There are a lot of new words and terminology that you learn when you join the RV community. And one of those words is “boondocking”. You might love the idea of getting off the beaten path but feel over your head in trying to figure it all out. Rest assured, it’s much easier to get started than it might sound.
What is boondocking?
Before we jump into the “how” and “where” of boondocking, let’s talk about the basics—what is it exactly?
Boondocking is when you camp without taking advantage of things like campgrounds, amenities, and utility hookups. This can look a few different ways. It can be parking your RV in a Walmart parking lot (more on that later) or going off-grid in the wilderness.
Many boondocking options come with zero cost which makes it attractive to both budget RVers and RVers that want to get off the beaten path and have a one of kind experience. Depending on your situation and what you’re looking for, this can be in the middle of a busy city or in the middle of nowhere.
Many RVers that are new to the idea of boondocking wonder if it’s even legal. And the answer to that is “if you do it right”. No, you can’t just park your camper anywhere you want and call it boondocking. There are certain rules that you need to follow, but if you do, you can create the camping experience that you’re after.
Boondocking is sometimes referred to as “dry camping” because you don’t have access to water and sewer hookups.
Where can you go boondocking?
First, let’s cover a few of the “public” areas that you may be able to boondock. If you’re new to the idea, you may want to try out something like this before putting yourself in the middle of the wilderness. This gives you a chance to “practice” being off-grid while still being in the midst of it all.
There are many parking lots that you can use for boondocking. This includes places like Walmart, Cabellas, and Cracker Barrel. Some states will also allow you to stay overnight in the parking lot of their rest areas or welcome centers on the highways. There are also some hotels that will allow you to stay in their parking lots if they aren’t too full.
You can also try boondocking in the middle of the city. This can be easier to do if you have a Camper Van as opposed to a large Class A or an RV that you’re towing.
However, remember that it’s always important to make sure you’re allowed to stay overnight where you park. Making assumptions in this area could cause you to stay illegally somewhere.
But one of the biggest advantages to boondocking, or dry camping is that it allows you to get out in nature and away from others if you want. So, that’s what the focus will be on for the remainder of this post.
If this is the style of boondocking that you’re interested in, then you may want to explore the following options:
- Boondocking on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management)
- National Forest
- Find a host location (more on that to come)
- Ask a Park Ranger
Tips for boondocking
It’s important to make sure you’re well prepared before boondocking. Here are some tips that can help you:
Make sure you have what you need
Double and triple-check your supplies before boondocking. You may end up far from water sources or grocery stores. You don’t want to run out of important supplies. Think through how much you’re bringing and how long it will last you.
Conserve your water supply
It’s helpful to look for ways to reduce your water use when boondocking. You’re limited to the water supply that your tanks are able to hold so if you want to stay out longer without needing to refill, you might need to practice more conservation than normal. This could include skipping the occasional shower or turning the water off while you lather up. It’s also helpful to install a low flow RV toilet to reduce the amount of water you use with each flush.
Get to know your power supply
Make sure you have a generator in good working order or that you have a high-quality battery bank for solar power. We recommend solar power because it eliminates the need to buy and use gasoline. If you’re looking for a new RV for sale California, make sure it has the option for a solar hookup if it doesn’t already include a solar package.
Pay attention to your tank levels
Not only do you not want to run out of water, but you also don’t want to run out of room in your grey tank or black tank. This can cause backup issues that you don’t want to deal with in your RV. Make sure you’re paying attention to your tank levels and familiarize yourself with where you can go to dump them if needed.
Leave it like you found it
This is a general rule of thumb for any type of camping that you do, but holds new meaning with boondocking. While you’re able to get “off the beaten path”, it doesn’t really mean that you should. It’s often best not to blaze new trails when boondocking. You don’t want to end up digging up an area and leaving tracks in places where none exist. The goal is to leave it looking exactly like it was when you showed up. Make sure you’re prepared to clean up and take with you any trash that you create while boondocking.
Give other campers room
While it’s not always the case, it’s a good idea to assume that if people are boondocking, they might not want a neighbor close by. If you see people, feel free to say hi, but that doesn’t mean you need to park your RV right next to where they set up camp.
Along with making sure to leave room between campers, remember to keep it down if others are in the vicinity. There’s probably not going to be a Park Ranger that comes along to make sure you’re quiet at a certain hour like you might find in a campground, so play nice with those around you.
Follow the rules
The rules will differ based on where you’re camping and it’s your responsibility to make sure you understand them. This can include rules that will keep you safe from wildlife and rules that will stop you from starting a raging wildfire.
Familiarize yourself with your RV
If you just recently bought a new or used RV for sale California, make sure you are familiar with how to drive it and work all of it before you head out in nature boondocking. It’s one thing to have a difficult time backing into a lot where there are other people around who can help if you have problems, it’s another thing to drive somewhere you shouldn’t and get stuck with no one around to help.
Finding the perfect place to get started
If you’re ready to get started boondocking, here are a few tools that can help you find the perfect place.
Boondockers Welcome
Boondockers Welcome is like an Airbnb for RVers. The website allows you to search to find people in the area you want to stay that welcome boondockers to their property. Just like with an Airbnb, different places have different features and benefits that come with it. For example, you may get to stay near water or in a country setting. A one-year subscription only costs $50 (or $25 if you also sign up to be a host). And some locations even have water and electric hookup (although you should offer to pay for these services if provided).
Campendium
Campendium is a website that you can use to search for free public land to use for boondocking. You can search the entire country and use different filters to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can also read reviews left by other RVers and campers to help you find just the right place to park your RV.
Are you ready to hit the road?
Whether you want a little R&R or you’re ready for an outdoor adventure, boondocking is a great way to get out and enjoy the world in your RV.
