Last Updated on 06/26/2024 by Glynn Willard
How To Find Free Camping Spots
There’s nothing like waking up to magnificent views on public lands with lots of space and it didn’t cost you a dime.
Yes, boondocking is amazing!
Finding free boondocking sites doesn’t come without work and planning, but it’s worth the effort.
Over time, we’ve developed specific criteria for the best free camp sites and solid methods for finding free camping locations.
Most of these free camping areas are in national forests and on Bureau of Land Management land.
I hope this helps you rapidly become a pro at finding the perfect boondocking location for you and your family on your next road trip.
We filmed the two videos early in our adventures, but a lot of the information is “evergreen” and still applies.
Criteria For A Great Campsites
There’s a lot of land out there for free camping opportunities in the Western states.
The sites can be limited in popular areas, but there’s still enough to be a little picky (in most locations).
These are the things I look for in a great boondocking location for it to be the perfect dispersed campsite:
- A good distance from other boondockers.
- Passable dirt roads for our travel trailer and tow vehicle.
- Close enough to a town to obtain supplies and trash cans for our waste.
- A solid cell signal for our phones and data connection.
- Preferably a dump station and water source to fill our fresh water tank on the way to our selected boondocking location.
How To Find Free Boondocking Near Me?
My current apps to find free campsites.
There are several steps to find free RV boondocking sites. Or any free camping sites for that matter.
I begin first with some of the best camping apps.
But my favorite app (and the best app) to find free campsites is still ioverlander.
I was a fan of freeroam.app, but it was never updated in 2024, so it no longer works as an app.
Very unfortunate in my opinion. I hear Austin is working on a replacement, but that’s hearsay.
The interactive map available on Boondocker’s Bible is the best available.
It has BLM land, US Forest Service, National Park, and wildlife management areas as overlays.
It’s not specific to boondocking, but the satellite view on Google Maps app is crucial for a bird’s eye view of boondocking locations.
Google satellite view works well for BLM land since it’s usually wide open desert.
It’s a little less effective on United States Forest Service land since the trees obstruct the view of the camp spots.
Lastly, the terrain view is important to disclose if your camper can navigate terrain changes to get into the backcountry camping.
Of those listed, I like to combine Boondocker’s the cellular coverage map offered by my carriers (T-Mobile and AT&T), iOverlander, and Google Maps.
The Plan:
- To begin, while I have an internet connection, I look forward a few weeks in our area and find options within 200 miles on Boondocker’s Bilble and iOverlander.com.
- Next, I find those primitive camping locations on T-Mobile and AT&T’s overlay maps to see if we have cell service from either carrier. Starlink has made this easier for many boondockers.
- Then I select plan A, B and C options.
- Next, I find the locations on Google Maps in satellite map layers using the the lat/long coordinates from iOverlander.
- I make sure the sites look like they can handle a total of 50′ trailer and tow vehicle combo.
- I check the terrain on Google Maps to make sure our camper can handle any changes in elevation. Steep grades are a deal breaker.
- I then add the options to a list to decide on when we’re ready to move. I always prepare an option A, B and C close to one another in case the first option is unsuitable or full.
- Finally, since my best boondocking app does not offer offline use, we store the GPS coordinates on our Android devices, so we can rely on the truck’s GPS if we don’t have or paper maps.
- On a side note, I also look at Harvest Hosts (Boondocker’s Welcome) to see if there are any hosts in that area as an option to boondock on private property. This is one of the few options to boondock on private land.
That’s the basic low down on how I/we find great places to boondock. Even if it’s just for overnight parking.
You can also use BLM.gov to find free camping locations. It’s not as user friendly as the apps, but can be helpful as a backup.
Look over my article: 8 Best Apps For Boondocking And Free Dispersed Camping to learn more about boondocking apps for Android devices and ios devices.
Another Way To Find Free Boondocking Sites?
Other boondockers nearby can be a wealth of information.
Another great way is by speaking with other boondockers and getting their suggestions and input.
Some may be willing to share the best places. But many like to keep their boondocking locations a secret.
I don’t blame them.
Keep in mind, many of the best locations have a limited number of spots. So the less locals talk about it, the more likely they will have a spot when camping.
Regardless, if you’re kind and develop a good rapport, you may find them revealing some great “secret” boondocking sites.
It pays to be nice.
You can also stop by a ranger station and you’ll likely find a friendly park ranger willing to fill you in on free campgrounds and dispersed camping in the area.
When you learn about dispersed camping sites from a park ranger, you can be sure it’s legal to camp there.
What Are The Best Days To Look For Boondocking Sites
Hands down, the best days to look for free boondocking and dispersed camping sites are Tuesday through Thursday.
This is easy if you’re fulltiming in an RV.
Since we were already on site for the weekends, we can tell you about our experience every time.
Friday, starting around 4PM, rigs would start pulling in until after dark.
And by Saturday morning, most or all boondocking sites were occupied.
We always looked at each other and said “no way, not on a weekend!”
And honestly, the last place we want to end up is a Walmart parking lot.
No offense if you like to park overnight at a rest area, Walmart or Cracker Barrel.
What Is The Best Time To Look For Boondocking Sites
Since we’ve narrowed down the best days, let’s talk about the best times to find boondocking locations.
The best time to find free boondocking sites is between 1PM and 3PM.
Why?
- It gives other campers who are leaving time to clear out, opening more sites.
- New arrivals tend to show up after work around 5Pm to 7PM.
- Personally, we like to have time to set up before preparing dinner.
What If All The Boondocking Sites Are Full?
Boondocking sites in Sedona, AZ fill quickly.
This has happened to us on many occasions. I learned the hard way to establish a plan A, B and C.
Plan A was always closest, B a little further and so on.
About half the time, we had to move on to plan B and found a spot.
Fortunately, I can count on one hand the number of times plan C was full.
With no more options, we had to resort to “the next step.”
We looked for larger spots where the occupants were there and outside.
On every occasion, we mentioned our time on the road that day and asked if we could share their site.
On one occasion, they were reluctant but still said yes. Turns out they were leaving in the morning anyway.
Most of the time, people were fine with it and we would spend time getting to know them.
I would even find out their favorite beer and when I drove into town, I would bring back a 6 pack for them (and I don’t even drink).
That always went over well and was appreciated.
So, if you have to share a site, offer something in return.
Of course, if all else fails, you can boondock at truck stops and some parking lots.
Not Sure What You Need For Your RV?
Wrapping Up How To Find RV Boondocking Sites
The key to finding free boondocking sites is to have a plan.
Use the apps and websites to find plan A, plan B and plan C for a place to boondock.
The best days and times are Tuesday-Thursday from 1PM-3PM.
Make sure you fine-tune your boondocking etiquette if you are in need of sharing a site.
Remember kindness and giving go a long way.
If you’re curious about the best RV for boondocking, you can read our experience with boondocking RV’s.
And don’t forget, sometimes you may have to book yourself into state parks, RV parks or use national parks to dump your “human waste” and obtain safe potable water.
We love state parks for this reason!
Happy boondocking!
FAQ
Is Boondocking Camping?
Yes, if you’re boondocking, you’re camping. Typically it refers to being in an RV vs primitive tent camping.
Boondocking Meaning
Boondocking means to utilize your camper without hookups. In other words, it’s self sustained. Read more about it here.
Dry Camping Meaning
This can also be referred to as RV dry camping. Again, no hook ups, i.e., a self sustained RV.
Boondocking RV
Not all RV’s are well equipped for boondocking (even though they are marketed that way). Learn more in our articles:
- Best Boondocking RV Features
- Best Travel Trailer for Full Time (For Us Since We Boondock)
- Guide To The Best Class B Camper (Vans) For Boondocking
Are There Good Boondocking Websites?
You can learn all about boondocking from this website in our Boondocking Section under RV Living.
You can also check out our friend, Steve’s great website, Boondockers Bible.
Meet the author.
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