Camping for free, dispersed camping, wild camping, boondocking… whatever you call it, camping for free is a great way to not only save money but truly experience the great outdoors.
When we did our road trip across America, spending two months on the road, we only paid for camping twice — both times by choice, not by necessity. AND, our entire 2.5 years living in our van in Scotland and traveling throughout Europe, we only paid for camping twice too.. Again, out of choice, not a necessity!
There is something so special about camping for free that is literally bringing a smile to my face as I’m writing this post for you!
If you haven’t tried out free camping, you aren’t living! But before we just send you on your way to boondock totally disconnected from the world, let’s dive into…
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What is Free Camping?
Camping for free is just as it sounds. It’s a place to rest your head for free for a night, typically out in nature, but sometimes in a parking lot too!
Much to our surprise, camping in parking lots or rest areas isn’t as bad as one might think. Our first night on the road we stayed at a free campsite at a rest area in California, and woke up to some amazing views. Think camping in parking lots isn’t your thing?
Don’t worry, free campsites can be found all across the world. In beautiful mountains, along rivers and creeks, and down that dirt road you would typically pass up!
Now, don’t make the mistake in thinking all free campsites are created equally.
They are not.
Some free campsites are truly just a pull out on the side of the road, while others (some of our favorites) include things like proper fire rings, toilets, bear boxes, and even picnic tables!
Why Should You Camp for Free?
The obvious answer to why you should camp for free is to save money. But camping for free gives you so much more too!
In general, when you wild camp, boondock, or dispersed camp, you are not near anyone else. In most cases, even in the free campsites on the websites below, you won’t have another person in a site next to you. You’ll be just with the people you bring and nature. And that feeling is unlike any other.
While dispersed camping doesn’t always come with amenities like toilets and potable water, the connection to nature it brings is worth the little bit of “hassle” of bringing your own and packing out what you pack in… more on that later.
And did we mention, camping for free is often found in the most gorgeous, untouched areas across the globe — and no, you don’t always have to hike in to experience these places! Some places you drive right up and get the best view in the house!
Best of all, the freedom camping for free brings is literally indescribable.
Finding a place that feels like it’s made just for you.
Treating the place in nature with respect and feeling respect back.
Experiencing complete silence.
Reading with birds tweeting around you or crickets chirping.
Showering in rivers and creeks, knowing you’re not wasting water.
… ahh the list goes on and on. I get chills simply writing about the feelings camping for free brings.
What to Pack When Camping for Free
Water Filter | Large or Small
We’ve had numerous water filter systems over the years. We’ve tried purifying tablets, but think the water always comes out tasting a bit too chemical like. Instead, we like using actual filters. Our go to backpacking or small filter is the Sawyer. The Sawyer water filter served us well for multiple years with lots of use, but then eventually got a crack in the bag. Luckily, they sell replacements for rather cheap!
We also have a larger water filter we use when filter more water than just to drink. The MSR Water Filter comes at a higher price point than the Sawyer water filter, but it works well to filter large amounts of water!
Water Storage | Jugs Around You Home or Collapsible Water Storage
When we car camp, we always bring water from home and our water filter, because it’s always nice to start with a few gallons of water. You can use a recycled juice jug or the like to bring water with you, or purchase a collapsible water storage container. Always bring more water than you think you’ll need. Just in case there isn’t water to filter near you!
Camp Shower | Nature of The Solar Camp Shower
While we love showering in nature, think ice cold creeks, rivers, lakes, or at the bottom of canyons (that’s another story), if showering in nature isn’t for you, this camp shower is a great small shower for a quick clean.
While in Switzerland and Italy for three months, we only used our camp shower or natural water sources and were amazed at how refreshed you can feel after a quick scrub!
Camping Gear
Since you’re looking at this post for camping, we’re going to assume you already know the typical camping gear you need.. but just in case you don’t.. a tent, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad will get you through a night of wild camping!
Check out our complete camping gear checklist here so you know you’re not forgetting anything.
**If you’re new to camping, be sure to set up your gear before you go out, to make sure you know how to set it all up. And we’d also recommend going into a store to purchase your tent, sleeping bag, and pad so that you can speak with a sales rep about details of your camping gear! It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing!
Solar Light | Luci
We love our Luci Solar Light. It charges just from the sun, is compact, and works really well! Don’t worry about running out of batteries, use a Luci and have light after a quick charge in the sun!
READ MORE | Our Complete Luci Solar Light Review
Toilet Goodies | Portable Toilet or Trowel + Bags
We’ve recently purchased this portable toilet and it has been amazing for Jay with Crohn’s disease. The ease of set up, the compact (for a toilet) size, and the comfort of it are all great! We traditionally going in nature though, but digging a hole with a trowel, and then doing our duty, and packing out our toilet paper in baggies. Speaking of which, you’ll need to certainly pack your own toilet paper with hand sanitizer too!
Pooping Outside | Everything to Know About Pooping Outdoors
13 Toilet Options | How To Choose The Best Toilet For On The Road
Trash Bags | Large or Small Grocery Bags
Most free camp sites do not have trash cans to put your rubbish… and even if they do, it’s better to just pack yours out with you. Bring garbage bags with you when free camping and hey, maybe even pick up someone else’s garbage to tidy up the place!
My dad always made my sisters and I find garbage around places we camped that wasn’t ours so we were leaving the place better than we found it.. you should do the same! Everyone wants to go camping free of garbage! Do your part and pack yours out with you!
Camping for Free Basic Guidelines
Have you heard of the Leave No Trace ideas? Basically, if you’re out in nature to enjoy nature, do the people coming to enjoy that spot after you a favor and leave no trace you were there! This means…
Pack Out What You Pack In
- toilet paper
- food scraps
- garbage and cans
- your dirty underwear (yes we’ve seen those left behind before)
- cigarette butts
- the gist…anything you bring in needs to leave with you too!
Camp And Walk On Trails and Sturdy Places
- avoid putting your tent on flowers and such — look for dirt or soft ground to pitch for the night
- keep your vehicles on the roads — no need to damage good ground in the area
- stick to paths that are already created
Leave The Wildlife Wild
- don’t feed wildlife, they’ll become dependent on humans for food
- keep a safe distance between you and the wildlife you encounter
Use Fire Rings
- make sure to dowse your fire when finished
- read more fire safety and leave no trace principles here
- always check the local fire restrictions before starting a campfire at your free camping site
Don’t Spread The Secret Places
- leave general geolocations on social media
- only give exact details to people you trust will keep the land clean
Remember To Dig 6 Inches When Pooping
- and, for the love of nature, carry your used toilet paper out with you!
- keep in mind to always use the bathroom at least 200 feet (about 70 steps for the average adult) from water sources!
- read more pooping outdoors rules here
Finding Free Camping Spots in Europe
Park4Night
Park4Night is the best all-around website and app to use when searching for free places to camp in Europe with a car/campervan. As the name suggests, it’s based on parking areas, though in our case many of the places could be used for tent pitches too.
We can’t tell you the number of times Park4Night saved us when staying in our campervan in cities! It’s a huge blessing! Use the photos and reviews to determine if the different places are suitable for tents.
Word of caution with Park4Night, use it as a backup plan. Don’t always just go to the next Park-Up that you find… part of the fun of camping for free is the search for an epic spot for yourself!
Right To Roam
There are a number of countries in Europe that have the right to roam or public access laws. In places like Norway and Scotland, the right to roam means that you can camp for free wherever you want, even on people’s private land with permission from landowners!
Simply search for “right to roam” and the country you’re visiting to see if you can camp for free in nature there!
Laybys
We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t pitched our tent on roads and parking areas. Laybys are parking areas on the sides of major roads in the United Kingdom. Typically, you’ll see truckers pulled over in laybys for the night, but cars and campervans can do the same.
Be mindful when parking in a layby though, as you don’t want to block a Lorry driver/trucker from finding a parking spot big enough for their semi-trucks/lorries!
Aires
Aires are fantastic rest-area like places mainly found in France. Not all aires are created equal though. Some have services and dump stations, while others are simply parking lots for motorhomes/RVs. Park4Night has many aires on it, though a quick google search will load your GPS with Aires close to you.
Keep in mind here again, that it’s more common to see campers at Aires, though again, pitching a tent is obscure places is only as obscure as people make it!
Finding Free Camping Sites in the United States
FreeCampsites.Net
FreeCampsites.Net. is a fantastic free camping resource to use in the United States. It’s full off free campsites in all 50 states, though we must say, not all campsites are created equal. Some sites on freecampsites.net are simply parking lots that you can stay in overnight, while others are the most epic places to camp of all time.
When searching for a free campsite, be sure to pay attention to reviews of what the campsite is like, how accessible it is, and if it is in fact still open to the public. Don’t forget to go back and leave reviews on the sites you’ve stayed!
Campendium
We’ve never used Campendium, but their website keeps coming up over and over again. It’s similar to freecampsites.net, though to access extra information and photos, you have to create an account. Campendium also lists paid for campsites as well, and has a no ad feature if you become a supporter.
Here are more apps to use to find free campsites all over there world!
National Forest Service Land
National forests offer some of the best free camping areas across the United States. As a general rule, you can camp for free in any national forest service land unless it is noted that you cannot. Oftentimes, free camping in national forests is referred to as dispersed camping.
National Forests in the United States can easily be found on Google Maps by zooming in on the green areas of the map! Double-check to be certain the area of the map you’re searching for is in fact National Forest land, but more often than not, it will be!
BLM Land
BLM or the Bureau of Land Management is land across the United States owned by the public. Anyone can camp for free on BLM land for up to 14 consecutive days. To access most BLM camping areas, you’ll have to make your way down dirt roads, which are often in good enough condition for small cars to drive on!
Public Lands
Aside from BLM land and National Forests, there are many other forms of public lands within the United States that offer free camping. These include places like nature reserves, select public parks, and land ran by army corps too.
Do a quick search for public lands near you to find free camping areas near you.
Backcountry Camping in National Parks
Some National Parks offer free camping for those hoping to camp in the backcountry. Oftentimes, you need to obtain a free backcountry camping permit, but then can camp for free in designated areas throughout National Parks.
As it sounds with the name, backcountry camping is located in the backcountry and often has to be hiked to. We backcountry camped in Arches National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, and Shenandoah National Park amongst other places too!
Free Car Camping / Places that Allow Overnight Parking
Walmart
There was once a time when Walmart parking lots nearly everywhere would allow overnight parking to travelers. However, I think with more and more nomadic people these days, Walmarts across the states are limiting their free overnight parking, some not even offering it at all.
We found that on the east coast, we used Walmart parking lots for free overnight parking and sleeping in our car more often than dispersed camping because there are more Walmarts than free campsites over there. Be sure to call ahead to the Walmart to see if they allow overnight parking before counting on them as your last resort!
Cracker Barrel
We’ve never stayed at a Cracker Barrel, in fact, I’ve never even eaten at one, but word on the street is free overnight parking / RV camping in their lots! I’ve even read that some of them offer free hookups! How insane is that! If you use Cracker Barrel for their free overnight parking, be sure to pay them back by dining at their buffet too!
Rest Areas
When driving on interstates or main highways in the United States, you’ll often see signs for rest areas. These are places with bathrooms, typically open 24/7, and large easily accessible parking areas for trucks and RVs. Some rest areas you can also pitch a tent at.
However, we mostly recommend rest areas as a place that allows overnight parking for free, not so much as a top free camp site.
Truck Stops
Places like the Flying J and other truck stops across the US allow overnight parking. Obviously, truck stops are mainly for long haul truckers, so try to refrain from taking up too much space or using truck stops as your overnight parking go-to.
Truck stops often have showers and laundry for a fee, and some even offer dumping stations for RVs!
Casinos
Whenever we drive by casinos I’m always so impressed with the amount of RVs in their parking lots! I always used to think this was because retired RVer’s loved to gamble or wanted in on casino’s buffet meals. But, I reckon it’s more about the fact they allow overnight parking for RV’s and campers! Talk about a good way to bring in some business!
Rental Cars and RV Hires
Rental Cars
Finding a car to hire for your next time out camping is easy! There’s something nice about hiring a car and taking it to places you can’t go with your own car… not to mention you don’t have to wash or clean it when you get home!
Obviously, if you have your own vehicle, it’s probably best to just take it — however, if you’re in the market to rent a car for your next camping experience, check out current car hire prices here!
Campervan / RV Hires
Did you know you can now rent campervans and RV’s? In the United States, the United Kingdom, and in Europe there are multiple great campervan / RV hires available!
Use this link and get up to 25% off your RV rental in the United States!
If you’re looking for an RV or campervan hire in Europe and the United Kingdom, check out this website for van and RV hires.
Convinced Free Camping is The Best?
We absolutely love to camp for free. It’s not just about the money, but it’s more about the experience.
Yes, there are some amenities you won’t have, but trust us, the pros outweigh the cons! Waking up without a single other soul around is something really special!
I think that just about covers it for all you need to know about camping for free!
If you have any questions or want more recommendations on specific places, email us! And if you do get out and find a free campsite, we’d love for you to come back and tell us all about it.. maybe even share a picture using #arboursabroad so we can see what you’ve found!
Happy Camping!!
