What is Boondocking?

When I read articles I find useful I print it out. And I'm not beyond buy a book. I don't like being tied to a computer or tablet to get information. I like to take it someplace and relax and read what I need to know. After all New technology requires energy. You either have to rely on batteries or electrical outlets. Paper don't run out of juice. You might want to consider writing one or a series of pamphlets with useful information for RV and campers. Such as where to camp what the costs are with seasonal cost variations and star ratings like they do hotels, Descriptions of what each site has to offer, regarding amenities, their high and low seasonal occupancies, Maps, near by places of interest, Repair sites and a detailed description of each camping discount opportunities. You get the picture. I'd buy it in a heart beat. I find most information is scattered and insufficient. Thanks for the tips.

We boondock every season. I am long retired from the Forest Service and have a couple of comments. First, please take care with your campfire. Campers leave and think it is out,,,but isnt. Scary! I have put out many campfires over the years.We need water regularly. I bought a small 12 volt pump, battery, short hose and several containers. A generator to charge the small battery helps or get a big one. A run to a nice clear creek occasionally is necessary. Our long time favorite places dont need filtering of the water.

Informative article with some good advice for anyone wanting to boondock. One more thing to be mindful of depending on where and type of terrain you set up camp is rodents. Its a good idea to put traps out under the RV especially near power cord access or engine bays. Mice will try to access RVs and even the best built RV have areas that mice can enter. I use traps and also spray peppermint oil under coach around axles, tires and any place they can climb or jump up on. They can do lots of damage to wiring, etc. Last year while camping in Colorado our camping traveling friends had rodents get in their 5th wheel. I put out traps every evening a caught no less than 3 or 4 mice every night during our stay. Mice do not like peppermint oil and it will help as will battery powered devices that emit high frequency sounds and flashing lites.

Great article and you explain things very well, I wish I had known about you 3 years ago when I started my adventure of Rebuilding too far gone to restore a 1965 Air Stream. According to what you have in your info I am pretty much on track with my build. I am coming into the home stretch and hoping when this virus stuff is over I will be ready to go camping.

Heed some advice, I have a 25 ft. 2003 motor home with only 1 battery in the living area. I have room for may be up to 6 batteries. Is there any special way to connect the batteries and would I need a bigger charger for them? Any information with this would be a great. I am thing about of 2 or 3 batteries right now. What help would solar panels d]add to keeping the batteries full

We boondock a lot. We have been living in our 45 year old 15 travel trailer that I gutted and made it wheelchair accessible with an attached fold out 48 wide ramp and dooras far as Ive been able to search its the only truly wheelchair accessible camper in existence as well as a Hoyer lift built in to get my wife on the commode and in the bed. My wife is a wheelchair bound severely disabled woman. Small trailer because our twenty year old wheelchair van cant pull anything much bigger. We have stayed in dispersed campsites in national forest from Michigan to Florida. At times in extremely rough places to get in and out of,most people wouldnt even attempt with a 4x4,but Ive had a lot of off-road experience so I am better prepared and equipped to know what I can and cant do than most. We usually stay about two weeks at a time in each place. We are solar powered using six agm wheelchair deep cycle batteries. On a sunny day I can run our 120 volt mini washing machine and charge her wheelchair at the same time. We have a small inverter generator as backup when neededwe have yet to use. Forty gallon filtered fresh water tank, and we usually get at least ten one gallon jugs for backup. We love it. Far better than living in a prison in a house. Spending money on our travels instead of rent. Living on her social security alone less than minimum wage . I cant work because she needs around the clock care and Im not old enough for social security. If we can do it, literally anyone can.Live life and have fun!!!

Great article! The only thing I would add is that although back-country boondocking in the national forests is a lot of fun, it is also a lot of time-consuming work you have to find a site, tote your own water, level the RV on a rough patch of ground, commute over rough roads, etc. If you want a relaxing lower-effort experience, stick with an RV park or a campground. If you want adventure, privacy, and silence, boondocking is the way to go.

I Bought A Starcraft Autumn Ridge Extreme In January 2018, And I’m Always Gone And I’ve Stayed In Only Two Camp Grounds Since ... I’ve Been Through Cali, Utah , Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas , Mississippi And Louisiana... I’ve Put My Truck In Four Low And Fished Some Of The Best Holes Going , I Travel With Two Dogs And A Cat And A Tortoise... There’s Nothing Better At The Age Of 60

The Forest Service refers to it as Dispersed camping, and it is highly dependent on the local guys or gals as to whether or not they will permit you to stay.I like Dispersed personally, but the Lady misses her amenities.

As an experienced boondocker &amp host for boondockers welcome. Your article is very well written. Im sure it will be helpful to many.THANKS. Regards