3 Great Websites For Finding Free Camping

Often times camping is looked at as a “cheap” outdoor activity, but if you stay at a campground the cost can really add up, especially if staying for an extended period of time. Therefore, finding free campsites can really help. If you are looking for hookups, running water, toilets and showers than you will most likely have to pay for a campsite at an established campground. But, if you are up for wild camping or boondocking, then these 3 websites will help you save a few bucks, and offer even more solitude!

For more information about everything you need to know camping outside of established campgrounds, check out…

A Beginner’s Guide To Wild Camping and Boondocking

Freecampsites.net:

The website Jake and I have used most is freecampsites.net. You basically need to know the town or zip code of the general area you are looking. You put that in the search bar and then if there is free camping in or near the area it will pop up with places that you can click on.

The website shares the address, GPS location, elevation, management, star rating, amenities, activities, cell coverage, 5 day weather forecast, pictures and reviews. You also have the ability to add campsites if it they are not listed already. Adding reviews and additional campsites can really help fellow campers because a lot of times that’s what people look for when choosing their camp for the night! 

One really cool feature is the “Trip Planner” option where you can put where you are traveling to and from and it will plan your route and give you all the campsites along your route. 

One flaw is that this website has to be used in a browser and doesn’t have an app for your phone. So it’s not super easy to use on the go. But, Jake and I have found some of our favorite campsites through this website, so if you like planning ahead, it can be super easy to plan out. There are many campsites off grid that give you solitude and stunning views. Many of these campsites do have drop toilets, but often times don’t have any other amenities.

iOverlander:

iOverlander can be used in an app or in a browser. This is especially a good one to use if you are on the go because their app is very easy to use! It is a very convenient app that can bring you to some really cool campsites around the world. It is super helpful for people doing vanlife or RVing.

You can filter your search from established campgrounds, informal campsites, wild camping, hotels, hostels, fuel stations, propane fill ups, mechanics, water stations, sanitation dump stations, restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping, medical, pet services, laundromats, customs and immigration, checkpoints, consulate/Embassy, vehicle insurance, vehicle shipping, vehicle storage, warnings, and others. 

Sooooo many useful resources on this website, even beyond just campsites. You can check out peoples reviews and get a good gauge if you should spend the night there or not!

Campendium:

Campendium is another great resource for finding free campsites. It can be used in an app or in a browser. The coolest feature they have is being able to click on a national park, national forest or state park and it will show you camping near that area. But if you go that route, you will find many campsites that do actually cost money.

They do have a “free camping” tab where you can narrow down your search to specific areas you are looking for.  When clicking on a specific campsite, the details they include is the address, elevation, if its open seasonally, GPS location, price, pad type, max stay, if you can tent camp, cell coverage, rating summary, pictures, reviews and amenities.

Things to be aware of:

• Free campsites often don’t have any staff to care for them on a regular basis, so it is up to us to maintain these amazing resources. Always practice “Leave No Trace” and try to leave the campsites better than you found them.
• A lot of places have a limit of how long one person can stay at a campsite which is usually 14 days.
• There are some areas that require you to have a bear canister or bear hang.
• Always put food and coolers away when going away from your campsite, because critters love human food.
• If there are no bathroom facilities, make sure to dig a hole at least 6 inches deep and 200 feet away from any campsite water source.

Takeaway:

You can find an array of different free campsites by using these 3 websites. You can find a campsite out in the middle of nowhere with a river flowing through and mountains surrounding you, find a rest stop on the side of the road or just a free campsite in a campground.

“Free” camping will always win us over rather than paying to be in a crammed campground where you have just enough space to place a tent and are surrounded by noisy people.

I was originally scared of the thought of wild camping without having a bathroom and a sink to wash my hands, but having solitude out in the wilderness is such a better way to go camping in my opinion.

Remember that these websites are free to use, so try to contribute comments and reviews to help support the website and fellow users if you can!

Where are some of your favorite free campsites?! Do you use these same websites?