Finding free camping has become second nature; I cannot even recall the last time I paid for a campsite. There are many resources available, it only requires spending time investigating. Free campsites are easier to find in some places than others, such as the Western USA where public lands are ample.
While established campgrounds are vast and easily accessible, I always opt for dispersed camping, wilderness camping or primitive sites for these bonus attributes:
Quieter — more remote, less populated and off-the-beaten path.
Cleaner — less foot traffic creating trash and human waste (most of the time).
Scenic — often takes you down long dirt roads in the wilderness with beautiful scenic views far from other campers.
Free — many dispersed camping options are free. If you are a vagabond balling on a budget, it cannot get better than that.
Locating these free campsites requires a bit of research and creativity, but as soon as you know where to look, you will be set. Check out this video for a few recommendations on how to find free camping in addition to the resources below:
National Forest
National Forests, not to be mistaken for National Parks, have established campgrounds and often offer free dispersed camping. Free camping will not necessarily be posted, but occasionally you will find signs. You will come across signs with regulations (such as no camping, parking, etc) — be sure to adhere to those guidelines, as they are posted for the safety of you and the land. Always be on the lookout for signs that say you are entering and traversing through a National Forest. If all fails finding a free dispersed site, you can likely find a paid site every few miles in National Forest.
BLM
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is public accessible land for recreational activity in the United States - perfect for mountain biking, hiking, climbing, fishing, camping, etc. These lands represent the largest acreage available for public recreation in America. Check out my Beginner’s Guide to BLM for more information on camping or other activities.
HipCamp
When traveling in states with little public lands, such as Texas, HipCamp is my go-to resource to find campsites away from popular parks or established campgrounds. HipCamp hosts are often private landowners who generously offer tent camping, cabins, etc. on their private land. Check out my referral link for $10 off your first booking.
Camping Websites
FreeCampsites.net
Campendium
FreeRoam.App
The Dyrt
Do Your Research
Most primitive sites or dispersed camping options lack solid phone or WiFi signal, so it’s important you do your research ahead of time and plan accordingly. I recommend downloading your Google maps and making them available offline prior to departure and saving the GPS coordinates to your favorite campsites. Be sure to save several for each location you travel, should they be full or inaccessible.
As always, be sure to adhere to “leave no trace” principles no matter where you camp, both to respect other campers that come after you and to keep things wild. The ecosystem has its own way of doing things, and we are only visitors.