FREE OVERNIGHTS

One of the questions I get asked all of the time is where to comfortably overnight for free. Everyone knows you can stay in a Walmart parking lot but who really wants to do that. That's not living. That's just a place to stop to break up a long drive to get some rest. I think what most people really want to know is where they can stay while having fun and kicking back without breaking the bank.  I guess it all depends on what your lifestyle is. I need to work but I really enjoy my time in remote areas. To work I need connectivity, something that is hard to come by in the middle of most out of the way places. So I balance my time between rural and urban locations. There are a few no cost ways to legally and safely stay in an area for extended periods of time that fit my lifestyle perfectly.

National Forests and BLM Land

National Forests and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands are my favorite places to live and explore. There are typically improved campgrounds with basic facilities like vault toilets, water, and trash removal. These campgrounds require a fee of around $13 per night and are often in some pretty sweet locations near trail heads or landmarks. For most people this is as remote as they want to get but I prefer to get away from the crowds. If I have to listen to something fart right next to me I want it to be a wild animal, not some guy from the city. If you would also prefer to hear wild animals then you're looking for "Dispersed Camping" areas within the forest or BLM land.

I usually start by downloading Vehicle Use Maps for the area of the forest I'm going to check out. This map will show all of the roads in the forest and what their designation is. When a road is designated as "Open to All Vehicles" that typically covers licensed and non licensed vehicles like ATV's. If there are areas where dispersed camping is allowed it will typically be along roads with this designation. These roads are usually maintained but often suffer from wash-outs, rock slides and erosion from general use so be prepared to take it slow. Along these roads you will find existing fire rings in small cleared areas where people have camped many times before your arrival. Choose a spot that you like and set up camp. Many National Forests will allow stays of 14 to 28 days.

I strongly recommend stopping in to the ranger station or regional BLM office to ask about dispersed camping areas. No one knows the park better than the rangers who patrol it. They are always helpful with directing you to the best spots for your desired activities. They can issue you fire permits and make you aware of any rules or restrictions that may be in place at the time of your visit.

Casino Resorts

After some time out in the wilderness I'm usually ready to experience some nightlife and get some work done. Casino resorts can be the best places to do both. Think about it...they have multiple restaurants, night clubs, golf courses, spas, swimming pools and of course casinos. People are spending $200 a night to be there but you can park your house on the property for free. There are security cameras, regular patrols and shuttles to take you to and from the resort or golf course. It's ridiculous. Often there is wifi that can be picked up from my RV and many resorts don't ask you to register or monitor your length of stay. You've really "hit the jackpot" when you find a resort in or close to a cool town because now you can explore the area while knowing that your vehicle is safe and sound.

If trekking through National Forests all day doesn't seem like your idea of a relaxing vacation than maybe resort living is more your style. Trust me when I tell you that they are both killer.