Free boondocking on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land has long been a favorite way for RVers to embrace the freedom of the open road. Whether you’re drawn to the stunning landscapes, the quiet solitude, or simply the savings, BLM lands offer a unique camping experience.
How much did you take advantage of this resource in 2024? Was it a major part of your travels, or just an occasional stop?
Maybe you spent more than a month scattered across scenic vistas, soaking up starry skies and wide-open spaces. Or perhaps you fit in a couple of weeks here and there, exploring a few hidden gems before moving on. For some, it might have been just a few days—an introduction to the joys of off-grid camping. And then there are those who skipped it altogether, opting for other adventures or staying closer to established campgrounds and RV parks.
We want to hear from you! After you cast your vote, take a moment to share your boondocking story in the comments. What locations stood out to you? Did you discover any new favorite spots? Was it a breeze to find your perfect campsite, or did you run into challenges like overcrowding or access restrictions?
And if you need help finding BLM land, here’s the guide for you.
I didn’t because I didn’t get west of the great Mississippi.
When I took the poll 86% selected Zero (0) days. Hmmmm? When our family lived in California, mom & dad took us out to the desert to boondock many times per year. The key here is OUT WEST. Once we moved east of the Rocky Mountains that dropped to Zero (0) days boondocking. I’ve not boondocked for over 60 years. The key here is BACK EAST. So more than 80% of the readers don’t boondock? Maybe a special RV boondockers travel newsletter to handle the less than 20% of readership so the rest of the more than 80% can not be bogged down by boondocking articles and thus is it time locate more non-boondocking writers? Just saying.
Boondock and dry-camping opportunities certainly lessen east of the Mississippi and they’re not as blatant as finding a dirt road in the Mojave but they do exist.
Rather than write fewer articles and obscure them even more, wouldn’t the most logical response be to increase the articles?
I live on the East Coast and travel between up state new York and Florida. Most articles in RV travel are all about the West Coast. I may travel West at some point.
No BLM opportunity east of the Rockies.
Boondocking is almost all that we do. Our Fall trip was 5 weeks long, and all but 2 days were spent in free boondock camps. We’re on another trip right now, and it will be 25 days with only boondocking. We don’t miss the (paid site) noisy neighbors or the fees, not at all.
We would have boondocked more, but it was just too hot this past summer!
Normally we do a fair amount. This year zero, as Alaska has very little BLM and Canada none.
We boondocked several times last year, but it was on DNR land.
Some years we have spent a month or more on BLM land along the Colorado River. Recently we have stopped on BLM land when it is along our route and we need a place to spend a night or two – usually in the Quartzite area or in Anza Borrego (technically not BLM where we stop).
Thank you, RV Travel! No days boondocking on BLM (or any public land) in 2024 or 2025. We do plan about a week in a BLM campground in Alaska, but no boondocking other than the odd night in an Alaskan pull-off. Happy new year amd safe travels! 🙂
We boondocked for almost two weeks on BLM in Colorado but it got too warm so headed to higher elevations in the national forests. Spent a total of two and a half months boondocking last summer.
No BLM land but about a week on Forest Service land.
I put 0. I boondock on my own wooded land, 10 A nothing but woods.