Quick Answer: How We Actually Find Free & Cheap Campsites
Short version: We combine one main app (usually AllStays or Campendium) with Recreation.gov for official reservations, state forest websites for primitive sites, and old-school ranger station phone calls. We always cross-check listings, read only recent reviews, and go in with at least three backup options, so we never scramble for a spot in the dark.
How We Found Campsites Before Apps Existed
If you started RVing before smartphones, you probably remember this routine: a paper atlas, a payphone, and a hopeful turn down a Forest Service road. Back in 1990, our setup was simple—an ’88 Gulfstream Class C, a DeLorme Atlas for every New England state, and a glovebox full of napkins with campsite tips from other RVers.
The DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer became our go-to tool. Each state book featured back roads, elevation, primitive pull-offs, and small campgrounds that big RV atlases often overlooked. Those maps rarely steered us wrong, but they required one more step: verification.
Before heading into a new area, we would call ranger stations—from payphones—to ask about road damage, seasonal gate closures, and whether a 24-foot Class C could realistically turn around. It was slow, but rangers knew which roads washed out last week and which had just been graded.
We also traded location intel at rallies and campgrounds across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Word-of-mouth had one huge advantage over modern apps: rig-specific information. When another Class C owner told us that a dispersed site worked for them, we knew our clearance and turning radius should be sufficient as well.
What still works from those days? We still call ranger districts before committing to unfamiliar forest roads, we still keep paper atlases in the van, and we still treat local knowledge as more trustworthy than anonymous star ratings.
Our Current System for Northeastern Camping with a Class B
These days, we travel in a 19-foot Hymer Aktiv Class B. The smaller footprint opens up more options in the Northeast, but it also means we need better intel on narrow forest roads, turnarounds, and small pullouts before we commit.
Instead of chasing every new app, we built a simple, repeatable system:
- One primary app for overviews and reviews (usually AllStays or Campendium).
- Recreation.gov for official federal campground reservations and availability.
- State forest and state park websites for primitive and lesser-known campsites.
- Harvest Hosts for overnight stops between destinations.
- Ranger station phone calls to confirm any questionable road or dispersed site.
We designed this around how we actually camp in the Northeast: weekend trips, shoulder-season getaways, and longer loops where we mix developed campgrounds, primitive sites, and the occasional winery or farm stay.
How We Use Harvest Hosts, Recreation.gov, and State Forest Websites
Harvest Hosts has become our favorite paid tool for “in-between” nights. We use it when we are moving between regions and want a low-stress, one-night stop with some character. Wineries, farms, museums, and small attractions usually have easy access for our Class B, and the host communication system is straightforward. After around five stays, the membership has typically paid for itself compared to commercial RV park rates.
Recreation.gov is still the official gateway for most Forest Service and many national park campgrounds. It can feel clunky and competitive in peak season, but if we want a reserved site on public land, this is where we start. We filter by maximum rig length so we don’t waste time looking at pads built for 40-foot rigs, and we have found that checking around 6 a.m. Eastern often reveals fresh cancellations.
State forest websites are where a lot of the real gems hide in the Northeast. Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and other states maintain their own small campgrounds and primitive sites that often never show up in national apps. The booking systems can be basic, but one quick call to the state office or local ranger district usually gives us:
- current road and gate status,
- realistic advice on access grades and surfacing, and
- a clear “yes/no” on whether our 21-foot van will fit.
For a typical weekend trip, our workflow looks like this:
- Check Recreation.gov for established public campgrounds near our target area.
- If nothing fits, check state forest or state park sites for lower-key options.
- Use Harvest Hosts to fill any “travel night” gaps between regions.
- Call the relevant ranger district before committing to any unfamiliar forest road.
- Bring the paper atlas for navigation once we lose cell service.
Camping Apps and Directories the RV Community Recommends
We have not tested every camping app out there, but over the years, we keep hearing the same names from other RVers at campgrounds, rallies, and on the road. We treat these as starting points, not guaranteed truths.
Official Federal and State Resources
- Recreation.gov — Official reservations and info for many Forest Service and national park campgrounds.
- National Park Service — Rules, campground details, and access requirements for all national parks.
- USFS Interactive Visitor Map — An interactive map of campgrounds, dispersed areas, and ranger district contacts.
- Bureau of Land Management Camping — Especially useful out West, where BLM land dominates, with guidance on dispersed camping rules.
- Parks Canada — For cross-border trips into Canadian national parks.
Crowdsourced Camping Directories
- Campendium — Strong for reviews, photos, and cell coverage reports.
- FreeCampsites.net — Focused on free sites; quality varies a lot by region.
- iOverlander — Popular with overlanders and international travelers.
- Boondocking.org — User-submitted dispersed spots with GPS pins.
Membership and Subscription Programs
- Harvest Hosts — Unique overnight stays at farms, wineries, and attractions.
- Boondockers Welcome — Overnight driveway stays with fellow RVers.
- Passport America — 50% off at participating campgrounds (usually with off-peak restrictions).
- Good Sam Campgrounds — Campground directory, discounts, and RV-related services.
On-the-Road Planning Apps
- AllStays Camp & RV — Our preferred “one app” for big-picture trip planning.
- Ultimate US Public Campgrounds — Focused on public sites with strong coverage.
- FreeRoam — User-friendly map for free and low-cost camping.
Planning and Reference Guides
- Dow’s National Forest Campground Guide — Deep detail on USFS campgrounds.
- RV Life — Trip planning, RV-safe routing, and reviews.
- RV Park Reviews — Community campground ratings and experiences.
- Public Lands Information Center — Info hub for western public lands and recreation.
- ReserveAmerica — State park reservation system used by many states.
Interactive Camping Map
Use the interactive map below to discover free and budget-friendly public campsites across the United States and Canada. Click on the markers for more details about each site.
For a larger view, open the camping map in full-screen mode.
What Matters More Than Which App You Choose
After thirty-five years of hunting for campsites, here is the pattern we see over and over: your verification process matters more than the specific app or membership you use.
A huge directory is useless if the listing is out of date or the person who added it never actually stayed there. We focus less on “the best app” and more on how we confirm that a site really works for us before we commit.
Cross-Reference Everything
If a site appears on Campendium with recent reviews, shows up on another app like iOverlander, and we can confirm access through the local ranger district, we treat it as reliable enough to plan around. If only one source mentions a dispersed site, we treat it as “unverified” until we find corroboration.
Filter for Recent Reviews
A five-star review from three years ago does not help much after a wet spring, a big storm season, or a change in management. We pay special attention to reviews from the last 30–60 days, especially for forest roads and dispersed pullouts.
Always Have Backup Options
Even in a nimble Class B, we assume that our first choice might be full, washed out, or gated. We rarely roll in with just one option; instead, we keep two or three realistic backups within a reasonable drive. That alone has saved more evenings than any single app.
Understand Northeastern Seasonal Shifts
In the Northeast, everything changes with the seasons. Mud season, hunting season, flood damage, late snow, and high summer traffic all impact access. Apps are slow to reflect this. Ranger calls and state websites usually have the most current information about seasonal closures and gate locks.
Match Reviews to Your Rig Size
We pay close attention to what reviewers were driving. A rooftop-tent SUV or a tiny teardrop trailer may fit easily in spots that are tight, sloped, or awkward for a 21-foot van. We look specifically for reviews from Class B owners or rigs under about 25 feet when evaluating small forest sites.
Common Questions About Camping Resources
Do we really need multiple camping apps?
Not a dozen. In practice, one main app like AllStays or Campendium, plus Recreation.gov and your state forest website, will cover most trips. We would rather know three tools well than juggle eight.
How accurate are GPS coordinates from crowdsourced camping apps?
For established campgrounds, coordinates are usually accurate. For dispersed camping, we treat coordinates as a general area, not a precise parking spot. On the ground, we use landmarks from reviews and ranger guidance to find a realistic pullout.
What is the best free way to find campsites?
For no-cost tools, FreeCampsites.net plus official U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management websites offer a strong starting point. They require more manual verification, but you are not paying membership fees and still get access to many public land options.
Should we trust camping reviews or official information more?
Official sources explain rules, reservations, and which areas are supposed to be open. Recent reviews reveal on-the-ground conditions such as road washouts, noise, or crowding. When the two conflict, calling the managing agency is usually the safest way to confirm what is really happening.
Do small Class B RVs have an advantage when finding campsites?
In many northeastern forests, shorter Class B rigs do have an advantage because they fit into smaller pads and turnarounds that are difficult for long trailers or big motorhomes. That said, narrow or steep forest roads can still be challenging, so it is important to verify access and always have backup options.
Build Your Own Reliable Camp-Finding System
When we started RVing in 1990, the idea of pulling up satellite imagery and live reviews on a phone would have sounded like science fiction. Even now, after decades on the road, we do not chase every new tool. Instead, we lean on a simple system that combines old-school verification with modern convenience.
We still call ranger stations, still carry paper atlases, and still listen carefully to advice from other RVers we meet along the way. We also use Recreation.gov when reservations make sense, Harvest Hosts when we need memorable overnight stops, and a short list of trusted apps when we are exploring a new region.
Your version will look different based on where you travel, what you drive, and how much flexibility you want. A full-timer roaming the western deserts in a large fifth wheel has different needs than a weekend warrior in a Class B focused on northeastern forests. The key is to start simple, test your tools, and adjust based on real trips.
If you build a habit of cross-checking sites, watching for recent reviews, and always having at least one backup plan, you will avoid most of the painful “no vacancy, no signal, no options” nights. The technology can help, but your process is what keeps you out of trouble.
Thirty-five years in, the road still teaches us something new every season. We hope that sharing our system helps you skip a few dead ends and find more of the quiet, memorable campsites you bought your RV for in the first place.
