General Question

FluffyChicken's avatar

What's the best way to find free camping spots?

Asked by FluffyChicken (5521points) August 20th, 2011

As you regulars know, I’m going on a trip in my beautiful Eurovan camper. How does one find free, legal camping spots? Most of the good ones are state/national parks which charge some money. Any other tips for frugality on the road would be much appreciated.

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10 Answers

chyna's avatar

I just googled free camping and found a lot of web sites. Some are by state and some are by GPS. It looks like there are a lot of camping sites that are free.

bkcunningham's avatar

You are traveling in Europe aren’t you @FluffyChicken?

YARNLADY's avatar

In the U. S. you can buy a season’s pass to the State parks, through each state, and to the National Parks through any NP.

In addition to those, there are county parks, city parks, private parks, and company parks – all of which are accessable by searching online. Some of them are free, but most are not.

I am a member of AAA, and they provide a listing of camp grounds that are free. Most travel clubs will provide that sort of information to members.

jaytkay's avatar

An $80 Interagency Annual Pass covers entry to US National Parks AND National Forests.

Otherwise you would need to pay on entry, or maybe by a local pass, like the $30 Adventure Pass for Southern California National Forests.

I like US National Forest sites. The Forests are less developed than the National Parks. But they are a lot bigger and much less crowded. Forest camp sites are generally free (maybe always, I have never seen a fee.) The National Forests don’t require a pass for entry like the Parks, but you need one in your vehicle when its parked at the camp grounds.

You can generally simply camp on National Forest land, too. You are not restricted to the developed camp grounds.

US Forest Service
http://www.fs.fed.us/

Map of US Forests
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274609.html

pezz's avatar

Get there early

FluffyChicken's avatar

@bkcunningham Nope, USA first.

Thanks everyone. :)

Response moderated (Writing Standards)
bags's avatar

Try Googling ‘boondocking’. Amazing the number of places you can camp for a night for free….like virtually ANY WalMart parking lot!

FluffyChicken's avatar

Awesome! I generally avoid Wally world like the plague, but parking there wouldn’t REALLY be supporting them…

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