While everyone else is scrambling to get a coveted campsite in state and national parks across the country this summer, there’s a whole bunch of public land that’s open (and free!) for you to enjoy. The federal government owns over a quarter of our nation’s landmass—more than 640 million acres—and a good chunk of that is available for you to use and enjoy and, importantly, take care of.
Free camping in these spaces usually equates to dispersed camping, which means camping outside of designated campgrounds. You can pitch a tent or park your van overnight on grounds managed by the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in places where dispersed camping is permitted. We’ve included that style of camping here, whenever possible. In some states, we’ve highlighted free, primitive campgrounds—developed sites with minimal amenities that don’t require reservations. And in the few cases of states with little to no free or dispersed camping, we’ve included remote, quiet campgrounds with fees of $25 a night or less.
While most of these campsites are free of charge, they aren’t free of responsibility. With limited services or infrastructure, most don’t include things like trash removal, toilets, or fire rings. So you’re in charge of taking care of the land and your waste (all of it), following all fire bans and guidelines, and leaving the place like you found it (or better). Read more about responsible practices in our 101 Guide to Dispersed Camping.