32 Best Free Camping Sites

32 Best Free Camping Sites

It’s easier than ever to find a free place to camp thanks to sites like Campendium and Freecampsites.net. In addition to the unforgettable campgrounds below, you can go dispersed camping for free on public lands throughout the United States and Canada. Just remember to check that you are not on private land, inside a fee campground, and/or within 200 feet of any water source like a lake or stream before staking down your tent.

You can camp on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service land for up to 14 days in most places. Whether you go off the beaten track or stick with the free campgrounds below, it’s crucial you follow the seven Leave No Trace principles to reduce your impact, protect the environment, and keep the animals and humans in the area safe.

Glacier Bay National Park, AK
Humpback whales breaching at Glacier Bay

Alaska

Bartlett Cove Campground, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

There aren’t many other places where you can fall asleep to the sounds of whales. This walk-in campground has (much needed) bear-proof food storage containers, fire pits, free firewood, and a small warming shelter. nps.gov/glba

Galbraith Lake Campground, Arctic Region

The 30 campsites here are all that’s left of what was once a glacial lake that filled the entire Atigun Valley. The site is near the Atigun Gorge and the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. No amenities; blm.gov

Lower Skilak Lake Campground, Kenai Peninsula, Southcentral

This popular campsite inside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With 14 sites, toilets, and a boat launch, it’s one of the more developed campgrounds in the park. fws.gov

Otto Lake, Healy, Interior

Located just two miles south of Healy and within driving distance of Denali National Park & Preserve, this summertime gem is right on the shore of Otto Lake. If all the spots are full, free dispersed camping is allowed along the Denali Highway or you can snag a paid site at one of the other campgrounds in the area. No reservations; travelalaska.com

British Columbia

British Columbia is home to some of the most gorgeous free camping in the West. In addition to allowing dispersed camping on most public land, there are more than 1,200 Forest Service Recreation campsites (many are free). Most are accessed on unpaved service roads and don’t have hookups or running water, but you can’t beat the lake- and riverside spots or the views of the mountains.

Dinner Rock, Powell River

This maintained campsite has 13 spaces and a paved access road. Picnic tables overlook the Malaspina Strait. Boat launch; toilets; no potable water; sitesandtrailsbc.ca

Seton Dam Campground, Lilllooet

It’s hard to believe that this 45-site campground is free. In the late 1800s the area was full of gold miners hoping to strike rich. Now it’s home to a reservoir with hiking trails and plenty of rainbow trout to keep you busy. Drinking water; picnic tables; fire rings; no reservations; bchydro.com

Jones Lake, Chilliwack

Those who can make it in–the road is notoriously poor, even in the summer–can enjoy mountain biking without the crowds and a peaceful free camping site overlooking the reservoir. The road is an active logging route that’s best left for 4×4 vehicles with a high clearance. Check road conditions before leaving. Vault toilets; picnic tables; no reservations; bchydro.com

Squamish Riverside Campsite, Squamish

This riverside campground is a favorite spot for fishing. There are only nine sites, so be sure to head out early when the fish are biting. Vault toilets; fire rings; no garbage service; sitesandtrailsbc.ca

Washington

Liberty Recreation Site, Liberty

Camp along a bubbling creek in the Cascade Mountains. This campground is open yearround, but snow can make it difficult to access. The trails in the area are excellent for snowmobiling or warm-weather hiking. The 15 sites rarely fill up, but summer weekends can be busy. Vault toilets; no potable water; recreation.gov

Soda Springs Campground, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Packwood

If you’re looking for a quiet place to get away, this small six-site campground might be just what you’re after. Nestled in a stand of western hemlock, Douglas fir, and silver fir, the area is well-screened and not crowded. No potable water; vault toilet; no reservations; fs.usda.gov

Mowich Lake Campground, Mount Rainier National Park

Make yourself at home along the largest and deepest lake in the park. This campground is well-worth the effort to get there. Once you make it down the mostly unpaved access road, you’ll have to walk into the campground (although it’s not that far from the parking lot). Fires are not allowed, so be sure to pack a good camp stove. Arrive early in the summer to snag one of the 10 spots. Open early July – early Oct; picnic tables; food storage; no reservations; nps.gov/mora and visitrainier.com

Gorge Lake Campground, North Cascades National Park

Lie back in your tent with views of the Gorge Lake and the cascading Stetattle Creek. The six-site campground can be popular–arrive early or be one of the first to take advantage of the reservation system. Reservations starting May 2018; no potable water; vault toilets; nps.gov/noca

Dosewallips Campground, Olympic National Park

The access road to this campground washed out, but you can still hike the 6.5 miles in for a secluded night in the woods. Heavy rains can close large swaths of the park, so always check road conditions and campground status before leaving. No water; vault toilets; nps.gov/olym 

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Great Washington Campgrounds

Great Washington Campgrounds

 

 
 

How to build the perfect campfire
Our editors get expert advice on how to build a safe roaring campfire.

 

 

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Campfire Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Campfire Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Are you ready for dessert?
 I think it’s for time for some dessert…how about a delicous Pineapple Upside Down Cake?

All of this week’s recipes  have been easy-to-make in tin foil packets…very family friendly!
Monday was about making a delicious hot dip for a snack or appetizer.
Lumberjack Breakfast was Tuesday’s recipe.
Wednesday’s tin foil packet was a Potato Boat Dinner.
And today…behold the Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
 
 For this recipe, you will need:
Pineapple chunks, fresh or canned
Poundcake, cubed {you can also use plain cake donuts, or donut holes}
Butter
Brown sugar
Whipped Cream or ice cream, if desired
Cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired
Tin foil
Cooking Spray
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Directions:
Spray a double layer of tin foil with cooking spray.
Add a handful of pineapple chunks.
 Add pound cake cubes on top of the pineapple.
{Pound cake can usually be found in the bakery section of the grocery store, or there is a great Sara Lee frozen pound cake found in the frozen foods section.}
 To the top of the pineapple and cake, add a good dollop of butter and brown sugar.
Fold up the packet and place on a hot BBQ for about 15 minutes…until the butter has melted with the brown sugar and formed a sauce over the pineapple in the bottom of the packet.
 Open up the packet for the last few minutes to brown up the cake a little.
Serve!
You will not believe how delicious this smells when you open up the packet.
Amazing!
 And if you like, you could add a little whipped cream or ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to finish it off.
For very little work, this dessert is so delicious and easy enough for the kids to make!
I think this is my favourite camping dessert ever!
 

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Spokane Golf & Travel Show

Spokane Golf & Travel Show

The Spokane Golf and Travel Show is in it’s 20th year and has evolved into the largest consumer golf and travel show in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene region. The 100+ exhibitors represent golf retailers, golf manufacturers, golf travel, PGA quick tip instruction, seminars by local PGA professionals, a Demo Area, a Putting Contest, Long Drive Contests, Travel & Golf give-a-ways, Junior Golf, Show Only Deals and so much more.

Feb 24th & 25th, 2018 at the Spokane Convention Center. 

http://www.spokanegolfshow.com

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