Katie and Pierce
Planning your next camping adventure without breaking the bank? There are a number of states where free camping and boondocking gives you incredible outdoor experiences at zero cost. Whether you love desert landscapes, mountain forests, or coastal views, these top states with free camping have something special waiting for you.
1. Wyoming
As one of the premier states for free camping, Wyoming gives you access to incredible boondocking almost everywhere you look. This top state for boondocking shines especially bright near world-famous parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, plus four amazing national forests full of camping opportunities.
Spread Creek Dispersed Campsite #4 sits just outside Grand Teton National Park and only needs a short 2-mile drive on well-maintained gravel roads. Large RVs fit easily in the spacious sites, and you’ll stay quiet with decent cell service while being just 20 miles from Colter Lake Campground inside the national park.
City parks also welcome campers in Wyoming. Lewis Park Campground in Wheatland provides 15 RV spots right in town, some with electrical hookups. Families love the extras like mini golf, basketball courts, and playgrounds. You can stay up to 3 days, and everything is spread out nicely with free electricity at many sites.
2. Nevada
Nevada stands out among the best states for boondocking with over 48 million acres of public land covering 67% of the entire state. This incredible amount of space makes Nevada one of the premier states with free camping, giving you year-round opportunities from hot desert floors to cool mountain forests.
Spencer Hot Springs creates a unique camping experience where you can soak in natural hot spring pools surrounded by stunning desert scenery. Multiple pools at different temperatures let you find the perfect spot to relax while wildlife roams the surrounding landscape.
The Valley of Fire area provides massive BLM dispersed camping zones west of the state park. These wide-open spaces work perfectly for large groups or anyone wanting to camp away from crowds. The red rock formations create amazing sunrise and sunset photography opportunities, and you’ll have plenty of room to spread out.
3. New Mexico
New Mexico earns its “Land of Enchantment” reputation as one of the best states for free camping, especially during the perfect spring and fall seasons. While winter camping gets tricky due to high elevations, this top state with free camping becomes absolutely magical when weather conditions are right.
Angel Peak Campground near Bloomfield puts you right at the edge of wilderness with spectacular views of Angel Peak and the surrounding badlands. The well-maintained grounds and decent access roads make this spot better than most BLM areas offering this level of scenery and solitude. It works great as a base camp for visiting Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the unique Bisti Badlands.
Down near Carlsbad, Chosa Campground sits perfectly positioned between Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. Campers consistently rave about the incredible sunrises and sunsets from this location. When you need supplies, showers, or laundry services, White’s City RV park is just 5 minutes away.
4. Montana
Montana lives up to every expectation as one of the best states for boondocking with its vast national forests and pristine BLM lands. Whether you’re heading toward Glacier National Park or exploring the Bozeman area after Yellowstone, this premier state for free camping delivers amazing options everywhere you turn.
Otter Creek Fishing Access Site near Big Timber gives you prime real estate right on the famous Yellowstone River. Any size RV can access this spot easily, and the well-packed gravel road down to the river avoids big ruts and potholes that plague other fishing access points.
North Fork Road Dispersed Camping near Columbia Falls surrounds you with beautiful mountains and sits just 15 minutes from the West Glacier park entrance. Most campsites include fire rings, and you can stay up to 16 days in this area. The mountain views from your campsite make every morning feel like a postcard.
5. Washington
Washington manages over 16 million acres of BLM public land along with Oregon, creating incredible variety from rugged coastlines to towering mountain forests. This diversity makes Washington one of the top states with free camping where you can find completely different landscapes within a few hours of driving.
The state works well for different camping styles and group sizes. Veterans with service-related disabilities and active military members on official leave can get special passes that provide free camping access to Washington state parks, adding even more options to the already abundant BLM and National Forest opportunities.
Washington’s BLM areas follow standard 14-day stay limits throughout most regions. After your two weeks are up, moving 25 miles away opens up entirely new terrain and scenery. The variety of landscapes means you can easily switch from coastal camping to mountain forests to desert areas just by relocating to a different region.
6. California
California claims the title as one of the best states for free camping with an amazing 15 million acres of BLM land stretching from Death Valley’s southern deserts all the way north to the towering Redwood rainforests. This incredible range makes California a top state for boondocking no matter what season you visit or what type of scenery you prefer.
Fossil Falls Dry Lake Bed sits just one mile off Highway 395 between Inyokern and Lone Pine. The access road stays in good condition, and the flat terrain makes setup easy for any size RV. Many campers say they feel like they’ve hit the lottery when they stumble across this hidden gem.
The Pads campground in Death Valley sits on old concrete patios from an abandoned housing project, creating a unique camping experience about 25 minutes from Death Valley National Park’s visitor center. The higher elevation keeps temperatures 15-20 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Star gazing here is incredible, with clear views of shooting stars and planets on most nights.
7. Colorado
Colorado maintains its reputation as one of the best states for boondocking despite increasing tourism numbers. Rocky Mountain National Park sits nearby for world-class adventures, and the mountain scenery throughout this premier state with free camping remains unmatched anywhere else in the country.
Lizard Head Pass Dispersed Camping near Ophir consistently gets called “the best boondocking spot ever” by experienced campers. The BLM manages a large area that accommodates campers and RVs of all sizes, and the surrounding mountain views create breathtaking backdrops for your camping experience.
Madden Peak Road Dispersed Camping near Hesperus works perfectly for remote workers who want to combine camping with productivity. Individual campsites stay separated by natural woods and boulder formations for complete privacy, and the strong cell phone service easily supports mobile hotspots for internet work. The seasonal opening runs from late April through December.
8. Idaho
Idaho surprises many people as one of the best states for free camping because 62% of the state consists of public land available for camping. Sitting perfectly between Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming, this top state for boondocking makes an ideal stop during northwest road trips.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area along Forest Road 146 leads to dozens of beautiful campsites following the Big Wood River. The area comes alive during late April and early May when spring blooms appear and snowmelt fills the river with rushing water. You can stay up to 16 days completely free, and there’s a dump station with fresh water near the headquarters for a small honor-system fee.
What makes Idaho special among states with free camping is the incredible peace and quiet you’ll find. As one of America’s least populated states, you’ll often have gorgeous mountain and forest locations almost entirely to yourself. Just make sure your vehicle can handle bumpy dirt roads to reach the most spectacular spots.
9. Arizona
Arizona provides one-of-a-kind desert landscapes and ranks among the best states for boondocking, especially for escaping cold winter weather. Most of Arizona consists of public land managed by the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service, creating numerous free camping opportunities throughout this top state with free camping.
Indian Bread Rocks near Bowie takes you completely off the beaten path where stunning sunrises and morning coyote calls create an authentic desert experience. The area stays relatively uncrowded, and solid cell phone service makes it possible to work remotely or stream entertainment during your stay.
Coconino Rim Road Dispersed Camping near the Grand Canyon accommodates large RVs and trailers over 40 feet long in spacious sites. Some camping spots sit directly across from lookout towers, providing amazing sunset viewing and serving as trailheads for multiple hiking routes in the Kaibab National Forest.
10. Texas
Texas provides a completely different camping experience among the best states for free camping, combining hundreds of miles of coastline with thousands of acres of publicly-managed inland areas. While Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks charge small entrance fees, plenty of other locations throughout this diverse state with free camping remain completely free.
Sam Forse Collins Recreational Park in Burkeville delivers beachside camping with generous space and even includes free hot showers. The facility cleanliness might be described as “average,” but the price can’t be beaten, and many campers consider this the best free coastal camping spot they’ve ever found.
Magnolia Beach Camping near Port Lavaca positions you just 20 feet from the water with both tent and RV accommodation options. The restrooms stay reasonably clean, and the location becomes especially popular during holiday weekends like July 4th for family gatherings. Some visitors end up extending their stays for weeks because the waterfront location and zero cost are impossible to beat.
11. Utah
Utah’s incredible landscape of red rock formations, forested mountains, lakes, and flowing rivers comes with extensive free camping opportunities throughout the entire state. The unique scenery in this top state for boondocking is so spectacular that many people plan entire road trips specifically to experience Utah’s natural wonders.
Old Highway 89 Dispersed Camping near Mount Carmel works perfectly as a base camp for visiting Zion National Park and the Kanab area. Campers love watching sunset colors paint the mountains every evening and taking morning dog walks through the surrounding forest areas.
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs Dispersed Camping near Cedar City surrounds you with stunning views in every direction. A historic petroglyph site with a short hiking trail adds cultural interest to your camping experience. The abundance of camping spots means you can set up almost anywhere in the area, giving you plenty of options for finding the perfect site.
