Free Camping Is Disappearing In the U.S.: Every Closure and Ban We’re Tracking (2026)
Free camping is disappearing from some of America’s favorite public lands. Here’s the running list of closures, why they’re happening, and where you can still go.
-
-
How Long Can You Really Camp in a National Forest? Less Than You Think, and It Depends on the Forest.
Every national forest sets its own stay limit, and the newest orders add a second number: a cap on days per year. Here is every order we could read, by forest, with its dates.
-
Yes, You Can Actually Camp on the Beach in Your Van. Here Are the 10 Places It’s Legal in the U.S., and How Baja Really Works.
Legal beach camping in a van is a short list: ten U.S. beaches where you can sleep on the sand, each with its permit, fee and night cap, plus how free camping on a Baja beach really works.
-
Want to Camp Naked? Everything You Were Too Scared to Ask about Nudist Campgrounds.
What staying at a nude campground is really like, from the people who do it: the two kinds of club and how to tell them apart, the towel rule, cameras, single men, day passes, what to pack, and the honest no side.
-
31 Clothing-Optional Hot Springs Where You Can Soak and Camp
Thirty-one clothing-optional hot springs across the West, from private resorts with written policies to BLM and Forest Service springs where nude soaking is the custom, each with the camping, fees, access and closures a van lifer needs.
-
New Study Shows Free Camping Is Now America’s Favorite Way to Camp. Here’s Why, and How to Do It Right
We’ve used public lands to camp for free for years. Now, more and more campers are picking up the trend.
-
It’s About to Get Way Harder to Camp for Free Near Zion National Park
The BLM is looking to reduce free camping options due to increased pressure on public lands.
-
Yosemite Valley Fills Parking Before 11am, and It’s Not Even Summer Yet
Full parking lots don’t bode well for the busy summer season. What to do to prepare for your visit.
-
Here’s How to Live in a National Park, Totally Free
If you love national parks, this is for you.
-
26 Car Camping Essentials You’ll Want for a Comfortable Trip
If you’re headed out car camping, there are some essentials that will make your trip safer and more comfortable. Here are some of our top picks.
-
The 7 Best Boondocking Apps For Finding Free Campsites
Finding boondocking spots is easy with the variety of apps and resources out there these days. Here are our favorites!
-
17 Campground Habits That Annoy Other Campers
Staying at a campground can be a profoundly irritating experience depending on your neighbors. If you are “that neighbor”, stop doing these things right now.
