No Money, No Problem: How to Camp for Free Across the USA
One of the most significant challenges we have while living the vanlife is finding affordable or free places to camp. While there are many campgrounds and RV parks that offer amenities such as electricity, water, and sewer hookups, these can be expensive and not always an option for those on a budget, especially for months long trips or full time vanlifers. However, there are many free campgrounds throughout the United States that provide a great alternative. These campgrounds offer beautiful and secluded places to park, camp, and explore nature without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will give you some tips and tools that we used to find free campgrounds so you can make the most of your camping experience.
Here are the top 3 options to use to find free places to camp:
Public lands: Many public lands, such as national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, offer free camping. These lands often have dispersed campsites where you can park your van and camp for free. You can check the websites of the relevant government agencies to find information on camping rules and regulations, and to locate areas where camping is allowed. The typical rule is to stay at least 200ft away from any water source, and practice the Leave No Trace principle when you leave the site. You can also use apps to find which land around you might be public land to camp on.
Free camping websites: There are several websites that list free camping sites around the world. Some popular ones include freecampsites.net, campendium.com, and boondockerswelcome.com. These websites allow you to search for campsites by location and provide details on amenities and facilities.
Apps: There are several mobile apps that can help you find free campsites. Some popular ones include iOverlander, Campendium, and The Dyrt. These apps provide information on campsites, including location, amenities, and user reviews. iOverlander was our #1 source for free camping. It's an incredible app that uses crowdsourcing to locate not just free campsites but also places to fill up water, dump your tanks, take free showers, and wash your clothes at laundromats. The Dyrt Pro is another good resource that will show you which land around you is National Forest or BLM land (and can help you find paid campgrounds if you’re in a pinch).
As a last resort, you can typically camp for free in Walmart parking lots, local grocery stores, or Cracker Barrel restaurants. These places come in clutch when you’re arriving at a town after a long day of driving and just need a quick place to stay. However, if you decide to stay in a public lot, please be sure to stealth camp. Don’t chill outside and set up like you’re at a campground!
Remember to always be respectful of the land and follow the Leave No Trace principles when camping in the wilderness.
