The Dyrt, the app to get the best campsites, built by the largest RVing and camping community in the U.S., has announced the Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. presented by Packfire. The annual awards are based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s vast community of campers. Dispersed camping stakes its claim as the most popular type of camping as the top three campgrounds on the list, and five of the 10 overall, are free and located on public land.
One of the many features of The Dyrt PRO is the Free Camping Collection, which is a curated listing of over 20,000 vehicle-accessible free camping locations across the country. The top three Best Places to Camp in the nation for 2026 — Valley of the Gods in Utah, Scoria Pit in North Dakota and The Wall in South Dakota — are the crown jewels of those campgrounds. If crown jewels were free.
According to The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, three out of five campers (59.8%) camped for free at least once last year. Of those campers, 79.1% went dispersed camping. The U.S. is home to more than 600 million acres of public land where anyone can camp for free. For those who are partial to impressive amenities and prefer to lounge in a little bit of luxury, there are some great options for those campers as well.
View detailed descriptions of The Dyrt’s Best Places to Camp below, and check out all the winners from 2026, including the Best Places to Camp Regional Awards from July, on The Dyrt’s Awards Page. The Dyrt’s 2026 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. is presented by Packfire, a manufacturer of fire pits that fold flat, set up in seconds, and go wherever the day takes you.
Without further ado, here are The Dyrt’s Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S.:
1. Valley of the Gods — Utah
Location: Mexican Hat, UT
What makes it great: Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this dispersed area spreads along a 17-mile dirt road connecting highways 163 and 261 near Mexican Hat, in the heart of Utah’s red rock country. The road itself is the campground’s spine, with pull-off sites scattered along its length where previous campers have established fire rings and flat sleeping areas. There are no site numbers here: you simply pick your own spot. The deeper you drive in, the more spacious and private the options become, many framed by towering buttes and distant Monument Valley.
This is genuinely primitive camping, so amenities are essentially nonexistent beyond the occasional fire ring. There’s no water, so you pack in everything and pack out all trash. Camping is free with a standard 14-day BLM limit, and pets are welcome. Days begin and end with epic sunrises and sunsets, with some of the darkest, most star-filled night skies imaginable in the meantime. Hiking trails branch off from various points along the road.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “It’s my first time dispersed camping and I absolutely loved this place! Very spacious. A few cars were here too but it did not feel crowded, also there’s way more spaces the deeper you go. We drove a Tacoma and my friends drove their RAV4 with no issues.” — Nataly T.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: Yes
2. Scoria Pit — North Dakota
Location: Medora, ND
What makes it great: This boondocking gem is tucked into the Little Missouri National Grassland, where a red-scoria gravel road climbs through open prairie to a string of dispersed sites. Campers consistently rave about the 360-degree panoramas over the badlands and grasslands, with hours-long sunsets and very early sunrises that make the elevated ridge-top spots feel almost cinematic. This is true leave-no-trace, pack-in-pack-out dispersed camping with no water, toilets or hookups, so most campers make quick runs to the Painted Canyon Visitor Center or Sully Creek State Park.
The gravel road handles most vehicles well in dry conditions but it turns to mud after rain, and the ridge can get seriously windy, so lower sites are the smart pick in storms. Theodore Roosevelt National Park — and the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library — is close by, putting hiking trails and wildlife viewing right at your doorstep. Campers regularly spot mule deer right from camp, hear coyotes at night, and enjoy some of the darkest skies around.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Great place for free dispersed camping right outside of TRNP and the new TR Library. Level site with great views in every direction. Road was a bit rough, but we have a Rav4 TRD and pull a small Hiker Trailer trailer, so no issues and I saw larger RVs make it up further. Highly recommend for a great time in a beautiful area.” — Jay H.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: Yes
3. The Wall — South Dakota
Location: Wall, SD
What makes it great: The Wall is peak dispersed camping in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland perched right on the rim of the Badlands. Marked sites line the edge of the wall, delivering sweeping views straight down into the mineral formations and valley below. Practically speaking, this is primitive camping on a maintained dirt-and-gravel road system that accommodates everything from a hatchback with a tent to a 40-foot fifth wheel.
There are no restrooms, water or hookups and heavy gusts of wind whip across this treeless prairie. You literally camp within sight of the Badlands National Park entrance, making it an unbeatable base for exploring the park, and it’s an easy hop to the famous Wall Drug in town. Late spring and early fall are the sweet spots.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Awesome
Can’t describe the views, there’s no words that can come close. You just have to come see for yourself. Road is a bit bumpy but go slow and it’s no problem.” — Kenneth W.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: Yes
4. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground — California
Location: Hiouchi, CA
What makes it great: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground places tents and RVs directly beneath some of the tallest trees on Earth, alongside the clear, blue Smith River. Co-managed by California State Parks and the National Park Service, sites are spacious and shaded, with a bear box, fire ring and picnic table at each one.
There are no hookups, reflecting the old-growth setting. A short nature walk through a breathtaking stand of ancient redwoods leaves directly from camp, and the Stout Memorial Grove and Grove of Titans are both within reach via nearby trails. The Smith River itself is a major draw — a sandy beach with shallow water suits kids, while deeper stretches invite swimming and even cliff jumping for the adventurous. A small history center and amphitheater host ranger programs.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This is by far my most favorite campground and state park. Sites are spacious and most are very private, easy to walk down to the gorgeous Smith River and numerous hiking trails through the park and to nearby Hiouchi (you can walk to breakfast or lunch and a great little cafe there!). Just magical here.” — Joletta B.
Campground details
Price: $35-$100
Number of sites: 89
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
5. Elkamp Eastcreek — Washington
Location: Mineral, WA
What makes it great: A short drive from Mount Rainier’s Nisqually entrance, Elkamp Eastcreek is a family-run private campground that consistently earns near-perfect reviews for how meticulously it’s kept. Sites are spread among large trees along East Creek, with a footbridge leading to an open meadow perfect for evening strolls, stargazing or letting dogs run.
A charming on-site gift shop stocks local crafts, apparel and firewood, and the owners are mentioned by name in nearly every review for going out of their way to make guests comfortable — delivering firewood and ice by golf cart, remembering repeat visitors and offering local tips.
Beyond the campground, Mineral Lake and Alder Lake are both close by for paddleboarding or a quick swim. For travelers heading to Rainier who want a polished, welcoming stop to rest up, Elkamp Eastcreek is a standout.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “There aren’t many campgrounds to which I would award six stars out of five, but Elkamp Eastcreek is certainly one of them. Every square inch is meticulously maintained (and that includes the two spacious and sparkling clean restrooms). The campsites are far enough apart that they feel relatively private, and most appear completely level. Trees abound. Dogs are welcome!” — William B.
Campground details
Price: $25-$40
Number of sites: 27
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
6. Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground — Michigan
Location: Newberry, MI
What makes it great: This rustic state forest campground sits right where the Two Hearted River spills into Lake Superior, and reaching it is half the adventure: roughly 30 miles of washboarded dirt and gravel roads that reviewers universally describe as rough but worth every bump. The payoff is a genuinely remote, peaceful setting with 39 first-come, first-served sites spread across two loops, one of which sits closer to the campground’s signature walking suspension bridge over the river.
The amenities are intentionally basic but well kept: clean vault toilets and hand-pump potable water, with campers repeatedly praising how spacious and semi-private the sites feel. The real draw is the water. A suspension bridge carries you over the river to a Lake Superior beach famous for rock and agate hunting, and the fishing is excellent, with brook trout and steelhead in the river and lake trout, steelhead and salmon out in the big lake. The North Country Trail runs directly through the campground, so hiking is right outside your tent, and there’s a boat launch suitable for small boats and kayaks.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful Spot. Such a great location at the mouth of Two Hearted River from Superior. The swaying bridge over the river to Superior is right in the campground and everything is rustic and secluded.” — Stacy N.
Campground details
Price: $20
Number of sites: 39
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
7. Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground — Arizona
Location: Shonto, AZ
What makes it great: Perched at 7,300 feet along the rim of Tsegi Canyon inside Navajo National Monument, this National Park Service campground is the rare place that feels like it should cost money but is completely free. Gravel sites sit along the canyon rim with juniper and piñon pine providing natural spacing and privacy. It’s first-come, first-served and operates seasonally while the lower Sunset View campground stays open year-round. A few sites sit right at the canyon’s edge with spectacular views.
The nine-mile access road off Highway 160 climbs from desert into higher forest, so larger rigs should be prepared for the grade. The visitor center sits adjacent to the camping area with friendly, knowledgeable staff and exhibits on Navajo history and culture. Three interpretive trails lead from the campground area to viewpoints of ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. For anyone touring the Four Corners between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, this free, scenic, history-rich campground is a must-stop.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful and quiet. Nice large flat sites overlooking the canyon along a gravel road. No crowding. We were delighted to visit the national monument and so glad we could stay here overnight.” — kszakos
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: 31
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: No
8. Shavano Mountain — Colorado
Location: Poncha Springs, CO
What makes it great: This free BLM dispersed area is a favorite for its combination of huge, spread-out sites and knockout Rocky Mountain views as three camping loops climb the mountainside. Elevation delivers expansive vistas, with many sites overlooking the valley and mountains, and some offering a view of the city lights below. Sites are big and private enough that some campers report not seeing a single car pass by all day, and most come with existing rock fire pits.
There are no facilities, so it’s pack-in, pack-out. Fires are allowed (subject to seasonal burn bans), pets are welcome and cell coverage is genuinely excellent, a rarity for dispersed sites. The access road is the main caveat: it’s bumpy and washed out in spots, with one steep, loose-rock hill that can challenge low-clearance 2WD vehicles. Shavano Mountain is also an excellent base camp for fishing or rafting the Arkansas River.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Three loops of camping to explore. Each one with incredible views of the valley and/or mountains. Primitive dispersed camping at its best. Bumpy road in but just take it slow.” — david S.
Campground details
Price: Free
Number of sites: Dispersed
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
9. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Cart-in Campground — Minnesota
Location: Two Harbors, MN
What makes it great: On Minnesota’s North Shore, this cart-in campground offers one of the most scenic tent-camping setups in the state. Campers park in a lot and use park-provided wheeled carts to haul gear up to 2,000 feet to their sites, a small effort that buys serious seclusion. There are cart-in sites plus a handful of backpack sites, several of them perched on bluffs with unobstructed views of the historic Split Rock Lighthouse and Lake Superior, while others nestle among birch and pine.
Twelve miles of hiking trails run along the lake and connect to the paved Gitchi-Gami trail, and the Day Hill trail climbs to panoramic overlooks taking in the lighthouse, Split Rock Point and distant islands. Multiple access points lead down to rocky beaches good for fishing and rock collecting. The headline attraction in the area, of course, is the lighthouse itself, and lighthouse-view sites book up first.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This is one of my favorites not only from growing up but also nowadays, and we will enjoy it each year to come! We stayed in a cart-in site and the cart worked well, the trail was in good shape, the restrooms were well kept, and the site was beautiful.” — Emily.Michael B.
Campground details
Price: $25
Number of sites: 20
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
10. Sandy Springs Campground — Ohio
Location: Stout, OH
What makes it great: Sitting on the bank of the Ohio River, this small, family-owned campground earns its reputation on two things: river views and hospitality (the owners are mentioned in nearly every review). Sites face the water with the Appalachian foothills visible in the opposite direction, and the constant parade of barges and tugboats gives the waterfront a relaxing, working-river character that reviewers find oddly mesmerizing.
Amenities are solid across the board. Full hookups with electric, water, and sewer are available, the campground takes RVs up to 70 feet with pull-through sites in the mix, and there are 30/50-amp connections plus a dump station. The private individual shower rooms each have a toilet, sink and counter space and there’s a camp store, playground and basketball area. Campers fish the river, launch inflatable paddleboards from a nearby sandy boat ramp, and hike a trailhead directly across the road that’s part of the Arc of Appalachia preserves. Shawnee State Forest is within reach for a longer trail system.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Love this place! The owners are a family and they treat guests like an extension of family. We stayed at RV campsite 10 which was a river front site. It was full hook up which was convenient. The view of the Ohio river was really lovely.” — Heidi R.
Campground details
Price: $35-$125
Number of sites: 40
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes