Our Top Five Favorite FREE Campsites
Being from New England, I couldn't fathom the hundreds of acres of land out west that was available for public use. In fact, I couldn't fathom all of the land in general. It wasn't until we got out there that I understood how incredibly vast the land in the southwest United States truly is. The long stretches of road; the contrast between the flat land and the ridged mountains; the never-ending sky. It is no wonder that the Bureau of Land Management manages 12.2 million acres of land in Arizona alone. This allows RVers and outdoor enthusiasts alike to enjoy the land for camping, hiking, off-roading, etc.
Typically, the length one is allowed to camp on BLM land is 14 days. It is usually a pack-in/pack-out dry camping situation, however, hook-ups or other amenities are occasionally provided.
Not all of these campsites are run by the BLM, but I found it important to talk about due to the endless free camping opportunities provided by the U.S. government.
Without further adieu, these are our top five favorite FREE campsites we have stayed at so far:
Rutherford Beach, Creole, LA
I put this one at the top because, well, it's beachfront camping AND there's outdoor showers. We camped here for about a week in our 35' Class A Motorhome. There is an area to the right, before you get to the soft sand, where it is hard packed enough for a rig of our size to park. Please use caution anytime you are parking on the beach, as the conditions may have changed since we visited. There is a gravel parking lot if you don't feel comfortable driving onto the beach.
Found on: Freecampsites.net
Coordinates: 29.758823, -93.124298
Address: LA 82 West (w of Oakgrove), Creole, LA
2. Spring Creek Park, Tomball, TX
This is an extremely nice, well kept park outside of the Houston area AND they provide full hook-ups! You must visit their website and make reservations, however, it is completely free! It was a great chance for us to unwind, get some laundry done, and visit Houston. It is not a very private campsite, but it is clean and the people are friendly!
Website: http://www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/SpringCreek
Found on: Allstays Camp & RV
Coordinates: 30.10149, -95.65267
Address: 15012 Brown Rd, Tomball, TX
3. N Little Grand Canyon Rd BLM, New River, AZ
This is a beautiful area located just north of Phoenix. It is BLM land, thus there is a maximum stay of 14 consecutive days. It is dry camping only and you will have to navigate unpaved roads in order to get to the designated camping area. We visited this area during early February 2018 and we were able to safely drive our 35' Class A Motorhome to a nice secluded area. Please use your best judgement driving in, as the road conditions might have changed.
There are no amenities, but there are many ATV and hiking trails, as well as wild Burros to greet you as you drive in! This is a popular spot for ATV's and there are several shooting areas in this location, but you should be able to find a quiet, secluded area if you follow the coordinates. This was one of our favorite places!
Found on: Allstays Camp & RV
Coordinates: 33.98676, -112.17022
4. Amboy Dispersed Area BLM, Amboy, California
If you like quirky roadside attractions and volcanoes, this one's for you. Amboy is a town with a population of 4, which is surprising because it has a lot going for it. Route 66 runs through it, you can hike and camp at Amboy Crater, and visit the historic Route 66 Roy's Motel and Cafe. Oh, and remember the guy that shot himself into space just to prove the earth was flat? He did so in Amboy!
The BLM area is a 10-15 minute drive from these attractions. There are no amenities, but you get to witness some beautiful sunrises and visit the interesting town of Amboy.
Found on: Allstays Camp & RV
Coordinates: 34.70093, -115.67625
Amboy Crater Coordinates: 34.55798, -115.77699
5. Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, Yuma, AZ
If you're searching for a body of water in the desert, Mittry Lake is your spot. Located just north of Yuma, AZ, it has both the beauty of nature while also being convenient to the city. It is dry camping, however, there are several dumpsters available for use. It is completely free and absolutely beautiful. There is a dirt road getting in, however we saw rigs of all sizes camping in this area. There are many spots right next to the lake, but we opted for a more secluded spot next to the canal that runs off of the lake. There is a 10 day camping limit per calendar year for this area.
Found on: Allstays Camp & RV
Coordinates: 32.81734, -114.47403
So there you have it! Our favorite places we've called home while on the road. What magical places have you experienced while traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
