If you’re tired of crowded campgrounds, noisy RV parks, and $50-a-night campsites, it’s time to level up your camping game.

We’re talking about wild, scenic, off-the-grid camping — where the views are worth a million bucks, but the cost is $0.

Here are five epic free camping spots across the U.S. that will ruin you for regular campgrounds forever. We’ve camped them. We’ve loved them. Now we’re sharing them so you can too.

Note: Most of these spots are on public lands — always practice Leave No Trace and double-check local regulations before you go.

1. Valley of the Gods, Utah

📍 Valley of the Gods, UT

Imagine sleeping among towering sandstone formations with 360° desert views and almost zero crowds.

Valley of the Gods feels like a secret, free version of nearby Monument Valley — minus the entrance fee and tour buses.

Dispersed camping on BLM land
Easy dirt road access (high clearance helps)
Unbelievable sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing

Pro Tip: The entire loop road offers great camping pullouts — drive until you find your perfect spot.

2. Jackson, Wyoming

📍 Jackson, WY

Want to wake up with views of the Grand Tetons but skip the luxury hotel price? Free camping options near Jackson let you enjoy one of the most iconic mountain ranges in the world — for free.

Free dispersed camping on Bridger-Teton National Forest land
Close access to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson
Epic mountain sunrises + wildlife sightings

Pro Tip: Gros Ventre Road and Shadow Mountain are popular dispersed spots — scout mid-week for the best chance at a prime view.

3. Stanley, Idaho

📍 Stanley, ID

Alpine lakes, hot springs, and the dramatic Sawtooth Mountains as your backdrop — welcome to Stanley, one of Idaho’s best-kept secrets.

Free dispersed camping throughout the Sawtooth National Forest
Access to natural hot springs (yes, really)
Uncrowded hiking, paddling, and fishing

Pro Tip: Look for spots along Stanley Lake Road or Redfish Lake Road. Bonus points if you snag a site with lake views.

4. Badlands, South Dakota

📍 Badlands, SD

Camping on the edge of the otherworldly rock formations of the Badlands is an experience you won’t forget.

Free camping on Buffalo Gap National Grassland
Endless prairie views, wildlife (yes, bison), and incredible sunsets
Minutes from Badlands National Park

Pro Tip: The Sage Creek Rim Road area offers some of the best views — and wild bison often roam through camp.

5. Moab, Utah

📍 Moab, UT

Yes, Moab has plenty of paid campgrounds — but you don’t need one. Free dispersed camping near Arches and Canyonlands means red rock views and starry skies without the crowds.

BLM land all around Moab for dispersed camping
Minutes from world-class hiking, biking, and off-roading
Some of the best stargazing in the U.S.

Pro Tip: Willow Springs Road and Dalton Wells Road are great places to start scouting your perfect site.

Final Thoughts: Camp Free, Sleep Under the Stars

Once you experience camping in spots like these — with million-dollar views and no neighbors in sight — it’s hard to go back to crowded campgrounds.

The best campgrounds aren’t campgrounds at all — they’re wild places waiting for you to find them.

5 Epic Free Camping Spots That Will Ruin You for Regular Campgrounds