On the hunt for ways to find free camping and campsites? I often wonder, is there free camping near me? If you too wonder this, let me share ways to find free camping near you.
Spring is here, and that means camping season is upon us! Camping is a great way to get out and enjoy nature while spending time with family and friends. If you are desperate for a night under the stars but are working on a tight budget, there are ways to cut those costs. Take a look at our tips on how to find free camping and campsites near you, so you can head out into the wilderness for less!
Check Out These Other Camping Tips
Free Camping And Campsites
1. Check National Forests.
Most National Forests allow for free camping. Head to the Official National Forest website and search for campsites currently available. You can refine your search so you only see the free sites available. This will help you pinpoint parks that are allowing free camping so you can plan your trips accordingly.
2. Offer to volunteer your time for a space.
Many long term campgrounds will allow you to trade work for stay. If you are handy, can help with the landscape, or have a service to offer, they may trade you nights in exchange for your time. All privately owned campgrounds will handle this differently, but it never hurts to ask.
3. Head to www.freecampsites.net
On Free Camp Sites, you will find publicly owned land that is available for free camping. Here you will find all of the tips and tricks you need to know in order to camp on public land for free. These site offerings might be a bit off the grid, but if you are ok with roughing it, they can be a great way to save cash. There is an easy search engine you can use on this site, so you can pinpoint the area you are looking at and get specific results.
4. Consider one night stops in public lots.
While you can’t pitch a tent in store lots, most will allow you to park an RV or camper overnight. Walmart and other 24-hour stores are more open to lot parking than others. You will also find that most casinos offer overnight parking. If you can’t find a safe spot, a secure roadside rest stop is ideal since they are tended to regularly.
5. Check with the BLM
The Bureau of Land Management at www.blm.gov can help you identify public land that allows for free camping. Here you can find the perfect camping spot, although most of these are wild areas without any camping facilities. If you are ok with roughing it in the great outdoors, the BLM can help.
6. Join camping groups on Facebook.
Facebook has many “boondock” camping groups, full of people who look for free public lands to camp on. Join these groups, sit back, and learn. Here users will share tips and reviews of the spots they have camped out. It is beneficial to follow these groups so you can learn more about free opps that pop up and so you can contribute your own leads.
While we are on the topic of Facebook groups, you can also join camping groups local to your area or the area you are traveling to. This way you can get very specific tips that can help with your specific journey.
Free Camping Near Me
If you are ready to head into the great outdoors but want to do so on a budget, finding free campsites can help. While most of the free campsite offerings you find won’t offer running water, toilets, or electricity, they are ideal for people who enjoy boondocking or off the grid camping.
Before you head out for a night under the stars, consider these tips on how to find free camping and campsites near you!