Are you a new RVer ready for an epic road trip but unsure where to park your home away from home? With so many other campers taking to the RV lifestyle, it can be challenging to find an available campsite at times. We have felt this frustration when RVing too.
But don't despair! There are plenty of other options when popular campgrounds are packed. Whether you're just passing through or looking for somewhere special to stay put, check out these resources and ideas that can help ensure your next RV adventure is successful!
Guest Post by The Adventure Detour
Utilize Free RV Caption Options
A really great way to skip the need for reservations altogether is to camp for free on federal lands. This includes Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, national forest land, some water management districts in the United States, and federal Crown Land in Canada.
On BLM land, camping is generally allowed as long as it doesn't interfere with other uses of the land. However, campers must follow the rules regarding where they can park and the length of stay. Rules vary by region, so it's important to read up on local regulations before setting out.
In National Forests, camping is allowed in designated areas as long as you abide by posted guidelines. These often include avoiding areas with signs that prohibit camping and respecting the environment. It's also important to note that campfires may be regulated or prohibited in some areas due to fire danger.
Camping in Water Management Districts is sometimes also an option, but you often must first obtain a permit from the district office. These permits are often free of charge, though there are some cases where a fee may be required. This is a popular option for dry camping in Florida.
RVing In Canada
Federal Crown Land in Canada, camping is generally allowed, but you should check with local authorities to get exact details. Often times this land is used for forestry or agriculture, so it's important to respect any posted signs or rules. Most Crown Land is extremely rural, and directions can be tough to find. It helps to do some research beforehand and ensure you have all of your boondocking supplies needed before heading to these more rural areas. Also, note that Crown Land camping is only free for Canadians. There is a charge that varies by Province for non-Canadian citizens.
Tips for Dry Camping
If you decide to take advantage of free camping sites, you should also bear in mind that there may be limited amenities at such locations. These free camping locations are referred to as dry camping or boondocking because there are no hookups, bathrooms, or dump stations. This means you'll need to bring all your supplies, including food, a power source, and water.
Additionally, it's important to practice Leave No Trace principles. Sadly some free camping areas on federal lands have been closed due to trash or other damage to the natural areas. When campers follow the rules of the camping area and keep their campsite clean, these incredible locations will remain open for everyone to enjoy!
A great free resource to find free camping locations is the RV Parky app. An alternative source of free campsites is The Dyrt. The Dyrt is very comprehensive and has both a free and paid version. Finding the right RV apps will make your trip much easier!
Other Free Overnight Places To Stay In Your RV
Sometimes you just need a quick free overnight option on your route to the next destination. If you look at overnight campgrounds, they may be booked for your dates. Here are some free short-term overnight camping options that don't require a reservation.
Parking lot camping or lot docking is a great way to save money with a quick overnight stay. This can be a very convenient option on your route. Free overnight parking lot camping is often allowed at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabellas, Bass Pro Shops, rest stops, some state visitor centers, and casinos.
Note that every business location is different. You need to verify that the location you wish to stay at allows overnight parking. Typically more urban locations are the ones that don't allow it because they have more crowded parking lots.
Check for signs and ask the manager for permission before staying. No one wants to get a knock on the door from a police officer in the middle of the night! A great app to look for free places to park your RV overnight is Campendium.
Less Popular RV Camping Locations
Are you looking for alternative options to sold-out campgrounds that are also less expensive but still have at least partial hookups? Not everyone is into dry camping. Many RVers at least want water and power during longer stays. Read on for some inexpensive camping locations for longer stays.
Check out local fairgrounds if the campgrounds are sold-out in your travel location. Many fairgrounds have partial hookup campsites at a really reasonable rate. Also, look at nearby county parks. County-run campgrounds or city parks with camping are often overlooked places to camp that are rarely full. We have stayed at a lot of country campgrounds for cheap. These places are often simply unknown, which is a huge win for times when the rest of the camping locations are full.
Another option that is more known but also may have openings is the Corps Of Engineers camping. COE campgrounds are located onsite at federal water projects like dams and water diversion areas. One huge benefit of these campgrounds is that they often have water views, and they are very inexpensive to stay at. We have even stayed at some COE campgrounds that have dam visitor centers, river locks, and other educational programs.
Campground Cancellation Notification Service Hack
Is your heart set on visiting a state park or national park on your camping trip, but the campground is completely sold-out? One hack we use is campground cancellation notification services. You set an alert for the dates you wish to travel and the campground you wish to stay at. Then the service will let you know if a reservation is canceled that matches your date. Two popular tools are Wandering Labs and Arvie.
Tips To Avoid Crowded Campgrounds
To avoid the hassle of dealing with sold-out campgrounds in the first place, you can consider taking your trip at a less crowded time. Visiting the travel location during the shoulder season is often much less crowded. You can also stay during the weekdays to have a better chance of getting the reservation.
I hope you feel inspired to get out there and enjoy your camping trip, even if many of the places already seem booked up. With a little creativity and flexibility, you can always find somewhere to stay in your RV. So what are you waiting for? Looking for a new RV to hit the road in? La Mesa has the selection you need to find your perfect rig. Stop by for a visit today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full-time in their RV for 8 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, jobs for RVing, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blogs, theadventuredetour and rvnomadjobs. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
