I just spent $18 on a salad for lunch, then tipped 20%—even though it was a to-go order—because when the cashier turned that nefarious little touchscreen around, and I touched “No Tip,” the button wouldn’t register my touch through my motorcycle gloves. The cashier offered a coy, “Oh… Is it not working? Were you wanting to skip the tip?” and I freaked out, mumbled something, whipped off my glove and clicked 20% because it was the cheapest of the three options.
In my defense, the other two suggested options were 25% and 30%, so at least I didn’t get suckered that much. (On that note, when did 20% become a low tip?!)
Yes, this mini anecdote has nothing to do with motorcycling or camping. But money is tight these days, and everyone likes saving it. Motocamping trips can be extremely affordable adventures—on a motorcycle you burn less gas, take up less space, and carry less gear and food—but if you aren’t careful, campsite fees add up, especially in the “glamping” and vanlife era. There are plenty of established campgrounds that’ll reel you in on one-night rates more expensive than a hotel.
In this article, I’ll share a few tips for finding free or cheap campsites for your next motocamping trip.
Public Land is Your Best Friend
If you want to camp for free, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is your closest ally, particularly in the western United States. This division of the Department of the Interior manages over 245 million acres of public land—more land than any other government agency—and almost all of it is open for free camping.
The BLM does operate developed campgrounds, which often require a reservation and/or fee, but outside of these campgrounds, “most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses, [is] in areas posted ‘closed to camping,’ or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.”
The import of this all is that legally, unless otherwise posted, you can camp almost anywhere on those 245 million acres BLM land, generally with the sole stipulation that you do not camp more than 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The bad news is that the vast majority of BLM land is in western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. Beyond the BLM, national forests also offer similar opportunities for free dispersed camping. Most U.S. Forest Service land allows for free camping for up to 14 days in a 30-day period, as long as you are outside developed recreation areas and 100-feet from streams.
Unfortunately, many take advantage of free camping on public lands, littering, disturbing wildlife, rev bombing, starting forest fires, and the like. This ruins the experience for everyone, and has resulted in countless once-free campsites being closed, or moved to a paid, reservation-only system.
Treat your free campsite with respect and Leave No Trace, or else it may not be free in the future. (As off-road motorcyclists, we should also keep an eye on OHV restrictions if camping backcountry.)
The Tool of the Trade: Free Campsites
There are newer, flashier resources to search for and review campsites, such as The Dyrt and Campendium, but good old Free Campsites still reigns supreme in my book. It may have a clunky, outdated user interface, annoying banner and pop-up ads, and (regrettably) no smartphone application, but it remains the best platform to find and evaluate free dispersed camping in the United States.
Free Campsites lets you input a destination and then shows campsites in a given radius, indicated by a Green Tent (Free), Red Tent (Paid), Blue Tent (Permit Required), or Yellow Tent (Incomplete Info). You can also search by Access Road, Activities, and Amenities. Each posting has a variety of info, including cell service, elevation, GPS coordinates, and a rudimentary 5-day weather forecast.
Free Campsites’ usefulness varies by region. West of the Rockies you’ll have loads of options, here in the Deep South (where this author lives) there is little public land, and although there are still plenty of entries, you have to sift through a lot of Walmart parking lots, gas stations, and other boondocking sites to find true wilderness. Be sure to look for reviews, photos, and check dates for all postings, as well. Free Campsites is minimally monitored, so there can be some pretty outdated information.
CREDIT: Pierce Martin
Be Strategic with Established Campgrounds
If you don’t want to camp in the wilderness or can’t find free dispersed camping near you, then you may have to shell out for an established campsite. Sometimes these are free, other times they require a fee. That doesn't mean you have to pay an arm and a leg, though.
First, always prioritize established campgrounds on state or federal land. State parks, in particular, will usually offer much more affordable rates than privately-owned campgrounds. (Look for off-season discounts or weekly rates.) National parks are usually more expensive to camp in than state parks, but can still be affordable, particularly in the off-season, and may offer more remote campgrounds with reduced fees.
If you’re a regular camper, you could also consider joining a discount program like the KOA Rewards Program or Passport America, which gives members 50% off at roughly 1,000 campgrounds across North America.
Beyond Finding the Campsite: Tips for Budget Camping
Sometimes finding the campsite is just the first part of the battle. Here are some other tips to keep your motocamping adventure as cheap as possible.
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Pack light: The less you carry, the more fuel-efficient your ride will be.
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Cook your own food: Ordering pizza to your campsite might be tempting, but eating out while camping will drain your budget. Pack a compact camping stove and cook your own food.
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Travel in the off-season: Campgrounds are almost always cheaper during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).
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Multi-purpose gear: Invest in camping gear that serves multiple purposes. A waterproof tarp can double as a shelter, a place to sort gear, or a picnic blanket. A puffy jacket can be stuffed into a sleeping bag stuff sack to serve as a camping pillow. A bandana can be a head wrap, washcloth, or pot holder.
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Use GasBuddy: This free smartphone application scans the area around you and/or your target route for the cheapest gas stations.
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Carry a water filter or purifier: This will allow you to refill your water bladders and bottles from natural sources, saving money and reducing plastic waste (and microplastic poisoning!)
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Ride conservatively: Aggressive acceleration and braking isn’t just a sign of an amateur rider, it wastes fuel. Maintain a steady speed and anticipate stops.
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Take advantage of free resources: Use public restrooms for bathroom/shower needs, libraries for WiFi, and other free resources like this to reduce reliance on paid facilities.
CREDIT: Tedder
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Between close analysis of public lands, tools like Free Campsites, state and national parks, and affordable private campgrounds, you’ll find plenty of places to motocamp affordably, if not for free. But as a last resort, don’t be afraid to ask permission from private landowners to camp on their property. Many are happy to accommodate respectful travelers, and it never hurts to ask, so long as you’re cautious.
Many fire stations, churches, community centers, farms, ranches, or other large properties with open space will be more than happy to let a polite, quiet camper sleep on their land for a night or two. When you reach out to the landowner, you could start the conversation by asking if they’re aware of camping opportunities nearby, and then, depending on how they answer, query about possibly camping on their property.
Just remember that you're asking them for a favor. Be polite, humble, and respectful. Explain who you are, where you’re from, and what you’re doing, and emphasize that you're self-sufficient, trustworthy, and will leave no trace. If they’re open to it, offering a small gesture of appreciation can go a long way—maybe a bottle of wine, an offer to help with chores, or a donation to a local charity.
This strategy is a total hit-or-miss, and should be approached with extreme care, but it’s also guaranteed to be an interesting experience…