Wild Camping in the Western United States
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Summary of the video transcription of: Mike's Road Trip
If you love wild camping with your RV, I'm going to share 10 amazing places to camp for free in the western part of the United States. Most of these places are very popular, such as national parks and recreational areas, so if you want to avoid crowded campsites to be in harmony with nature, keep looking. The Bridger-Teton National Forest, east of Grand Teton National Park, is a wonderful place to camp for free, as is the unique rock formation of Kathline Rock near Capitol Reef National Park. Other incredible places to camp for free are along the California coast, in Big Sur, and in the northern region of the state, as well as Lake Powell Recreation Park and the Bonneville Salt Flats Scenic Area in the northwest Utah. Take advantage of these beautiful places for outdoor adventures!
Free RV Camping: 10 Best Places in the American West
If you love boondocking with your RV, I'm going to share 10 amazing places to camp for free in the western part of the United States. Most of these places are very popular, such as national parks and recreational areas, so if you want to avoid crowded campsites to be in harmony with nature, keep looking.
Just east of Grand Teton National Park is a wonderful place to go boondocking for free, just minutes from the park. The Bridger Teton National Forest is accessible via a few roads, and we took Forest Road 30290 which leads to a large area suitable for large RVs. For smaller vehicles like ours or tent camping with a little privacy, there are around twenty sites with backcountry to explore. There is even a creek running near several locations called Spread Creek. The scenery is fantastic and many campsites are nestled among the trees of the forest.
Not far from Capitol Reef National Park along scenic Highway 24, in the middle of nowhere, is a unique rock formation called Kathline Rock. This majestic mound really stands out because there is nothing else like it for miles around. Located just north of Hanksville, about 35 miles from the park, this spot is great for boondocking and walking up high for panoramic views of the expansive landscape. Although this location is located right next to the road, the mound dampens some of the traffic noise, which is fairly minimal after dark.
Another incredible place to camp for free is along the California coast, off Highway 1 in Big Sur and upstate. While you will find several places to camp, keep an eye out for no camping signs. There's nothing like camping on the edge of a cliff with views like these.
The next place to camp isn't exactly free, it costs five dollars a night and it's well worth it. Located about 40 miles south of White Sands National Park, Aguirre Springs Campground is located on BLM land and is a truly special place. This dry campsite is geared toward smaller RVs under 26 feet due to the narrow, hilly, winding road that is away from Highway 70, nestled in the heart of the Oregon mountains. It's a really quiet and picturesque place to camp. We have camped here twice and had no problem finding space. However, I recommend arriving early in the afternoon to be sure of finding a spot. It is also good to mention that the doors close at sunset. Although there are no electrical hookups, there are restrooms, grills, shelters, picnic tables, and numerous hiking trails.
Additionally, in New Mexico, located 30 miles southeast of Farmington off Highway 550, the badlands of the Angel Peak Scenic Area offer a dozen free boondocking sites with spectacular views of the rugged terrain stretching for several miles. Taking service road 7175, campsites begin just past the scenic overlook. It's a very quiet and peaceful place, we didn't see any other people when we were there. The hiking trails allow you to get up close to the colorful landscapes, while the sunsets are simply breathtaking.
Located northeast of Moab along the incredibly scenic Highway 128 which follows the mighty Colorado River, there are a multitude of places to camp for free with a number of primitive campsites. Camping in this area surrounded by towering mountains and high mesas is such a scenic spot that you might never want to leave. There is no end to outdoor adventures, whether it's horseback riding, rafting, water skiing, mountain biking, hiking and much more. If you are visiting Lake Powell and don't want to be packed like sardines near the water at Lone Rock, there are two boondock areas near the lake on the west side of Highway 89. The first is down from a dirt road just north of Lone Rock Road that takes you toward the mountains. There are a few parking areas along the road or a large open area where you will find BLM enclosures. This campsite is located on the south side of a cliff where an alcove houses one of the most exclusive resorts in the world. The other camping spot is just northwest of Glen Canyon Dam, a place called Beehive Campground. If you have a large RV, this is where you will want to park. If you are tent camping and have a 4x4, you can continue down the sandy road and find a remote primitive campsite.
Just behind Superior, Arizona on US-60 is Oak Flat Campground, a large area for free camping that gives you access to the Superstition Mountains and Salt River Canyon. About an hour northeast of Las Vegas is the geological wonder known as Valley of Fire State Park, and while there are two campgrounds within the park to allow people to spend more time soaking in the awe-inspiring beauty, they fill up pretty quickly. An alternative just outside the park is a large area called Poverty Flats, a great place to camp for free when visiting Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead Recreation Area. Located in northwest Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a fascinating place to visit, especially during race week. While camping is not allowed on the salt flats, there is a small area designated for campers. It's not very appealing, a much better place to camp is right next to the salt flats up Leggy Pass. It's a steep four lane paved road, then it turns into a dirt road the higher you go the fewer people you'll see. Once you get to the top of the pass it's a wide open wilderness area that offers a peaceful place to rest. If you have any questions about any of these free boondocking camping spots, leave a question below. Thanks so much for watching, we'll see you on the road next time. MikesRoadTrip.com [matched_content], keep the name of the place in English.
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