If you’re up for an adventure, there’s no better way to experience and explore the Blue Mountains than by staying at a campground. Free campgrounds in the Blue Mountains are often in more remote areas and have less facilities, offering immersive experience in nature. Some free campgrounds even have bush walks and hikes nearby.
Free campgrounds are always my go-to for heading to National Parks or other nature reserves. There’s a few free campgrounds in the Blue Mountains but most get busy early. So if travelling during a busy season, head to these campgrounds early. There are more campsites than these mentioned, others include paid campsites and walk-in only sites.
The free campsites on this list are specifically for travellers in vehicles without toilets. Meaning every campsite here has a toilet. Campsites are listed in alphabetical order. Tents are permitted and campsites are accessible by 2WD, unless otherwise noted.
Table of Contents
Bilpin Reserve
BYO water – dogs permitted – 24 hour limit – no tents
Bilpin Reserve is a rest area on the side of B59 Bells Line of Road. Camping is permitted for 24 hours only, which is good for campers coming in late to the Blue Mountains, or even if they’re just passing through. There’s mixed reviews about the safety of the campground on WikiCamps. Be careful by locking your vehicle’s doors.
Blackheath Glen Reserve
BYO drinking water – dogs permitted – seven day limit
A small camping area, Blackheath Glen Reserve is a good spot for caravans and tents alike. This campsite also has a sheltered picnic area for rainy or sunny days. Water can run out, so it’s good to bring extra in case—specifically during a hot dry summer.
Burralow Creek Campground
4WD Access only – BYO water
Access to this campground is through a fire trail, which is why its recommended for 4WD vehicles only. The site has multiple bush walks, one which goes to Bulcamatta Falls through a rainforest gully. This is another site that gets busy, especially on weekends and holidays so it’s good to get there early.
Need more information about free campgrounds? Check out my tips for free campgrounds in Australia, which covers everything from safety to where to camp.
Cathedral Reserve
BYO drinking water – dogs permitted
Cathedral Reserve may be a quieter campsite for those still looking to stay in the Blue Mountains. It’s also a good place for campfires (when permitted). There are shelters and picnic tables, which is great for a picnic during the day or overnight—especially in the rain.
Dunphy’s Campground
BYO water – dogs not permitted
Another free campsite managed by NSW National Parks, Dunphy’s is another remote campsite in the Blue Mountains. As a remote campsite, it isn’t close to a major highway, but it is free. The road to this campground goes through a private property area, campers may have to open and close a fence to get there. NSW National Parks asks campers to leave the gate how it was found, either open or closed.
Lockyer’s Track Campground
BYO water – dogs permitted
This free campground in the Blue Mountains is one of the smallest. It has enough space for about three vehicles and there’s just a single toilet. For this reason it’s more suitable for tents, but vehicles of all types are permitted.
Mount York Campground
BYO drinking water – dogs permitted
This campground is best for all-around adventurers. Not only are there spots for hiking, but also rock climbing and mountain biking. The campsite itself is best for tents, but can also accommodate caravans and camper vans depending on the size.
Murphys Glen Campground
4WD Access only – BYO Water
Murphy Glen’s campground is the first campground in the Blue Mountains off the A32 Great Western Highway, from Sydney. It’s a small, remote campground with five campsites, that aren’t marked. Similar to other campsites, more than the recommended campers will squeeze in.
2WD vehicle can access the campground, but it’s not recommended after rain. It’s usually the way coming back towards the highway where vehicles could get stuck, on the steep, unsealed road. The road is rough and has lots of potholes. Many campers stop outside of the gate to camp, this isn’t legal, but NSW Parks rangers aren’t checking this everyday.
Old Ford Reserve
BYO water – dogs permitted – seven days maximum
Aside from many other campsites on this list with pit toilets, Old Ford Reserve is one of the free campgrounds in the Blue Mountains with water toilets. In the area is a small creek and some bush walks. Access to the area is via a paved/sealed road, for easy access.
Perrys Lookdown Campground
BYO water
The views from Perrys Lookdown is arguably one of the most stunning locations to camp for free—and legally. Although NSW National Park’s website says the campground is for tents, while there, camper vans and small caravans were in small sites. And, there was a separate tenting area next to a parking lot. A small walk from the campground has amazing views into the Blue Mountains. There’s even a longer hike down to the Blue Gum Forest, which is well worth it.
If you’re in the Blue Mountains and ready for a hike, check out the hike to the bottom of Wentworth Falls for some incredible views!
