Top Cheap Land Spots for Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts
If your perfect weekend involves a crackling campfire, wide-open skies, and easy access to prime hunting grounds, owning your own piece of rural land might be closer to reality than you think. Across the U.S., there are still affordable areas where hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can buy land for camping, building a basecamp, or setting up a future homestead.
Whether you’re looking for a seasonal hunting base, a family retreat, or land to hold long-term, these top cheap land regions offer great value, natural beauty, and access to the outdoors.
Why Buying Land for Hunting & Outdoor Recreation Makes Sense
Total Freedom: Set up your own camp, cabin, or RV without relying on busy public sites.
Access to Wildlife: Many rural counties are close to BLM, national forests, or state lands.
Investment Potential: Recreational land tends to appreciate steadily, especially near major cities.
Affordability: In many states, rural parcels for hunting or recreation are far cheaper than residential lots.
The key is knowing where to find affordable land that still has great access to public lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Here are some of the best regions to look.
1. Duchesne County, Utah: Your Affordable Hunting Base in the West
Duchesne County has become a hidden gem for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in Utah. Located about 90 minutes from Park City and the Wasatch Front, this area offers large, affordable parcels with proximity to prime hunting units, reservoirs, and forests.
Why it’s great for hunters:
Located near big game hunting units with deer, elk, and turkey
Close to Starvation Reservoir for boating and fishing
Easy access to Uinta Mountains and BLM land
Zoning allows for cabins, RV setups, or off-grid living on many parcels
For many buyers, Duchesne is the perfect “hunt camp meets long-term investment” location. You can buy now, use it for recreation, and build when you’re ready.
2. Northern Arizona: Remote Acreage with BLM Access
Northern Arizona counties like Apache, Navajo, and Coconino offer wide-open spaces at affordable prices, plus easy access to public lands that are popular for deer, elk, pronghorn, and turkey hunting.
Why it’s great for hunters:
Vast tracts of undeveloped land ideal for off-grid cabins
Strong hunting culture and over-the-counter tag opportunities for some species
Large parcels adjacent to or near state and federal lands
The desert landscape might not look like traditional forested hunting grounds, but many parcels sit at higher elevations with pinyon-juniper cover and active game corridors.
3. New Mexico: Big Acreage and Diverse Game
New Mexico has long been a destination for hunters thanks to its elk herds, pronghorn, mule deer, and turkey — and rural land here is often surprisingly affordable. Many buyers purchase parcels specifically for seasonal hunting basecamps.
Why it’s great for hunters:
Large rural parcels at reasonable entry costs
Access to game management units across the state
Less restrictive building/zoning rules in many counties
Opportunities for private landowner tags in some areas
Valencia, Socorro, and Luna Counties are worth a look for buyers seeking good value plus hunting access.
4. Southern Colorado: Mountain Views and OTC Elk Hunts
Counties like Costilla and Huerfano in southern Colorado are well-known in hunting circles. They offer incredible mountain scenery, a strong hunting culture, and over-the-counter elk hunting opportunities in nearby game units, all at lower land prices than Colorado’s resort areas.
Why it’s great for hunters:
Good mix of flat parcels and mountainous terrain
Close to national forests and public lands
Popular for setting up hunting cabins and RV camps
Lower cost per acre compared to northern Colorado
Many hunters use these parcels as seasonal hunting headquarters, returning year after year.
5. Northern Arkansas / Southern Missouri Ozarks: Whitetail Country on a Budget
For those east of the Rockies, the Ozark region spanning northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is a prime hunting and recreation destination. This area is known for abundant whitetail deer, turkey, and small game, plus rivers and forests for year-round use.
Why it’s great for hunters:
Lush forests and rolling hills with strong wildlife populations
Affordable rural parcels, often with existing road access
Mild zoning and a culture that embraces hunting
Good mix of agricultural and wooded parcels
This region is ideal for hunters looking for seasonal cabins or permanent rural retreats without high land costs.
What to Look for When Buying Land for Hunting
To get the most out of your purchase, make sure to evaluate:
Proximity to public lands: Being near national forest or BLM land can dramatically expand your usable acreage.
Water sources: Creeks, ponds, or proximity to reservoirs can improve game activity.
Topography: Mixes of cover and open areas create ideal hunting habitat.
Access: Verify year-round road access, easements, and legal ingress.
Zoning & restrictions: Make sure you can camp, build, or use RVs the way you want.
Tag regulations: Check the state’s hunting units, tag availability, and whether private landowner tags are possible.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a hunter or outdoor enthusiast, owning rural land is more than just a purchase, it’s a lifestyle investment. Whether it’s a seasonal basecamp, a future cabin site, or a place to gather family every fall, the right property gives you freedom, access, and long-term value.
From Duchesne County’s big game units and Starvation Reservoir, to the high desert of Arizona, the mountains of Colorado, or the whitetail woods of the Ozarks, there are still plenty of affordable places to claim your own slice of the outdoors.
Start your search with a clear vision, do your due diligence, and focus on areas where affordability meets opportunity, the perfect hunting base is out there waiting.