Sometimes I sleep in parking lots.
Some are really beautiful parking lots next to forests, beaches, marinas or national landmarks. Some have cement, neon, semi trucks and noise. The things they all have in common are me, my Subaru Outback with a mattress in the back, and a lack of amenities.
I've stayed in my fair share Cracker Barrel and Love's Truck Stop parking lots, but with research and help from apps like iOverlander, I've found a few top notch places. Here are my top ten favorite dispersed camping spots from my trips across the U.S. in 2023, along with a short story of each location, from west to east:
This made the list for location.
Near the south entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, just off Highway 10, is a dirt covered, pothole filled parking lot. I drove into the park and used the facilities at Cottonwood Visitor Center around sunset, then drove right back out, parked, and camped for free.
For safety, I put on all my window coverings except the front windshield before driving in. Once I parked, I put up the front window covering and crawled in back to sleep.There were 20-30 other vehicles there, but everyone was spaced out. Aside from a few campfires, folks were in their vehicles and quiet. The next day I crawled back to the front seat and drove into Joshua Tree to catch the sunrise.
This made the list for beauty.
Grant Marsh WMA is in southeastern Montana, located between branches of the Bighorn River. In late October 2023 I was driving quickly west and I needed a place to pull over, crawl in the back and sleep.
I left Hwy 90 at Hardin, MT and drove north on Hwy 47. Two long dirt roads later there was a small sign for Grant Marsh Wildlife Management Area. I turned in and followed a narrow lane surrounded by tall grass that ended in a circle turnaround. I parked and got out of my car to explore. Hearing a river gurgling nearby and turned my car headlights toward the sound. Here was my home for the night:
This location was a little far from a bathroom, but next time I'll plan for that. I drove back out to a gas station to use the facilities. It was dark and cold by the time I got back to my spot, put up my window coverings (for warmth - not privacy - there were no other cars there) and crawled in the back to sleep.
The distance from a bathrom was an issue in the morning (as outlined in this blog story). But...I had earned this morning view:
This made the list for expansiveness.
A national grassland is a great place to experience the wide open plains of middle America. In late April 2023 I discovered that Pawnee National Grassland allows dispersed camping, so I drove there on back roads north and east of Denver. I read Willa Cather and Kent Haruf and felt right at home. It is delightfully remote, unfathomably vast, and perfect for sunsets, sunrises and separateness.
This made the list for WOW factor.
Near Pinnacles Entrance Station on the north side of Badlands National Park, just south of highway 90 at Wall, SD, there is a free area to pull over and camp overnight within the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It was cold and dark when I pulled in. I stayed up late late late reading Kindred by Octavia Butler. In the morning I realized just what a stunning spot I was in. Dangerously tremendous.
This made the list for river access.
Technically not dispersed camping, but the camping fee was so low I'm counting it as such. I love this region of Nebraska and I am thankful for the friends who told me about it. The Niobrara River is a national treasure - parts of it wide and rolling and other parts like the creek I grew up playing in. I can't wait to return with canoes and adventurous paddler friends.
This made the list for convenience.
Did you know many casinos allow free overnight camping in their parking lots? I had read about it, but had not yet taken advantage of the opportunity until mid-September in Michigan. I was headed west from Niagara Falls - thinking I'd drive all the way home to Wisconsin - when highway traffic from both construction and an accident slowed me way down. It got dark, and the construction just seemed to go on and on. I passed a sign for FireKeepers Casino and decided to pull in. My feet didn't even hit the ground. I just climbed in back and crashed. In the morning I made my coffee, took this photo, and left. I'm listing it in my favorites list because it was right where I needed it, clean, and easy in-easy out.
This made the list for waterfalls.
When I was wandering around the northeast in August, it was a pleasure to come across small northeastern towns with rivers, waterfalls and bridges. Saugerties had all three. It also had a tiny parking lot next to a tiny park with clear signage that overnight camping was allowed. It was quiet and safe and just what I needed. I walked across the bridge and did my laundry in the cute downtown laundromat, then walked back to my secluded camp spot.
This made the list for sparkly charm.
I went to a beautiful benefit concert called "SparkleTown: A Tribute to the Music and Spirit of Kate Lorenz" in May of 2023. It was held at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, MA. Just prior to the show I found the Riverview Picnic Area in nearby Northfield and called up the nice folks at FirstLight to get permission to car camp there. An empty lot, beautiful trees, a misty morning walk along the Connecticut River - lovely lovely lovely.
This made the list for checking all the boxes.
I have written about this place many times - most recently in a blog post called "Comfortably Aimless in Maine"- so I'll refer you there for details. I'll just say this...it is my favorite favorite favorite place for dispersed camping...and I'll visit annually and never get enough of it. I'll meet you there any time of year - for mountain biking or cross country skiing, hiking or swimming, fly fishing or snowboarding, ice skating or mountaineering - this place has it all. And - importantly - a level parking lot with a Porta Potty.
This made the list for bay views.
A public pier with free overnight parking and a view of Penobscot Bay? Sold. Deer Isle was crowded and the nearby state park was closed for the night. This spot worked out wonderfully.
This made the list for fishing.
If you're fishing the Deerfield River and you need a free place to camp - with a vault toilet nearby - look no further than Somerset Airfield in the Green Mountain National Forest. A little muddy, but gorgeous. And within walking distance to the best fishing I had all year.
Car camping in a Subaru Outback is not a glamorous way to live. I would never claim that it is easy. But car camping - specifically dispersed camping - has afforded me the opportunity to stretch minimum funds to maximum locations. And some beautiful locations at that! I look forward to discovering even more of America the Beautiful in car camping trips to come.
Sojourn on!
Great blog post. Amazing, that you found a place to stay for free all that way. I am even more impressed that you went all that way with just a car by yourself. You sure did see some beautiful sites along the way. Thanks for sharing.