Everyone likes a bargain and full-time RVers are no exception. Smart nomads who carry their homes on their backs know how to keep costs down by taking advantage of cheap and free places to camp.
From parking lots to public land, driving a self-contained home enables you to choose a variety of inexpensive overnight accommodations. When you do it, just remember the trade-offs, like these pros and cons of free camping in different settings.

Not all free camping is this good! (Image: iRV2 member raytronx)
When your RV changes from a vacation vehicle to a full-time way of life, your perspective about where you park your home should change if you want to save money.
Many new full-time RVers have unreasonable expectations about parking spots, even if they’re only staying for a night. Not every campground is going to be a resort. Many won’t even have a decent picnic table to eat on. But if you’re a full-timer without unlimited financial resources, it’s smart to take advantage of free RV camping opportunities whenever possible.
Just be aware that like anything, parking on the cheap has advantages and disadvantages.
The pros and cons of free camping in parking lots
First, make no mistake, this style of free camping is not ‘camping.’ It’s a bare bones way to rest your head for one night. When you legally take advantage of Walmart overnight parking, stay curbside in an industrial neighborhood or stay overnight in a rest stop, the RVers Code of Conduct must be your guide.
The main advantage is obvious; you save a few dollars when you don’t need a place to hook up your self-contained home. But this kind of overnight stay has lots of cons including noise, crime risk, and some unsavory characters who give free camping a bad name in the eyes of the public.
The pros and cons of free camping in a driveway
Another way to save money on the road is taking advantage of generous friends who offer their driveway for a night or two. Not only do you avoid camping fees but you get good company to boot.
However, if the invite is accompanied by a comment like “you should be able to fit,” be leery. If your friend is a non-RVer, they probably don’t have a clue about obstacles that can wreck your roof or gouge your fiberglass siding.
Free camping in a friend or relative’s driveway often comes at the cost of a repair bill. Always scout a potential driveway parking spot before committing.
The pros and cons of free camping on public lands
Free camping on public lands is probably the best way to save money on rent. You’ll enjoy an all-around better feel than the previous two money-saving tactics. You’ll enjoy better scenery, closer proximity to nature, and often times neighbors who appreciate the outdoors just as much as you do.
But free camping on public lands isn’t perfect. The disadvantages include traveling many miles out of your way for the free campsite, squeezing onto roads and parking aprons that weren’t built for modern rigs, and a lack of phone and data connectivity.
Like anything in life, parking your RV in free campgrounds has trade-offs. But when you’re in your RV, those cons of free camping are short-lived. You can always pick up your home and leave whenever you don’t want to stay.

Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
I hear about free/ cheap camping sites through places like: Campendium.com, freecamping.com and following other full time RV’s on youtube like: Adventure Van Man, cheap rv living, Astreaming life, less junk more journey, drivin n vibing and others.
Free camping can be, in some cases, better than a fancy resort campground with full hook ups.
We have found
http://ioverlander.com/
to be superb in Labrador, Newfoundland, US, and Mexico
Reed and Elaine
Reed; Thanks for the ioverlander link. It was worth checking out!
I have parked my RV at sites in small towns in the USA. Some of these little towns and villages go ALL out for Rv’ers. While they do NOT come out and post it., Most want you to leave a donation. I was amazed at the variety of hook up in small towns. Some had Just electric, but others also had water. And, even had a dump station. As far as Free Rv’ing at Parks and Wildlife areas, like the author stated, these are usually off the beaten path and very rough going for Large RV’s. On public lands they Label Free Camping as: “Dispersed Camping” , again while maybe not for a Huge Class A, smaller units with descent ground clearance and/or 4WD or AWD could find a great spot. This summer my little Subaru bounced over some rough roads just south west of West Yellowstone, MT. Near a Idaho Hiking Trail Head. It was Beautiful, Peaceful, Quite, and FREE! My kid works for the NPS, and it is funny how we seem to find FREE camping in the shadows of National Parks and Monuments. Even before she became a Park Ranger. In fact, we camped along the roadway (Turn Out), behind Mount Rushmore. I say just do some pre-trip research and you will find all of these FREE camping Gems.
Targhee Creek Trailhead off of US Route 20, just S.W. West Yellowstone, MT. In Island Park, ID. About 15 FREE spots. On a First come/ First Serve basis. Map Coordinates: 44.670015, -111.314011 this is from Google Maps.
Are there any hookups?
No
We often stay in Walmart parking lots overnight. We never encountered trouble in all the years we’ve been doing it. Our favorite is in West Virginia where the RV parking area overlooks a beautiful green valley.
Where is the Walmart in WV?
I agree w/Carl – A small town, off the well traveled path, city park on the out-skirts, leftovers heated in the micro, slumberjack chairs outside, a big glass of Crown and the company of my best friend for the past 38 years, and I’m one content old retired airline pilot. The satellite keeps us up dated on all the news we want to hear about and any weather we might be concerned about. Local flavor can’t be beat in our estimation.
where is the Walmart location in WV?
I’ve found that most casinos have areas that you can stay overnight.
We stay in casinos also never had any trouble, most are nice places.
Casinos are usually very receptive to RVs AND we have found the food in the dining room to be above average in quality and lower than average cost.
Looking to save money towards my floor remodeling upgrade
to camp free in the Florida area.. Own a 40′ pusher 5 solar panels.
my side kick puppy & parrot….
— Leaving current RV resort by end of Sept 2018
any input is appreciated. Rich….. Hudson, FL.
…..I would like to say thanks for the info. it was very helpful.
Walmart stores, unlike most private and state camp grounds, have extensive video cameras inside as well as monitoring parking lot areas. These cameras have played a large role in deterring crime and helping to solve crimes that do occur.
Do you need a companion for your rv trip this year? Retired teacher 59 will join you and help you drive. 612 272 2222. Minnesota.
Veterans and disabled veterans.get free or discounted rates in many states. Be sure to have your proof of service with you but state and county parks, often with developed sites can be a tremendous resource. Joining a veterans group like VFW or American Legion is another valuable resource. Most will have great local knowledge and will welcome you as a traveling brother.
thanks for sharing this! 🙂 really helpful, my friends and I were planning to go camping this week 🙂