Boondocking, or camping off-grid, can be an incredibly enjoyable experience if you know what you’re doing. But there are plenty of reasons to avoid it, like the fact that it uses more gas. and can be considered less safe. If you’re new to boondocking and want to be sure to do it right, check out these tips and tricks for making your boondocking life easier and more enjoyable.
What is Boondocking?
Hitting the road without hookups is something many RVers are interested in doing. For first-timers, however, it can be a bit confusing. What exactly is boondocking? If you’re new to RVing, consider boondocking a camping activity where you set up your tent or RV in a remote area far from any campsites with electricity or other utilities. It’s similar to dry camping, but it differs because dry campers still have access to water via nearby sources like rivers, lakes, or spigots. You may also find RVers who refer to boondocking as dispersed camping. This term basically means that you’re not staying at an official campground with developed facilities like restrooms and showers. It’s all about finding an off-the-grid spot that doesn’t require much preparation.
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Prepare Your RV
You’ll have a great time with your friends or family when you go boondocking, but preparation is key to success. Before you hit the road, check everything in your RV to make sure that everything’s working properly – and don’t forget to bring along all of your camping essentials! It’s also important to remember that there are no trash cans or RV dumps available at many free campsites, so be prepared to pack out what you pack in.
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Who Should Be a Boondocker?
You may have heard of boondocking or free camping, but aren’t quite sure if it’s something you should try. After all, free usually means you get what you pay for, right? Not always! Boondocking gives travelers a chance to camp in spectacular, sometimes remote areas of our country without having to pay a dime. And it doesn’t just appeal to RVers; tent campers can do it too. Whether your goal is to save money while on vacation or to be more eco-friendly while traveling, there are plenty of reasons why everyone should give boondocking a try at least once.
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Where Can I Go?
One of the most important things to learn about boondocking is how to choose a location. First off, make sure that your spot is legal by checking land-use rules in your area. Public lands are often free to camp on, but not always – so be aware of rules around public land camping. If you don’t have time or energy to research public lands and develop a list of potential spots, try googling boondocking or BLM camping. There are also plenty of apps out there that can help you find great places to stop along your journey. We mentioned some of our favorite apps here.
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How Much Does it Cost?
You don’t have to spend big bucks to boondock. There are many free campsites, but as with any other part of RVing, it does take some effort to find them. If you just drive around looking for an empty campsite or someone who looks like they’re leaving their site, you won’t have much luck. Be patient; it may take a few nights before you actually find a free place to park. Once there is a site open up that doesn’t look sketchy, then take your time parking – as close to sunset as possible if possible so you can unload in peace.
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Dealing with Other People’s Trash
The worst part about boondocking, in general, is dealing with trash. As an RVer, you are responsible for disposing of your own waste. But boondocking can be a little harder because it’s also about learning to deal with other people’s waste as well. There is a stigma that RVers cause an outsized amount of litter, but we all know that it isn’t true – at least not all of us! So how do you deal with it? Here are some tips:
- First, when picking out an RV site or campsite, look for places where there is minimal foot traffic. This will help reduce potential issues.
- Second, dispose of any garbage immediately if you see any around your campsite or at public dump stations.
- Third, if you see someone else’s garbage lying around while boondocking or camping in general, don’t leave yours there!
Do what you can to pick up theirs too – and make sure they know that was nice of you! Finally (and perhaps most importantly), teach others these same rules so we can keep our campsites clean from now on!
Overall Perks of Boondocking
Boondocking is a camping term meaning without hookups. It means parking in an RV site without services like electricity, water, or sewer. Not having these services can seem daunting, but it also means you’re free to park almost anywhere! The best part of boondocking is that you save money on campsite fees, plus there are plenty of other benefits. When boondocking, you can park wherever you want – even if it’s off-road – so if no campgrounds are nearby, you can set up your rig anywhere! This means boondockers get to experience places many tourists don’t see. You’ll find secluded beaches and scenic overlooks – some of which require miles of hiking!