Looking for the best free and cheap camping options? Well, you have come to the right place. Today I will show you how I find amazing places to park your RV that won’t break the bank! I may even share GPS coordinates from a few epic BLM locations. So let’s dive in!
RV Size
Before we dig into the details, let’s talk perspective. When I look for epic locations, our RV's size is always in the front of my mind. We have a 35-foot motorhome that we are not afraid to drive down pitted, windy dirt roads to find amazing locations. You don’t have to travel in a small travel trailer or Class C to enjoy these locations. We have friends who drive motorhomes and 5th wheels larger than 40 feet parked right alongside us. So don’t be afraid that your RV is too big to boondock. That beginning said, we always scout out an area before taking Ruby down a road we are not sure she can handle.
Boondocking with Friends at the Badlands (BLM)
TYPES OF FREE AND CHEAP CAMPING
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
BLM manages land all across the country for public use with a mission to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” Dispersed camping is free camping on undeveloped land, is allowed in many areas managed by the bureau. Sites are found on secondary roads that are not always marked and not always safe for RVs. Reviews from people who have camped there previously is a great way to determine if your RV can navigate the area. It is also a great idea to scout it out before taking your RV down a road it cant handle. GPS coordinates are also helpful as these areas can be difficult to find.
BLM also has campgrounds that can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Use your senior pass and access pass for 50% off your camping fees.
BLM camping areas
US FOREST SERVICE
There are 193 million acres of national forests just waiting to be explored. National Forests offer free dispersed camping and campgrounds that are very inexpensive. Most of the campgrounds are first come, first served with little to no amenities. You can use your access pass and senior pass to save 50% at these campgrounds. We have camped for as little as $6 a night in National Forest campgrounds. Dispersed camping is also available and is similar to dispersed camping on BLM land.
National Forest Camping
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
These areas are protected lands to conserve wildlife. They also allow recreation, including camping, but they have few amenities. Individual states manage wildlife management areas and usually have very few amenities.
NATIONAL GRASSLANDS
There are 20 national grasslands managed by the US Forest Service, and many allow dispersed camping. You can find information about their locations on the National Forest website. But be warned, these areas can be very windy!
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
If you are frequent viewers of our videos, you will know how much we love these campgrounds. These campgrounds are not free, but they are cheap! If you have a senior pass or access pass, you can save 50% on your reservation, making it even cheaper! Finding COE Campgrounds has everything you need to know about camping at COE campgrounds.
COE campgrounds
Florida water management land
Free camping in Florida! Thats right you heard it here. You can find free boondocking in Florida.
There are 5 water management districts in Florida. The role of these districts is to ensure the public has adequate, quality drinking water, floodplain management, and protect the natural systems within the district.
Recreation areas are available to the public in each district with many activities including camping. This is not BLM style camping where you pull up and pick your spot. Reservations are required and the area is monitored by water management employees. Each district has its own reservation system.
The number of campers per area is limited and reservations fill up fast. So be sure to make your reservation as soon as they open up. Oh, and they are gated. You will receive the code to the gate just before your reservation. The codes are changed monthly or as required.
We stayed at two different camping areas in the Southwest district. Both were amazing.
Camping on FLorida Water Management Land
BUSINESSes
Many businesses allow RVers to overnight in their parking lots. Be sure to double check with the store before hunkering down for the night to make sure local ordinances allow overnight parking. Be sure to follow proper etiquette for overnight parking, so we don’t lose the privilege. Below are some of the businesses that permit overnight parking.
Overnight in Pueblo, Colorado
Rest Stop Outside Yellowstone with Life Beyond the Burbs
Bass Pro
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Cabelas
Costco
Cracker Barrel (Our Favorite)
Sporting Goods
REI
Sams Club
Scheels
Rest Stops
Many rest stops throughout the country allow overnight parking. We stayed on in Kansas with separate RV parking and a dump! It was really nice.
Tools for the Job
To find BLM land with epic views, you will need a few tools. I say a few because none of the tools I use has every free camping spot out there. Using two or three of them will make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities for dispersed camping, forestry land, or other hard to find locations. We will review the tools that I use to find cheap and free camping. Each has its pros and cons, but you don’t need them all.
Free and low cost campgrounds book
Cost $23 on Amazon; Purchase directly from the author at RVer Bookstore. Use code YouMeRV to save $3.95.
All the camping listed are free or less than $20 per night
Regular updates are published
Each state is a chapter with the listings organized by city
The campsite listings provide details such as location, type of campsite, amenities, cell reception (for some), activities, phone numbers, and GPS coordinates
Great for finding BLM, Forestry lands, recreation areas, conservation areas, COEs, campgrounds that provide discounts reducing fees to $20 or below, and more
Pros: the most thorough collection of free and cheap camping areas, very detailed listings
Cons: Not electronic, takes up space in the RV, you will need a computer/map to find locations, information may change after publication
RV Camping & Getaways Travel Guide
The RV, Camping & Getaways Travel Guide is for anyone who qualifies to stay on military campgrounds. This includes active duty, retirees, and many veterans. Wondering if you are a qualifying veteran? How Do Veterans Gain Access to Military Campgrounds has all the details and links for gaining access to military installations as a veteran.
Cost $50 on Military Living
This book lists over 240 military campgrounds and vacation rentals worldwide.
If you are active duty, retired, or a qualifying veteran, this book is a gold mine of information. If you are not sure if you qualify to use military campgrounds as a veteran or if you want to find how to qualify, How Do Veterans Gain Access to Military Campgrounds has all the details.
Military campgrounds are not free, but they are always much cheaper than their local counterparts with all the benefits of a military installation such as safety and security, commissary, rentals such as boats and kayaks, and so much more.
Organized by states with a detailed index in the front and has a map of each state
Listings include what gate RVs should use, reservation information, website, phone number, who is eligible (DOD, etc.), how long you can book, site size, amenities, activities, support facilities (laundry room, bathhouse), other rentals such as cabins and yurts and so much more.
Pros: Most thorough source for camping on military bases that I have found, the information provided about each installation is incredible, there are many rentals that most people don’t know exist
Cons: cost, not electronic, information may change after publication, not everyone qualifies to use military installations
RV Trip Wizard
$59 per year (Click the link and save 25%)
The membership fee for RV Trip Wizard includes access to other features such as the RV Life Pro, RV safe GPS, RV maintenance program, and more.
I started using this RV trip planner before we hit the road, and I love it. If you are curious about what it offers, I have a walkthrough video to check out to see if it will benefit you.
Includes reviews, amenities, cell coverage, phone numbers, and more
Can filter for specific types of camping such as BLM, national forests, national parks, state parks, COEs, TVAs, DNR, city parks, & county parks
Best for finding county parks, city parks & COEs. These are inexpensive gems that people don’t think about. We have found some amazing city parks with electric for free!
Pros: electronic, the extra features that are included in the annual fee, easy to use, website & app
Cons: cost, does not populate all available BLM and other free camping areas
Campendium
Cost: free & paid (to remove ads)
Campendium is best for finding BLM and forestry land and other types of dispersed camping with GPS coordinates.
Includes reviews, cell coverage, GPS coordinates, amenities, phone numbers, photos
Pros: free, website & app, easy to use
Cons: data comes from users
Allstays
$10 one time purchase
Allstays is best for finding free overnights such as Cracker Barrels, Cabelas, Costcos, Sams, Bass Pro, and more.
A great resource for COEs, military, city, county, state, and national campgrounds
Includes filters for searching specific types of campgrounds
Listing includes GPS coordinates, reviews, amenities, and more.
Pros: uses GPS to search around your current location, quick resource for rest stops and overnights
Cons: only available as an app,
Harvest Host
Cost: $59 per year
Harvest Hosts allows you to stay overnight at businesses throughout the country
The more you use it, the cheaper it becomes. Last year we stayed for 29 nights, which average out to $1.73 per night.
Businesses include farms, amusement centers, museums, wineries, breweries, and more
Pros: Many different types of businesses, website & app
Cons: cost, can only stay one night per business, purchases at businesses will add to the cost
Our Favorite Harvest Host
Boondockers Welcome
Cost $50 per year
Boondockers Welcome allows you to stay overnight on private property
The more you use it, the cheaper it becomes. Last year we stayed 22 nights, which averaged out to $2.28 per night
Many of the locations have amenities such as water, electric, wifi, and more
Pros: Can stay multiple nights at host locations
Cons: Cost, website only
FreeCampsites.net
Cost: Free but you can remove ads with a small donation
Freecampsites.net is populated by users who input free camping they find.
Large database of free places to camp
Site listings include pictures, cell information, GPS coordinates, site conditions and more.
You can also see if larger rigs were able to access primitive sites such as BLM and Forestry land
Pros: free, easy to use
Cons: populated by the public, information may not always be accurate
Your pros and cons
Are you currently using any of the tools mentioned above? I would love to know your pros and cons for each. It may help someone decide which tool is best for them. Drop your pros and cons in the comments below! Thanks.
See my favorite tools at work
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Phil & Stacy
You, Me & the RV
Disclosures: We are a participant in the affiliate program with Amazon Associates, Harvest Host, Boondockers Welcome, RV Trip Wizard and other companies. It is designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. We purchased our own membership with each company and use them for months becoming affiliates. We would recommend these apps with or without the affiliate program. It does not cost you anything to use affiliate links.