Travel Guides
Travel Guides
Six Hidden Gems for Boondocking
Discover six off-grid RV boondocking locations across the U.S. perfect for adventurous campers. These hidden gems offer stunning views, solitude, and GPS coordinates for your next road trip.
Overview
Boondocking, also known as dispersed camping, is the ultimate expression of freedom for RVers. Just you, your rig, and the open road. If you’re looking for scenic solitude, these six hidden gems across the U.S. are the perfect places to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with nature. We’ve included GPS coordinates to make planning easy and stress-free.
1
Alabama Hills, CA
Tucked between the jagged Sierra Nevada mountains and the vast Mojave Desert, Alabama Hills feels like it’s straight out of a movie—because it is. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this famous filming location offers otherworldly rock formations, epic stargazing, and free, open-access camping.
You’ll wake up to views of Mount Whitney and fall asleep under one of the darkest skies in the country. With no amenities, it's a true off-grid experience ideal for self-contained RVers.
Alabama Hills. Photo credit to Wikipedia.
Best Features:
1) Free dispersed camping on BLM land, but there are also three primitive campgrounds in the area
2) Incredible sunrises and sunsets
3) Close to Lone Pine and Mount Whitney Portal
GPS Coordinates:
36.537544, -118.108746
2
Pinnacles Camping Area, SD
Located just outside Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap (aka “the wall”) offers sweeping prairie views with dramatic canyon drop-offs. It’s free to camp, easy to access, and one of the best places in the Midwest for dispersed RV camping.
You can park near the rim overlooking the Badlands, with nothing but wind and wildflowers for company. It’s ideal for those who crave wide-open space and jaw-dropping scenery.
Pinnacles Camping Area. Photo credit to the US Forest Service.
Best Features:
1) No fees, permits, or reservations (but they may be coming)
2) Minutes from Badlands National Park entrance
3) Bison sightings are common!
GPS Coordinates:
43.89300, -102.22897
3
Magnolia Beach, TX
Who says you can’t camp on the beach? At Magnolia Beach along Lavaca Bay, you can set up your RV just steps from the water—completely free. This hard-packed sand shoreline is popular with locals but remains a hidden gem for most travelers.
You’ll enjoy sea breezes, sunrises over the Gulf, and peaceful nights with the sound of lapping waves. Bonus: There’s a public pavilion with restrooms nearby.
Best Features:
1) Free beachfront RV camping
2) Great fishing and birdwatching
3) Pet-friendly and perfect for paddleboards
GPS Coordinates:
28.5770, -96.5389
4
Green Ridge State Forest, MD
East Coast boondocking can be hard to come by, but Green Ridge State Forest delivers. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, this 47,000-acre forest offers 100+ primitive campsites for a small fee—and plenty of dispersed camping areas for those willing to go deeper.
With scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and historical sites, it’s the perfect mix of rustic beauty and accessibility. Cell service is minimal, so it’s a great place to truly unplug.
Green Ridge State Forest. Photo credit to Wikipedia.
Best Features:
1) Budget-friendly primitive camping
2) Forested solitude with mountain views
3) Access to the Potomac River and C&O Canal
GPS Coordinates:
39.6239, -78.4537
5
Big Cypress National Preserve, FL
Looking for a warm winter boondocking spot? Big Cypress National Preserve, just west of the Everglades, offers a wild, watery escape. The park has five front-country campground facilities accessible by car.
Expect alligators, birds, cypress domes, and boardwalk hikes through surreal wetlands. This is true off-grid camping, so come prepared with water, waste solutions, and bug repellent.
Big Cypress National Preserve, FL. Photo credit to the National Park Service.
Best Features:
1) Low cost
2) Unique wildlife and the Everglades ecosystem
3) Great base for kayaking and wildlife photography
GPS Coordinates:
26.184615643031467, -81.24737539142522
6
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, AR
Waterfalls, mountain streams, and fiery fall foliage—Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is a quiet Southern escape with incredible natural beauty. Dispersed camping is allowed along many forest roads, with several scenic spots near the Mulberry River and White Rock Mountain.
You’ll find shaded forest groves, gravel pull-outs for RVs, and access to some of the best hiking and mountain biking in the region. It’s a budget-friendly way to experience the Ozarks.
Best Features:
1) Plenty of forest road access for RVs
2) Great for fall color and wildflower seasons
3) Fishing, paddling, and hiking nearby
GPS Coordinates:
35.69254947943989, -93.95605754895604
Go Further and Explore More
Boondocking is more than just a way to camp—it’s a mindset. These hidden gems offer the freedom, adventure, and beauty that off-grid RVers live for. With a little prep, you can take your RV off the beaten path and discover unforgettable places far from the crowds.
So pack your solar panels, fill up your fresh tank, and hit the road. Adventure is calling, and your next boondocking paradise is just a GPS pin away.
