Paying $50-80/night for campgrounds adds up fast—that's $1,500-2,400 per month! The good news? You can drastically cut camping costs (even camp for free) if you know where to look.

This guide reveals proven strategies, apps, and resources to find cheap and free RV campsites across the country.

Free Camping Options

1. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land

Cost: FREE
Typical Stay Limit: 14 days

• 245 million acres of public land, mostly in Western states
• No hookups, but often allows generators and solar
• Find sites using BLM website, Campendium, or FreeRoam app
• Popular areas: Arizona (Quartzsite), Nevada, Utah, New Mexico

2. National Forests (Dispersed Camping)

Cost: FREE
Typical Stay Limit: 14 days

• Over 100 million acres available for dispersed (primitive) camping
• Must camp 100+ feet from water sources
• No toilet facilities—pack out all waste
• Check specific forest rules at ranger stations

3. Walmart, Cabela's, & Cracker Barrel Parking

Cost: FREE
Stay Limit: 1 night (usually)

• Walmart: Call ahead—not all locations allow overnight parking
• Cabela's/Bass Pro: RV-friendly, often has dump stations
• Cracker Barrel: Generally welcomes RVers (buy breakfast as a courtesy)
• Find locations: AllStays app, Walmart Overnight Parking Locator

4. Casino Parking Lots

Cost: FREE (expectation: you'll gamble/dine)
Perks: Often have dump stations, sometimes hookups

• Many tribal and commercial casinos welcome RVers
• Security cameras provide extra safety
• Some have dedicated RV lots with water/electric for $10-20

Low-Cost Camping ($5-20/Night)

5. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Campgrounds

Cost: $10-30/night
With Senior Pass (62+): 50% off = $5-15/night

• Over 400 campgrounds near lakes, rivers, and reservoirs
• Often include electric hookups, water, and dump stations
• Reservations: Recreation.gov or ReserveAmerica (book early)

6. National Park & State Park Campgrounds

National Parks: $15-30/night
State Parks: $10-40/night

• America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year): Covers entrance fees, not camping
• Senior Pass ($80 lifetime): 50% off camping at federal sites
• Excellent amenities, often in stunning locations

7. Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome

Harvest Hosts: $99/year membership
Boondockers Welcome: $30/year

How it works:

• Stay free at wineries, farms, breweries (Harvest Hosts)
• Stay free at other RVers' properties (Boondockers Welcome)
• Expectation: Buy products or donate to hosts as courtesy
• No hookups, but unique experiences

Discount Membership Programs

8. Passport America

Cost: $44/year
Savings: 50% off participating campgrounds

• Over 1,800 campgrounds nationwide
• Restrictions: Usually Sunday-Thursday only, not holidays
• Pays for itself in 2-3 nights

9. Good Sam Club

Cost: $29/year
Savings: 10% off at 2,000+ campgrounds, fuel discounts

• Also get discounts on RV parts, propane, and services
• Fuel savings alone can cover the membership

10. Thousand Trails / Escapees

Thousand Trails: $500-700/year (zone-based)
Escapees: $40/year + nightly rates at co-ops

• Thousand Trails: Unlimited camping at 80+ member campgrounds
• Escapees: Access to affordable member co-op parks
• Best for frequent full-timers

Essential Apps for Finding Cheap Sites

Money-Saving Strategies

Book Longer Stays

• Weekly rates: 10-20% discount (pay for 6, get 7th night free)
• Monthly rates: 30-50% discount vs. nightly
• Ask about extended-stay deals even if not advertised

Workamping

• Work 20-30 hours/week in exchange for free site + wages
• Common jobs: Campground hosts, gatekeepers, maintenance
• Find gigs on Workamper.com or CoolWorks.com

Volunteer Hosting

• Volunteer at National/State Parks for free site + small stipend
• Commit to 3-6 month stints
• Apply through Volunteer.gov

Off-Season Camping

• Camp in popular areas during shoulder seasons (May, Sept-Oct)
• Rates drop 30-50% outside peak summer/holiday weeks
• Fewer crowds, better availability, same great locations

Sample Monthly Budget Comparison

Conclusion

Expensive camping isn't mandatory. With the right apps, memberships, and strategies, you can cut your camping budget by 50-90%.

Mix free boondocking, cheap COE/state parks, and discount memberships to create a sustainable, budget-friendly RV lifestyle without sacrificing adventure.