Quick answer
FreeRoam, the free nonprofit boondocking map, went offline at the beginning of 2024. For the public-land boundaries and cell coverage it was known for, the closest replacements are paid tiers: Campendium RV PRO (carrier coverage maps and public-land overlays) and iOverlander Pro (offline maps and premium BLM and topo maps). For free camping spots themselves, iOverlander, The Dyrt and Campendium all have free tiers. RME adds the community side: spots shared by members, events and caravans.
Key points
- FreeRoam was free with no ads, run by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; it went offline in early 2024.
- No single free app replaces its land-ownership and cell-coverage overlays.
- Campendium RV PRO lists coverage maps for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile plus public-land overlays.
- iOverlander’s Pro tier adds offline maps and premium BLM and topo maps.
- Always confirm dispersed-camping rules with the land manager (BLM or Forest Service) before you stay.
What was FreeRoam?
FreeRoam was a free boondocking app run by the FreeRoam Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with no paid upgrade and no ads (Getaway Couple (opens in a new tab)). Its App Store description listed BLM, USFS and cell-coverage map overlays; filters for road difficulty, safety, cell signal, weather and crowdedness; Forest Service motor vehicle use maps; low-clearance bridges; overnight parking at Walmarts, casinos and rest areas; trip logging; and community chat.
Boondockers Bible (opens in a new tab) wrote in April 2024 that “FreeRoam went offline in the beginning of 2024.” We found no official announcement. An App Store page may still appear in searches, but the service itself is not something to rely on. Note that freeroam.com is an unrelated company.
Which apps replace FreeRoam’s features?
| FreeRoam feature | Replacement | Price, as shown by the company |
|---|---|---|
| BLM and Forest Service land overlays | Campendium RV PRO (public-land overlays); iOverlander Pro (premium BLM and topo maps) | Campendium RV PRO $59.99/yr with a 1-week trial, or $19.99/mo; iOverlander Pro $59.99/yr with a 7-day trial |
| Cell coverage map | Campendium RV PRO (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile coverage maps); Campendium reviews also rate cell coverage | Reviews are free; coverage maps are in RV PRO |
| Free campsites and boondocking spots | iOverlander, The Dyrt, Campendium, Park4Night | All four have free tiers |
| Overnight parking (Walmart, rest areas) | Campendium (overnight RV parking in RV PRO), iOverlander, Park4Night | Varies; check store and local rules every time |
| Community chat and meeting other boondockers | RME (Meet, events, caravans, Friends Map) | Core app free |
Does RME replace FreeRoam?
Not completely, and we’d rather say so. RME does not draw land-ownership overlays or carrier coverage maps. What it has is a spot map with types such as BLM Land, Camping, Overnight Parking, Water, Dump Station, Propane and WiFi, with notes and photos from members, plus the people around those spots.
Roam spot types include Camping, BLM Land, Overnight Parking, Water, Dump Station, Propane, Shower, Laundry, WiFi, EV Charging, Hot Spring, Viewpoint and Trailhead. Members add spots with a name, photos and honest notes, as Private, Friends or Public.
Events on the Roam map can be filtered by Public, Friends, Attending and Mine, with Going, a waitlist and an event chat. Organizers can keep the exact pin hidden until a set time or share it only with people going, and can ask guests to agree to event rules before they join.
Roam spots, Trailprint, Events and Friends Map are included with a free RME account. The app shows the current plan details, so check there for anything that is still optional. Available on the App Store for iPhone and on Google Play for Android.
How do I check whether I can camp somewhere?
- Use an app to find candidates, then confirm with the land manager: the BLM field office or the Forest Service ranger district.
- On National Forest land, the motor vehicle use map shows which roads and spurs you can drive and camp along.
- Look for posted stay limits (often 14 days) and fire restrictions, which change through the season.
- For overnight parking at stores, ask inside; policies differ from store to store and city to city.
The best FreeRoam alternatives
Facts about each app come from its own website or support pages, checked October 2026.
Campendium (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Public-land overlays and cell coverage
Free reviews that rate access, noise and cell coverage; RV PRO adds carrier coverage maps, public-land overlays and overnight RV parking.
iOverlander (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Free spots worldwide
About 250,000 places in 190 countries, free with ads; Pro adds offline maps and premium BLM and topo maps.
The Dyrt (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Staff-verified free camping in the U.S.
Its PRO page lists more than 20,000 staff-verified free camping locations and state permit information.
Park4Night (opens in a new tab)
Best for: Van spots, strongest in Europe
Over 370,000 locations in more than 100 countries, per its App Store page.
RME
Best for: Spots plus the people who camp there
Member spots with notes and photos, events, caravans and a Friends Map. No land or coverage overlays.
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeRoam shut down?
FreeRoam went offline at the beginning of 2024, according to Boondockers Bible. We found no official announcement.
Is there a free app with BLM land overlays?
The main options we found put land overlays in a paid tier: Campendium RV PRO and iOverlander Pro. Government maps from the BLM and Forest Service are free.
What app shows cell coverage at campsites?
Campendium reviews rate cell coverage for free, and Campendium RV PRO adds coverage maps for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
Does RME have land overlays or coverage maps?
No. RME has member-added spots, including a BLM Land spot type, with notes and photos, plus events, caravans and a Friends Map.
Sources
Sources and further reading are listed below. Research dates and any illustrative assumptions are identified in the article. Tell us at support@roammeetexplore.com if something has changed.
- Boondockers Bible: FreeRoam (updated April 2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Getaway Couple: What is the FreeRoam app (opens in a new tab)
- FreeRoam App Store page (opens in a new tab)
- Campendium RV PRO pricing and features (opens in a new tab)
- iOverlander subscriptions (opens in a new tab)
- The Dyrt PRO (opens in a new tab)
- Park4Night App Store page (opens in a new tab)
Disclosure: RME publishes this page. We make RME. Other apps, events and tours mentioned are run by their respective organizations. Check their current details before making plans.