Places To Camp

How To Find the Best Places to Camp? 

Camping is a popular activity in the United States. There are many areas to camp in the United States, whether you live in a remote area or in a more populous area. In this post, we'll teach you how to discover the best campgrounds for your needs and give you some pointers on what you should know before venturing out into the great outdoors!

National Parks for Campers and Hikers Across the U.S.

There are numerous excellent camping locations in the United States. Here are a handful of the most beautiful national parks that may be visited while camping:

- California's Yosemite National Park

- Tennessee and North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains

- Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park

- Utah's Arches National Park

- Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park

- Washington's Mt. Rainier National Park

- Colorado's San Juan National Forest

- Virginia's Shenandoah National Park

- Arizona's Saguaro National Park

- Maine's Acadia National Park

- New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest

- Texas's Big Bend National Park

- Maryland's Assateague Island National Seashore

- Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

- Montana's Glacier National Park

- Missouri's Onondaga Cave State Park

If you're going vehicle camping, make careful to verify ahead of time because some campgrounds may not be accessible as RV sites. Some of these even feature picturesque hiking routes and are suitable for beach camping. Whatever matches your tastes!

These are just a few of the most popular camping spots in the United States. There are many other fantastic options available, so be sure to look around and discover the ideal location for your next camping and hiking trip!

Locating Free Camping Locations 

What Is the Process of Free Camping?

Free camping is when you camp in your RV or tent at a location that does not charge a fee. There aren't many undeveloped campgrounds where you can camp for free. Free camping is also known as primitive camping, boondocking, dispersed camping, and dry camping.

Many campers find free camping appealing merely because they don't have to pay for it, but it also has a number of advantages, such as the ability to camp without conveniences, in remote regions, and further away from other people than can be found in a campground.

How Can I Get a Free Campsite?

Most free campgrounds require you to arrive prepared because there are no amenities. If you plan to camp in a remote, wild area (such as a national forest or property managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)), you should bring the following items in addition to your RV or tent:

Water for drinking and washing

Garbage Bags

Containers for Food Storage

Toilet Paper and a Shovel

A Table and Chairs for the Outdoors

Documents and Permits Required

Responsible camping in free campsites necessitates a grasp of Leave No Trace principles, including correct trash disposal practices.

If you camp at an area that allows overnight parking, such as a Walmart parking lot or a truck stop, you will most likely have access to a bathroom and garbage disposal.

Is It Possible to Find Campgrounds That Provide Free Camping?

Camping is free throughout the United States, but not every free campsite is the same. Free camping, whether at Walmart or in a national forest, provides a wide spectrum of beauty, comforts, and fun.

The National Forest 

The USDA Forest Service is in charge of national forest management. Almost every state in the United States has a national forest, and while not all of them allow dispersed camping, many do (particularly in the west).

National forests are ideal for both RV and tent camping. In general, dispersed camping is permitted in national forests for no more than 14 days, though it may be possible to stay for as little as one day and as long as 30 days. Before you arrive, contact the ranger station or stop in to confirm the local restrictions.

The majority of national parks are surrounded by national forests or grasslands, but just a few allow free camping. Enjoy the solitude by pulling into a quiet spot in the national forest a few minutes outside of the park.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a United States government agency whose primary mission is to manage land in the western United States, primarily in open, desert landscapes. Recreation, logging, grazing, and resource extraction are some of the uses of BLM-managed lands. Free camping on BLM land is typically limited to 30 days, though it can be much shorter or longer in some cases.

Vans, RVs, and tent campers are sometimes permitted to stay on BLM land (but not always). Because of the range of uses on BLM land, it helps to do some study ahead of time to be prepared for what you may encounter.

The Public Domain

Camping for free is most popular on national forests and the Bureau of Land Management land. Other types of public lands, on the other hand, can be found all over the country. State parks, county parks, and city parks occasionally offer free camping. Water management districts, conservation areas, and trust lands are all subject to the same rules. Campgrounds are also provided by a few of the smaller government agencies, such as the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The length of stay, amenities, access, permission requirements and type of camping permitted at these locations varies greatly. You can find out if a free campsite is perfect for you by contacting the organization in charge of them.

Overnight Parking 

Parking overnight is not considered camping in most cases. This entails staying overnight in a location where overnight parking is permitted. Some establishments, such as Walmarts, rest stops, town parking lots, and truck stops, may permit overnight parking.

There are numerous rules and regulations governing overnight parking. The Walmart in one town may permit overnight parking, whereas the Walmart in the next town may not. Check all signage and obtain permission from the manager if the business is open and signage is present. Tent camping is almost never permitted at overnight parking lots, so RVs and vans are the best options.

Because there are a lot of individuals that park overnight, it might be noisy, bright, and crowded. The surroundings can also be a little shady at times. You should trust your instincts, study previous evaluations and advice, and then make a decision.

Considerations When Choosing Free Camping Locations

Leave No Trace

There are some wonderful spots out there if you're ready to put in the effort. Fees are used to maintain campgrounds, thus if no one pays the fees, the area may not be maintained as frequently. As a camper, it is your obligation to reduce the impact of your presence.

Remember to leave your site in the same state that you found it. Leave No Trace (LNT) is a fundamental precept of wilderness protection that is critical for the preservation of wild regions. Ensure that your temporary bathroom has been buried or removed, that all waste has been disposed of, and that your fire ring has been destroyed.

General Leave No Trace principles:

Make sure you pack it out as well as you pack it in.

When traveling, choose sturdy surfaces (rocks, gravels, dry grasses)

Ensure that human waste holes are 6"-8" deep and at least 200 feet away from water sources.

Plants and other natural objects should not be disturbed.

Keep flames small, burn them to ash, and then extinguish them completely, sprinkling cool ashes afterward.

Facilities

As previously stated, free camping does not provide many amenities. In addition to plumbing and power, there is water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Bring an outdoor table and folding chairs with you for meals and relaxation. You should also bring lots of water with you, especially if you're camping in the desert.

Different Road Conditions

Camping in dispersed locations is typically found close or at the end of uneven, pothole-filled roads with little traffic. Before venturing into a lonely portion of the forest, make sure to check the local department's website.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and United States Forest Service all stay up to date on road closures in a certain area (USFS). Check that your vehicle is capable of managing the terrain you may encounter. You don't want to be caught on these roads if you don't have a phone because they frequently go to locations with no mobile coverage.

Other Purposes of the Location

Another item to consider is whether or not this location is used by anyone else. BLM and USFS land is used for mining, logging, oil drilling, hunting, and grazing. In many circumstances, knowing where your borders are on BLM and USFS land might save you from a ticket or trespassing.

You should also think about who else is using this place. The Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service manages land that is used for logging, mining, hunting, oil extraction, grazing, and other activities. Because BLM and USFS land frequently backs up to private or National Park Service land, knowing where your limits are can help you avoid getting a penalty.

Maps and GPS 

You may lose cell service if you travel through the heart of a forest or desert.

We are frequently driven to the middle of nowhere for this precise purpose, with everyone and everything connected to the Internet.

It's always a good idea to have an atlas or map of the area with you just in case.

What Are Some of the Things I Should Be Aware of as a Camper?

Camping can be a lot of fun, but there are a few things you should be aware of before going. Keep the following information in mind:

- Always camp in specified areas and adhere to all rules and regulations.

- Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against potential hazards such as wildlife or inclement weather.

- Ensure that you have all of the necessary resources, such as food, water, shelter, and first-aid kits.

- Plan your route ahead of time, and notify someone of your destination and expected return time.

- Be prepared for anything, and have a great time camping!

We hope that our list has helped you locate some excellent spots to appreciate nature and detach from your day-to-day life, whether you want to go camping in the United States or are seeking a place to camp outside of the country. Don't worry if you don't! We have lots more blog posts about finding outdoor experiences right here at Camp Dot Com, so be sure to check them out if you need any assistance arranging your next family or friend adventure. Which state do YOU want us to visit?