# FreeCampsites Scraper (`crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper`) Actor Scrape FreeCampsites.net's community-sourced directory of free and low-cost dispersed camping, boondocking, and budget campground listings across all 50 US states - names, descriptions, amenities, pricing, and campsite counts. - **URL**: https://apify.com/crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Crawler Bros](https://apify.com/crawlerbros) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Travel - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## FreeCampsites Scraper Get free and low-cost dispersed camping, boondocking, and budget campground listings from [FreeCampsites.net](https://freecampsites.net) — a community-sourced directory covering all 50 US states. No login, no API key, no proxy required. ### What this actor does - **Keyword search** — find listings by campground name, national forest, city, or region (e.g. `Yellowstone`, `Big Sur`, `Custer State Park`) - **Browse by state** — pull every listing FreeCampsites.net has for a given US state - **Community-sourced detail** — each listing's full write-up (directions, amenities, fees, season dates) as contributed by campers - **Empty fields are omitted** — every record only contains data actually present in the listing ### Output per campsite - `name`, `slug`, `url` - `description` — full community write-up (directions, amenities, fees, season, rules) - `state` — US state (matched from the browse query or detected in the listing text) - `priceUSD` — nightly fee, when a dollar amount is mentioned in the write-up - `campsiteCount` — number of individual sites, when mentioned - `contributedBy` — community member username who submitted/last edited the listing - `datePosted`, `lastUpdated` - `recordType: "campsite"`, `scrapedAt` ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |---|---|---|---| | `mode` | select | `search` | `search` (keyword) or `state` (browse a US state) | | `searchQuery` | string | `Yellowstone` | Free-text keyword (mode=search) | | `state` | select | `Montana` | US state to browse (mode=state) | | `maxItems` | integer | `20` | Hard cap on emitted records (1–500) | #### Example: search by keyword ```json { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "Big Sur" } ```` #### Example: browse every listing in a state ```json { "mode": "state", "state": "Colorado", "maxItems": 50 } ``` ### Use cases - **Road-trip planning** — find free overnight stops along a route - **Van-life / RV apps** — enrich a map with community-vetted free camping spots - **Budget travel content** — power "free camping in {state}" articles with real, current listings - **Outdoor recreation research** — compare dispersed camping availability and amenities by state or region ### Data source / limitations FreeCampsites.net is a community-maintained directory, not a live booking or availability system — listings describe where free/low-cost camping is generally permitted (US National Forest dispersed sites, BLM land, small city/county parks, etc.), not real-time site-by-site availability. `priceUSD` and `campsiteCount` are extracted only when a contributor explicitly mentioned a dollar figure or site count in their write-up — many free/dispersed listings have neither and simply omit those fields. `state` is either the state you browsed by (mode=state) or detected from the listing's own text (mode=search) — a small number of listings near state borders or without an explicit state mention may not resolve a `state` value. ### FAQ **Is this real-time availability, like a reservation system?** No — FreeCampsites.net lists where camping is generally allowed and reported to be available (mostly free, first-come-first-served dispersed sites), not a live booking calendar. For reserved/paid campgrounds with real-time date availability, see this repo's Recreation.gov actor. **How fresh are listings?** Each listing shows `datePosted` (when first contributed) and `lastUpdated` (most recent community edit) — many entries are actively maintained for years. **Why do some listings have no `priceUSD`?** Most FreeCampsites.net entries are genuinely free; `priceUSD` is only populated when the write-up explicitly states a nightly fee (common for low-cost forest service or day-use-adjacent sites). **Does this cover Canada or other countries?** Coverage is US-focused; the `state` browse mode covers all 50 US states. # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): Search by free-text keyword, or browse every listing in a US state. ## `searchQuery` (type: `string`): Free-text keyword: campground name, national forest, city, or region, e.g. `Yellowstone`, `Big Sur`, `Custer State Park`. ## `state` (type: `string`): US state to browse every listed campsite for. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Hard cap on emitted records. ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "Yellowstone", "state": "Montana", "maxItems": 20 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `campsites` (type: `string`): Dataset containing all scraped campsite listings. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "Yellowstone", "state": "Montana", "maxItems": 20 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "Yellowstone", "state": "Montana", "maxItems": 20, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "Yellowstone", "state": "Montana", "maxItems": 20 }' | apify call crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=crawlerbros/freecampsites-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "FreeCampsites Scraper", "description": "Scrape FreeCampsites.net's community-sourced directory of free and low-cost dispersed camping, boondocking, and budget campground listings across all 50 US states - names, descriptions, amenities, pricing, and campsite counts.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "2VvyqyBWOl33OKMQN" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/crawlerbros~freecampsites-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-crawlerbros-freecampsites-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~freecampsites-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-crawlerbros-freecampsites-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~freecampsites-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-crawlerbros-freecampsites-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "mode" ], "properties": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "search", "state" ], "type": "string", "description": "Search by free-text keyword, or browse every listing in a US state.", "default": "search" }, "searchQuery": { "title": "Search query (mode=search)", "type": "string", "description": "Free-text keyword: campground name, national forest, city, or region, e.g. `Yellowstone`, `Big Sur`, `Custer State Park`.", "default": "Yellowstone" }, "state": { "title": "State (mode=state)", "enum": [ "Alabama", "Alaska", "Arizona", "Arkansas", "California", "Colorado", "Connecticut", "Delaware", "Florida", "Georgia", "Hawaii", "Idaho", "Illinois", "Indiana", "Iowa", "Kansas", "Kentucky", "Louisiana", "Maine", "Maryland", "Massachusetts", "Michigan", "Minnesota", "Mississippi", "Missouri", "Montana", "Nebraska", "Nevada", "New Hampshire", "New Jersey", "New Mexico", "New York", "North Carolina", "North Dakota", "Ohio", "Oklahoma", "Oregon", "Pennsylvania", "Rhode Island", "South Carolina", "South Dakota", "Tennessee", "Texas", "Utah", "Vermont", "Virginia", "Washington", "West Virginia", "Wisconsin", "Wyoming" ], "type": "string", "description": "US state to browse every listed campsite for.", "default": "Montana" }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max items", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Hard cap on emitted records.", "default": 20 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```