites by following these steps: Use a text search to zoom into the area you’re interested in, select Category “BLM”, and select Price “Free”. This will give you a list of free BLM campsites in the area.

Some BLM campsites have a 14-day free camping limit, but this can be shorter in popular areas. Always follow posted signs and regulations.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive map of BLM campsites, you can browse regional maps on the BLM website. Some states also have handy guides, like Idaho, that can help you find free BLM campsites.

To make finding free BLM campsites even easier, you can use The Dyrt, a top-rated camping app that includes listings of public and private campsites, including free dispersed camping options. The Dyrt also offers a trip planning tool and map layers that show where BLM, Forest Service, and National Park land are located.

Here's a quick rundown of how to find free BLM campsites on Campendium and other resources:

If you're looking for alternative camping solutions, you'll want to check out some of the top-rated apps for finding free campsites.

Campendium is a free app that has thousands of campsites pinned, including free dispersed sites and swanky RV parks. You can filter by price to locate free campsites and read reviews to find the perfect spot for you.

Overnight RV Parking is another great resource, with a database of places where you can stay in your vehicle overnight, including parking lots. Be sure to read all posted signage and ask permission from the manager before setting up camp.

Recreation.gov is a great resource for finding federal campgrounds, like BLM and U.S. Forest Service sites. It's also a good idea to check with the local park rangers or visitor centers for up-to-date information on camping restrictions and regulations.

If you're looking for off-the-grid and free places to camp, iOverlander is a helpful app to have in your toolkit.

Here are some of the top-rated apps for finding free campsites:

The Dyrt is another top-rated app for finding campsites, with listings of all kinds of different campgrounds, including public and private ones. They also have a free version, as well as a Dyrt PRO membership upgrade for $35.99/year.

All Stays Camp & RV is a paid app that includes paid and dispersed campsites, but for dispersed it's not as comprehensive as some of the other apps. However, it also has other types of places you can park for free, including Walmarts, rest-stops, and casinos.

Camping on public lands is a great way to get away from it all, and one of the best things about it is that it's free. You'll have a lot more privacy and freedom than in a developed campground.

You'll need to be well-practiced in Leave No Trace Principles, which means packing out what you brought in and picking up any additional trash you find. It's your responsibility to take care of the land.

Outside of a designated campground, you lose the "safety in numbers" factor, especially with regards to the elements and wildlife. This means you'll need to be prepared for more risks.

If you're camping in bear country, bring your own bear canister and spray. If you're in the desert, bring extra water and appropriate shade. If there's a fire ban, it's your responsibility to know about it before you go and to obey it at all times.

The freedom of camping on public lands comes with a lot of benefits, including the chance to be the only ones out there. You'll have a lot more space to yourself.

A paper road atlas is a must-have for any road trip or van life adventure. Benchmark Road Atlases are my go-to paper maps, with each state having its own atlas that generally runs about $20.

These maps show recreation activities, categorized listings, and public land ownership lines. They also differentiate between 2wd and 4wd roads, which is especially useful for finding dispersed campsites.

In my experience, the 4wd indicators on these maps have been pretty accurate, warning of rough roads that can be challenging even with a 4wd vehicle. Having a sense of the terrain and accessibility is a good place to start when searching for campsites.

Finding a Forest Service road that appears well-maintained on the map is a good starting point for discovering free, dispersed campsites. Take a drive on this road to explore cool back roads and potentially find a great camping spot.

Glamping offers a luxurious twist on traditional camping, with options ranging from safari-style tents to luxurious yurts and even treehouses.

Some glamping sites provide upscale amenities like real beds, flush toilets, and even fine dining experiences.

For those seeking a more rustic experience, glamping sites often offer options with canvas walls and wooden floors.

Glamping can be a great option for families, as many sites offer kid-friendly activities and amenities like playgrounds and game rooms.

Some glamping sites are even located near popular attractions, making it easy to explore the local area.

Choosing a Campsite is a crucial part of free camping. You want to find a spot that's safe, accessible, and minimizes your impact on the environment.

To start, look for existing roads and camp sites, as they're often marked or easily recognizable. Dispersed camp sites, on the other hand, may not be marked, but you can identify them by a flat, disturbed area that's been used before.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked, so keep an eye out for flat disturbed areas that have been used as campsites before.

To minimize your impact on vegetation, drive on existing roads and choose a campsite where others have camped before.

Camp at least 100 feet away from any stream or water source, as plants near water sources are especially fragile.

A good campsite should have natural drainage, so look for areas that aren't prone to flooding.

Use existing fire rings and review and obey all fire restrictions to avoid any potential hazards.

To make the most of your camping experience, review and practice Leave No Trace Principles.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when choosing a dispersed campsite:

When choosing a campsite, it's essential to pack the right gear to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.

A portable water jug is a must-have, especially if you plan to stay for an extended period.

For cooking and eating, a folding table is a great investment. I personally love the GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station because it's compact and has plenty of hooks for organizing your camp kitchen.

If you're planning to boondock for a while, consider bringing a portable shower. The NEMO Helio Pressure Shower or the Geyser Portable Shower w/ Heater are great options.

Safety items like a portable car jumper, first aid kit, and tire patch kit should never be left behind.

Don't forget to pack a poop kit with a small shovel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a small Ziploc for used toilet paper.

Finally, bring some garbage bags to pack out everything you bring in – there are no dumpsters on public lands!

National Parks can be a great place to camp, but it's not always easy to find a spot. Park campgrounds often get reserved months in advance.

You can find last-minute, free or really cheap backcountry permits within national parks by talking to friendly park rangers. They might recommend USFS or BLM land just outside the park.

Some of the best camping spots are actually just outside the park's crowds. For example, in Arches National Park, you can set up camp less than a mile from the road and be isolated from the crowds – completely for free.

The Horseshoe Canyon Unit in Canyonlands is a great example of this. It's a deserted canyon with amazing wall art and virtually no people.