One of the best parts about van life is that every day, you can be in a new place if you want to be. The options are limitless! However, the freedom you gain by living and traveling in a van does come with some obstacles. Finding a place to safely park your rig every night may be the largest of the bunch.
As a van lifer, going to sleep after a long day doesn’t just involve climbing into bed and turning out the lights. It involves finding a safe, legal, and affordable place to park for the night where you can’t be bothered.
At DM Vans, we’ve gained a ton of knowledge about finding free camping from our experiences working and living on the road. We’ll discuss some of our favorite smartphone apps for campsite discovery, and then get into safety and Leave No Trace Principles.
The Advantages of Free Camping Go Beyond “Free”
Back in the day, road trippers would check in at affordable roadside motels and hotels to rest their weary heads after a long day of travel. Nowadays, prices for motels and hotels have skyrocketed. The thought of dropping a hefty chunk of cash just for one night can make anyone’s stomach turn. Even worse, the nightly rates and fees for campgrounds — once an affordable option for families and solo travelers alike — seem to be climbing by the day.
So where do the budget-conscious van lifers stay the night? And what’s the easiest way to find free camping?
When it comes to finding a free spot to camp, it all depends on what you’re up for and if you’re willing to do some local research. In some cases, finding a place to park for the night is as easy as pulling into a highway rest stop. Other times, finding a place to park involves tracking down the one Forest Service road in the area that has dispersed campsites. And if you’re really desperate, there’s always the Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot (No, we’re not advocating for this, but yes, we’ve done it).
While it may take a little digging up front, free camping has several advantages.
- Cost savings: We are not mathematicians, but we think we’ve worked out an equation regarding free camping: the less money you spend on expensive hotels or overpriced campgrounds, the more you can spend on other necessary expenses, or on extending your trip.
- Remote, natural settings: Some of the best, most beautiful places we’ve parked and camped were off the beaten track, in stunning wilderness, and absolutely free. This is especially true for Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land, which we’ll talk about later.
- Community: In some scenarios, you’ll pull up to a free camping area and see a handful of other like-minded, van-living, free-camping travelers. When this happens, it’s like moving into a new neighborhood and getting to know your neighbors. It’s awesome!
Essential Apps for Finding Free Camping
Since the dawn of the van life phenomenon, there’s been an exponential uptick in the number of smartphone apps that help you find places to camp. Each app is going to look and operate slightly differently, but the final product they offer is largely the same– they help you locate safe and reliable places to camp, including free campsites.
While all of the apps are helpful in some way, you’ll more than likely develop a preference for one over the others. Your preference for one app over another may depend on what part of the country you are traveling in, how you like camping (ie. you prefer campsites with bathroom facilities), and other personal preferences like proximity to reliable wireless service or electricity and water hookups.
If you really want to cover all your bases, you can cross-reference a couple of different apps to guarantee that you’re seeing all the available options in the area you want to camp.
The following is a list of the essential apps for campsite discovery that we have found useful.
iOverlander:
iOverlander is a popular app that provides user-generated information on free camping and budget-friendly camping spots worldwide.
Use the app to explore camping options from an interactive map, bookmark your favorites, and also discover activities that other travelers recommend in the area.
For each campsite, it provides useful details such as the size of the camping area, internet connectivity, and if camping with pets is allowed.
Campendium:
Campendium is a rich online database of campsites and campgrounds, including RV parks, National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, and, best of all, free camping.
Their app offers detailed reviews and ratings for both free and paid campgrounds all across the United States, and some in Canada and Mexico as well.
The Dyrt:
If you’re looking for a truly comprehensive list of campgrounds and camping throughout the United States, check out The Dyrt. The Dyrt features a large database of user-generated campsite listings that includes National Parks, National Forests, and free camping areas.
When it comes to high-functioning software, a rich database of camping intel, and access to a diverse community of other real-life travelers and campers, The Dyrt Pro Membership is sort of unbeatable.
Park4Night:
Park4Night was started in Europe, but now includes a worldwide network of campsite locations, reviews, and recommendations.
Unlike some of the other apps, Park4Night is specifically for camper van and RV travelers, and as the name implies, recommends places to park for the night. Coming up on 15 years in business, it’s a reliable source for global (often non-English) info. Its focus on wild camping spots, rest areas, and parking lots suitable for overnight stays makes it a valuable resource.
Freecampsites.net:
FreeCampsites does exactly what its name suggests—it provides a simple, map-based search engine for locating free camping. The app focuses on dispersed camping on public lands, including: Forest Service Land, Bureau of Land Management areas, and Wildlife Management Areas, as well as county and city parks.
While the interface is a little old-fashioned, it’s very accurate and community-driven. Plus, unlike some of the other sites, it really emphasizes low-cost camping, with sites above $12/night excluded from mapping.
National Forests and BLM Land
When it comes to federal public land (as opposed to city or county lands) where you can find free camping areas in the United States, there are two primary land managers: the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Free Camping in National Forest and the Forest Service Land
The Forest Service is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The mission of the Forest Service is to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forest and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.”
The agency was created on the principle of managing natural resources for “the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time.” In doing so, the Forest Service collaborates with local communities, conducts scientific research, promotes economic and ecological vitality, and connects people to the land—including you!
Free Camping on Public BLM Land
The Bureau of Land Management is a branch of the United States Department of the Interior. The BLM’s mission is to carry out the mandate of “managing public land for multiple uses while conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources.”
The “multiple uses” that the BLM land management mission is referring to include:
- Renewable energy development (e.g. solar and wind)
- Conventional energy development (e.g. coal, oil, and natural gas)
- Livestock grazing
- Hardrock mining (e.g. silver and gold)
- Timber harvesting
- Outdoor recreation (e.g. dispersed camping, hunting, rafting, off-highway vehicle driving)
In total, the BLM manages 245 million acres. (This is one-tenth of America’s land base!) In addition, the BLM manages over 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate. It’s on these public lands that you can park your van for free and enjoy the natural landscape. Pretty awesome, right?
Tips for finding free camping in National Forests and BLM areas.
To locate Forest Service Land around where you live or where you plan to travel, take a look at the interactive Forest Service Visitor Map. Look here for downloadable reference maps to guide your adventures.
Regarding BLM land, you can digitally explore BLM land with the National Data Map Viewer. Other helpful BLM maps and resources can be downloaded on their website, including maps for specific states.
In terms of the apps we talked about in the section above, like iOverlander and the Dyrt, either the app itself or the user-generated reviews will mention whether the camping spot is located on Forest Service or BLM Land.
If you are exclusively trying to camp for free on public lands, you’ll want to focus on these locations. For example, the database on FreeCampsites.net consists entirely of public land. Otherwise, you’ll more than likely need to pay a campsite fee to whomever the land manager is (e.g. at privately owned campgrounds or national or state parks).
Whether you’re planning to use free dispersed camping on BLM land or on a Forest Service road, remember to follow all local regulations.
Stealth Camping and Urban Overnighting
When you think of van life, it’s easy to imagine camping somewhere scenic with no one else around. This is true a lot of the time! But, sometimes, it’s the opposite.
Sometimes, van life camping does not involve starry nights and bonfires on dreamy Forest Service land. Sometimes, van life camping occurs in public roadways, rest stops, and other urban environments.
While camping in a Walmart parking lot may not be the sexiest form of van life, sometimes, it’s necessary. For example, urban overnighting is necessary sometimes when you need to restock and refuel. Other times, spending the night in a city may be necessary to visit family or friends.
Whatever the case, being flexible enough and prepared to stealth camp in urban areas is a necessary part of van life.
Strategies for stealth camping in urban areas or near cities
Stealth camping is exactly what it sounds like– camping in your van in an urban environment where people don’t know you are there. A big camper van is a giveaway by itself, but ideally, everything else about you and your van is as discreet as possible. Normally, that means no lights, no loud music, and no going in and out.
Check out this video to see how one van lifer goes about a typical day while urban camping:
And here are some quick tips to help maintain a low-ish profile when spending the night in a city:
- Check the nearby posted signage: If you think you found a good, flat spot to park, check signs to make sure overnight parking in that specific area.
- Blackout your windows: High-quality, well-fitted window covers will prevent the interior lights of your van from being visible on the exterior. All of our latest Lifestyle Vehicles® include custom-made window covers for this exact purpose.
- Avoid residential neighborhoods: Residential neighborhoods are tempting because they are quiet and street parking is plentiful. However, residents can quickly become suspicious of your unfamiliar van and report you to local authorities.
- Park on public streets: Yes, these locations will be noisier, but you will blend in better with the surrounding environment.
- Arrive late and leave early: Arrive and park your vehicle after dark, whenever possible. Then, get an early start and hit the road the next morning. Essentially, you want to avoid a prolonged parking situation while in a city. If you need somewhere to be during the day, park at the local public park. Then, when the park “closes” for the night, move your van to your sleep spot.
- Seek out approved camping spots: Some city parking lots and rest stops will allow car camping and overnight RV Parking. Park in these locations whenever possible.
Safety Considerations While Using Free Campsites
We believe sacrificing the conveniences of urban and suburban life is totally worth it to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. That being said, it’s important for van lifers to be responsible for their own safety and prepared for any situation that might arise.
Securing your van is not all that different from securing your home. Think about locking your doors to feel safe inside your house at night. You should do the same thing on the road, while also knowing your van can easily drive away if ever needed.
Safety tips for vanlifers
As you start planning your next trip and mapping out free campsites, here are some considerations that we hope will help you feel safer.
- Always keep a van emergency response kit: This includes a first aid kit for injuries and illnesses and any tools you might need to fix something, like changing a flat tire.
- Be aware of cellphone reception: Not all free campsites will have cell reception, and that’s okay. But if there is an emergency and you need to call for help, it will be vital to know where the closest cell service can be found.
- Back into parking spots: Backing into spots whenever possible and knowing your route out of the camp site will facilitate an easier evacuation in the event of an emergency.
- Stash your keys in the same spot: We recommend keeping your keys in the same spot in your van every day when you are not using them. We also recommend not bringing them on adventures with you, like hikes or mountain bike rides. If you must bring your keys with you, it’s a good idea to have a hidden set of keys somewhere on the exterior of your van.
- Lock your doors: Break-ins are a fact of life whether on the road, on a farm, or in an apartment. Lock your doors to cover your bases.
The Seven Leave No Trace Principles
Van life camping is becoming more popular, and we think that’s great! However, with more folks out on the road and enjoying the various free campsites our country offers, we need to be even more aware of our impacts on the natural world around us.
That’s where the seven principles of Leave No Trace can help!
Chances are, you’ve heard of Leave No Trace (LNT). If you haven’t, here’s a quick rundown, van life edition.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
While some unexpected adventures are totally acceptable while living on the road in a van, it’s also sometimes a good idea to have a plan, especially while navigating new places and finding free camping. Using the various apps and websites we’ve discussed in this article is the ideal way to prepare and plan ahead.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
If you are sticking to major roadways, following this rule is easy. However, if you would like to go deep on BLM roads or search for the perfect campsite in Forest Service land, this rule is for you. xt
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
One of the fallbacks of public land is that sometimes there can be zero amenities– no bathrooms, dump stations, or trash facilities. This means you will need to know how to either A) go in your van, or B) equitably go to the bathroom outside. All DM Vans Lifestyle Vehicles® can be customized to include cassette or composting toilets for your convenience, but if you’re SOL, you’ll need to pack out and dispose of the trash you generate while camping– no exceptions!
4. Leave What You Find
Souvenirs are cool but if they belong to the natural ecosystem, leave them alone. Here, we are talking about cool-looking rocks, antlers, or perhaps even fossils or other archeological findings. If you must have a souvenir from somewhere, support a local business and purchase something like a magnet, postcard, or embarrassing t-shirt.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
If you would like to enjoy a campfire, do so within established fire rings, pans, or fire pits. Keep your fire small and controllable. After you are finished, completely squelch the fire pit. And always obey local fire bans.
6. Respect Wildlife
While you may be visiting somewhere, it’s important to remember that the local wildlife actually lives there. If you get to enjoy a wildlife sighting while camping, enjoy the experience and keep your distance. If you are camping in bear country, always obey the local bear safety recommendations and rules.
7. Be Considerate of Others
Van living is fun not only because of the adventures you get to experience but also because of the people you get to meet along the way. So if a fellow van dweller needs a hand, lend them one. And if you pull up to a spot and someone else is already there, be considerate like you would be with your neighbor.
Free Camping in a DM Van
Roadtripping in a DM Van is already awesome. But free camping in a DM Van–well– that’s even better!
The best part about free campsites on public land is that you can explore new territories and vistas without paying a cent. No overpriced camping fees from poorly managed campgrounds or stinky hotel rooms, and no squeezing the budget for amenities you can’t afford.
The amount of public land the U.S. possesses is definitely one of the many advantages of traveling the country on wheels. Between the Forest Service and BLM lands, the United States is filled with incredibly beautiful landscapes.
But just because campsites are free doesn’t mean we can treat them like they are cheap. These places are priceless, and they should be treated as such. It’s our role as responsible users to steward them to the best of our ability.
See you on the road. -Dave and Matt
