Discover Dry Camping: How to Find Epic Boondocking

by Emily Backus
Discover Dry Camping: How to Find Epic Boondocking

This blog is a republished work, originally written by Macala Elliott for her Mac Geo Travel Blog.

 

Dry camping often offers rustic campsites with little to no facilities. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, many states in the US offer countless opportunities to dry camp (excluding Texas). These sites are usually unmarked and can only be found by those who know where to look! Luckily, this is my favorite way to road trip, so I've perfected the art of dry camping!

The Campendium App

This app is my go-to for finding a camping location. The app's interactive map is very visually helpful for choosing a nearby campsite! Save your favorite dry camping sites and view photographs of the area. This app relies on other campers to review and rate the campsites, so you can trust the camping community's word!
The Campendium app allows you to search for free camping, public campgrounds, RV Parks, free public parking (Bass Pro Shops, Walmart), and dump stations. Choose whether your site needs hookups, and read trustworthy reviews about the site before you show up. As someone who doesn't like to plan ahead for campsites, this app has made it so easy to get up and start driving. I can't recommend this app enough! Check out their website here, or find them in the app store.

 

Dry Camping in National Forests

I love to look for campgrounds maintained by the National Forest Service. This campground in the Sawtooths of Idaho was picture perfect and full of families enjoying the mild summer weather. If the site has facilities like water or bathrooms, they may charge a small fee for overnight camping. National Forest Campgrounds tend to be busy, but they offer a really nice camping experience!

I often use the USFS Portal App to find nearby National Forests. Don't forget to check out your road atlas to see an overall view of the National Forest System. Check out their website here.

 

My Favorite Dry Camping Spots:

Stanley Lake

Stanley Lake Dispersed Camping

National Forest Service

Cost: $0

 

Alabama Hils

Alabama Hills Recreation Area, Bureau of Land Management

Location: Lone Pine, California

Cost: $0

 

 

Upper Madera Canyon Campground, Texas State Parks

Location: Big Bend Ranch State Park

Cost: $12

 

 

Nomad View Dispersed Camping, National Forest Service

Location: Hwy 240, Wall, SD (Badlands NP)

Cost: $0

1 comment

  • Debbie Backus

    Love this article as an avid RVer. So helpful for dry camping and helpful sites! Bye I have my RV stocked with you camping mugs. HUMANATURE DESIGNS you’re the best!

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