By Bob Difley
We boondockers find camping outside of campgrounds as normal and comfortable as the rest of our RV lifestyle. When we need to start looking for a campsite for the night, we start looking for side roads leading off into who-knows-where more often than we pull out a campground guide.
We plan our trip routes through national forests, along two-lane roads, over scenic byways, and across BLM land rather than head for popular areas along Interstate highways known to have lots of campgrounds and RV resorts.
In fact, less than 1 in 4 RVers boondock, preferring to stay in organized campgrounds. I’m not sure of the reason, but I would guess that it is for convenience. Why else would RVers prefer to pay their hard-earned money for an organized campground rather than stay at a free or cheap campsite? Or be shoehorned in with other campers when you could have lots of space and privacy instead? And why prefer a campground with the constant din of other campers, running vehicles, screaming kids, barking dogs, and late-night 20-something partiers around a campfire–when you could have peace and quiet and solitude and a view of Mother Nature?
One other reason, I suppose, is that most RVers are sociable types and like meeting other campers and being part of a campout community. And the amenities, like access to a swimming lake with a lifeguard to watch the kids, park campfire programs with entertaining Ranger talks, RV resorts with Wi-Fi, cable TV, heated swimming pools, hot tubs, recreation rooms with programs, games, TV, and potlucks, proximity to cities, restaurants, golf courses, shopping — oh, and electric, sewer and water hookups.
Staying in campgrounds is much more convenient, also, and they are easier to find than boondocking spots. You can locate them in campground guides and online, along main roads and highways, with signs for easy access in and out, have hook-ups so you don’t have to monitor your state of battery charge and your water and waste tanks, and you don’t have to drive down a dirt road and get your rig dusty.
These conveniences and amenities must be more important to most RVers than the physical open space, private campsites with few if any neighbors nearby, scenic settings with long views, star-filled skies not dimmed by campground lights, access to hiking trails and wild areas, the sound of rustling leaves or a babbling brook instead of vehicles, kids and dogs, and little or no cost that boondockers value.
Or is boondocking in the wilds — not including dry-camping at a Walmart — just too much of an unknown, alien to most RVers’ normal way of camping, or does camping out in a natural environment not appeal to them? Not that I would like all RVers to suddenly discover boondocking and I find all my favorite places occupied.
Why do you boondock — or not boondock?
You can find Bob Difley’s RVing e-books on Amazon Kindle.
##RVT770 ##RVDT1253
We love to boondock but don’t many times because we are afraid of getting into places we can’t easily get out of. I would dread having to back my trailer two mikes down the road if I can’t find a turn around. I guess that is my biggest deturant. Heading off down a dirt road you are not familiar with can lead to some dangerous situations. We did that a couple of times.
Our reason for not boondocking more is that we feel uncomfortable with the “fear of the unknown”. Not being in a familiar environment, not knowing if it will be a safe spot, not knowing if it is allowed….all factor in for us.
Call us chicken, but we feel more comfortable at a Flying J or a Walmart than random boondocking. However, if it would be boondocking in an area like the desert (which we have yet to explore), where it is commonly known to be acceptable, that might prove different for us.
I have to say, we are dedicated boondockers. Since we live in Nevada, boondocking is a ‘way of life’ for us. We’ve had good luck booning in Idaho and Utah too. Even Oregon has given us some great spots.
I installed a 375 watt solar system on our roof and it takes care of all our power needs. It’s just nice to set up in a great spot and kick back. We have a 2500 watt inverter installed as well.
We have found some really great ‘spots’ where we were just going to spend the night and ended up staying several days. Every so often we have to find someplace to dump our tanks and re-load our fresh water tanks, and even then we’ve found places to do that free as well. We mark those places in our GPS!
Boondocking is easy if you spend the time to research your destination. There are so many resources on the internet, unimaginable how anyone can say they can’t find the right place. We feel more secure boondocking than being in any RV park. We see very few people where we boondock, and the chances of the “bad guy” being in these remote places is less than him being at the RV park or in a Walmart parking lot. We’ll take the stars, peace and quiet, and the beauty of the outdoors to any RV park, anytime.
Boondocking gets me away from people and all their noise…and campfires.
As mentioned, the danger is not getting into a place, it’s getting out. Today, with Google maps and the Escapees’ “Day’s End” publication, I have a good idea of boondocking spots before I get there. I will not drive down an unknown dirt road with a large 5er in tow.
Probably one reason for more folks not doing this is that it’s a lot more work than full hookups.
I would love to do it but my wife Refuses! She is new to RVing but I grew up doing it. I’m hoping that if I can do one or two nights in some beautiful boondocking spots, she might change her mind.
Try Quartzsite or the Imperial Dam area for starters
Love to boondock but driving a trailer down an unknown forest road can be scary. We always fear that we’ll drive somewhere and then be unable to turnaround. We’re learning to use boondock-friendly resources to plan our adventures and are getter braver each time we head out
I can see how going down a dirt road with a towable or a large RV would be a problem for most people…myself included. You just don’t know how difficult it will be to turn around or what condition the road will be around the next turn.
I don’t think I would boondock with anything other than a pickup camper or van. And the prospect of accidentally camping on private property is a problem also. No one wants a knock on their door in the evening by some annoyed rancher.
I think that littleleftie has identified one of the major reasons folks don’t even TRY to boondock. It’s just too much of a dark mystery. Unknowns are challenging and exciting to some people, and off-putting to others.
One more factor that I’ve heard (from the editor of a famous online RV newsletter) is boredom. It doesn’t affect me, but apparently those wide open spaces are just not stimulating enough for yet another breed of RVer.
Like other walks of life, there’s a LOT of diversity amongst us road-travelers. Viva la difference, eh?
We have been traveling around North America in moderately large 5th-wheels for 13 years. The first 10 years were extended traveling 8-9 months of the year. The last 3 years have been full-time RVing. Before we sold our house and had more discretionary income we did a lot of boondocking in national forests and BLM land, mostly out West (AZ, NM, TX, UT, WY, MT, AK, etc.). We have 480 watts of solar, a powerful (and quiet) generator, a good system for filling water tanks, etc. However, as we’ve gotten older and have less physical strength — and no longer have house expenses — we now mostly “camp” in military, private, or public RV parks with spacious sites, full hookups, cable, and strong enough internet connections for free or our private WiFi. We loved the boondocking experiences we had, almost all very positive, but we’ve grown accustomed to an easier lifestyle now . . .
We prefer to Boondock if possible. We had a 28 foot 5th wheel that we sold and bought a 30 foot class C because we feel less intimidated to take that Forest Service Road. We flat pull a Jeep Wrangler that can be disconnected in about two minutes.
When I was a young man, I and my family lived in Western Canada and camped deep in the wilderness. Now that I live in the USA, and am in my seventies, I am truly afraid of camping in remote spots. There’s lots of bad guys around, and I am simply unable to look after me and mine if confronted. Also, I can no longer walk a few miles to civilization if something happens. This is not a reflection on the USA, but the realities of the times we live in and the age I have become.
Glenn J, your realities have nothing to do with your location in the USA.
The situation with crime here in Canada is pandemic. The Safe Injection Site (SCS goggle it) here in Lethbridge, Alberta, where I live has the highest daily usage of anywhere in the world (over 700 “clients”/day) Bern, Switzerland is second. Now that our governments have legalized pot, and declared drug addiction a medical condition. there’s not a lot of places in this country you could call safe.
You say you are “simply unable to look after me and mine if confronted” Well sir you have a hell of a lot more options in your country than I do in Canada. I’m the criminal very quickly if I pack a gun for protection, that is outlawed here. The criminal has all the rights (and free lawyers) I have none.
I’m amazed that few on this thread have mentioned the REAL reason most folks go the awning to awning route – they’re dam sacred of the bad guys, and I don’t blame them. It is getting scary on both sides of the border, ours a lot more than yours since we cannot defend ourselves until the bad guy gets the first plug in, then its probably to late.
Travel in peace as best you can my friend.
My husband and I have been boondocking in Anza Borego and south of Joshua Tree. We managed to get our trailer stuck in the sand each time (truck isn’t 4WD)! Managed to have folks with 4WD pull us out each time, and found more stable places to park. Really love the space, quiet and night stars! Will get some heavy tread tracks and hopefully next time will be able to get ourselves out. I can understand the desire to not pull a trailer down a forest road….
Boondocking is certainly a learning process. You learn to pre-scout roads and campsites for example. But as you have found out the great majority of RVers are always willing to lend a hand to their neighbors. Having a 4WD certainly helps.
It’s all a function of adventure. Embrace it.
I guess the reason I don’t boondock is because I really don’t know how. i.e., how do I use my lites,fridge, ,furnace, coffee maker , etc. without running down the battery..I tried it a couple of times, but didn’t use anything and just parked my rig and enjoyed the outdoors, but at nite just went to bed in the dark without heat or cooking or a cup of coffee.. I guess this sounds pretty silly, but this is why I’m hesitant to boondocking. Any comments
would be appreciated. Andy in Colo.
Andy:
If you use our search box and enter “boondock” you’ll get a lot of information that may help you. When you get to the bottom of the page, click on the link for “older posts” as one page doesn’t cover all that we’ve posted on this topic.
Russ, rvtravel.com staff.
We prefer to boondock both here in Mexico as well as the U.S. and on a long trip two years ago, in Canada. We like the freedom, the adventure, the unknown. We’ve never had a problem, been refused a spot and in Mexico boondocking is much easier. Lots of places to stay. IN the U.S. the western states with forest service, BLM, COE, and more. Multiple websites have boondocking sites that have been rated by posters.
What are the websites for boondocking? Interested
We don’t boondock with our 38′ DP. It just isn’t suitable for that kind of camping. However, we also travel with a 24′ TT and are interested in using it to boondock. I have set up 200 watts of solar, a 250AH AGM battery and a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter, which supplements our Honda EU3000is. We have boondocked in the Kaibab National Forest for a week at a time with great success. However, when on the road, we will stop at rest areas, Walmarts or Flying J/Pilots simply because I respect private property too much to risk attempting to boondock on what might turn out to be someone’s private woods. We’re still working on learning how to find places to overnight as we travel without using campgrounds, and so far, not comfortable doing it.
I love boondocking – but unfortunately my wife doesn’t feel safe and the possibility of being a target. We have 2 young children with us. So I try to find places that are a compromise so she feels comfortable but we still get some of the boondock experience.
I would love to boondock more, but my wife is averse to taking our 35-foot Class A more than a mile or so off of paved roads. We also aren’t able to venture far outside of our home area, which limits our options a bit more. We also still need to bite the bullet and add solar so we don’t have to rely completely on our generator. Someday, I hope we can and will do more boondocking.
Still looking for a book on boondocking locations on the CA, OR, WA coastlines?
Thanks for writing, Eric. I asked BoondockBob (Difley), our boondocking guru, if he had any tips for you. He suggested that you do a Google search for “RV boondocking locations Oregon (or Washington or California) coast” and that there are lots of listings to look at. And don’t forget to check out his RVing/boondocking e-books on Amazon Kindle. Good luck! And have fun boondocking! —Diane at RVtravel.com
Contrary to popular opinion, I believe boondocking is not cheap. I have a 32″ 5th wheel, no generator, no solar panels, 43 fresh water, 38 grey and 38 black. If I wanted to boondock, I would have to purchase a generator, solar panels, a honey wagon and a large capacity water container. DW likes her A/C and I don’t see any solar power system running one for 8 hours. We also like to shower frequently, meeting new people, going to dances and activities. Parked in the middle of nowhere, doing service runs every 3 or 4 days, limited activity, contemplating your navel for a whole winter is not for us. It would cost us too much to outfit our rig even for a week’s outing.
I believe you hit the nail in the right spot!
Living in upstate NY there just aren’t many options of boondocking in the northeast that we can drive our 35′ motorhome with towed. West of the Mississippi River we love the experience of boondocking.
We like to boondock and have done so out West but in the Midwest there just are no places to do it with a fifth wheel.
I boondock because I am a masochist. It is awful and horrible and painful and terrible and no normal person should EVER do it. Nope. 😀
😁😁🤪
Exactly Scott! There are bears and snakes and insects and crazy criminals way out there in the forest and in the desert. No one in their right mind should consider boondocking.
We haven’t boondocks much because we’re from the North East and there just isn’t much opportunity for it. Hopefully in the near future we will be able to get to areas where we can boondock.
Likewise…just aren’t so many places on the east coast
Very strange few on this thread have talked about the REAL reason most RV folk go the awning to awning route – safety. Has no one noticed the crime index and who criminals are targeting? It’s the same old story isn’t it, nothing is ever a problem until it is then its a disaster.
Pardon the pun but I wouldn’t be caught dead deep in a forest or on some backroad, just my wife and I today. We’ll keave that for the “good old days” and they’re long gone!
I’d never sleep a wink, but admittedly the stars would be nice, not to mention, if I were so lucky to find a place no one else had, no yapping fur pals, whining brats, noisy ATV’s and booze/dope hounds.
That just isn’t true. We have camped and boondocked for 30 years and have never once been crime victims. Or even heard of a crime near us. Criminals are like you they prefer to hang out with the herd where they can find opportunities for crime. Camping out in the woods and away from big cities is safer not more dangerous. You think some gang banger knows anything about being out in the woods?
What about the couple boon docking on a south Texas beach and were murdered and their rig was found in Mexico? That was just a few miles from where we were staying in our rv resort.
Not to imply that bad guys (and girls) are smart, but I would hope they realize that most (if not all) boondockers carry ‘protection’ with them. But as agesilaus mentioned, we’ve never run into any trouble ANY time while out boondocking – in over 20+ years. Before we bought our first trailer in 1996 we were tent campers – out in the middle of nowhere, NV, with our kids. No issues other than the kids complaining because we didn’t have any ice cream . . .
Are you serious, gangbangers? Alvin brings a valid point in crimes like the couple who were found dead, buried in a shallow grave in Texas, tow vehicle and trailer missing. Is it really that bad that the kids are shouting and playing, having fun with mom and dad? I really don’t want to spend time looking for a spot, somewhere out in nowhere. I want to sit back in my lounger, drink my beer, say hello to people around me. I’ve never heard of loud TV’s, continuous barking of dogs, we travel with one and generators running thru out the night in CG’s we’ve stayed in either. They do have curfews on quiet time and campers do comply. Yes, you have the one, maybe two but I’ve yet to witness it on knuckleheads who don’t comply. 30 years, count your lucky stars, hope you never have to call for help, you’ll be waiting a while.
In the information I have heard (local news), they are thinking that the Butlers may have met their killers prior to going out to the beach at a RV Park or somewhere else in town. They don’t think it was a “chance” encounter because for one thing the killers were dropped off and had no vehicle. I wish we could get some more news on this, but as always It is the attention grabbing headlines that makes the news and no follow up.
I’d be interested if anyone had compiled RVer specific data but society as a whole is radically safer than it used to be. Don’t believe media hype that makes you fear the wrong things.
We boondock to see places that the average RVer will never see, camp along mountain steams. Sit with our feet hanging off a 1500 foot canyon. Have a perfect view of the Teton mountain range. Camp by pristine lakes. Let our dogs have free rein.
And because we want to save money. However to save money you have to spend some first but compared to the price of that RV it isn’t that much and is soon recovered in unspent camp ground fees. You need a good battery pack, having enough solar to keep that charged also helps. And a large inverter. And when all else fails a generator will charge up those batteries. So it will cost you maybe $2000 to be really ready to boondock, tho almost anyone can do it for a few days.
Most people are pack critters, they are only happy when surrounded by the herd. They feel at risk when they can’t see lots of other folks. They want 100 channels of boob tube and 5 bars of phone. The mini golf and pool are also vital. And cannot bear life without being organized by someones rule set.
When your travels are done somewhere East of the Mississippi River I’d like to see you boon docking in a roadside park or BLM land. We went to south Texas last year and traveled several non interstate roads stopping at roadside parks and pick nick areas, in each one signs clearly read no overnight parking. When you’re OUT WEST where the government owns half the land boon docking is permitted, back East all the land is privately owned except state parks or national parks.
I’ve always wondered how “boondocking” works east of the Mississippi. We’re from NV and have no problem finding boondocking sites in all the surrounding states (even CA!).
For 20 years I rode around inside the Army’s RV (the Army Tank), That takes boondocking to the extreme no power, depend on others for water and food leaving me with a taste of never wanting to do it again so why in the world would I take an RV that I’ve paid for to place I have no desire to be with no amenities to spoil me.. I prefer to be at the finest campgrounds that I can afford close to cities and activities that I enjoy.
Amen brother, I did all the boondocking I ever want to see during my days in the Marines. I never want to see the inside of a shelter half again, not even in a museum.
Ditto for me. Slept on the ground in the open with nothing on but a poncho liner for months depending on supply helicopters for water, food and every once in awhile clean clothes. My boondocking days are over for good! Army ’68-’69 Vietnam.
I grew up Boondocking. My first memories of camping are pulling into a roadside park or a entrance into a field if it was late at night and no parks close. A 1957 Dodge station wagon was our class C motorhome. My bed was the front seat and my folks slept in the back. Mom made curtains that covered all the windows. The tailgate was our outdoor kitchen complete with Coleman cooler, 2 burner stove and chuck box for pots & pans, food dish washing tub.
From this beginning I was well conditioned to Boondocking.
From reading these posts it’s readily apparent that most RVers didn’t have that opportunity.
I still seek out boondocking sites and roadside parks, though they are few and far between now. But I will say our biggest deterrent while traveling is the 38’ fifth wheel we drag around behind us and my wife who is really a “glamper” not a camper.
Where do you find a tailgate for your kitchen today?
They said they’re pulling a 38′ fiver now. The “tailgate” is most likely the KITCHEN.
I have never tried boondocking, walmart or roadside parks with my Aliner yet. I still prefer national parks, state parks, small private campgrounds and Escapees campgrounds. I have seen RV parks that were RV Ghetto’s, and photographs of some BLM spots look horrible too. Personally I prefer rules and my own space vs parking in a field, smoking loud generators and a pack of dogs roaming the campsite.
Shhhhhh! Please don’t spill the beans about boondocking.
I’d suspect it’s more like 1 out of 100 RVers truly boondock. The reason is good old American consumption and comfort. People demand electrical power, water, sewer and freaking TV because they want RVing to be just like home. Ain’t none of that available if you boondock.
Mama’s gotta have granite counter tops, papa’s gotta have a toy box!
Meanwhile there are people who have smaller and more efficient RVs with just enough “stuff” to get along off-grid for a week or more. We can stay out ten days with 60 gallons of water and that includes every other day showers. We have no generator or LP because our truck is designed around solar power, a diesel fired air heater and cooktop, and LED lighting. And we like to go waaaay off-road where there are no other people.
Boondocking isn’t for everybody. Vive le différence!
I suspect that most boondockers have tent camped in their lives and are just camping with comfort.
Join the discussion…And that is a big YES!
You say, “just too much of an unknown, alien to most RVers’ normal way of camping, or does camping out in a natural environment not appeal to them”.
The reason is simple. It’s about safety. In the middle of nowhere with zero, minimal security (please don’t go off about how to protect one’s self). The risks associated with human behavior, potential breakdowns, etc. when isolated is a very real concern. Many would choose to boondock, very far from the hustle and bustle of private/public campgrounds (TVs, music, lights, vehicles, dogs, constant activity, etc.). However, boondocking is no guarantee to escaping many of these issues should other camper(s) choose the same ‘open space’. Again, it’s about noise, loose dogs, etc. and the real risk of altercation due to different expectations. But back to the ‘risk’ factor. Most (not all) single women cannot afford the risk of being out in the middle of ‘nowhere’ by themselves, no matter how competent and prepared they may be. This also applies to many men and to both men and women when they consider their children. Life is about risk, but we all calculate which are those we choose to take on and those we do not.
Women and many men must view the world with regard to risk factors all the time. No need to go into detail. You either get it or you don’t.
I’m a woman who has boondocked alone for 29 years, with 12 yrs. as a full-timer. I rarely ever went to a pay campground. Only twice did I feel uncomfortable and both times I just moved elsewhere. Boondocking is not more dangerous, and is probably less dangerous, than staying in campgrounds. The chances of some whacko hiding out in the boonies, waiting for a lone RVer to come by, are almost nil. It’s certainly safer than walking a city street! People are way too fearful of EVERYTHING these days, not just of boondocking.
We have stayed in Wal-marts, etc. in the past but now that we are older we have sleep apnea and need electric hookups to power our CPAP machines. With the heated humidifiers 12-volt DC simply won’t last all night for one machine, let alone two. We’ve also been hassled twice by strangers who claim they need money to get to their “active duty station and ran out of gas.” I try to find lower-cost campgrounds instead of full-service resorts where we don’t use the amenities.
Not minimizing sleep apnea, you must use your CPAP. However, you can live without the humidification. A nice option; maybe easier to fall asleep, but it really limits your travel. Maybe you could get used to those days without humidifier?
I’m Very new to R V camping, having just purchased a 24′ Artic FOX travel trailer 3 months ago. We’ve been to county beach In LA, the desert in Ca, Az, and NV. boondocking once in Joshua Tree on BLM. We plan to boondock much more because we want more space around us, the beauty of the wide open, quiet, and it’s safer. We can always book in a city for social reasons, but it’s not quiet, not safer and more expensive. We have 40 gal fresh water, gray an black tanks, and solar system of one 100 watt panel and one battery. We can stay out 3 nights very comfortable and 4 nights take it to the limit on water. Yes it is easier to have the full hookups if your staying longer than 3 days, however you do have the RV right next to you running a heater that is very loud, you have folks entering late and leaving early. Safer? No it’s never safer in a city. My only problem is locating the BLM sites.
Using one of the trendy terms of the day I will take a stab at this.
I believe you have 2 types of travelers when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors. RVer’s and although I despise the term you also have Overlander’s.
RV people pull trailers of questionable quality that tend to be large and larger OR drive a motorhome that any good washboard road in the Boondocks would shake that trailer and motohhome to pieces. They want to be near civilization and safety and comfort they crave at a price they are willing to pay. At the end of the day it’s all about comfort, bathroom, hookups, amenities and the social aspect that being with other people provides.
For an Overlander the destination, the scenery and trip is what it all about. Your 4WD off-road equipped vehicle is your method of transport, your home away from home or you may possibly pull a small trailer with an rooftop tent if that tent is not mounted to the top of your vehicle. You campground is Imogene Pass at 13K feet, the White Rim Trail or the Mojave desert. Your social aspect is the few others you may travel with. Who needs a generator and the noise when solar will provide all the power you will need. Bathroom? That’s what the “Groover” is for!
RVer’s need to stay at their campgrounds and Walmart and leave the GREAT OUTDOORS to the Overlander’!
Easy question to answer
Wife sez NO !
For me there’s the fact I don’t have solar & was shocked to see the costs.
We do have 2 Honda eu2000’s but we’re asked not to run them once It was 5-8:00 pm in area that generators were allowed 8:00am-10:00pm and during heavy rain .
Another factor are my holding tanks are not large enough. We used to river camp in state run forest campgrounds but the price of these has gotten to the point it no longer makes any sense as for a couple dollars more we can stay in a national park ( senior rate). I also find some rules to be a good thing
Hey bob stop pushing boondocking or we won’t have a nice beautiful secure quiet wide open space all to ourselves to spend the night or days. We have boondock for ever and is the only way to go for us.us we feel so much more safer because no one is around. Maybe its the hunt that’s exciting also to find just that perfect spot. Maybe or there’s a better one just around the corner. Let’s hope it don’t get to crowded so we can enjoy it for years to come. Don’t push it to hard bob.
Here in the East there there are not many places to boondocks. I have driven some of the roads to boondock in Ocala National Forest, but I wouldn’t pull my trailer on them, only my truck.
In hot weather we need to be sure our dogs will be safely cool & we don’t like being miserably hot. Electricity is the key. We carry good water from our well & can go 10 days between dumps. In mild weather we can boondocks if we can find a place without beating the RV to pieces.
We have been boondocking for five years and love it. We very occasionally stay at RV Parks and feel more vulnerable than when boondocking. The only time we have had items stolen was at an RV park in California.
Until recently, boondocking meant my husband’s bipap machine didn’t work. We’d boondock a day or 2, then stay where electricity was available.
I have a cpap. I bought two 6 volt golf cart batteries which have much more power than 12 volt battieries, and have dual Honda generators. Works great!
My husband uses a lithium battery pack made especially for Cpap machines when boondocking. Will go several days without recharging and then can recharge through our solar setup or in tow car through 12V outlet while driving. He just can’t have the humidifier part on when boondocking.
I would love to boondock- our southern deserts are great and I follow a blogger who does it every season. This has to suffice for me as my wife says she’d be scared and bored at the same time. However, we do a lot of rv’ing on the Ca. Delta in beautiful parks that overlook the river…and have FHU’s. -Not bad either but I still would enjoy a beautiful spring day among the cacti, road runners, quail, etc!
I think that people are intimidated by the idea of boondocking. Also, it is like going to a first-come-first-served campground. Maybe you’ll find a good spot and maybe you won’t. Also, boondocking is NOT inexpensive: generator, solar panels, golf cart batteries, rough roads are hard on RVs. You also have to be careful WHERE you boondock because in some areas, the big and loud partiers run amok. We LOVE boondocking, but it IS a lot of work and requires some serious planning.
My wife and I do boondock while we are moving long distance, especially if there are no cheap campgrounds available. For personal safety and security reasons we prefer organized campgrounds whenever possible.
We lived off the grid before it became a thing. Then when the work dried up we moved and have been moving since then to where the work is. Now I love being able to get out and live off the grid again even if it is for only a couple of weeks. Now, I have solar, didn’t have that back in the 80’s.
Based on all the comments thus far, it seems that boondocking is not just for anyone.
One either likes it, never tried it, doesn’t have any opportunities locally, doesn’t have what they think is the proper equipment, or have just had bad previous experiences. Some just think crime is rampent or can’t take the isolation.
For us, it works where opportunities present themselves. One does have to spend time looking but there are several websites that help expedite this process.
If you do boondock, it does take forethought. Will it be hot and require A/C? You cannot use typical solar systems for A/C. It will require a larger generator. There are expenses. Some simply can’t afford that or don’t do it enough to justify the cost. You really have to do it a lot to make it worth while.
Some have issues with water, black and gray tank capacity. They could still boondock. But again, it requires more work for longer stays.
I still appreciate what Boondock Bob has to contribute to this exciting opportunity. I would like to scare others away as some are trying to do here. I don’t want to loose our favorite spots either. But if you ever try it, you may find that you like it.
We still use campgrounds but prefer free over being overcharged for a nights stay. When you are retired, dollars count. Would you rather spend that money paying to camp or use that same money for other entertainment (like a cruise!)?
Thanks BB for your interesting articles! Keep them coming!
There isn’t any BLM land on the east coast that I know of . Camping in the Shenandoah Mts we sort of boon dock but we do use a generator allowed at certain times .
Basically in my book Boondocking is more like Camping and Full Hook up Parks are more just Parking. That being said I’m a big believer in doing what suits you without a worry what others do.
I agree with JBC, it is about personal safety. In my youth I was a hiker/backpacker so I assumed my husband, young daughter and I would stop our RV in forested pull offs or some of the lesser known rustic, BC Forest Service sites (now called Recreation sites). After a couple of bad boon docking experiences ( a group of Hells Angels rode in to camp nearby, another time a group of young people showed up and started illegal, target practice) we decided that the days of camping just anywhere were done. Now I don’t feel comfortable out there alone but I miss it.
We usually stay in popular BC FSsites or provincial parks, . They don’t have hookups although the big ones have showers and washrooms. in the U.S., occasionally we will stay in a commercial site, but mostly state parks, Forestry sites (if some other people are there) , Army Corps of Engineers or small town campsites. I like trees and privacy.
We like to wander, not stop and stay so we don’t usually need hookups or other facilities. Even ‘though no reservation, wandering is harder now, we never stay in parking lots.
In Winter we reserve ahead for one summer week at a big BC ocean side provincial park. We manage a week in one spot (without hookups) with our grandsons by using a portable solar charger and by driving off for a field trip every couple of days.
Boondock about 1/5th of our time on the road. Even boondocking at Wally World occasionally. 7 years and coast to coast and border to border. Across western half of Canada by backroads and Hwy 1. Mexico day trips in several locations. Daughter and son in law along with friends spend about a month in Mexico every year.
IMHO…boondocking is for us who live from the Rocky Mountains and states west. Don’t know about Canada. There are also many, many places where there is a pay station for “sites” with no electric, no dump station and most times only one water source where it’s not allowed to fill an RV. These are the best sites that have the most to offer in the way of wilderness. Staying in an “RV park” …KOA ‘s or the like, is depressing and is akin to ghetto living. Unless it’s a resort in Florida for a hundred bux a night or some such thing. And I can’t imagine a Walmart stay!! I have found that the free camping places (such as open space and BLM land) are abused and trashed out so bad it’s embarrassing to be called a camper. Sadly, it’s getting worse. I have been camping since I was a child and I’m 62.
We have been in about 3 RV parks in 17 years of our particular brand of insanity-outdoor dog trials. All of our trials are held outside. Rain or shine, hot or cold and even a snow storm and ice event that blacked out an entire county for 3 days. Like our dogs; Jack Russell Terriers; we are a little different than most people. Yes, we like our creature comforts- Tiffin 40′ Phaeton with a Jeep Wrangler toad-But being entirely self contained allows us to drive quite a distance,set up, spend time with our friends for 3 to 4 days and get back home without having to worry about reservations, obnoxious and rude neighbors, and crappy park conditions.
Boondocking is a lifestyle with a different mind set and an independence streak a mile wide. NOT FOR EVERYONE.
We have a gasser 37’ with residential refrigerator, generator and inverter, no solar. My big worry about boondocking is food safety in the fridge. Many state parks have restrictions on what times you can run your generator, and who wants that noise anyhow? Kind of ruins the peace and serenity of remote camping. We did go boondocking once at Joshua Tree for 4 days but I had dry ice in the fridge and did run the generator 2x daily. It was fun but I will wait until I get solar to do more.
We boondocked all the time when we had 3 kids and a Bounder Diesel with a generator. Now that we’re retired empty nesters, our Cougar with tons of storage and our king sized bed does not have a generator. We cannot be without AC due to my health. We really miss it.
I was in my mid 50s when we bought our RV, a 30 year old motorhome. Cosmetically, it was in what I thought was pretty decent shape. It needed some mechanical work to make it roadworthy, all of which I did.
Long story short, we didn’t have any real knowledge of the RVing lifestyle or even what boondocking was. Basically, we used it for transportation to where we were going and as a place to sleep. After chatting with other RVers and reading up about RV life, we saw what we were missing out on. Now, getting there with stops along the way to see the sights. Now, we do a lot of boondocking along the way. It’s much more relaxing and of course, cheaper than always staying at a campground. Now we take more time to enjoy the journey as much as the destination
Oh, and the motorhome was a great $400 investment five years ago and is still going strong.
I love boondocking, particularly when in the Southwest. It is not just the lack of neighbors, it is the sense of freedom, travel and self-reliance which is why we are living in a motorhome in the first place. I love the solitude and my husband loves people to talk to in a campground so we mix it up.
We motorcycle tent camped our way across the USA in 2008 but used only KOA sites because we liked the availability of electricity and water at our site. We’ve since moved up to a pop up motorcycle camper but have used only KOA’s. We plan to purchase a Class B+ van in the next couple of years (we’re older now and want some comforts). We like the idea of “boondocking”, though we have never done it. My main concern is safety. That’s it. I feel safer at an established campground, but I love the call of the wild… not sure how this is all going to pan out but I’m looking forward to the adventure!
Because of the need for electricity for medical equipment, we have to stay in a campground. I try to find public that has electricity before private. Public tends to have at least a little more room between campsites.
Love boondocking! The scenery, space, peace and quiet and numerous other factors that are so wonderful. We run medical equipment for both of us so I have set up our RV with additional 6-volt batteries, a solar system (panels on the roof), LED lights, and had additional DC plugs installed. Also, purchased converters to convert our medical equipment to DC voltage and we have plenty of power for boondocking. We charge cell phones, computers and other devices as well with this setup. All works great as long as we do not need to run the air-conditioning or microwave but then there’s a generator for those rare occasions.
Recently we spent four days on BLM land in Alabama Hills near Lone Pine CA and it was awesome. Our longest boondocking has been nine-days without firing up a motor or generator (by then fresh water was low and holding tanks full). Properly set up any RV can boondock and in our case, even with medical equipment needs (just don’t get a residential fridge or other high demand electronics).
We live in the country in the hills of east Tennessee (western foothills of the Appalachians). If I want the peace, quiet, solitude, nature, wildlife, etc., that drive boondockers to boondock, then I go onto my back porch, deck, or front porch and watch the deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, or skunks walk past, or listen to song birds, owls, or coyotes in the distance. Alternately, when I “camp” (glamp?), then I want full hookups, or at least electric and sewer, so that I can relax in comfort after a day of visiting friends, family, or sight-seeing. I boondock only out of desperation or to tailgate for football games.
At my age this is probably my last big adventure. I have always been drawn to the mountains and wide open spaces including . RVing fits the bill. I cannot ride horses in the Cascades or sail a boat all along the British Columbia coast and Alaska or keep up my medical that allows me to fly. My body just can’t keep up. The one thing left is seeing America. I bo’t my 23 foot Winnebego ( used ) and installed a 1000 watt inverter, one extra battery ( it only had one) and one extra propane tank and a 100 watt solar panel. I only stay in full hookup RV parks when I want an extra long shower, and below 15 degree weather. I travel with Molly, my Border Collie mix. I understand it but so many places I have to have Molly on a leash. Molly is a high energy girl so we like the National forests and BLM land where she can be off leash and run like she should. and they are areas that fill my desire for those wide open spaces while affording me a cozy weather ( it is raining now in East central Arizona) tight home where I have internet services, ( e-mail, weather forecasting, movies etc.), there are a few downfalls but we find them all a minor inconvenience.. I usually have to go to town once a week if I am not traveling.
Safe travels
The vast majority of our camping (at the beginning) was at NASCAR tracks with no services so we kind of “grew up” with dry camping as our paradigm. Once I retired we, through sites like this, discovered so many opportunities to boondock along our travels. We use Harvest Host and Casinos a lot if we’re trying to get someplace and only need an overnight stop, but those nights are fewer and farther between the more time we spend traveling. There’s just a ton of stuff to stop and see and (generally) so many places to camp for free or a very small donation.
That said, we’ve seen a ton of people with no idea how they can stay in their RVs sans services. We were dry camping at MacDill AFB last winter. They have 50 or so full hookup sites they rotate people in and out of as part of their “first come, first served” plan and we had neighbors who were rotated out and wondering how to keep their lights on.
Simple things like showing them how to run and connect a generator.
In the end, another example of the diversity in this community, and I think that’s a good thing.
I gave up ‘camping’ 45 years ago when my 3 kids grew up.
I can’t handle the hassle of not having things convenient.
We city people are used to being crowded so private campgrounds away from the city is all the outdoors we need. And you are too much concerned with the money….basic camping is old school way before the digital age. Our senior class of RV’rs need the creature comforts after years of hassle and the company of friends.
We attended the Tampa RV Show last week (although we live in California) in part because they were having 2 buildings of vendors, selling stuff. After a while, we noticed that there were very few vendors selling things for the boondocking RVer. At lunch, we sat with a salesman for one of the manufacturers (who was really nice and interesting) and he was saying how folks on the east coast don’t boondock much, due to the lack of available places and how few toy haulers they sell. We spend 2 days driving around and every RV park we saw was full. We are planning on staying in campgrounds when we workcamp (as required) and as a way of meeting others, since we are going to be new and want to make some new friends. But we are also looking forward to do our share of boondocking so we can get away from the crowds and enjoy nature. Hopefully we can boondock with our new friends. It will be just us, no kids and no pets and the idea of reading, hiking and stargazing for hours sounds fun. We both work in offices, sitting at computer screens so desperately want to get outside. Our 5th wheel will be outfitted with solar and I really want to try cooking with a solar oven.
Boondocking is scary!!! I travel alone and being out in the middle of nowhere is scary!!!
With at least 30 gallons of water and a few hundred watts solar power even a small RV can boondock for a week or more. But then having a good full hookup for 1 or 2 nights allows restoring the water and waste tanks, and having a small electric heater rather than the noisy cycling on and off of the propane furnace. Finding a boondock or a free overnight parking site is easy with the Overnight RV parking.com membership, and state and national parks. But as with all things, RV lifestyles are tightly impacted by the continually growing human population, a billion more every 14 years these days makes everything tight and cannot go on forever .