How to Camp Free in the United States!
The main picture was my camp site just outside of the Badlands National Park and it was free. The United States is a wonderful place to find free camping and/or low cost camping. There are several ways to do this. BML, work programs, State Forest, and so many more. Below I will list a few that I know about and update as I find new ones.
FreeCampSites.Net
The site that I have found that was the best for free and low cost camping is Free Camp Sites which has been wonderful for me. It is a great place that has places from BLM to State Forest to the local Walmart and truck stops.
The nice thing about the site is that it has reviews from actual people that have used the camping sites. It is also great because it gives directions and many times photos. But remember that each person is different on what they think is a great place, i.e. for me a great place depends on how long I am staying which a parking lot is a great place for a night but not for a week.
The site also has a place to plan a trip which allows you to be traveling and see the different places on your route! I have not used this part yet but I can’t wait to try it.
State by State
Most states have public lands and forest areas. Each state will be different but I have used Pennsylvania Michaux State Forest for a camping site and left during the day to see several state parks, covered bridges, and Gettysburg.
The thing with staying at Michaux State Forest is that you have to have a permit which is free. But you have to send them your request before you go. They only issue permits Monday to Thursday. Therefore, they are less flexible then other primitive campsites.
If you are going to a state, check out the state forest website for any and all rules they might have for their primitive campsites. Also, call the office or check the description to ensure that the spot that you will be camping at is good for your situation, i.e. are the roads passable with an RV, trailer, or just with a 4 wheel drive.
County and City Parks
I went to see two different things as I was driving back to Pittsburgh: the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, Minnesota and Shire of the Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa both had free or almost free, i.e. under $15 camping sites next to the places.
The Jolly Green Giant camping areas had to have a call to city hall which is only open Monday to Friday with free camping near the river and low cost camping with showers and internet at the fairgrounds.
The Shire had to have a camping area for $15 for RVs and $10 for tent camping. But both needed to be contacted before normal business hours.
These are a little harder to find but check the local areas city and county government or tourism website. They can tell you prices. Free is great unless you have an RV or want showers.
Exchange Programs
Also, check out any campgrounds that you might want to visit for at least a week or more. Most of them have different programs that can make your camping site, laundry, electric, Wi-Fi, and/or more items free in exchange for a bit of work.
One State run campgrounds that I visited, actually give a person a cabin with all the modern apartment items for just talking to people for about 20 hours a week, i.e. opening the Stone House that is at the park and giving tours to other tourist. This is limited to a one week stay and fills up before around spring.
Other parks have Camp Host which generally they like persons that are over a certain age to do. The duties can include simply giving directions to the new people that arrive to taking money for firewood to cleaning the bathrooms to contacting a Park Ranger for emergencies or disruptive campers. It just depends on the place.
Even check out the RV and Camping places that are for profit. A lot of them have programs that include the items listed above to blazing trails, office work, camp program leaders for different activities, and so much more.
In California, off Highway 1, they have this great camp grounds. I remember the camp host saying that they where on a waiting list to be the camp host for over two years because this camp grounds was so beautiful and the host list was so long.
The biggest items is do you qualify for what they are looking for, did you sign up in time to get the spot, and are you willing to do the work. But this is a great way for those that have RVs to get free camping with just a few hours of work a week, i.e. generally under 20 hours.