How to Find Free Campsites

National park campsites average $30-50/night. Dispersed camping on public lands? Free. Here's how to find it.

The Three Best Resources

1. iOverlander (Free App)

The best app for finding free and cheap campsites. User-submitted locations include:

• Free BLM and Forest Service camping
• Wild camping spots
• Cheap hostels and campgrounds
• Even shower locations and cell service info

2. Campendium (Free)

Crowdsourced campsite reviews with filtering for:

• Price (free vs paid)
• amenities
• Cell service
• Noise levels

3. USDA Forest Service Map

Directly browse National Forests and Grasslands. These lands allow dispersed camping (generally up to 14 days) with no permit required in most locations.

Understanding Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping = camping outside developed campgrounds on public land. Rules:

• Generally free on BLM and National Forest lands
• No services (no bathroom, no trash, no fire rings typically)
• 14-day limit in most locations
• Leave no trace is non-negotiable
• Pack out everything you pack in

How to Find Spots

1. Find public land near you (Google "BLM land near [location]")
2. Use satellite view to identify pullouts
3. Look for existing fire rings (evidence of prior use)
4. Check driving directions (some require 4WD)
5. Read recent iOverlander reviews for conditions

Our Favorite Free Camping Regions

• Colorado National Forests - Millions of acres, stunning scenery
• Utah BLM lands - Red rock camping, minimal restrictions
• California National Forests - Escape coastal crowds
• New Mexico BLM - Remote, beautiful, rarely crowded

Pro Tips

• Get there before sunset - easier to assess spot in light
• Check weather - mud on Forest Service roads is real
• Download offline maps - you'll lose cell signal
• Bring extra water - no tap at your free campsite

Our Recommendation

Download iOverlander, find a spot within 2 hours of home, and try free camping this weekend. Once you experience dispersed camping, developed campgrounds feel overpriced.

Find Free Camping Near You

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Gear That Makes Free Camping Better

Free camping means more budget for the gear that counts:

• Gaia GPS Annual Subscription $49.99 — Offline maps for when you have zero cell signal. Essential for finding those unmarked BLM pullouts.
• Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp $39.95 — 400 lumens, waterproof, runs on AAA batteries. The one piece of gear you use every single night.
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter $34.95 — 0.1 micron absolute filter. Filters 1 million gallons. The gold standard for backcountry water.

The best campsites don't have signs or reservations. Go find yours.