What is the best app or site for free camping?

[vanman2300]

Just want to see what the opinions are out there.

 

[lenny flank]

I use Allstays.com .

I stay almost exclusively in Walmarts and Cracker Barrels.

 

[vanman2300]

I use Allstays.com .

I stay almost exclusively in Walmarts and Cracker Barrels.

So is Allstays exclusively about Walmart and Cracker barrel spots?

 

[lenny flank]

So is Allstays exclusively about Walmart and Cracker barrel spots?

No, it lists other places too. But those are only last resorts for me.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

boondocking.org

The website and app http://www.MilitaryLiving.com offers near free campsites for anyone with military related ID.

 

[OutdoorFT]

Freecampsites.net is good. has free also very cheap sites, if you want more amenities for a few days or however long.

 

[breeze]

My brief experience with 'free camp sites' (as advertised) is 95% are unknown (waste of time with no maps or directions) and the other 5% are fat chance overcrowded. 'Free camp sites' (as advertised) seems to have a low probability of a successful outcome. 

Regular rv campsites seem like a deal to me (that are NOT in California.) 7 good alternative places (like Bob's books & blogs propose) beats sleeping at Walmart any day of the week! But there is not going to be flashing signs and maps to the good places. They are on a case by case basis, lol.

 

[Almost There]

^^^ Strange, I've used Freecampsites.net for 3 cross country trips in the US now and one Ontario to BC trip in Canada.

There's only been one or two instances where I arrived at a place and didn't like it for one reason or another and chose not to stay. One I can distinctly remember was in Arkansas at a park that used to have campsites but the only current place to stay was in the really large boat ramp parking lot. The gate had an old sign that said the gate was locked between dusk and dawn, I was the only one there and I didn't like the concept of being locked in all by myself overnight. I got sunset shots and drove the 1/2 hour to a W/M  because I didn't want to wait until dark to find out if they really did lock the gate!!

Oh and there was one where the directions were written in a 'turn left, turn right' format which of course is no use to anyone if you're coming at the place from the opposite direction. I never did find that place... And the co-ordinates weren't any help either. I went to the next closest place on my list and had a great campsite.

I always read the notes left by others, I do that as a matter of course, no matter what site I'm using. Allstays for example has been really slack on changing the colors of their pins for W/Ms. A lot of the ones that show ok on the pin have notes that it is NOT ok to stay.

I also use Casinocamper.com to look at casinos where I am welcome overnight...again reading the comments to get an up to date idea of the place.

 

[SoulRaven]

I've also used freecampsites.net and I have no complaints. 
Also campendium .  

Pat

 

[karl]

The only caution I have about freecampsites.net is that posters have different tolerances and ideas of "remote".
Recommendations for spots may be fine for a small vehicle and an experienced driver, but not so much for tall or low clearance ones.
Always use your own judgment and allow time to find another spot if one isn't suitable.

Some of my favorite spots were found through the site, but 90% are a long, slow drive in with a few hikes ahead to make sure I don't get into areas I can't turn around or back out of.

 

[SoulRaven]

The only caution I have about freecampsites.net  is that posters have different tolerances and ideas of "remote".
Recommendations for spots may be fine for a small vehicle and an experienced driver, but not so much for tall or low clearance ones.
Always use your own judgment and allow time to find another spot if one isn't suitable.

Some of my favorite spots were found through the site, but 90% are a long, slow drive in with a few hikes ahead to make sure I don't get into areas I can't turn around or back out of.

That is quite true.  I've seen places given a negative review because you need "4 wheel drive"... so the poster thought.  
We're talking about merely unpaved roads, some washboard.  I see small cars riding by here all day long! 
For example, where I'm staying right now.  at least one, I believe 2,  negs because they clearly had no idea what to expect.
One person thought it was a National Park, not a Nat Forest! 

That's the opposite of what you are saying, but still applies.  I'm camped next to a road that my Jeep or truck alone would be fine with, but the road is , IMO, too rough for my cargo trailer.  

Pat

 

[Born2Explore]

My wife and I used freecampsites.net as well, and I actually found it VERY helpful! Make sure to read the reviews that people post of the campsites. People also usually post detailed directions on the best way to get to the site. And sometimes let you know where the best overlooking site is. 

We also used the actual BLM website to get information on State and Federal lands that allow free camping! I think they actually just recently revamped the site so instead of downloading the KML/KMZ file like I had to, there is a map built in to the site that has overlays showing where BLM/State owns land. 

My wife and I just made a video on the two websites we used to find a few free campsites in Colorado earlier this year. 

 

[Van-Tramp]

Campendium.com just came out with an iOS app for their website. Very easy to use, and great filters to find what you are looking for quickly.

 

[Wabbit]

Asking on the forum here is also another option. I imagine that if someone were to PM you a neat place, it would come with the condition of not posting it on the web for everyone to dawg pile it and ruin the peacefulness or whatever of that particular spot.

 

[DuneElliot]

I tried several and honestly found Allstays to be the best so far. It is a little pricey up front, so I initially resisted it, but has been super reliable so far and better than anything else I have found.

 

[VanForNow]

My favorites are iOverlander and OvernightRVParking. They are faster & more user friendly than freecampsites.net & campendium IMHO.

 

[Born2Explore]

My favorites are iOverlander and OvernightRVParking. They are faster & more user friendly than freecampsites.net & campendium IMHO.

I was just checking out iOverlander, and it is faster and seems a little more modern/user friendly. I bookmarked the site and will be using this more often! Thanks!