Free Campgrounds and RV Camping

Recreational Vehicle Free Camping and Overnight Parking

Free RV camping is different from free RV parking.

First, definitions...

• RV Camping - Multiple day stays in an RV.
• RV Parking - A place to spend the night in an RV.

Free RV parking locations are almost everywhere on public and private property. There are web sites devoted to cataloging free RV parking locations, and books such as Eastern and Western USA Free Campgrounds editions, and The Free Overnight Camping Guide (Wal-Mart Locations) are especially useful to travelers looking for a free overnight RV parking spot. You can get the same Wal-Mart location information on line, but the book is handy when traveling. With few exceptions such as truck stops, you need permission to park your RV overnight on private property.

Free RV camping sites are available on public lands and private property. We are aware of private lands owned by timber companies that allow free camping. Most free RV camping will be found on public lands.The best way to find free RV parking spots is to ask the local police or sheriff office. A phone call is all it takes, and you will be surprised at the great places they will direct you to, especially when dealing with smaller communities. Eastern USA travelers may have more difficultly finding free RV parking locations due to the extensive privately owned property.

Keep the size of your vehicle in mind as you set out to remote locations. When it comes to finding free RV camping locations, the smaller the RV the better in many instances. You can get stuck and have a long walk through difficult country if you are not careful.

Free Camping Ideas

Free RV camping is available on public lands extensively throughout the western USA, and to some extent in the eastern USA, where there are federal public lands. Some states allow free or low cost RV camping on public lands. For example, Arizona has a public lands recreation permit ($20) that allows free RV camping on state lands. Not quite free, but close. Colorado has some leased and owned lands allowing free RV camping to name just a couple of possibilities. Be creative!

The USA map on on our Home Page has links to each states camping information resources, and many specific free camping locations.

The USFS (US Forest Service) allows dispersed camping throughout the forests. The vehicle access for free RV camping is what you have to determine.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE is correct, COE is better known) has water based recreation facilities, many offering free RV camping at developed facilities.

National Wildlife Refuges may have available free RV camping sites available for short term stays.

How To Find Free Camping Locations

In our opinion, you can't find a good free RV camping site without a map. The only time that is not true is when you go with someone else, or have very explicit directions. You must have maps to find free camping locations.

To help find free RV camping locations in the west, we recommend Benchmark Recreation Atlas. For all other states, we like the Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer. We like the readability of the Benchmark maps a little better, and we really like the way they show public lands and who administers them.

Electronic navigation is getting popular these days, and GPS enabled systems with topographical mapping software will get you almost anywhere. This equipment is great for the back country explorer with ATVs and 4x4's and adventuresome RV campers.

Topo detail makes finding interesting areas to explore easy. We recommend DeLorme Topo USA 6.0 as The Best Topographical Mapping Software available. This great software will interface with Delorme Street Atlas software and files can be shared between the two programs. Topo 6.0 is available in Eastern USA, Western USA, or entire USA variations.

We have been testing the entire USA software package, and could not be more impressed. The shaded relief topographical display makes looking for interesting areas to visit almost automatic. It's easy and quick to zoom in and out out for incredible road and topographical detail. Routes can be manually or automatically plotted across the entire USA. Interstate highways have exit numbers, and back country roads and trails are accurately mapped.

The Topo 6.0 software makes finding remote location camping locations easy. Virtually every road and trail across the USA is mapped accurately, and the shaded relief and 3D views help you "see" what you find before you get there. Beware however... one fault of all topo maps we've tried is that some minor closed roads are mapped.

Even though our laptop computer does not meet the minimum system requirements for processor type, (Requires Pentium III, but my old laptop uses a Pentium II) the software works flawlessly. Other "bells and whistles" available are customizable layers which allow you to add comments and information to the maps. The ability to add roads and trails is also included.

More Free Camping Locations

• Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
• Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
• Casinos - Most casinos allow free RV camping. As with all private property, this is not always true.
• Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
• Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
• Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
• Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
• Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
• Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
• Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
• Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
• Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
• RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
• Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
• Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
• Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
• Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
• Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
• Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
• Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.