You may have an awesome RV with all the comforts of home but you still need a spot to park it. Obviously, the best option is free camping but that are not always available so you should always have a backup plan. Here are some of the best cheap and free camping sites for RVs to help you save money on camp spots.
Free Camping for RV
If you are traveling in the western United States you have access to a vast array of options mainly dispersed camping on public land. You can find free campsites via the USDA Forest Service land, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, and Wildlife Management Areas.
RV Share has a really good list of the 27 free campgrounds it’s really an amazing list that included dispersed camping areas. Though most of the free options lack dump stations and electrical hookups (usually referred to as dry camping).
FreeCampsites.Net
FreeCampSites.net is a useful destination website that’s got a crowdsourced approach to showing free campsites with reviews and photos. This includes the practical overnight stops like the parking lot at Cracker Barrel and Walmart along with some hidden gems.
Highway Rest Areas
Highway rest areas are a good choice for short overnight stays. Though, check the local regulations before trying to stay overnight in the parking lot. For instance, some states allow overnight camping, while others restrict it to eight hours. The states that seem to not allow overnight camping are Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Cheap RV Camping
While free is obviously the best option on a cost basis but if there aren’t any free options nearby here are some other ways to find a spot for your RV.
America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
The America the Beautiful, or Interagency Annual Pass is an $80 (as of 2022) annual pass. It providesaccess to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies.
Harvest Hosts
Harvest Hosts provides access to over 3000 wineries, breweries, farms, museums, and other attractions for $99 a year. Most of the time, the camping is free. The caveat is that you buy a bottle of wine or dine at their onsite restaurant. For another fee, you can add access to over 400 golf courses.
Campendium
Campendium is an annual membership site that provides a 10% discount on all camping fees booked through the site. The cost of membership is $49.99 per year.
Thousand Trails
Thousand Trails is a network of campgrounds with locations across the United States. Annual membership starts at $535 and allows for free camping at any of their locations.
Passport America
Passport America is a membership camping club that gives members access to over 1600 quality campgrounds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico at 50% off the regular daily rate. The annual membership fee is only $44. It quickly pays for itself if you stay at one of their participating campgrounds only a few times throughout the year.
Coast to Coast Resorts
Coast to Coast Resorts is a network of over 400 campgrounds and RV Parks with free or deeply discounted camping rates.
Summary
You’ve seen a few of the best free RV parking spots in North America. If you don’t live near one of the national parks with dispersed camping areas, never fear. There are other ways to save on camping and parking your RV. Many state parks offer reasonable rates for overnight stays, as well as hookups and other amenities. And for those times when you just can’t find anything free, there are always commercial campgrounds that offer various services and price points. So get out there and explore our beautiful country! Have you tried any of these methods for finding cheap or free RV parking?