For four years I road tripped around the contiguous US and camped in National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, Dispersed land, with the Bureau of Land Management, on people’s properties, and in the middle of absolute nowhere. When I first started I had sticker shock on how expensive some campgrounds were – it was as much as a hotel and I was providing my own bed! For me, I soon discovered that I was not a fan of private campgrounds as they usually had big RV rigs and there were a lot more slow travelers. {A slow traveler is one that takes months or years to see an area before they move on.} Now that my parents are traveling and camping in their camper, they prefer these types of campgrounds as they have real restrooms, showers, all the amenities and most even have clubhouses. To each their own… for me right now though… I want to camp in the middle of the wilderness where I can see every star in the sky. This guide shows you how to find free or cheap campsites in Alaska or in your state.
Absolutely Free – Boondocking, Dry Camping, or Independent Camping
Boondocking is legal in most states and is quite common among those comfortable with camping wherever the wind takes them. Boondocking is when you set-up camp off-the-grid like by a river or a lake and not at a campsite that has hookups. Boondocking, dry camping, and independent camping all mean the same thing with independent camping being the preferred saying. All three mean that you are camping without running water and with little to no amenities.
Independent Camping is legal in Alaska and happens all over the state. Whether you are driving in off the AlCan and come in through Tok or are driving on the Kenai Peninsula, you will see people camping all over the place. Most of the major roadways in Alaska have pullouts and it is quite acceptable to pull over and stay for the night. I’ve seen people pull out their grills and camp chairs and call it good just 30 minutes south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway!
The best mile-by-mile Alaska guidebook there is!
A Couple of My Favorite Places for Independent Camping in Alaska
Exit Glacier in Seward
All along Exit Glacier road in Seward are boondocking campsites along the river. There is something so magical about sitting and taking in the glacial blue water running in the valley with Exit Glacier in the background. Some people camp here all summer long, so finding a spot can be a challenge, but totally worth it.
Weiner Lake near Matanuska Glacier
I wanted to camp near Matanuska Glacier and have a campfire with the glacier in the background. As I driving out there though I passed this little lake with lily pads and crystal blue water. I noticed there was a flat space right off the road to camp. This is where I solo camped for the very first time in Alaska. It was Heaven! Around 4am I heard what sounded like runners taking off on a marathon. I looked out my tent and instead saw a mama moose with her two calves. What a way to wake up!
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
There are 72 million acres of BLM land in Alaska! Definitely the cheapest campgrounds that the government operates are located on BLM land. You can camp up to 14 days at a time and it is on a first-come first served basis. You can expect to find fire pits, picnic tables, vault toilets and trash cans. You won’t find much else although each campground has different setups. Typically, there is not a camp host either. Bring your own firewood and all of your supplies as these camp spots are usually not close to towns. BLM sites are found along the road system and in Interior Alaska. Most BLM camps sites run under $15, and a lot of them are FREE, but do bring cash as you will leave it in an envelope on the honor system.
Best book to have when camping in Alaska with kids!
Dispersed Camping
You might not have heard the words dispersed camping before, but it basically means back country camping or camping outside of a designated campsite. Permits are required in most National Parks and National Forests. Most of the time it is free and you can pitch your tent anywhere you like on national land. You will see quite a few dispersed campsites located in Denali National Park as people explore Alaska’s playground.
National and State Forests
At $10-20 a night, National and State Forests are also very affordable. Just like with BLM sites they don’t have a ton of amenities, but they do often have a camp host. They tend to offer firewood as well and can help you if needed. Alaska does not lack in either national or state forests!! There are a number of campgrounds along the Seward Highway down to the Kenai Peninsula that are breathtakingly beautiful and the perfect place to camp for the night.
A word of advice… don’t camp on someone’s private land in Alaska unless you have permission from the owner.
Camping in National Parks
There is nothing like camping in a US National Park. The facilities are pretty nice, the campgrounds have been kept up and the locations are better than most. The price tag typically reflects that. National Parks costs anywhere from $25-50 a night. One good thing though is that you can reserve your spot a year in advance! I’m not a planner so what I do when I want to camp at a national park is I get there around 4pm and talk to whomever is doing reservations. Never fails, there are always no shows or people who cut their trip short. I then take their spot – sometimes for FREE as the other guy already paid for it. 🙂 I have done this in every national park around the US!
Check out the Visitor’s Centers or go to Alaska.org
When in Anchorage before heading out on your adventure, stop in the Visit Anchorage building (the one with moss on the roof). I also recommend to stop at each and every Visitor Center you see as they are stocked full of knowledge on the area. They will know where the best camping spots are, where the elusive BLM campsites are, plus what the conditions are in the area that you want to camp. Alaska.org has campsites listed out based on their amenities and how much they cost. Check out this link to all the free campsites in Alaska!
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We just look for a random unmarked road, usually there is a fire pit in most of these places.. Throw up a tent, and boom.. free