If you are considering going on a road trip or are new to the van-life lifestyle, it’s important to note that camping fees can accumulate significantly, particularly when opting to stay at National Parks or privately owned campgrounds.
Since that time, I have utilized different resources to locate free campsites, which are also known as dispersed camping or boondocking. If you are searching for a secluded area to pitch your tent away from large groups of people or aiming to manage your expenses, this article on finding free camping will assist you in discovering excellent campsites while on your road trip.
What Is “Free Camping”?
Although established campgrounds typically require a fee, free camping offers the opportunity to camp for free in various accommodations such as cars, tents, camper vans, or RVs. However, free camping does not allow for advanced reservations and often lacks amenities like potable water, picnic tables, trash cans, showers, and toilets. To engage in free camping, it is essential to be fully prepared and bring all necessary supplies. Additionally, individuals must adhere to Leave No Trace principles and responsibly pack out all waste. Despite the absence of comforts offered by established campgrounds, there are several positive aspects and trade-offs of free camping.
- Easy way to save money
- Offers more solitude and remoteness than a traditional campground
- Sometimes you’ll have better views!
- Greater flexibility with travel plans
- Ability to make or change last-minute plans
We believe that the advantages of free camping are much greater than the disadvantages, however, we understand that organizing a free camping expedition can be initially daunting. We will now simplify all the essential information for you, beginning with a list of some commonly used terms for free camping.
Dispersed camping
To obtain information about dispersed camping options in the area, you should visit a National Forest office, ranger station, or contact either the National Forest Service (USFS) or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the two agencies responsible for overseeing the majority of free camping lands in the US. This is the official term used by these agencies for free camping.
Boondocking
Boondocking, which is interchangeable with any other term for free camping, is a broad expression encompassing all forms of free camping utilized by RVers, roadtrippers, and long-term travelers.
Stealth camping
Stealth camping refers to camping in urban areas that are not typically designated for overnight stays. Common places to find a free place to sleep include residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, and big box stores such as Walmart and Cracker Barrel.
Dry camping
Dry camping, which can also be referred to as boondocking, free camping, or dispersed camping, involves camping without access to potable water or electrical hookups.
Camping Apps You Should Use
HipCamp
HipCamp is great because it offers a variety of campsite options that can suit your preferences. I appreciate the wide selection of unique camping destinations they provide. Additionally, you have the ability to filter the campsites to only show those where campfires are permitted.
If you are interested in camping on a llama farm, you will find what you’re looking for. In case you prefer a ranch, I have also come across that. Additionally, if you desire a secluded area on someone’s private property, that is also available as an option. Whenever I search on this platform, I discover incredible choices.
The Dyrt
No matter your camping preference, The Dyrt can assist you in finding campsites. This app offers a range of options, including cabins, RV sites, and tent sites. By utilizing PRO features, you can not only access discounts on camping and gear but also enjoy advanced features such as offline search and downloadable maps.
Reserve America
Reserve America is an excellent application for locating campsites in State Parks, RV Parks, and Private Campgrounds. By utilizing their search option, you can categorize sites into campgrounds and day use, as well as apply filters including Federal, State, County, and Private sites.
Campspot
We are constantly searching for new apps that can make camping easier. Recently, we discovered Campspot, a newly launched app in 2021. We have been thoroughly impressed with this app so far. First and foremost, Campspot does not charge any booking fees for campers. Furthermore, they offer a guarantee of the lowest prices. The app allows you to filter your search based on amenities, distance, park features, and site type. Moreover, while browsing through the available options, I noticed that Campspot includes some campgrounds that are not listed on other apps. This means that I even found availability for a last-minute summer weekend on the Oregon Coast, which is a rare occurrence. We will definitely be using this app more frequently!
Campendium
Campendium is a fantastic website and app that allows users to search for campsites, whether they are free or require payment. These campsites can include dispersed areas, pull-offs suitable for RVs, or official campgrounds. By utilizing the website’s filters, users can narrow down their search and access firsthand reports from fellow campers who have previously stayed at these locations. While becoming a supporter offers additional benefits such as ad-free searching, cell service filtering, and map layers, the essential features of Campendium can still be used free of charge.
Freecampsites
Freecampsites is comparable to Campendium but with fewer extra features. Despite being a bit more cumbersome to navigate, it still allows you to select a location for your search. Afterwards, you can utilize the legend to determine the types of campsites that are accessible in the vicinity.
Avenza Maps
Avenza Maps is an application that enables the downloading of maps from authorized websites. Several maps, including most road use maps from the forest service and the BLM, are available for free. Additionally, there are premium maps that require payment. However, the advantage of Avenza maps is its compatibility with the GPS tracking feature on your phone, allowing you to navigate and locate dispersed camping areas.
iOverlander
iOverlander is another excellent app that enables users to search for campsites. Within the app, you can explore the map and apply filters to find the specific type of site you desire. By clicking on the icon, a concise description will appear, and you can access further information by clicking again. One aspect I adore about this app is the ability to obtain genuine advice from individuals who have personally utilized these sites. Additionally, the inclusion of images is immensely beneficial when attempting to select the optimal spot.
Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS is now one of my absolute favorite apps. Despite not having the same reviews as other sites, it provides the most precise GPS and topographical information. It may require a bit more effort to find specific locations without the reviews, but it is the most accurate and user-friendly app I have come across, especially when it comes to layers and land-use maps.
By having a premium membership, you will be able to download all your maps in offline mode and utilize premium maps in layers. Our method of utilizing this feature involves overlaying road use maps and land-use maps to ensure compliance with camping regulations, while also using a topo map to understand the terrain. Moreover, you can switch to a satellite view to gain a comprehensive aerial perspective of the area.
Google Maps
If you do not possess a premium map such as Gaia, you can utilize Google maps to view the area from a satellite perspective once you have a destination in mind. However, it is important to note that if the location is heavily forested, the satellite view may not provide an accurate representation of the site. Moreover, Google maps does not offer insights into road conditions, and navigating forest roads without a 4WD or AWD vehicle can be difficult or even impossible at times.
