We’re continuing to celebrate our 5th “nomadiversary” with a look back at our favorite campsites of the year. And it was a busy one. We traveled coast to coast to coast to coast across the US and Canada with many stops in between. We started the year in Stevan, our low top Econoline van, and ended it in Babe the blue bus. And along the way, we discovered many awesome free and cheap camp spots. In this post, we’ll share our favorites. Some are formal campgrounds, others are true boondocking spots. Even a stealthy spot made our list this year! And truly, there were so many other terrific spots thhis year. Awesome camps are rarely in short supply.
A quick note: These sites are in chronological order, from our first favorite in September 2025 to our last in September 2026. It was just too hard to rank them.
Warm Bay, Atlin, BC
The tiny town of Atlin is far from just about everything. Though it’s in British Columbia, Canada, you have to drive into Yukon Territory to get there. And it is quite literally the end of the road, perched on the edge of a giant, lake and nestled up against spectacular mountains.
In our opinion, it is totally worth a visit. Atlin has an extensive gold rush history, and also a more recent stint as a spa/resort in the early 1900s. And the camping? Fabulous! There are many options: a town park (we did not stay here) a few free BC rec sites, small campgrounds with a few services, and lots of wild, boondocking. When we arrived here in September 2025, we checked out many of these and opted for a wild spot.
We squeezed our van onto the beach alongside Warm Bay, into a perfect spot to catch the sunset. A short walk down the road brought us to the warm springs themselves, a shallow, mossy pool in a beautiful, park like setting. The springs are great for wading, maybe a quick dip too. They are full of tiny shrimp that come up to check out your feet! There’s also a nearby trail through deep woods.
While in Atlin, you can explore the historic buildings, enjoy some great baked goods at Kershaw’s Cafe, and also visit the ruins of gold-rush era buildings. If you kayak, this spot makes for some great lake paddling. How much does it cost to camp here? Absolutely nothing!
| Cost Per Night | Free |
| Access | From the town of Atlin, an 8-10 mile graded gravel road |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking trails, Warm Springs, ghost towns, historic buildings and museum, kayaking |
| Type | Boondocking on public land |
| Amenities | Pit Toilets at nearby BC rec site No Cell Service but clear sky for satellite |
White House BLM Campground, Utah
This sweet little BLM Campground in Southern Utah is part of the scenic Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive and provides access to some wonderful trails. White House Campground is one of the more popular sites on our list, and there are times when the 7 first-come, first serve sites here all taken. (There are an additional 4 walk-in sites here. And we did camp at one the night we arrived and moved into a van-friendly spot when it emptied.)
Aside from gawking at the magnificent red rocks surrounding your site, you can access the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, and hike Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch right from camp! Just follow the river downstream. If you prefer shorter hikes, you can visit the Nautilus, a red rock formation less than a mile away. Or explore cross country. This area has a long history of human habitation, and there are traces of the ancient Puebloan peoples, here too.
Just a spectacular place.
In addition to all this awesome, there’s a ranger station just up the road. The helpful folks there will give you information about other hikes and scenic spots in the area as well as important weather related updates. Because: flash flooding is possible in this area and you should always check the weather before you venture down these canyons. Rain far off in central Utah can impact river levels with ruinous results.
| Cost Per Night | $12 ($6 with a Golden Age interagency pass) |
| Access | A few miles south of Utah highway 89– short dirt road passable by most vehicles (Check with the ranger station at the turn off about road conditions) |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking trails, canyoneering, red rock formations, cross country exploring |
| Type | Small BLM campground |
| Amenities | Pit Toilets, picnic tables No Cell Service but clear sky for satellite |
San Francisco River Hot Springs Trailhead, New Mexico
This under-the radar spot has a lot to recommend it. First: it is beautiful –in a full-on desert way. Second, from it, you can hike down into a scenic canyon to visit a wild hot spring. Third (if you even need another reason) it is totally free!
When we arrived here in October, this spot was quiet (only a few other boondockers spread out over the area) and the weather was lovely. To reach the springs, you have to wade across the Gila River and wander through the forested valley. A great adventure with a relaxing soak at the end.
The Gila National Forest provides a parking area (for hikers) and a pit toilet. The unofficial camp sites are relatively level and –BONUS– there are some cool rocks here! I found chalcedony and fire agate here.
| Cost Per Night | Free |
| Access | less than a half mile off pavement, accessible by most cars |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking trails, hot springs, rockhounding, cross country exploring |
| Type | Boondocking near a Gila National Forest Trailhead |
| Amenities | Pit Toilets No Cell Service but clear sky for satellite |
Chama River Boondocking, New Mexico
The area around Abiquiu, New Mexico is chock full of beautiful camping and hiking opportunities. And truly, we had many favorite in this area, including Riana- Abiquiu Dam Corps of Engineers Campground and Echo Amphitheater Campground, to name a few. But our favorite stay was an understated little dispersed spot down a long dirt road beside the Chama River. Further down the road is a monastery and just across the highway is the famous Ghost Ranch. It is an interesting, scenic spot.
The road in is doable, though we did have to take it slow in our rear wheel drive van. (Don’t attempt it in wet conditions.) beyond this spot, the road gets a bit rougher– which is how we ended up here. (A fortunate limitation, as it turns out!) There are a few non developed trails in the lush Chama river bottom, and even less developed cross country hikes into the surrounding desert. Wildlife abounds, and quiet too.
If you love the New Mexican desert though, this is a great place to spend a few peaceful days.
| Cost Per Night | Free |
| Access | There are many dispersed sites here and a feew developed camp grounds along FS 151. The road has a steep, twisty stretch about 5 miles in. We camped just before that section so can’t vouch for the rest of it. But the first part is accessible by most cars. High clearance would be better though. |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking trails at Ghost Ranch, Plaza Blanca, Echo Amphitheater and other spots nearby, Abiquiu Dam and Reservoir, Georgia O’Keefe house and welcome center, cross country exploring |
| Type | Dispersed Camping on public land |
| Amenities | None No Cell Service but clear sky for satellite |
Overlook Campground, Lake Santa Cruz
Another New Mexico camp spot? Why not?
We do love New Mexico, and we have spent a whole lot of time there over the last few years. Overlook is a scenic, affordable BLM campground with some great views and a few awesome hiking opportunities. We happened upon this spot while looking for a quick stopover between Santa Fe and Taos.
It turned out to be a whole lot more. And we stayed a few extra days and stopped by again a few weeks later.
This is a small, 13 site first come,first serve campground perched high on the rim of an overlook. The dam-fed Lake Santa Cruz is nestled below, hugged by colorful hills. There is another camping area and boat ramp below, but Overlook…. well, it has the views. In addition, there is a trailhead within walking distance. From it, you can hike down to the lake and around it. Or you can hike a closed forest service road down to a steep-sided canyon and from it, down to the lake. We’ve done both of these hikes… and spent many hours enjoying the views here. Sunsets are particularly spectacular.
Like many things in New Mexico, this campground’s a little scruffy. The pit toilet is everything you’d expect it to be out in the desert, and there’s some trash that’s blown down the steep sides of the overlook (too dangerous to clean that up!) But even so, Overlook Campground is a lovely place to spend a few days.
| Cost Per Night | $9 ($4.50 with a Golden Age interagency pass) |
| Access | A few miles off the pavement on a well graded dirt road |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking trails, views, countless cultural and outdoor-related opportunities in the surrounding areas. |
| Type | BLM campground |
| Amenities | Pit Toilet Shade Structures & picnic tables No Cell Service but clear sky for satellite |
Public Parking Lot, Victoria BC
And now for something completely different! One of our favorite spots this year was a parking lot in the city of Victoria, British Columbia. There wasn’t anything amazing about the lot itself, but it afforded us a chance to attend a wedding, visit with family and friends, and explore an awesome small city, all while sleeping in our own comfy bed each night! What could be better?
As this spot is sort of stealthy, I’m not going to give an exact location. But if you contact me, I’ll be happy to share the specifics. Suffice to say that the $25CD per day was a bargain compared to any other urban options and really perfectly located. A small herd of deer even wandered by for breakfast!
In general, many “overnight parking” options can be stealthy camps: airports, city lots, park and rides. Usually, these places don’t have much to recommend them. But Victoria is a special city and we really enjoyed our front row seat (er, bed) here.
| Cost Per Night | $25 CD (about $18 USD) |
| Access | Narrow urban roads, not suitable for really large rigs but the bus fit fine. |
| Nearby Activities | The very walkable and fun city of Victoria outside your door |
| Type | Urban parking lot |
| Amenities | None |
Red Rocks Municipal Campground, Red Rocks, Ontario
We drove through Ontario in mid-July and, to be honest, it was the most challenging place to camp we encountered all year. There were few roadside boondocks and most of the camping was relatively developed (and expensive). Worst of all, it was bug season. We’d stop at a rest area intending to boondock, and before we even got out of the bus, humongous deerflies were pinging off our windshield. Despite all this, one of our favorite spots of the year was in Ontario, in the unassuming little town of Red Rock.
Turns out, the Red Rock town marina has a great little campground. When we stopped in, the friendly folks at the visitor center/office told us to camp anywhere we wanted. So we chose a spot on a narrow spit of land jutting into Nipingon Bay. It was beautiful… and windy enough to keep any bugs at bay.
Perched on the rim of Lake Superior, we caught both a sunrise and a sunset. And also enjoyed a quiet night and hot shower at the visitor center. If you are exploring the north shore of Lake Superior, or just driving through, check out Red Rock’s campground. It was by far our favorite overnight stop in that neck of the woods.
| Cost Per Night | $30 CD (about $20 USD) |
| Access | Paved road |
| Nearby Activities | Kayaking/boating and fishing, short drive to amethyst mining, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and other hiking opportunities |
| Type | Municipal Marina & campground |
| Amenities | Pit Toilets, flush toilets/showers/laundry at visitor center, picnic tables, water views |
Parc Goodchild, Blanc Sablon, Quebec
There were many camping spots we enjoyed on our way up the coast of the Saint Lawrence this summer. But Parc Goodchild, in the far north town of Blanc Sablon kinda stood out. For one thing, this free town park was created to memorialize a terrible tragedy: an avalanche that buried Goodchild Street and took the lives of members of a local family.
Relatives of this family provide upkeep for this park– and what upkeep! Every site has colorful flowers and birdhouses, brightly colored picnic tables and deck chairs too! Everything is trimmed and mowed and super friendly. There’s even a camp vegetable and flower garden! Renita, the primary caretaker was lovely, as well, and we hope to cross paths with her again someday.
Parc Goodchild is right in town, within walking distance of terrific fish and chips, Yummy’s Take Out, and there’s a nature trail, too. How much does this sweet spot cost? Totally free!
When we’d arrived at Blanc Sablon, we’d missed our connecting ferry and spent a few days exploring the area while waiting for the next one. Turns out this was a bonus! Blanc Sablon was one of our favorite summer spots! There are many things to do in here, hikes, bird and whale watching, beautiful beaches and interesting archaeological sites. If you head out that way, tell Renita we said “hi!”
| Cost Per Night | Free (Donations accepted) |
| Access | Paved road |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking, birdwatching, beaches, historic sites, ferry to St. Barbe, Newfoundland |
| Type | Municipal campground |
| Amenities | Portapotty, picnic tables, deck chairs, garden, nature trail |
Nameless Cove, Newfoundland
Nameless Cove was a spot we found on iOverlander, a “random” spit of land along the Newfoundland side of the Strait of Belle Isle. And it was the first of many (many!) lovely camp spots in Newfoundland.
But it was our first stop here and it was memorable for it’s windswept beauty, its amazing sunset, and the sense of peace we experienced here. Also, it was a wild boondock we could reach it in our not so off-road friendly bus.
Nameless Cove is a true boondocking experience: down a rugged little road on the edge of a small Newfoundland town, along the water’s edge.
Across the way, an abandoned lighthouse sits on a small island. During low tide, you can almost walk out to it…. but not quite. We were the only ones camping here in mid July. And we thoroughly enjoyed this little slice of peace and beauty.
This spot is close to the ferry terminal at St. Barbe and not too terribly far from L’Anse aux Meadows historic site. And, in our opinion, it is a great jumping off point for a Newfoundland adventure.
| Cost Per Night | Free |
| Access | Short gravel and shell road passable by most vehicles |
| Nearby Activities | Kayaking, beachcombing |
| Type | Boondocking on public land |
| Amenities | None |
Boutte du Cap Campground, Cape Saint George, Newfoundland
Boutte du Cap is another free municipal park. It is well off the beaten path in Newfoundland, but not hard to drive to. From here, you can watch seabirds and whales (in season), catch some spectacular sunsets, and hike along the sea cliffs.
During the summer, the park offers free, fresh-baked bread from an on-site stone oven. We missed “bread season” and actually ended up holing out here through a wild storm. But really, if you are going to experience Newfoundland, weather is definitely part of that. And Boutte Du Cap is the perfect place for intense Newfoundland weather.
This spot has several established sites along the water, and tucked into the trees. There are hiking trail too. It isn’t as private as many of the places that we love, but it is spectacularly scenic and attracts many interesting van folks. We spent a couple of days here and saw a lot of seabirds, sky, and weather. An awesome, wild spot!
| Cost Per Night | Free |
| Access | Paved road |
| Nearby Activities | Hiking |
| Type | Municipal Park |
| Amenities | Pit toilets, free homemade bread |
A Year of Fast Travel and Beautiful Places
In looking at this year’s list, one of the things that surprised us was how many of our favorites were quick stop-overs. But, I guess it figures. This year, we were busy hustling from one end of the continent to the other and rarely stayed put more than a day or two. Quite different from last year’s list.
Yet, even though our stays were short, these spots left an impression. When we looked back, they were the ones we remembered most vividly and hoped to return to. And so they made our list, even if the most amazing thing about them was a quiet sunset on an empty beach or a great hike from camp. Understated seems to work for us. And cheap. And beautiful.
What places would be on your “favorites” list?
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Did you know we are building a no frills camping resource? We record each of our campsites on google maps. Our current map is on the footer below. And links to past years’ maps are on our “About Us” page, on the right side.If you want more details about any of these sitescamp sites, click on the pin for additional information.
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