By Dave Helgeson
There are many boondocking myths held by both new and seasoned RVers. Most so firmly believe them that they fear even trying boondocking for one night. Sadly, this keeps many limited to camping in overcrowded campgrounds, never to experience the freedom boondocking offers.
I quite often hear statements like, “I would boondock, but…
- I like to shower every day.”
- I don’t like the desert.”
- My RV isn’t suited to drive miles down a rough dirt road.”
While their statements are true, they have little to do with boondocking. They are boondocking myths.
In fact, those new to RVing may not even know what the term “boondocking” really means.
While there are many interpretations of what boondocking is, most dyed-in-the-wool boondockers (myself included) consider boondocking as camping outside of a developed campground on public land. Public land agencies refer to it as “dispersed camping.”
Let’s look at 10 commonly held boondocking myths
Boondocking means using baby wipes instead of showering. Many RVers associate boondocking with Quartzsite, Arizona, where RVers spend all winter camped in the desert. To conserve water, some RVers resort to using baby wipes to freshen up rather than showering regularly. Yes, conserving water is part of boondocking, but not showering is the choice of the RVer, not a prerequisite of boondocking.
Boondocking is parking out in the desert where there are no trees. Again, many RVers associate boondocking with winter snowbirds camped out in the desert where there are no trees. The desert is only one of many places where RVers can boondock. There is plenty of public land located in northern latitudes and at higher elevations where trees are plentiful.
Boondocking means no cell or internet service. Yes, if you travel to remote areas, some boondocking sites, campgrounds in the same area too, may not have service. With the advent of Starlink, RVers can now have service wherever they roam. You can also use a SpotX or similar messenger beacon allowing you to communicate via satellites anywhere.
Boondocking is camping miles down a rough dirt road in the middle of the boonies. Again, it is the RVer’s choice on where to boondock. There are plenty of boondocking sites just off the edge of the pavement. My wife and I once boondocked on BLM land right next to an outlet mall just feet after leaving the asphalt.
Boondocking isn’t safe. Statistically speaking, you are much more likely to be a victim of crime in your own home than when camping in the boondocks. Read more here. Others think they will be attacked by wild animals, which is not supported by facts.
Boondocking is parking in the same spot for months on end. Again, this is the RVer’s choice. You can camp in an LTVA (long-term visitor area) for months, or you can use boondocking sites for overnight stops along the way. My wife and I rarely stay more than two or three nights at one site before moving on.
I can’t boondock because I use a CPAP at night. Here are several tips for operating a CPAP when not hooked up to shore power.
There is nothing to do in the boondocks. No, you won’t find a heated swimming pool or other RV park amenities in the boondocks. What you will find is that you are not hemmed in by fences or other obstructions found around the perimeter of an RV park. Instead, you will find yourself camped where you can roam for miles without encountering restrictive boundary lines. Recreational opportunities in the boondocks include hiking, biking, off-roading, fishing, mountain climbing, letting your dog run free (where safe and appropriate), exploring forgotten settlements, spelunking and so much more. Crave the social aspect of an RV park, then join one of the many boondocking meetup groups on social media and join with other RVers in the boondocks.
Boondocking is only for poor people that can’t afford an RV park. While you will find some that boondock for the monetary savings, you will find many others that do so for the freedom, open space, solitude, convenience and many other reasons. My wife and I often encounter luxury motorhomes camped out in the boondocks.
Boondocking means no electricity. Granted, there is no shore power in the boondocks (insert “currant bush” joke here, if you remember that), but there are plenty of options for obtaining electricity. Large battery banks, solar, generators, inverters, vehicle alternator, car generator, and hybrid vehicles with inverters, are just a few possibilities.
By dispelling the above boondocking myths, it is my hope that you might give it a try. It can be a very enjoyable experience. Best of all, you can escape the crowded campgrounds, the reservation hassles, and the expense that comes with them.
Don’t know where to start or where to find places to boondock? Click here to get an idea.
##RVT1166
We’re in our early 70s and have a 25′ motorhome. On a recent trip from NC to Newfoundland we fell in love with boondocking. Newfoundland welcomes boondockers and iOverlander led us to some wonderful sites, two of which were off the beaten path near lighthouses. Unfortunately, we live on the east coast and boondocking options are limited but we’ll keep looking.
Kudos ! To be that old and still be adventurous !!!
I’m 74 myself, and obsessed with boondocking always…….
Mostly all it requires is common sense, courtesy, and a sense of adventure !
RV Travel has been a major force in popularizing Rving. The result is overcrowding in many areas because there are limited resources like campgrounds. Each week, in detail, RV Travel documents the problem that it has helped to create.
Don’t do the same thing to boondocking. It is not an infinite resource. Some areas are overcrowded and land managers are starting to take action because there are just too many people for the available area.
Maybe let people naturally discover some things rather than advertising everything.
The situation reminds me of a producer of OHV videos who complained about one area
getting overcrowded and trashed, acknowledged that his videos were part of the problem, then said he would move on to another area and make more videos and more money.
Don’t be this guy.
You’re getting the downvotes for giving reasonable advice. I’ve stayed places that are now “roped off”, gated out, or even legislated out. I’ve found hidden places I would relate but not identify location for, to protect them. I’d do tons of online investigating to find hidden treasures, and tons of just driving around and exploring and risking, just for the thrill. Yes, always with guns onboard, never used or brandished. The easiest battles are the ones you avoid. Got stuck one night in the middle of nowhere on dirt roads, and the local police rousted us in the middle of the night so we moved on……another experience, not the kind we wanted but one to remember nonetheless.
Thank you, Dave! 🙂 You have convinced me. We have tailgated several weekends over the last 8 years sans utilities in a large grassy field with a few hundred of our closest “friends” for college football games. We arrived with tens of gallons of fresh water, essentially empty gray and black tanks, and plenty of fuel in the fuel tank. In that no one was there to “enjoy nature,” generators we commonly running. Should we do this more and not at football games, then we’ll get lithium iron batteries and possibly solar panels. Meanwhile, thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Our most favorite camping memories are mostly boondocking experiences…… from a roadside “site” near the Sego Canyon Petroglyphs, to an old, old cowboy camp hidden away south of Moab near the Hole in the Wall…….to small, off-season or no season campgrounds for hunting or not (where large unidentified animals ran through the area at night, rushing us back inside)……..adventures that are never forgotten.
Then there are the Urban boondockings, behind Cracker Barrels or at Walmarts, always checking approval, and always patronizing the businesses in the evening or the morning, while saving the cost of a park just to sleep and shower and move on……. FREEDOM !
God is good……