I spend a whole day researching the best places to camp in the United States. I liked them, hope you will also like them!
Table of Contents
Always go with a guide if you have no experience.
Keep reading to find out the best place for you.
#10 – Kirby Cove Campground Marin Headlands, California
Rank no. 10, Kirby Cove’s four secluded campsites are famous for their waterfront views. Overlooking the city is shaded by mountaineer cypress groves. The grounds are within walking distance of a rocky beach. Make sure to look out for the rope swing, which usually hangs on the beach if you want some epic photos.
#9 – Naval Observation Road, Flagstaff Arizona
Rank no. 9, the Naval Observation Road. One reason people love Flagstaff is that it’s North of Sedona. But not only is it north it is at a higher elevation. Once you get those hot days in Sedona you can retreat to Flagstaff and camp in these awesome campsites. You can do a lot of shopping on Naval observation road which is 7 miles away from downtown Flagstaff. There is also better privacy in this forested campground. I saw rigs of all sizes when I camped there. But the smaller your rig is the more tucked back in a private spot you can get. But either way, no matter what rig you have you should be able to camp here. My only caution for this campsite is that if you stay on the right you’re gonna go up to the Naval Observatory. There are so many signs that say “Regular cars are not allowed” I will recommend you follow those signs.
#8 – Cebolla Mesa Campground Near Taos, Mexico
Rank no. 8, Cebolla Mesa Campground. This is another spot that would rank at #5 but it couldn’t have made it a bit higher on this list. It is hard to access if you’re in a large rig. This is ideal for small travel trailers. If you are not a trained driver I will recommend you to go to this place. But there are a lot of low-hanging branches and a sharp turn as you get to the campground. You’re on a cliff overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge you can hike down to the bottom of it. I would not recommend you if you’re not prepared for a long hike because the elevation change is huge. The campsite is beautiful and it’s a great place to camp for free near Taos. The place is highly recommended by me.
#7 – Blackwell Horse Camp
Rank no. 7, Blackwell Horse Camp. Any free campsite east of the Mississippi river is a very valuable commodity. They are not as easy to come by as that is out west. I liked the campsite because it has a huge lush grassy field with a figure-eight-style road. So lots of camping options. They have two central bathhouses there. If you have horses then you are in profit because that’s what it’s made for. It’s encouraging horse campers to get out there and take their horses out on the trail. All-size rigs can fit here they make this spot very accessible. If you want to get out for the day you can go up to Bloomington, they have a nice historic downtown area. I explored there for a day and had a good time in Blackwell.
#6 – Sacred White Shell MTN
Rank no. 6, Sacred White Shell MTN. This is right outside of the Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. The great Sand Dunes I heard is an amazing formation. It is right in the middle of the flatland Colorado which is bizarre. These Dunes are white sand and they go on for hundreds of hundreds of acres so that in and of itself is beautiful. If you want to camp in the national park campground it’s a good spot and it stays pretty busy. But if you are looking for a free campsite outside of the National Park. Sacred White Shell is by far our favorite choice. It’s not heavy traffic out there, it’s a long dirt road that any size rig can access. And It put you at the foot of a beautiful mountain so the scenery is awesome too. Also to being by great Sand dunes and being free camping and having awesome internet.
#5 – Snake River Moran, Wyoming
Rank no. 5, Snake River Moran. This is a beautiful free campsite. Located right between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. You get access to both national parks and you get this free campsite. Of all the ones on the list has the most pristine vault toilets. These vault toilets are nicer than so many flush toilet bathrooms we have been to. The way the campsites are set up there are about 5 different entrances down the road. And down each entrance is a spot for one or two RVs or campers or tents. And each of those 5 roads has its own vault toilets. So check it out for sure
#4 – Nomad View Badlands, South Dakota
Rank no. 4, Nomad view Badlands. Badlands National park is an awesome location. It also puts you on a cliff that overlooks thousands of acres of Badlands and it is so beautiful. A beautiful thing that you can see is thunderstorms that are 30-40 miles away from you. One thing before going there is your rig size. Check out your rig’s performance on the road and then make your decision because it’s off-road. So after all the Nomad Badland is one of my favorite places to camp.
#3 – Main Drag 525 Sedona, Arizona
Rank no. 3, Main Drag 525 Sedona. The good things about the site are all sizes of rigs can find a spot there if there is any spot left. It situates you to be so close to Sedona where you can do hiking, you can do shopping, eating so many things to do in Sedona. It also puts you close to Cottonwood and the Ghost town of Jerome Arizona you can do many things on different days. The bad part about this campsite is the road which is wash boarded. It’s not bad because if you find a site within one or three miles. The road goes for a long way you can drive 10 miles but I don’t recommend you to drive that long on this road.
#2 – Magnolia Beach, Texas
Rank no. 2, Magnolia Beach. They have bathrooms on site. They have picnic tables. They have pavilions. The best part in my mind is that the tide doesn’t fluctuate as much as it does on the Gulf front campsites. This is on a Bay that leads out into the Gulf so it is much more relaxed. Your pets will love playing there. Everything about Magnolia Beach is very enjoyable. And I think every rig size can fit at the Beach. The downside is that it is a popular spot so there are other campers also. But as in my research, the peoples are very respectable they don’t do any nonsense noise. The experience on Magnolia Beach will be excellent.
#1 – Wedge Overlook Emery, Utah
Rank no. 1, Wedge Overlook. A great thing about this site is there is a lack of campers and the view is also gorgeous. The road is also better than some of the interstates I’ve been to. Yes, the road is dirt road but trust me the road is good. There is not even one problem with the road hats off for this. Once you get to the camping area there are a lot of campsites you can look for. But in the main camping area, you might not be able to take big rigs there. There are camping areas outside there where you can take big rigs with you. It is my highest recommended free campsite that I can recommend.
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