10 Best Free Campsites (RV friendly)
Often referred to as boondocking or dispersed camping; this form of free camping on public lands is gaining popularity.
After traveling full-time in our RV and car camping for decades out west, we’ve narrowed down over 100 campsites to our list of top 10 free campsites in the western U.S.
Make sure you check the BLM or national forest website for that specific land/campground to verify the rules.
Free Camping outside Joshua Tree National Park
Free Camping Tips
Always scout ahead. You don’t want to end up down a sketchy dirt road with nowhere to turn around
Be respectful of others. Don’t park right next to someone and don’t run your generator off hours
Leave No Trace. Always leave the campsite clean & better than you found it or these places will close down
Free Camping in Arizona
Box Bar Recreation Site
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Box Bar Recreation Site is a hidden gem northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. There are a few nooks along the river where you can find a sunny area if you rely on solar power or a shady area if you want some time away from the relentless desert sunshine.
We spent our mornings doing yoga by the river and our afternoons rope swinging into the chilly water (at least it was chilly in February).
There are enough spots for about 20 RVs and if you are a tent camper, walk on down to the river on the south side of the parking area and find the best tent sites right on the river.
If you find yourself in Cave Creek after hiking Black Mountain or Spur Cross, check out Local Johnny’s for a delicious happy hour and local beer.
Pros:
Rope swing into the river
Plenty of shade for people looking to escape the Arizona sun
Cons:
30+ minute drive to good hiking trails
Busy with locals on the weekends
Free Camping in California
Joshua Tree South Dispersed
Camping in Indio, CA
Joshua Tree National Park is on many people’s bucket list. While there are many campgrounds within the park, they fill up very fast on the weekends.
Joshua Tree South Dispersed is less than one mile from the south entrance to the park, and it has plenty of space for people looking to get away from the crowds.
There is an RV dump station and potable water a few miles into the park, and downtown Indio (25 minutes away) has any store you could want.
Make sure you stay in the established camping areas, as we saw countless people get stuck in the loose sand.
Pros:
Beautiful desert sunrises and sunsets
Easy access to the Joshua Tree National Park south entrance and Painted Canyon (our favorite hike in the area)
Cons:
The wind can get bad
No shade
be careful not to go off main road, as a lot of people get stuck in the sand
Alabama Hills Dispersed Camp
Camping in Lone Pine, CA
It shouldn’t come as any surprise to see Alabama Hills Recreation Area on this list as it truly is one of the most beautiful views of the iconic Mt Whitney you will find!
Somehow the Eastern Sierras is still under the radar compared to the surrounding areas like Yosemite, Mammoth, and Death Valley.
We car camped here while we hiked some of our favorite trails to date: Lone Pine Trail and Big Pines Lake Trail. At night it does get very windy so be prepared if you are tent camping.
This is a very RV-friendly area as well.
There isn’t much in town for dining options but we highly recommend Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery.
Pros:
Absolutely Stunning
Short drive to the trailhead of Mt Whitney or Big Pine Lakes Trail
Widespread area with plenty of sites
Cons:
The nights get cold and windy
No cell service
Free Camping in Colorado
Turkey Springs Road Dispersed
Camping in Pagosa Springs, CO
Turkey Springs is a fantastic area to camp for free. The sites are large and flat, and we had plenty of options to choose from in early June.
Over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails are scattered throughout the campsites. The road in is one of the best gravel roads we have been on.
The location of this free campground is ideal. You are only 15 minutes north of downtown Pagosa Springs with shopping, hot springs, and the beautiful San Juan River.
If you head north from camp, there are amazing hikes, waterfalls, and Williams Creek Reservoir.
We loved Pagosa Springs so much that we wrote an entire post on 15 Best Things to Do in Pagosa Springs.
Pros:
Easy access and a short drive to town
Amazing options for recreation activities (hike, bike, ATV) right outside your door
Beautiful forest setting
Cons:
Dense forest setting doesn’t allow for great sunrise / sunset views
Spotty cell service (unless you find a spot past the cattle guard)
Last Dollar Road Dispersed
Camping in Telluride, CO
If Telluride is not on your travel bucket list, you should add it now! Telluride is one of our favorite towns we have ever visited.
If you go in the early summer (late May - early July), you get the chance to see amazing waterfalls.
We hiked to 4 waterfalls very close to town. If you go in the late summer (late August - September), you get to see the aspens change colors.
Regardless of when you go, try to check out a festival in town. There seemed to be a festival every weekend during the summer. I went to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival while we camped at Last Dollar, and it was incredible. The park where the festivals are is only 25 minutes from camp.
Also, make sure to ride check out the Top Things to Do in Telluride while you’re there for the best hikes lakes, and restaurants!
Pros:
Stunning sunset views of the Rocky Mountains
Only 15 min drive to downtown Telluride
Cons:
Campground is super dusty
Limited privacy due to everyone sharing one big campsite
Free Camping in Utah
Capitol Reef Overflow Camping
Camping in Torrey, Utah
If you want to escape the crowds and explore a beautiful Utah national park, check out Capital Reef. The dispersed camping a couple miles west of the park is a great place to stay.
My favorite part of this campsite was the view of Capital Reef National Park. I would wake up early every morning to catch the sunrise over the park.
This was one of the most remote campsites we have stayed in. The closest grocery store and restaurant options are an hour drive, so make sure you bring what you need for your trip.
The park has very limited cell service, but the dispersed camping has decent coverage.
Pros:
5 minutes from the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park
Geodes, hiking trails, and stunning sunsets just outside your door
Cons:
No more than 30 campsites (comfortably)
Very high winds
Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping
Camping in Mexican Hat, Utah
While we haven’t camped overnight here, we have driven by and it is definitely on our bucket list to camp here next time we are traveling through Southeast Utah.
The views of the rock formations in the distance are stunning, and the desert sunsets will blow you away.
If you have a big rig (over 35’), make sure you enter on the east side. The spots over there are more big rig-friendly. It is also a good idea to have 4WD because the 2-mile road to get to the first site can get a little sketchy.
Make sure you scout out the road on foot/bike before you drive your rig. It is easy to get yourself into trouble out in the desert.
Pros:
Beautiful desert boondocking at its finest
10+ miles of campsites leaving room for everyone
Cons:
Drive in is difficult for beginners or very large rigs
Limited cell service
Free Camping in Washington
Ranger Creek Airstrip
Camping in Enumclaw, WA
Ranger Creek Airstrip is an active airstrip in the middle of a beautiful Washington forest. Only one or two small planes come through each day, and it is fun to watch them land.
The area is a mountain biker’s paradise, attracting locals on the weekends. You can walk to trails that wind through the lush forest crossing rivers and waterfalls.
You need a Washington Discover Pass to stay here, but $35 for a full year is well worth it.
Pros:
Hiking and biking trails right outside your door
Close to Mount Rainier National Park and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Cons:
Busy with locals on the weekends
Spotty cell service
Minnie Peterson Campground
Location: Forks, WA
Minnie Peterson Campground is one of the most tranquil places we have stayed. The moss-covered trees and the constant drizzling resulted in incredibly fresh air.
Forks is the setting of the Twilight books and you will understand why vampires would want to live here. We didn’t see much sun during our week stay.
There are only nine sites, but most of them are large enough to fit multiple rigs if you are traveling with friends.
The seven night stay limit makes it so there was an open site most days. Similar to Ranger Creek, you will need a Washington Discover Pass to stay here.
Pros:
Serene rainforest setting
Easy access to Hoh Rainforest section of Olympic National Park
Cons:
Very limited sun for those of us relying on solar power
Only 9 sites
Free Camping in Wyoming
Upper Teton View
Camping by Grand Teton National Park
This is one of the most popular free campsites in the USA, so the weekends are crowded in the summer.
Don’t expect to pull in on Saturday and get a prime spot, but there is plenty of space at the top of the hill for everyone. The popularity has led to a strictly-enforced five night limit, which means you will get to meet new people every day.
Pros:
Epic sunrise and sunset views of the Teton Range
Quick access to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson
Cons:
The hill getting in can be gnarly for beginner RVers and large rigs
Spotty cell service (AT&T has best coverage)
Pin this post for planning your camping trip later!
