VAN LIFE GUIDE

TO FREE CAMPING
IN THE USA
Learn everything you need to know
about free (aka dispersed) camping
in the United States

TRAVELLERS-AUTOBARNRV.COM
Free camping – aka dispersed camping – around
the United States sounds too good to be true, but
it is entirely possible. The US has several free
campsite options to help you save your travel
budget for fuel, food, and recreation. However,
dispersed camping is not for the glampers of the
world. Dispersed campsites, although free, often
don’t come with the luxuries that campgrounds
offer, such as restrooms, running water, picnic
tables, firepits, hookups, or garbage cans.

WHAT YOU WILL

FIND IN THIS
GUIDE...
What you need to know about dispersed camping.

Where can I find free campgrounds?

National Forest Public Lands and Grasslands free
campsites
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) free camping
Free Camping or Boondocking in Parking Lots like
Walmart

The best Apps for your road trip.

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WHAT SHOULD I KNOW
ABOUT DISPERSED CAMPING?
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking, can be
summed up by “roughing it.” If you are choosing dispersed
camping, you are most likely going to need to prepare for dirt
Pro Tip
roads, no amenities such as picnic tables, garbage cans, running Look for signs that say
water, dump stations, fire pits, restrooms, or cell service. If you “no camping overnight,”
are dispersed camping in a popular spot or a parking lot, then “no camping,” or “day use only.”
you may have access to a toilet. What you will have while When in doubt, check with a
dispersed camping is little to no neighbors, hiking trails into the park ranger, or a manager of the
backcountry, and solitude under the stars – the real camping in business whose lot you plan to
nature experience. park in. Make sure you don’t just
park on the side of a road as it is
Before you head out on your dispersed camping adventure, illegal in most places, and you
make sure you research the areas you are heading too. Check can not boondock or free camp
into road conditions, weather, fire regulations & restriction (you anywhere inside of a developed
may need a permit), and download the Red Cross First Aid app campground or recreation area.
ahead of time. You will be without cell service, so preparing for
all potential situations is essential.

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WHERE CAN I FIND FREE
CAMPGROUNDS IN THE USA?
NATIONAL FOREST PUBLIC LANDS AND GRASSLANDS
Don’t confuse National Forests with National Parks. Although they are both public, protected lands, they
are managed very differently and by two separate government organizations. You can camp in both;
however, a majority of National Parks have mostly developed campsites with amenities, campground fees
and don’t allow for dispersed camping or pets. Outside of US national parks is where will find National
Forests and grasslands.

National forests do allow for dispersed camping for up to 14 days at no cost, aka free camping. These
sites are off of the main roads, usually a dirt road, pull off, or access road. There are fewer regulations in
US National Forests than in US National Parks, but there are some unspoken rules to follow. When
dispersed camping in our national forests, or anywhere, rule of thumb is to be at least 100-200 feet away
from any water source, main road or trail, and to leave no trace.

WHERE CAN I LOCATE THESE NATIONAL FORESTS AND FREE CAMPSITES?

There are 154 national forests managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS). You can pick up a
USFS map at nearly all local convenience stores, so make sure to pick one up when you fill-up the gas
tank.

You can also go online and check out the Forest Service’s Interactive Visitor Map, freecampsites.net or
download the Ultimate US Public Campgrounds app.

Pro Tip
State parks are like our US
National Parks. They can be
pricey to camp in and typically
do not offer any free camping
or dispersed camping options.

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 LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
Bring a trash bag and leave no trash behind. When you’re free camping, there are no
trash cans in the forests, so come prepared to pack out whatever garbage you bring in.
Do not cut down trees or branches for firewood. Find dead branches and leaves that
are already on the forest floor, or bring wood with you. Remember, these are the
“leave no trace” principles, which include campfires. Make sure you know the fire
danger and if fires are permitted in the area. Bring a shovel to extinguish any fire you
build, and possible, use a fire pan or cookstove instead. Dispersed camping sites
typically do not provide fire rings.
Try and find a camping area where others have camped before instead of creating a
new site.
Leave the national forests the way you found them. There is so much beauty in our
forests, so please leave it for others to enjoy.
Respect wildlife! Remember, you’re on their turf! Whether you are in a national forest,
national park, or on the side of the road – respect the animals. If you’re lucky enough
to see them – leave it at that. It is not time to take a selfie, see if you can pet them, or
try and harass or harm them.

You can learn more about the Leave No Trace Principles at Int.org.

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 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
(BLM) FREE CAMPING
BLM public lands are mostly found in the western part of the
United States, such as Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, California,
New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Wyoming, and Alaska.
BLM lands have similar rules for camping as US National Forests.
BLM lands are managed by the US Department of the Interior,
which is different than US National Forests and US National
Parks, so make sure you know the specific dispersed camping
guidelines for BLM lands.

The Bureau of Land Management allows camping for up to 14

days in a 28 day period. However, the 14-day rule is not
consecutive days, but 14 total days in a 28 day period. The count
begins on the first day the camper occupies a site. Once you’ve
met the 14-days, either collectively or consecutively, you can’t
set up camp anywhere on BLM lands within a 25-mile radius of
your previous spot until day 29.

Make sure and follow the Leave No Trace principles, and keep
your eyes open for “No Camping” signs.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE BUREAU OF LAND

MANAGEMENT (BLM) FREE CAMPING SITES?

Much like National Forests, you can find BLM Regional or state
maps at most convenience stores. The Bureau of Land
Management also provides online interactive maps, both
nationally and state-specific. Make sure you prepare and Google
ahead of time, because you may not have cell service when
you’re dispersed camping.

The United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land

Management have joined together to provide the USFS & BLM
Campgrounds app.

Pro Tip
Dispersed camping sites are typically best for
campervans, small RV camping, tent camping,
or car camping. The spots generally are smaller
are more difficult to fit or maneuver larger RVs
or motorhomes.

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FREE CAMPING OR BOONDOCKING
IN PARKING LOTS LIKE WALMART
Yes, you read that correctly. There are businesses all over the
United States that allow you to park your RV or Campervan in
their parking lot. Some of the most well-known spots are in the
parking lots of Walmart, Cabela’s, Camping World, and Cracker
Barrell. Other options to consider are truck stops like Flying J,
casinos, and rest stops along highways.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPING

IN PARKING LOTS?

Always ask. Don’t assume that because you stayed at one

Walmart without issue, you will be able to park overnight at any
Walmart. Make sure to go inside, or call ahead, and find out their
camping policies. Usually, places like Cracker Barrell, Costco,
Walmart, and Flying J don’t want you to set up a full campsite
and are merely allowing overnight parking, so don’t overstay
your welcome.

REST STOPS

Rest areas provide a pull off for tired drivers to rest to help keep
people alert and awake on the road. Rest stops have bathroom
facilities with sinks and toilets and trash cans and are intended
for travelers to pull over to rest or use the facilities. Although
rest areas don’t necessarily follow the Leave No Trace principles,
they’re still great rules to follow. Make sure your trash makes it
Pro Tip
into the bins, and you’re respectful of the restroom facilities. Parking lots, especially at truck
stops, are not unusually quiet.
TRUCK STOPS If you aren’t a deep sleeper, you
may want to consider packing
Truck stop parking lots are the “glamping” of parking lot a pair of earplugs.
camping. Most truck stops not only have restroom facilities that
they allow you to use but also showering facilities.

They may charge a small fee, so make sure you go in and ask before scrubbing down. Truck stops are
great because they’re also an opportunity to stock up on food, water, supplies, and fuel before you head
to your next destination.

CASINO PARKING LOTS

Some casinos will allow you to park in their lots for free, but make sure to ask the front desk before you
settle in for the night.

Keep in mind that these business owners are allowing you on their property for the night, so be
respectful of their property and other boondockers, patrons, and truck drivers who are visiting.

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THE BEST APPS FOR YOUR
ROAD TRIP
FIND CAMPSITES THE DYRT
Free + in-app purchases
Search campsites, see reviews and photos.
ULTIMATE US PUBLIC CAMPGROUNDS APP Travellers Autobarn customers get access to
PRO for free. Ask our friendly staff when you
$3.99 pick up your campervan.
Find free and low cost public campgrounds, no
private or commercial campgrounds.
RECREATION.GOV APP
Free
CAMPENDIUM - RV AND TENT CAMPING Find and reserve campsites, tours, tickets and
Free + in-app purchases permits, lotteries for high demand experiences.
From swanky RV parks to free remote
destinations. Features map overlays for cell HIKING
coverage as well as public lands.
ALL TRAILS
Free + in-app purchases
USFS & BLM CAMPGROUNDS APP Search and save hiking, biking and running trails
99c and see user ratings and tags.
Shows USFS and BLM campgrounds across the
US, mostly free or low cost. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE APP
Free
Find interactive maps, tours of park places, and
IOVERLANDER much more to plan your national park adventures.
Free
Crowd sourced information for places to sleep, SAFETY FIRST
eat, refuel or even help find a local mechanic.
RED CROSS FIRST AID APP
Free
ALL STAYS CAMP & RV Step by step first aid, safety tips, integrated with
$9.99 911 in case of emergency.
Find campgrounds, RV Parks and related services
with or without internet. Includes Walmart and
CAIRN
Free + in-app purchases
casino parking lots, and rest stops where you can Share your hiking plans, location tracking and ETA
spend the night. estimates, find cell coverage nearby.

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 You are all set for traveling around the USA in a
campervan, now book your campervan at one of our
three US RV rental locations!

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