Free Camping! Reputable Resources for Boondocking

Reputable Resources for Boondocking (Free Camping!) It can definitely be challenging to find good reputable resources for boondocking. 

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It takes some effort and planning to find the really great spots.  To help take some of the work out it,  we have created a list of reputable sources for finding boondocking space.

We’ve created a list of resources that we’ve found helpful in finding cheap and free travel. First on the list…..

FreeCampsites.Net

Whether you are planning a small or large road trip, this site has a large selection of different types of boondocking and camping options. It is a community driven website easily accessed by your smart phone.  Find free camping near you or anywhere coast to coast.  They focus on public lands like BLM (Bureau of Land Management), WMA’s (Wildlife Management Areas), Forest Service Land, city and county parks. They also include cheap camping areas.  This gives you many options for places to camp. 

What’s so great about it?

Up to date Information

Being that it is a community driven resource, there are reviews, ratings, and useful snippets of info. Providing you with up to date information.  Information like, hey, the road to this campsite has massive pot holes and was difficult to navigate.

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Most official campground websites will not have this info for you.  Let the community do the research for you.  Spend more time camping!  Once you’ve used the site, be part of the community.  Share your experience and add more information for other users like you.  Whether you are tent camping, car camping, RV camping, or Boondocking, you can find phenomenal sites that would be hidden otherwise.

Government Lands (Public Land)

BLM (Bureau of Land Management)

The BLM was established in 1946, but its roots go back to the years after America’s independence, when the young nation began acquiring additional lands.  At first, these lands were used to encourage homesteading and westward migration.  

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BLM managed lands offer numerous opportunities for camping under the stars ranging from staying in an RV at a highly developed campground to simply throwing a sleeping bag on the ground in the backcountry. No matter what type of experience you are looking for, you can find it on BLM lands

BLM Campgrounds

Most BLM campgrounds require a small fee to use a campground. Fee sites vary in price. These fees help maintain the facilities. Selecting a campsite is usually on a first come first serve basis. However, some campgrounds take reservations which can be made at recreation.gov. Camping stay limits vary by location but are generally about two weeks within a month period.

BLM DISPERSED CAMPING

Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted “closed to camping,” or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.

Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands.

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Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked.  Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before.  Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.

WMAs – Wildlife Management Areas

You can find resources for camping by a simple google search. Look up the state you want to travel to or camp in and search for the wildlife management areas. The rules and regulations for each area will vary greatly. This is another great resource for finding cheap and sometimes free camping.

All Stays

All Stays is one of my favorite boondocking and free camping apps to use when traveling.

They have a website also, but I’ve found that the app works much better. In addition to the RV and camping app, they offer specialized apps for truckers and tent campers too. You can map any area and filter resources as needed. Anything from rest areas and truck stops to privately owned campgrounds. You can easily filter it for free camping too. It is also, completely free to use. Download the app and get started.

Boondockerswelcome.com

Boondockers welcome is a subscription service, in order to contact hosts, you need to have an active subscription.  A one-year subscription is less than the cost of a single night in most campgrounds!

Also, sign up as a host, you qualify for a 50% discount on your subscription fee.  Quite a nice bonus to an already cheap option.  Plus, every time a guest stays in your space, you’ll earn a credit for 3 months of guest privileges.

Once you’ve purchased a guest subscription, you’ll be able to request stays with any of their hosts. They currently have over 1000 hosts and more are added every day. They also offer a money back guarantee!  If you are not 100% satisfied after 90 days, they will refund your money, no questions asked.

Here is how it works.

It’s very simple and straightforward. When you’re ready to travel, all you have to do is search the listings for a host that is near your route.  Be as flexible as you can and this will give you more options. You can search within a radius around particular area, or just look at the map of locations. Next, read the details of the hosts, especially the size of the RV they can boondock.  Also, note their general availability and recommendations from other RVers.  See if they offer any non-boondocker hook ups, some even have RV dumps available.  Some hosts have room for slide outs, some allow you to sit outside and BBQ, others do not. 

More on Boondockers Welcome

Be sure to check out all of the details.  Once you’ve found a few potential hosts, send them a request through their secured system.  Once accepted by your host, you will have a safe, legal, and free place to go for 1-3 nights.  Remember to respect your hosts privacy. Be thankful and polite you just got Free Camping!  At the end of your stay, consider leaving a token gift, especially if using extra services like electric and water. After you say goodbye to your host, share your experience.  Leave a reference, it will appear in the hosts profile and allow future guests to see.  This is also a great way to thank your host. It is simple, easy, and a safe way to boondock your way to your next destination.  

Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts offer a Free Camping night stay at amazing places like wineries, farms, museums, breweries, and other agri-tourism sites.  Places like aviation museums, alpaca ranches, wildlife rescues, cider mills, and lavender farms. You sign up for a membership, for under $50.  So, why settle for a crowded parking lot? 

Imagine the opportunity to camp out in a blissful vineyard, sipping delicious wines in a peaceful setting.  In order to participate your need to have a self-contained RV.  There are no hook ups provided. There are no bathrooms available unless you are a customer of a store that is open. 

Your stay is limited to one night unless otherwise agreed upon.  You must have proof of your Harvest Host membership.  You must also maintain liability insurance for your camper. They currently have more than 600 hosts available all over the United States, Canada, and Baja California.  Providing picturesque camping that is private and safe. Click Here to get 15% off of Harvest Host!!

Hip Camp

Hip Camp is another really great option. This one is not 100% free, but it is free to sign up and use the service. Imagine it like an Air B&B for campers. There are thousands of people that offer their land to camp on for a specific fee. So you get a truly unique experience. Typically it is not very expensive. Hipcamp allows people to search for available campsites based on location, natural landscape, activities offered, and amenities. You can also filter by tent or RV camping or even lodging type. In addition to booking sites on private landowner’s land, Hipcamp offers a way for users to review and upload photos of public campgrounds in State and National Parks. To get $10 off of your first booking with Hipcamp, Click Here!

One Last Thing About Hip Camp

If you have land, or an area that you would be interested in hosting people at, you can sign up here and get $100! You just need to go to the site and apply, and they will let you know if you are eligible. After that, you will receive $100.

Try hosting!

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