Make sure you check with the local area before you even gather firewood. You should find a spot where your rig can fit comfortably without altering the landscape around you. Today, don’t go boondocking unless you’re committed to leaving an area exactly as you found it. People would cut down trees or clear brush. It used to be popular to “collect” pinecones, stones, sand, etc. Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints: Unless there’s a well-marked trash area, you should plan to take whatever trash you generate with you.īonus points if you pick up litter that others have left behind as well. This is a huge mantra in camping, and it absolutely applies to boondocking as well. Typically, it refers to the mentality that we are permitted to use nature for activities like camping as long as we treat it as a privilege and take care of the locations we visit. Leave no trace means a number of things when you use national public lands, which we’ll explain below. Make sure you respect these and any neighbors you may be sharing the spot with! You want there to be a ranger within reach.Įven if you love the idea of being out on your own, be smart!Īlmost all boondocking spots have some rules about maximum stay (often around 14 days), campfire, pets, generator use, etc. You don’t want to get caught in a location where you’re the only person. It’s always better to boondock with other people. It’s their world too, and you don’t want to be caught unaware. If you’re not able to turn around at the end of the road, then you may want to avoid venturing down it to begin with.ĭepending on where you are, you may not be the only one in that location. Sometimes a boondocking spot just isn’t going to work out for whatever reason, and you know what you don’t want to do?īack out for 18 miles on a thin dirt road while others are trying to come in that same way. This is absolutely something to consider in advance! One spot can be great during a sunny summer’s day and horrendous during the winter. The weather can drastically impact whether boondocking in an area is a good idea. Once you’ve navigated a tough road when there’s snow or during rain, you’re unlikely to do it again any time soon. When you get there, you should get out and check on foot or in a truck or car before taking your RV down an unknown road. In general, reviews will give you an idea of what is appropriate. Some boondocking spots are suitable only for certain sizes. Here are some of the factors that will impact whether you’re allowed to boondock. Just because you’ve found a spot to boondock doesn’t mean you can. solar panels or a generator), larger water tanks, and a bathroom with roof vent. You will also want an RV outfitted with an off-grid battery charging option (i.e. a Class B or campervan) will be more nimble. These can help you navigate narrow roads. Go with a trailer that can be pulled by a small SUV, such as teardrop trailers, pop-ups, and A-frames. Having said that, there are some that tend to do better in rough terrain. Do I need a special kind of trailer or RV to boondock?īoondocking can be done in most conventional RVs and trailers. Just keep in mind that you may not be able to boondock anywhere you want.Ĭheck for “designated dispersed camping areas” to see if boondocking is limited to certain areas in the park.Īlso, check to see if you need a backcountry permit before parking in a given location.īe sure to follow all rules while boondocking! 3. The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Department of Fish and Wildlife all have thousands of acres of land where free camping is allowed. So, you’ll find yourself a durable surface to park your rig or pitch your tent, but not much else will be available to you. This typically occurs outside of a developed campground. In other words, no electric, water, or sewer hookups. There’s no official definition when it comes to boondocking, but most will agree that it refers to “dry camping” or dispersed camping on public lands. We’ve got everything you need to know before you try it out. If you’re not quite sure what it entails or if you’d be up for it, keep reading. If you’re researching the RV life, you may have heard a thing or two about “boondocking” and could be wondering, “what is it?”
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