9 Ways to Camp for Free

Sunrise in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Sunrise in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Campgrounds are fine, campgrounds are great.  But why pay for an experience when all I really need is someplace to park the van and / or to pitch the tent for a few hours?

 

Add to this that campgrounds tend to be noisy in the evening when I’m trying to sleep, and far too quiet in the early morning when I’ve got the little kids up for a beat-the-afternoon-thundershowers hike.

 



 

So over the years we’ve found quite a few places to camp or park overnight for free, quite legally.  There are 9 general places and ways to camp – or at least park your RV / camper van / compact car for the night.

 

Always…

…practice Leave No Trace principles.  No driving off the road, respect others, and leave the place cleaner than you found it.  It’s also a good idea to keep a low profile (like, leave behind the lawn chairs and Astroturf).

 

Never…

Camp in a place with “no camping” signs, litter, deface, or intrude on the rights of others.

Free campground in Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Free campground in Badlands National Park, South Dakota

1. Free Campgrounds

Few and far between, if you can find a free campground, it’s great!

Grand Staircase-Escalante is a National Monument, but because it is administered by the BLM, free-range camping is allowed

Grand Staircase-Escalante is a National Monument, but because it is administered by the BLM, free-range camping is allowed

2. National Forests / National Grasslands / Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land

Find a dirt road, travel down it 0.5 miles, and you can legally camp along the side of the road on national forest land, in national grasslands, and on property owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Often a fire ring marks 0.5 miles from the paved road.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California allows free-range camping

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California allows free-range camping

3. National Parks / State Parks

Some (remarkably few) state parks and national parks allow “free range” camping, meaning you should get off on a dirt road somewhere (namely, Death Valley National Park, Mojave Preserve, Padre Island National Seashore, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – there may be others).  Always respect specific park rules.

Walmart store policy is to allow overnight parking in their often over-sized lots

Walmart store policy is to allow overnight parking in their often over-sized lots

4a. Walmart Stores

Walmart has a nation-wide policy of allowing RVs (camper vans, etc.) to stay overnight in their parking lots.  Most simply request that you don’t stay more than a night or two and that you park in the back or side of the parking lot (not in prime parking places).  However, some towns have passed ordinances forbidding RV’s to stay overnight at Walmart, thereby forcing Walmart to put up signs forbidding overnight camping.  Always heed the signs (FYI, most Walmarts in New England have signs).

Although less known than Walmart, Costco also allows overnight parking

Although less known than Walmart, Costco also allows overnight parking

4b. Other Stores

According to a New York Times Article, Kmart and Costco also allow free overnight parking.  Still, be wary of signs.

Some rest areas allow overnight parking; a few allow camping

Some rest areas allow overnight parking; a few allow camping

5. Rest Areas

Currently, 14 states allow RV’s / camper vans / etc. to sleep in rest areas along major interstates, etc.: Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Texas, and Washington.  Most other states allow camping in the rest area if no signs prohibit overnight parking / overnight camping, though some give a mixed message: “No Overnight Parking; Please Stay Until You are Rested”.  Service plazas in the Midwest rarely have signs (per my experience), and one rest area in Kansas had a free camping loop – we woke up to tents across the way!  Always heed signs.

Flying J Truck Centers encourage overnight parking

Flying J Truck Centers encourage overnight parking

6. Truck Stops / Truck Parking Areas

It’s rare that a truck stop or truck parking area along a highway will forbid RV’s and camper vans.  Flying J specifically welcomes campers.  They’re not my favorite due to the noise / security issues, but sometimes it’s all we can find…

Camping World often allows overnight RV parking

Camping World often allows overnight RV parking

7. RV Centers

Some RV centers allow overnight parking.  I’ve heard Camping World is ok, though I’ve never personally done it.

Cracker Barrel sometimes allows free overnight parking

Cracker Barrel sometimes allows free overnight parking

8. Restaurants

A few restaurants allow overnight parking, likely to boost breakfast or dinner customers.  I have heard that Cracker Barrel allows it in general (not officially, but they likely won’t kick you out), but don’t take my word on this one 🙂

Sometimes Casinos allow free overnight parking

Sometimes Casinos allow free overnight parking

9. Casinos / Wineries / Farms

Here’s one I’ve never tested, but I’ve heard tell that some casinos and wineries / farms allow overnight parking.  A few casinos I’ve seen advertised overnight parking as a bonus!

 

Other Thoughts…

Realize, many of these places are going to be noisy (like, the unvarying 2am street sweeper at Walmart).  They may also be quite bright – there’s a reason we made curtains for the van.

 

It’s also best to take security measures.  Don’t sleep someplace you’re not comfortable.  Don’t open your door to anyone, for any reason.  Try not to camp alone.  Always lock the doors before you go to sleep (especially if you’re in a public place).  Let someone know the general area you’re going to be in, better, specifically where you’ll be (I may not know what dirt road I’ll be camping on, but I can tell you that I’ll be in the northwestern part of Mt. Rainier National Park for the next two days!)  And always take your cell phone with you!

 




6 thoughts on “9 Ways to Camp for Free

  1. Pingback: Anne's Travels » Campgrounds at Badlands

  2. Mark Sacharski

    Anne,

    Picking up my daughter and heading to Big Bend National Park the first weekend in October. We will be there 3 days and your advice and experience on hikes and scenic drives seems invaluable. Your site also has a lot of useful information.

    I have camped since I was too young to remember (we’re talking early sixties here) and I just purchased a Class C Winnebago. Big Bend will be it’s maiden voyage.

    I want to pass along a possible site for you to check out and to maybe list on your page. I found it while looking for free campsites on the web.

    https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

    I am anxious to try it out after Big Bend as I continue west to Guadelupe, Carlsbad, White Sands, a week long horseback riding vacation in Tombstone, then up to Great Sand Dune and visit a buddy in Denver. I plan to be on the road again for January, February and March.

    Safe travels,

    Mark

  3. Anne

    Hi Mark, Sounds like a great trip! I’ve used the Boondockers site a few times to find camping in a given area. It’s a great resource!

    Happy Hiking!
    ~Anne

  4. Pingback: The top 15 Pages on Anne’s Travels in 2018! - Anne's Travels

  5. Pingback: How to Camp (for free!) in Tiadaghton State Forest - Anne's Travels

  6. Pingback: Things You Must Have to Camp in a Van, Car, SUV, or other Vehicle – Anne's Travels

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