Our Favorite FREE Campsites in the American Southwest
1. Buena Vista, CO - N 38º50.972', W 106º2.693'
Our favorite spot to date! This campsite features over a dozen spots with plenty of space around them. These specific coordinates offer amazing panoramic views that include the Collegiate Peaks. Some of the best sunrises and sunsets have been at this spot too!
iOverlander name: "Buena Vista Overlook".
2. Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ - N 36º25.940', W 112º24.652'
The trek to this spot can be a pain, but is worth it if you're willing to brave the drive! The road to this spot is through Kaibab National Forest, which took us about an hour and a half on the washboard roads. There are many spots along the rim here, some better than others. Some spots aren't level, some are littered with garbage, and some are covered with bugs. This specific spot is the best that we found, as it is right on the rim and offers views directly into the Grand Canyon.
iOverlander name: "Open view Grand canyon".
3. Bryce Canyon, UT - Toms Best Spring Rd
Toms Best Spring Rd is located 10 minutes from Bryce Canyon and offers dozens of free campsites. We stayed here for seven nights and loved the wide open forest. These spots are level, have fire pits, and offer lots of privacy in between the trees. Fair warning: this road got extremely busy on the weekend that we were here, but we were never bothered.
4. San Juan National Forest, CO - N 37º14.251', W 107º20.517'
This campsite was our first site along a river, and our expectations were exceeded. This spot is nestled in San Juan National Forest along the Piedra River. Surrounded by trees and listening to the constant stream of water was so peaceful, making this site perfect for a relaxing getaway.
iOverlander name: "Piedra East - Free"
5. Grand Lake, CO - County Highway 455
This spot was the closest and best we could find near Rocky Mountain National Park. We spent a few days on the east side in Estes Park (where there is almost no camping) before coming to the west side. W found this spot just minutes outside of Grand Lake, and just 10 minutes from the west entrance of the park. There are dozens of campsites along Highway 455, some with better views and more level than others.
6. Virgin, UT - N Sheep Bridge Rd
Sheep Bridge Rd is a popular area north of Virgin, UT and about 20 minutes away from Zion National Park. There are many spots along side streets and in pull-outs, all accessible with any vehicle. This area is popular for dirt biking, mountain biking, and other ATV/OHV activities.
7. Grand Staircase Escalante, UT - Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Located on the south side of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Cottonwood Canyon Rd offers thousands of acres of BLM land and thousands of sites to camp at. The road starts about 20 minutes west of Kanab near the Toadstool Hoodoos, and can be driven all the way up to Bryce Canyon. This road is popular for 4x4 vehicles looking to see popular monuments such as the Great Chamber and local slot canyons. The landscapes are vast and offer amazing views of rock formations and
8. Coconino National Forest, AZ - N 35º22.758', W 111º35.211'
15 mins outside of Flagstaff, access to Page and Grand Canyon, all vehicles allowed
9. Salamander Campground, UT
Free campground (maybe not free during summer) in Wasatch mountains, take____ road and 15-20 mins away from SLC/Provo
10. Ouray, CO - N 38º3.815', W 107º39.857'
10 mins outside of Ouray, along creek, in dense forest, very peaceful, access to nearby trails
11. Tucson, AZ - N 32º37.712', W 111º10.487'
12. Moab, UT - Klondike Bluffs Trail
15 minute drive into Moab, 15 mins from Arches, 20 mins from Canyonlands, best central location in Moab, fairly busy spot in the fall, snows in winter, packed in the summer. About a hundred spots within the first two miles of the road. Mountain biking trails and more spots further down the road.
13. Quartzsite, AZ - W Dome Rock Road
500+ sites spread out around Dome Rock. Five minutes from Quartzsite. Most spots accessible with 2WD and majority of spots are level. Beware of flash floods!
14. Joshua Tree, CA - Coyote Lake
Large, flat area 10-15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park. Super busy during the winter! Standard BLM camping, most spots are accessible with 2WD.
15. Salton Sea, CA - Bombay Beach
Open lot with spaces right on the beach. No amenities but this spot was pretty busy during the winter. Felt safe, and our pup loved being able to run into the water! There are spots all around the Salton Sea, but we chose to stay at the 'Bombay Beach' spot on iOverlander.
16. Valley of Fire State Park, NV - N 36º25.378', W 114º36.048'
30 minutes north of Vegas, two minutes from State Park, 30 minutes from Lake Mead, flat views, nobody around us for three days in winter. "BLM Outside Valley of Fire" on iOverlander.
17. Lake Mead, NV - N 36º21.828', W 114º23.720'
Amazing spot right on the water on the northwest side of Lake Mead. Very bumpy road but doable with 2WD if you drive slow. Lots of other spots nearby if you aren't able to make it down to the water. "Private Beach!" on iOverlander.
18. Santa Barbara, CA - Los Padres National Forest
19. Death Valley National Park - N 36º20.228', W 116º35.840'
20. Cibola National Forest - N 35º23.850', W 108º31.609'
Located 10 minutes east of Gallup, New Mexico, this is a secluded spot in the forest. We spent almost a week here with no issues. There are dozens of spots with limited traffic but we've read on iOverlander that the spot can be closed in the winter due to weather. "Cibola NF" on iOverlander.
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