With costs at campgrounds everywhere rising increasingly higher -- and reservations becoming ever more difficult to secure -- boondocking offers a fantastic affordable alternative. You don’t need a campsite reservation, as you can make your own campground anywhere (within reason, of course!). Plus, boondocking gives you the freedom to expand your camping horizons beyond the boundaries of traditional campsites.
But before you get behind the wheel of your RV and prepare to boondock anywhere that catches your eye, it’s important to practice smart camping safety. Sure, the spirit of boondocking might be freeing – but you don’t want to throw all of your caution to the wind. Below, we’re diving into boondocking safety so you can enjoy all the perks of this style of camping while staying savvy to the potential drawbacks.
What is Boondocking?
Boondocking is, at its heart, dispersed camping. What is dispersed camping? Well, it’s any form of camping that takes place outside of a designated campground. You simply choose a spot and put the camper in park!
That’s right: If you’re boondocking with an RV, it’s essentially parking your camper on public land. However, there are no hookups, no set campsite boundaries, and potentially even no campground at all.
You might also hear boondocking referred to as “dry camping” or “wild camping”, and these two phrases refer to how you choose to boondock. Typically, boondocking means you have no hookups and no traditional campground amenities, like bathrooms, water spigots, or picnic tables. But it can vary depending on just how “wild” you’d like to get in terms of leaving the comforts of traditional campgrounds behind.
Because boondocking doesn’t involve a campground or site for your RV, it also typically comes with no cost to park your camper. Sometimes, however, you may need a permit for the lands you’re hoping to camp on; this can occur in popular or highly trafficked destinations.
Choosing Secure Boondocking Locations
In order to practice safe RV boondocking, take the time to do your research and trip planning. Although you won’t be pulling into a traditional campsite, you do want to make sure you’re choosing a safe location regardless of where you camp – and you also want to be able to master details like road access, distance from cities or towns, and if you’ll have access to cell service.
First and foremost, you’ll want to look for boondocking sites and determine where exactly you can legally boondock. While freedom is the name of the game, you may need to secure a permit to enter certain areas; you may be able to camp overnight in some regions, but not others.
Don’t know where to start? Here are a few examples of popular boondocking destinations where it’s both safe and legal:
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands
- National forests
- State and county parks
- Wal-Mart parking lots (only for one-night stays)
- Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop parking lots (only for one-night stays)
- Cracker Barrel restaurant parking lots (only for one-night stays)
If you’ll be staying in retail parking lots, you may need to ask permission from stores or restaurants to stay overnight.
While you want your boondocking location to be off the beaten path, you also want to keep safety in mind. Going too far out into nature may lead to issues, as cell service can be weak (or nonexistent). Make sure you choose a spot that’s within a reachable distance of roadways or places you can reach out for help if needed, like ranger stations or small towns.
Always Keep Your Own Safety in Mind
Next, beyond being able to boondock safely and legally in your chosen spot, you’ll also want to prepare to keep yourself and your camper safe.
Before you hit the road, make sure your RV is stocked with emergency gear. This includes both vehicle and fire safety equipment (like a tool kit for common road mishaps) and first aid items. You’ll want to check that your first aid kid is fully stocked before each trip. And don’t overlook navigational items, either – having backups like physical maps and a compass can help you find your way out of tight spots.
Additionally, let a few people know about your boondocking plans. Tell a friend, a neighbor, or family members where you’re going, how long you plan to be gone, and when you expect to return. That way, should anything happen while you’re out on the road and camping freely, these people can reach out if you aren’t back by your expected return date. You can also consider using a location sharing app with them, which gives everyone a bit of peace of mind when you’re off the grid.
If you’re boondocking on managed land, like BLM land, national forests, or state or county park grounds, it’s also a good idea to check in with park rangers. You can let the rangers know where you’re hoping to boondock, find out about any additional restrictions that may be in place, and get any other information you might need during your camping trip. It’s also a great extra safety step, as the rangers will know your location, just in case.
And, of course, you don’t want to overlook the local wildlife. While it might not seem like a safety issue, you never know what can happen with wildlife, especially when you’re camping in non-traditional “campgrounds” and sites. You should know what types of animals are common in the areas you’re visiting, and what steps you should take to coexist with them peacefully. Consider how you’ll store your food and dispose of waste, prepare to keep a safe distance, and be aware of any local rules about approaching wildlife.
Smart Gear to Carry With You
Lastly, when you’re packing up your RV for a boondocking trip, you’ll want to pack a bit differently from your usual campground-based adventures. Because you’ll be heading out into nature without relying on water or electrical hookups, you’ll want to be prepared to be without a steady water supply, bathrooms and waste disposal sites, and access to electricity.
As a result, we suggest bringing along:
- Backup batteries or a generator. You’ll want enough power to run your RV’s necessities (like lights and the water pump) for one to two days.
- Freshwater, gray water, and black water holding tanks. You’ll need each of these to handle drinking water and waste.
- Propane-powered accessories and propane. This is a no-brainer for many experienced campers, but the more items you can run on propane, the better you’ll be without hookups.
You’ll want to leave anything that requires constant or heavy electricity at home so you don’t drain your primary or backup power sources while boondocking. That means you may not want to run your fridge (unless you’ve got a propane-powered fridge), your AC, and extras like a TV, microwave, or oven.
It’s also a good idea to be prepared for longer trips – or unexpectedly long stays – while boondocking. Bring along the following gear so you can thrive instead of simply survive:
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A water bladder, so you can top off your water tank without driving and leaving your boondocking site.
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A water filter, so you can ensure you’re drinking clean, safe water regardless of where it’s coming from.
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Leveling blocks, as you may wind up parking on uneven ground while boondocking.
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Biodegradable soaps and dining accessories, which help you practice no trace camping and make it easier to deal with potential runoff or waste that needs disposing.
And don’t forget your usual RV-ing necessities! Many of your go-to items already hanging out inside your camper – like lanterns, awnings, propane-powered grills or stoves, reusable dinnerware, and well-insulated coolers – will all come in handy while you’re on any kind of boondocking adventure.