Summer is in full swing and that means vacation time! But after a year of being stuck in the house and close to home, a few problems are popping up for summer travel. Luckily, we have the RVing solution for you—boondocking!
The problems with summer travel 2021
There are two main problems that seem to be happening this summer with travel plans. The first is that even though the country has opened back up, not everyone is comfortable being thrown into the busy crowds. While some don’t mind heading back to the theme parks and rubbing shoulders with strangers, there are others that prefer to continue following social distancing. They haven’t been in large crowds for over a year and don’t really want to start right now. They need a way to travel that allows them to feel comfortable so they can relax and enjoy themselves.
The second problem that is happening is there are lots of RVers heading to RV resorts and campgrounds. Last year when most other travel plans were canceled, people flocked to RV dealerships looking to purchase RVs like a Montana RV for sale. That means there are more RVers looking to enjoy an RV trip this summer than what you may have been used to in the past. You may not be able to get into the campground that you were hoping to visit.
What is boondocking?
This is where boondocking saves the day!
Boondocking is camping without the amenities and hookups. It’s also known as dry-camping. And it’s a great way to get off the beaten path and away from the crowded campgrounds and tourist destinations. This means you don’t need to find a lot at a campground.
However, you do need to have a self-contained RV. That means your RV needs to be able to provide you with power and freshwater while being able to hold your wastewater as well. The main rule of boondocking is to “leave it like you found it”. That means once you roll out, there shouldn’t be any sign that you had set up camp there at all.
What are the advantages of boondocking?
While campgrounds and RV resorts can have a lot of amenities and comforts to offer, there are a lot of advantages that are unique to boondocking.
First off, it’s one of the cheapest ways to enjoy an RV trip. There are many ways that you can go boondocking for free. That means you don’t have to worry about the cost of your trip increasing based on how many nights you stay. And you don’t have to worry about trying to stay places on certain nights or in certain months in order to avoid peak charges.
The next advantage to boondocking is that it opens up your options on where you can stay. While many people think of boondocking as being out in the middle of nowhere, away from civilization, it doesn’t have to be like that. Many people take advantage of boondocking in Walmart parking lots when traveling in their RV to avoid paying for a night in a campground. In fact, you can enjoy the boondocking experience in the middle of the city. If you’re interested in urban camping, check out this blog post: 8 Tips for Urban Camping in Your RV.
There are plenty of boondocking options to choose from thanks to the use of public land. There is around 15 million acres of public land in California managed by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management. This land is also known as BLM land. It provides popular options for places to go boondocking. You can search their website to find more information on where you can take your RV.
And one of the greatest advantages of boondocking is you can get away from the crowds. If you don’t enjoy crowded campgrounds where you might have to worry about noisy neighbors, boondocking is a great option for you. On top of that, you can set up camp in places that provide stunning views as far as your eye can see.
Tips for boondocking in your RV
If you’re ready to give boondocking a try this summer, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Make sure you understand your power supply
You want to have a good understanding of how much power you consume before you go boondocking. You also want to make sure you have a generator in good working order. And if you can, use solar power to avoid the need to use gasoline.
If you’re purchasing a new RV, look for one that includes a solar package.
Watch your tank levels
You don’t want to run out of water or fill your grey or black tank in the middle of your stay when you’re too far out to do anything about it. Make sure you watch your tank levels so you can dump tanks or refill as needed when it’s convenient for you instead of out of desperation. It’s also wise to familiarize yourself with the closest place you can go to dump your tanks as needed.
Don’t crowd other people
A lot of people are boondocking because they like being away from crowds. So respect their space. If you want to say hi, feel free to but don’t set up camp right next to them unless you’re invited to do so.
Understand the rules
There are different guidelines and rules to follow based on where you’re boondocking. Make sure you understand what these specific rules are so you can follow them. This could include rules around fires and rules around wildlife. Remember the rules are there for a reason, so even if you don’t like them, make sure to abide by them.
Get comfortable with your RV
If you’ve recently purchased your RV, you want to take time to get familiar with it before heading out on a boondocking trip. Make sure you’re comfortable backing it up, understanding what type of terrain it can handle, and how to use your power source and dump the tanks when needed.
Find the perfect place for RV boondocking
If you’re ready to head out boondocking this summer, the following can help you find the right spot:
- freecampsites.net
- ioverlander.com
- boondockerswelcome.com
- campendium.com
These sites can help you find the perfect place to set up camp close to home or across the country.
While this summer the campground and RV resorts may be crowded, it doesn’t have to stand in the way of you creating RVing memories of a lifetime!
