How to Find Long Term Camping Near Me: A Complete Guide
Long-term camping allows you to remain in nature for weeks or months. It's ideal for remote workers, retirees chasing good weather, or anyone who desires a longer outdoor vacation. This guide has all you need to discover excellent long-term camping places—from the various options and regulations to essential facilities and budget advice that will assist you in discovering the ideal location for your longer outdoor stay.
6 Places You Can Camp Long-Term: Stay Limits & Features
Before you start searching for long-term camping sites, you need to determine which sites allow long-term stays. Each location has different stay restrictions, rules, and amenities that will determine your stay.
Private RV Parks: Monthly Rates & Year-Round Options
Private campgrounds offer the most liberty for longer campers. The majority of RV parks have monthly and seasonal prices much cheaper than daily prices. They tend to take longer stays throughout the year, yet some have season restrictions during their busy seasons.
Chain parks are generally more restrictive than individually owned parks, although some chain parks also accommodate long-term residents. Southern states are most in demand during winter months, when "snowbirds" fill most parks.
National & State Parks: 14-30 Day Maximum Stays
Public parks also have additional time limitations. Most national parks limit camping at 14 days within 30, with the majority of state parks at 14-30 depending on location. Some of these parks allow long-term status during off-peak months, but these cases are still few.
Their biggest attraction of these sites is their natural scenery and that they have lower rates for the day, though few are the actual longer-term camped stay.
BLM Long-Term Visitor Areas: Up to 180 Days of Desert Camping
BLM lands offer some of the most lenient long-term opportunities. Although the general rule is 14 days in a single location, some areas have Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) where up to 180 days can be spent with a special seasonal permit, especially within Arizona and California desert areas.
They must be self-sufficient since there are few amenities, so it is better suited for experienced campers with proper gear.
National Forests: 14-Day Limits with Relocation Options
National Forest campsites generally have a 14-day limit within a 30-day period. Dispersed camping within national forests has the same restrictions, with enforcement varying from location to location. There are some locations that will allow you to move to a different site within the same forest when your time expires.
Campground Host Jobs: Free Sites for 20-30 Hours Weekly
Trading work hours for a free campsite is excellent long-term potential. Campground host positions typically involve 20-30 hours of visitor greeting, light maintenance, and monitoring in exchange for a free site, occasionally with hookups.
Such positions usually last from one month to an entire season, and work is available at both public and private campgrounds nationwide.
Camping Memberships: Thousand Trails & Other Money-Saving Networks
Camping memberships can maximize long-term options and reduce costs. Programs like Thousand Trails, Passport America, and Harvest Hosts provide access to numerous campgrounds with various stay limits and benefits.
The programs are optimally utilized in combination with other options, creating a flexible system of year-round camping in different locations.
How to Find Long Term Camping Sites Near Me: 5 Effective Ways
Once you understand what types of venues offer extended stays, the next step is finding specific locations that meet your needs. Several search methods can help you identify suitable long-term campsites in your desired area.
Specialized Camping Apps: Filter for Monthly Stays & Read Reviews
The fastest way to find long-term camping options is through dedicated camping apps and websites with advanced filtering features. These platforms allow you to search specifically for sites that permit extended stays.
Campendium offers excellent filtering options for finding long-term sites. Use the "stay limit" filter to identify locations where longer stays are permitted, and read recent reviews where campers often mention whether monthly rates are available. The site's "amenities" filter also helps identify places with the facilities needed for extended stays.
The Dyrt provides a "Pro" subscription that includes a map layer showing public lands and their boundaries, helping you identify potential BLM and Forest Service areas. Their "Reported Cell Service" feature is particularly valuable for remote workers needing connectivity for extended periods.
iOverlander excels at listing informal and free camping areas, including many that permit longer stays. The user-submitted reports often include details about stay limits and enforcement patterns that aren't published elsewhere.
While using these mobile apps during your search, a portable power station keeps your devices charged when outlet access is limited.
Local Tourism Offices
Local visitor centers and camping associations often have details about long-term camping options that aren't published online. These organizations frequently maintain lists of campgrounds that offer monthly or seasonal rates, particularly for winter visitors in popular destinations.
Call or email the tourism office in your target area and specifically ask:
- Which campgrounds offer monthly or seasonal rates
- Whether any public campgrounds have host positions available
- If they maintain lists of private landowners who allow extended camping
Many visitor centers also know about seasonal closures, upcoming events that might affect availability, and the best times to secure long-term spots in high-demand areas.
Online Camping Communities
Long-term campers share detailed information about extended stay locations in specialized online communities. These forums and social media groups often provide the most current and accurate information about stay limits, amenities, and staff flexibility regarding extended stays.
Join these active communities for insider information:
- Facebook Groups: "Full-Time RV Living" (100,000+ members) and "Boondocking USA" (50,000+ members)
- Reddit: r/vandwellers and r/GoRVing subreddits
- Escapees RV Club forums
- iRV2 Forums (specifically the "Extended Stay" section)
When posting questions, be specific about your needs (power requirements, pet policies, WiFi needs) to get the most relevant recommendations from experienced long-term campers.
Google Maps Search
Google Maps can uncover lesser-known camping options that specialized apps might miss. This approach works best for finding small, independent RV parks and campgrounds that often have more flexible long-term stay policies.
Try these specific search techniques:
- Use search terms like "monthly RV sites" or "seasonal camping" plus your location
- Look for RV parks near retirement communities or in rural areas, as these often cater to long-term guests
- Check the "Photos" section of campground listings—visitors sometimes share price boards showing monthly rates
- Read recent reviews containing keywords like "monthly," "long-term," or "stayed for weeks"
After identifying potential sites, call them directly to ask about extended stay policies, as many smaller operations don't publish their long-term rates or policies online.
RV Park Phone Script
For the most comprehensive results, develop a systematic outreach approach. Create a spreadsheet of potential long-term camping locations from all your search methods, then contact each one with specific questions.
For each location, ask:
"Do you offer monthly or seasonal rates?"
"What is your maximum stay limit?"
"Are there any restrictions on long-term camping during certain seasons?"
"What hookups and amenities are available for long-term guests?"
"Are there any discounts for longer stays?"
This direct approach often reveals options that aren't apparent through online searches alone, particularly at smaller, family-operated campgrounds that may be flexible with their official policies for the right guest.
Key Facilities to Check Before Booking a Long Term Campsite
In searching for long term camping sites, these amenities will make or ruin your adventure. Here is what to inspect prior to making a commitment:
Water Hookups & Fill Stations
Good access to water is a requirement for daily living. Full hookup sites save you from frequent tank filling trips. For central fill station sites, ask how far your site is and if they have winter shutoffs. Read reviews for water quality issues—hard water can ruin your equipment and taste terrible.
Dump Stations & Sewer Connections
How you'll deal with waste affects your daily routine. Full-hookup campsites with sewer connections cost more but are convenient. If there aren't any direct connections, determine how far you'll need to drive to dumping stations and whether they charge extra. Campsites with far drives to dump waste can be flow-disrupting to your camping experience.
Electrical Outlets & Power Reliability
Check if sites offer 20, 30, or 50 amp service—low power equals not being able to run lots of appliances simultaneously. Ask how often the power goes out, especially at remote campgrounds. Older parks are prone to voltage drops on busy weekends. Having a portable power plant available ensures your gear will work even when usage surges on a weekend and the campground system is maxed out.
Shower Buildings & Laundry Rooms
Nice individual facilities are a major bonus for longer stays. Ask about shower hours, water temperature, and if there are extra fees. On-site laundry avoids those long hauls into town. Some parks offer better shower facilities for monthly guests, but others maintain the same standard facilities for everyone who camps.
WiFi Networks & Cell Coverage
Don't trust advertised WiFi speeds—test the actual performance at your potential site. Cell signal varies even within the same campground. Know where you can go nearby when connection issues arise. Signal boosters work well in some locations but not others, depending on distance from towers and terrain.
Grocery Stores & Supply Outlets
For long stays, you'll need regular resupplies. Check driving times to grocery stores and hardware stores. Propane access is crucial for heating, cooking, and refrigeration. Ask about mail service—some campgrounds accept packages while others don't, forcing you to use general delivery in nearby towns.
Seasonal Protection & Climate Controls
Local weather directly impacts your comfort. Check overnight lows, not just daytime highs. Higher elevations mean cooler temperatures that might challenge your heating system. The trickiest times are often seasonal transitions when campgrounds reduce services but weather remains unpredictable.
Campsite Size & Boundary Features
Daily comfort depends on your site's layout. Natural barriers like trees and shrubs provide better privacy than just distance between sites. Visit potential spots during both day and evening to check noise levels. The best locations balance access to facilities without excessive foot traffic or noise from common areas.
Locate Your Perfect Long-Term Campsite Now!
You now possess all the tools to find great extended camping sites that meet your needs. You know where to allow longer stays, from RV parks with monthly rentals to BLM lands with 180-day permits. You have learned valuable search methods through the utilization of apps, local resources, and community knowledge. Most importantly, you know what amenities are most vital to have for comfortable long-term camps. Through proper research on water availability, waste management, sources of energy, and other essentials, you'll be well prepared for months or weeks of camping at your destination of choice.