Where to find free adventures
You do not need to spend money to find a good adventure. Free options generally come from three places: official publisher content, marketplaces with free listings, and community creators. Availability changes over time, so check each site for current offerings and licensing.
Official free content
D&D Beyond has offered a selection of free adventures and promotional content, and the publisher’s introductory material includes ready-to-run starting points. The Starter Set adventure, Lost Mine of Phandelver, is a popular first choice, though you should check whether it is currently offered for free or only in the Starter Set box. Search for tags such as “free adventure” on the platform to see what is currently available.
DMs Guild freebies
The Dungeon Masters Guild is a marketplace for community-created content. It has a freebies section with listings that are free or pay-what-you-want, including short dungeons, one-shots and Adventurers League material. Quality varies widely, so read the description, preview and reviews before downloading.
Community sites and creators
Many creators publish free modules on their own sites. Examples mentioned by readers include Kassoon, which offers short, scalable single-session modules, and well-known community adventures such as The Delian Tomb, created by Matt Colville. Free adventures also exist for specific audiences, such as websites aimed at running D&D with kids. Forum threads and community lists on sites like ENWorld and Reddit can point you to more.
One-shots vs campaigns
- One-shots are designed for a single session of a few hours. They are good for trying the game, testing a new group or filling a gap when someone is absent.
- Short adventures run a few sessions and let you try out a story arc.
- Free campaigns are rarer but exist. Check that they are complete, since some are unfinished projects.
Checking quality
Before committing, look for:
- A clear level range and expected length.
- Readable maps and stat blocks, or references to the official sources.
- Reviews or comments from other DMs.
- A recent version or update, if the author maintains it.
- Content notes if the adventure covers sensitive themes.
Adapting and running a free adventure
Treat any adventure as a starting point:
- Read through it once and highlight key scenes.
- Change names and details to fit your world and your players.
- Add hooks that connect to character backstories.
- Write down what you changed. See our D&D note taking tips.
- Gather tools you need, from our list of essential DM tools.
If you enjoy a free adventure, consider supporting the creator through their paid products or tip jar. When you are ready for bigger books, look at the best D&D 5e modules, or learn to create your own D&D campaign.