10 National Parks with RV Camping Under $10 Per Night (and Cheap Dumping Nearby)

If you think you must spend a fortune to camp inside a National Park, think again. Some of the best parks in the country still offer RV camping for $10 or less a night! Whether you’re a budget traveler, a full-time RVer, or just looking for a cheap adventure, these parks prove you don’t have to empty your wallet to camp somewhere incredible. Just set your expectations; these aren’t luxury RV resorts, but they’ll get you close to the action without breaking the bank.

Below are 10 National Parks where you can camp for dirt cheap and still enjoy top-notch views, epic trails, and unforgettable nights under the stars.

Disclaimer: Rates, availability, and amenities can change at any time. Always check the official National Park Service website or contact the park directly for up-to-date information.

1. Death Valley National Park (California/Nevada)

In Death Valley National Park, you can find several no-frills campgrounds that are extremely budget-friendly. Wildrose Campground (and a few other primitive camp areas like Thorndike and Mahogany Flat) charge no camping fee at all. Death Valley itself is famous as the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the U.S., with a below-sea-level basin and towering mountains. Despite the fierce summer heat, winter snow sometimes dusts the mountain peaks. The park’s extremes create a striking desert landscape where surprisingly diverse life thrives.

They also offer several campgrounds with amenities like water, sewer, and electrical hookups, some for fairly cheap (around $30). So, if the idea of camping with zero amenities for your entire vacation is a major turn off, or not even doable, consider staying at one of the sites with amenities to fill with water, charge your batteries, and dump your tanks, then spend a night or two at a free campsite. This is a good way to get that cost per night down, and still get the provisions you need.

💡 Tip: If you visit in the cooler months, Wildrose Campground is an excellent spot – it’s at a higher elevation, making the temperatures more bearable. Always carry plenty of water and watch for wildlife (burros or coyotes) wandering near camp.

2. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Badlands National Park offers the Sage Creek Campground, a primitive campground that is free to use. This park is known for its rugged beauty – a maze of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires set against the largest mixed-grass prairie in the U.S.. The Badlands contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds, where ancient horses and rhinos once roamed. Camping here means you might wake up to bison grazing near your RV and prairie dogs chirping nearby on the open range.

💡 Tip: Sage Creek Campground has very basic amenities (pit toilets and picnic tables, no running water), so come prepared with your own water and supplies. The upside is enjoying sunsets over the Badlands formations and stargazing in a park with very little light pollution – all without spending a dime on camping fees.

3. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

Capitol Reef National Park has two affiliated campgrounds ideal for budget RV camping: Cathedral Valley Campground and Cedar Mesa Campground. Both are primitive camp areas in the backcountry and do not charge a fee. Capitol Reef is a hidden gem in Utah, featuring the Waterpocket Fold – a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth’s crust that creates a stunning landscape of cliffs, canyons, and domes. The park’s secluded feel and historic orchards in the Fruita district make it a unique place to visit (you can even pick fruit in season).

💡 Tip: These campgrounds are remote and accessible via dirt roads. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, especially for Cathedral Valley. Bring all the water you’ll need, and consider staying a night or two to appreciate the complete solitude and the incredible stargazing – Capitol Reef is a designated International Dark Sky Park.

4. Glacier National Park (Montana)

In Glacier National Park, one of the best budget options is the Cut Bank Campground, which costs just $10 per night. Glacier is often called the “Crown of the Continent” for its alpine scenery – think snow-capped peaks, sparkling lakes, and over two dozen active glaciers. Wildlife is abundant (you might see mountain goats or even a grizzly at a distance), and the park boasts more than 700 miles of hiking trails. Cut Bank Campground is a quieter, more secluded campground on the east side of the park, giving you a peaceful base away from the busier areas.

💡 Tip: The road to Cut Bank is gravel and narrow; small RVs and camper vans will do fine, but large RVs are not recommended. There’s no potable water on site, so fill up your water tanks beforehand (you can fill and dump at St. Mary or Apgar campground areas for free). Don’t miss a drive along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road while in Glacier – but check vehicle size restrictions before you go.

5. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

Just outside Grand Canyon National Park, the Tusayan-Montane Campground (formerly known as Ten-X Campground) offers a budget-friendly option for RV campers at only $10 per night. While technically not in Grand Canyon National Park (it’s located approximately 4 miles south of the park’s South Rim entrance in the Kaibab National Forest), this campground provides a peaceful setting among ponderosa pines.​

The campground features 70 single-family campsites, some of which can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. While there are no utility hookups, each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and access to vault toilets. Drinking water is available, but RVs are not permitted to fill their tanks at the campground due to limited supply. Additionally, there are no dump stations on-site; however, facilities are available within Grand Canyon National Park.

💡 Tip: Reservations are recommended during peak season (May through September), as the campground can fill up quickly. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared for cool nights, even in summer, due to the campground’s elevation of 6,600 feet.​

6. Sequoia National Park (California)

⚠ Update: South Fork Campground is currently closed due to extensive damage from floods and landslides.

In Sequoia National Park, check out the lesser-known South Fork Campground, a small primitive campground that is free of charge. Sequoia is famed for its enormous trees – it’s home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume. The park’s scenery ranges from towering sequoia groves to high granite peaks in the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada. South Fork Campground is in a remote corner of the park along the South Fork of the Kaweah River, far from the busy Giant Forest area. It provides a tranquil riverside camping experience for those willing to drive the rough road to get there.

💡 Tip: South Fork Campground’s road is narrow, unpaved, and best for smaller RVs or vans (large RVs won’t make it easily). You’ll need to bring your own water and pack out your trash. This spot sees far fewer visitors, so you might have the whole place to yourself – just you, the forest, and the sound of the river. It’s a great way to experience Sequoia’s nature without the crowds.

7. North Cascades National Park (Washington)

North Cascades National Park offers Goodell Creek Campground, a simple riverside campground that has no camping fee during off-peak seasons (otherwise it’s $20 during peak season). The North Cascades is often called the “American Alps” – it protects a rugged mountain range with over 300 glaciers, more than any U.S. park outside Alaska. Jagged peaks, deep valleys, thick with evergreens, and turquoise alpine lakes define this wilderness. Goodell Creek Campground is located near the park visitor center (in the adjoining Ross Lake National Recreation Area) and is easily accessible from the North Cascades Highway, making it a convenient stop that still feels wild and secluded under towering cedar and fir trees.

💡 Tip: Goodell Creek has two loops – one of them is more suitable for small RVs and trailers. There’s no potable water available, but you’re close to the town of Newhalem, where you can fill water containers. While in the area, take a short hike to the Gorge Creek Falls overlook or a boat tour on Diablo Lake to fully appreciate the North Cascades scenery.

8. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)

For an inexpensive stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, head to the park’s North Rim Campground, where camping is just about $10 per night (cash or check in an iron ranger box). Black Canyon is known for its dramatic, vertigo-inducing cliffs – the canyon is so deep, steep, and narrow that very little sunlight reaches the bottom, giving the canyon walls a dark, brooding appearance. The Gunnison River carved this canyon over millions of years, and at its deepest, the canyon plunges 2,700 feet down. The North Rim is quieter and more remote than the South Rim, offering awesome sunrise views and access to less-traveled hiking trails along the canyon edge.

💡 Tip: The North Rim has no cell service or internet connectivity. Also, there’s no electricity or generators allowed, so be ready for a peaceful, off-grid experience. The North Rim Road to the campground is gravel – it’s usually fine for medium RVs, just drive slowly. And don’t forget to step outside on a clear night: the stargazing here is incredible thanks to minimal light pollution.

9. Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Big Bend National Park allows RV camping for $10 if you opt for its primitive roadside campsites. Most primitive roadside campsites in Big Bend National Park aren’t suitable for RVs or trailers due to rough terrain and tight access. However, a handful of sites can accommodate small RVs (under 30 feet) or trailers (under 25 feet), depending on road conditions and availability. These include:

• Croton Springs 1
• Grapevine Hills 1 & 2
• Hannold Draw (this is the only site with a horse corral)
• K-Bar 1 & 2
• Nugent Mountain
• Nine Point Draw
• Paint Gap 2

Permits are required and can be reserved online up to 180 days in advance at recreation.gov for $10. These sites are in high demand and typically booked every night of the year.

Big Bend is one of the most remote national parks in the lower 48 – it’s a land of wide-open desert, the dramatic canyons of the Rio Grande, and rugged mountains like the Chisos range. The solitude here is unmatched, and the night skies are among the darkest in North America.

💡 Tip: Primitive roadside sites (such as those along Old Maverick Road or in the Grapevine Hills) have no amenities, so you must be self-sufficient. Obtain your permit in advance on Recreation.gov or at the park visitor center, and always check road conditions. Days can be very hot and nights surprisingly cool. Take the opportunity to hike a bit from your campsite at sunset or sunrise – the desert comes alive with color and wildlife in the cooler hours.

10. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a fantastic spot for budget camping, with its Juniper Lake Campground priced at $10 per night. Lassen is a wonderland of volcanic features – all four types of volcano can be found here, from shield to plug dome – and the park is dotted with steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and clear alpine lakes. In 1915, Lassen Peak blew its top in a series of eruptions, and today the park is much quieter, offering peaceful forests and meadows beneath the volcanic peaks. Juniper Lake Campground sits on a beautiful blue lake in the remote southeast corner of the park, reached by a rough road that keeps crowds away.

💡 Tip: The road to Juniper Lake is rough gravel for the last 6 miles. It’s best for trucks, camper vans, or small trailers. Large RVs are not recommended. There’s no potable water or store, so stock up in the town of Chester before heading in. Once there, enjoy swimming, kayaking, or fishing in Juniper Lake, and consider hiking the trails to Mount Harkness or Horseshoe Lake. This area is far from city lights, so the stars will be brilliant on clear nights.