They say the best things in life are free, and when it comes to the thousands of camp spots across the US and Canada that don’t charge a dime for camping, who is to argue? Here is Campendium’s definitive guide to free camping: what it is, how to find it, and what you’ll need to bring.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is located adjacent Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland, Maryland, in the heart of Allegany County. This location features miles of hiking trails and incredible mountain views.
What is free camping?
Free camping is camping overnight in your RV or tent at a location where you do not have to pay. Most free campsites are not in developed campgrounds. Free camping is sometimes called boondocking, primitive camping, dry camping, and dispersed camping.
Free camping areas appeal to some campers simply because it doesn’t cost money, but others may find additional benefits to a free camp site, including the pleasures of camping without amenities, the option to camp farther away from other people than can be found in a campground, and the remote nature of many free campsites.
What do I need to camp for free?
Because most free campsites do not have any amenities, you’ll need to arrive prepared. If you’re camping in a remote, wild area (such as in a National Forest or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands), in addition to your RV or tent, be sure to bring:
- Water for drinking and washing
- Garbage bags
- Containers to store food
- Toilet paper and a shovel
- Camp chairs and a table
- Permits (if applicable)
Short, easy hike to the swimming beach and boat rentals from our campground; many other hiking trails up the mountain that we did not have time to try. We are not gamblers so did not visit the casino, although many campers we talked to chose this campground for that very reason. We camped at Rocky Gap State Park in a Motorhome. Hidden Springs is a family oriented campground offering activities for kids as well as adults. We are only 4 miles to Rocky Gap Casino Resort which boasts Maryland's only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, kayaking, swimming, fishing or try your luck in the casino. A map showing casinos and other gaming facilities located near Rocky Gap Casino Resort, located in Flintstone at 16701 Lakeview Road Northeast, in Maryland, United States. Linked by the Chattooga Wild and Scenic Corridor, the rugged Rocky Gap and Willis Knob loop trails hop back and forth across this famous river for roughly 28 miles. The 13-mile Rocky Gap Trail tackles the South Carolina side of the river, leaving another 15 miles to the Willis Knob trail on the Georgia side.
A working knowledge of Leave No Trace principles is essential to camping responsibly in free campsites, including how to dispose of waste properly.
If you’re camping in an area that allows overnight parking, such as a truck stop or Walmart parking lot, you will likely have access to a bathroom and a place to dispose of garbage.
Where can I find free camping?
Free camping abounds through the United States and Canada, but not all free camping is created equal. From Walmarts to national forests, there is a wide range of convenience, beauty, and enjoyment to be found with regard to free camping.
National Forests
National forests are public lands owned by the Forest Service or another managing government agency. National forests exist in almost every state in the US, and though not all allow dispersed camping, many (especially in the western US) do.
Camping in a national forest is suited not only for RVs and vans, but for tent camping as well. Most national forests that allow dispersed camping have a 14 day stay limit, though it can vary from as short a time as one day to as long as 30 days. Check the local regulations by either stopping in at the nearest ranger station, or calling ahead before you arrive.
The added bonus? While few national parks allow for free camping, many national parks are bordered by national forest or grasslands. Drive a few minutes out of the park, pull into a quiet spot in the national forest, and enjoy the solitude.
How to Find Free Camping in the National Forest on Campendium
- Use a text search to zoom into the area you’re interested in.
- Select Category “National Forest.”
- Select Price “Free.”
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency that manages land primarily in the western United States, and generally in open, desert landscapes. The BLM manages land for a number of uses, including recreation, grazing, logging, and resource extraction. Free camping on BLM is usually capped at 30 days, but can be shorter or longer depending on the location.
BLM land is suitable for RVs, vans, and sometimes (but not always) for tent campers. Because of the variety of uses on BLM land, you may wake up with a herd of cattle or a band of sheep in your campsite, so it pays to do a bit of research ahead of time to know what you might find.
How to Find Free BLM Camping on Campendium
- Use a text search to zoom into the area you’re interested in.
- Select Category “BLM.”
- Select Price “Free.”
Other Public Lands in the United States and Canada
While national forests and BLM land are the most common places to find free camping, other types of public lands in the United States and Canada offer up pockets of campsites in different states and regions. State parks, city parks, and county parks sometimes maintain free camping areas. So do entities like water management districts, trust lands, conservation areas. Smaller US federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation have a few campsites, too.
Stay limits, access, amenities, permitting requirements, and the types of camping that are allowed at these sites vary greatly. Reading reviews on Campendium, and contacting the agency that manages these free campsites, will help to determine whether they are right for you.
How to Find Free Public Land Camping on Campendium
- Use a text search to zoom into the area you’re interested in.
- Select Category “All Public Lands.”
- Select Price “Free.”
This search works in Canada, too! Who is ready for some free camping in British Columbia?
Overnight Parking
Overnight parking isn’t camping, strictly speaking. It is staying overnight in a developed area that allows for parking through the night. Examples of places that may allow overnight parking are Walmarts, truck stops, rest areas, and town parking lots.
Rules and limitations vary widely for overnight parking. A Walmart in one town may allow overnight parking, but the next town over will not. Be sure to read all posted signage and, if it is a business and they are open, go inside and ask permission from the manager. Overnight parking locations almost universally do not allow tent camping, so are best suited for those staying in RVs or vans.
Overnight parking can be loud, bright, and busy. Some places can also be on the shady side. Trust your gut, do your research on Campendium by reading past reviews and tips, and then make your decision.
How to Find Free Overnight Parking on Campendium
- Use a text search to zoom into the area you’re interested in.
- Select Categories “Parking Lot,” “Street Parking,” and “Rest Area.” These camping spots will be marked with a purple “P” on the map.
- Select Price “Free.”
With over 2,800 free campsites listed on Campendium, why pay for camping? If you’re in the mood for a little adventure, a little solitude, or simply a way to stretch your budget, take the leap and check out the free camping near you on your next trip.
Free Camping Near Me
United States
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Mexico
Tiny Flintstone, Maryland, in the Allegheny Mountains about 125 miles northwest of Baltimore, seems an unlikely spot for a casino resort. Opened in 2013, the resort has gaming tables and a golf course, but most campers in western Maryland aren’t there to try their luck. When complete, a hiking and biking trail beginning in the area will end 150 miles away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. State and national parks and forests and a single commercial campground provide primitive and developed campsites nearby.
Hidden Springs Campground
About a third of the spacious, wooded campsites at pet-friendly Hidden Springs Campground, 5 miles northwest of Flintstone in Clearville, Pennsylvania, are reserved for tent campers. The rest of the sites have a variety of services, including 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups, sewer and water. Some sites are large enough for motorhomes with slideouts. The campground has modern bathhouses, a game room, miniature golf and a swimming pool. No license is required for fishing in the campground’s stocked pond. Hidden Springs Campground is open from May through October.
Rocky Gap State Park
Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre lake surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, is the centerpiece of Rocky Gap State Park, 7 miles west of Flintstone. The Canyon Overlook Trail, a short, easy hike, leads to an overlook on the mile-long gorge formed by Rocky Gap Run. A long, strenuous trail leads to Evitt’s Mountain, named for early settlers in the region. Boats with electric motors, canoes and kayaks are allowed on Lake Habeeb 24 hours a day; anglers must have a Maryland fishing license. The park’s large campground has a private swimming beach, modern bathhouses and a boat ramp. Most of the sites are primitive. Rocky Gap State Park’s campground opens in early May and closes in early October.
Green Ridge State Forest
Long hiking trails snake through Green Ridge State Forest, 10 miles east of Flintstone, connecting with the Buchanan State Forest Trail and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. The Potomac River runs through the forest, providing a flat run for canoes and kayaks. Mountain bikers and equestrians are welcome on the forest’s roads, and a 44-mile driving tour includes multiple scenic overlooks. Campers should stop at the Green Ridge Headquarters to register for one of the 100 primitive campsites or seven group sites scattered throughout the forest. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, but no other amenities. Green Ridge State Forest campsites are open year-round.
Cumberland Area
Campgrounds Near Rocky Gap Casino
Cumberland, Maryland, the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, is about 13 miles southwest of Flintstone. The YMCA in town has a fenced, primitive camping area with a pavilion and picnic tables. Campers have access to the Y’s facilities during business hours. The National Park Service maintains a primitive camping area on the canal at Evitts Creek, 4 miles south of Cumberland. Campers must pack in their gear and drinking water or water purification tablets, as the nearest access point is under a mile away. Campsites have a chemical toilet, grill and picnic table, and while the sites are open year-round, the Park Service turns off the water from mid-November to mid-April.
References
About the Author
Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.
Photo Credits
Shopping Near Rocky Gap Casino
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