First Road trip across the US

Actually there are several/many official / recognised free-camping sites, you just need to know the west and where to find them.

Places like BLM and even National Forest have them. They are usually off the beaten path, not convenient for the everyday traveler who's on a time schedule.

Wildrose is now part of Death Valley NP, years ago it used to be BLM land, could be wrong. They have a couple other free regular campsites. One of the only NP that have free camp site that I'm aware of.

Heck the average cast of a regular campsite is only about $20 bucks.

A big THANK YOU to you all for your advice,
We plan on leaving sometime in July & there will be 3 or 4 of us and all but 1 of us is over 26.
We were planning of breaking up the trip, but there are some places were want to see and are really keen on a cross country.
Its only in the planning stages so far. still working out time etc.
Here is a quick run down of the places we were thinking of going.
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Chicago
Madison
Minneapolis
Mitchell/Corn Palace
Badlands NP
Mt Rushmore
Deadwood
Cody
Yellowstone NP
Grand Teton NP
Salt Lake City
Zion NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Grand Canyon & Skywalk
Las Vegas
Los Angeles.
Some of the camping gear we already own and plan to take with us. But everything else we have budgeted for to buy on arrival.

Hostels are a good place to meet other travelers, but cheap motels are smelly, dirty, noisy, and just not worth it.

We've travelled around the US quite a lot, and have stayed in hostels, lodges where affordable, and mostly, roadside motels. We tend to avoid the Motel6 chain, but the other budget chains are fine (Super8, Days Inn, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, America's Best Value, etc) - in fact they are usually really good for what you pay.

I think the whole free / wild camping dream is a bit unrealistic, for first-timers flying in, renting a vehicle, and with limited time to see a great deal.

Thanks for your reply. In the major towns we plan on staying in the budget hotels like you suggested and we found them nice for what you pay when we stayed in them on a Contiki tour in the US and Canada. Camping will mostly be in NP and surrounds and if all goes to plan we have found a couple in each place to book well in advance.

There are literally hundreds of free official camping sites, you can't camp in the wild in NPs without a permit.

Death Valley had Wildrose which was legitimately free and had toilets, check out the camping section of the National Park's website.

We wild camped in Yellowstone and it wasn't as daunting as it sounds, just a mile walk into the wilderness and $6 for a permit. We can help you find some free ones if you tell us what National Parks you plan on visiting :)

Also, motels are great if you're not expecting the Hilton!

I'd skip the Skywalk, it is not in Grand Canyon National Park but in Grand Canyon West on Indian Land. You cannot even take your own picture, the tribe will take a picture for you and charge you for it.

Your overall trip can be done, a bit rushed but not to bad. Not much camping until you hit the Badlands.

The east is more expensive, New York will be about $100 per night for a hostel, maybe $150 for 2.
Decent motels will run about $250 a night, you still have to eat and pay for activities.
Chicago won't be cheap either.
Rent 1 car Philly to Pittsburgh, fly to Chicago and when you leave rent another car and drop off in LA. The drop off fee could be pricey.

You'll need 1 or 2 cooler/ice chests so bring them on the flight over and stuff them with camp gear. With 3-4 people you might look into a car top carrier to open up space in the vehicle.

Camp gear, you can buy basic throw away gear at most large box stores, about $200 or so for 2 people.,
2 sleeping bags, 2 pads a tent, stove and some other basic cheap crap.

Personally I would recommend dropping the Pittsburgh to Deadwood part, kind of boring but I guess some ones into purple. Saves 10 nights.
Add DC for 2 nights, NOLA or Chicago for 3 nights ( music and night life). Then fly to Las Vegas and rent a vehicle, it's soooo much cheaper for the drop off fee, maybe nothing. Vegas pick up and LA drop off is very competitive.

Las Vegas to Yellowstone is about a 2 night drive, nice and scenic after SLC and then the trip back. NO double backing and you add about 3 nights for playing.

Number by the place = nights
New York - 4
Philadelphia - 2
Pittsburgh - 2
Chicago - 3
Madison - 1
Minneapolis - 1
Mitchell/Corn Palace -1
Badlands NP-Mt Rushmore - 1
Deadwood - 1
Cody - 1
Yellowstone NP - 5
Grand Teton NP - 1
Salt Lake City - Dump SLC and go to Dinosaur NM - 1
Moab - 2
Boulder - 1
Zion NP - via a half day in Bryce - 2
Grand Canyon & Skywalk - Go to the north rim and camp on the edge in the NF, Dump the Skywalk, very expensive, out of the way and NOT the NP. - 2
Las Vegas - 1
Los Angeles. - 3
Oh yeah, at your first National Park get an annual Pass $80 bucks and good for entrance for a year to all NP's and monuments, saves a few bucks. Still have to pay to camp.

Iv heard about this. Im not to worried if I go to the skywalk or not. But the other travelers have their heart set on it.
I don't think its worth it. When I was at the Grand Canyon last time I took a heli flight over it and i dont think the skywalk would top that.

Thank you for your help with the list. I wouldnt mind the slightly boring drive between Pittsburgh and deadwood. Plus I live in the country in Aus and it takes me 2 hours just to get to the nearest Big W. and 7 hours to get to Sydney. lol. Also I like the idea of trying to stay away from airports as much as possible. Less hassle and less to organize & if something happens with the flight it could throw the whole trip out.
You help has been great. Thanks again.

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