Jump to content

Boondocking anyone?


Sandie

Recommended Posts

Hi fellow travelers, 

We live in Northern California and are new to RV life (and love it). Any tips or rules that your experiences have taught your family about boondocking would be very appreciated. We live close enough to the coast that taking off with little notice is definitely an option, but campgrounds may not have last minute reservations, and things like that. I have found a few tips by searching the web, but word of mouth experiences are always the most valuable! Thank you in advance for any helpful information. 

SJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome! I've only tried boondocking once in a very large recreational area in S Ohio. I was so dismayed of other campers @ least 300 yards away running their very loud generators 24/7 that I only stayed 2 days. Couldn't even hear the birds singing! It was a complete bust for me but it was free. Maybe on the coast people won't be using their loud generators so much. Hope you have better luck! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've boondocked quite a bit (according to what I know to be the correct use of the term).  There are pull-offs just on the side of quiet roads at nearly every national forest.  Often these are unmarked, unmanaged, and unpaved.  It can be easy to find them in places like Alaska, but here on the East Coast where I currently do a lot of camping, it's best to learn about the state forest's free camp sites.  This time of year (Fall), and in "mud season", you can find premium spots without worry. 

On the West Coast, I think you'll be surprised how much great camping is on DLM land if you just go poking around.  It's good to have an adventurous spirit and try to arrive a few hours before sunset to grab whatever spot is open, since DLM camping is somewhat documented on the internet.

I have, in a pinch, stayed on what might be private land-- like dead-ends onto farms, logging roads, etc.  I try to not do it, and it only happens as a last resort if arriving late, but I always leave early.  I've never had and issue, but there are no gaurantees.

I have stayed at park-and-rides, walmarts, etc.  While this may count as boondocking, I only do it when there is good reason and all of the above options have failed me.  

I try to not pay to camp anywhere.  With all of the great other options, it really just doesn't make sense.  If there's an easy solution of paying for a reserved spot, it seems that's where you'll find the crowds.  Those of us with a high risk appetite can go enjoy the premium spots.  Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I do a lot of free boon dock camping in the Washington cascades only go too rv park once a year . in addition lot pay small fee forest service campgrounds  10 dollars a night no hookups  no water wast dumpster only.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

We are doing a roundtrip from Northern Californa to South Texas, two different routes. I discovered that there are "free" places to stay like reststops for one night or Wal-marts. Does anyone know about staying at truck stops? Also, I have a question about rolling into RV parks just to dump our tanks for a fee. All replies welcome!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Sandie!

I’m a newbie too, and VERY new to owning a Toyota mini motorhome (bought an ‘84 Sunrader in Feb).  But I traveled / lived in a 1979 Ford van off and on for 18 months and 25,000+ miles... (2016-2018).

I LOVED staying at truck stops - I felt safe and always had access to showers/restrooms/food (my van just had a bed and a cook stove).  My last cross country trip I had an 8ft trailer on the back of the van (17ft van) and I would skip the regular pkng lots and park alongside the 18 wheelers!  Ha.  Probably not “legal” but I did it a bunch.  My only issue with truck stops / travel centers was how noisy the car pkng lots could get.  Parked in a public (car) lot in front of a Denny’s or fastfood or gas station part of the lot (the only option in some travel centers) meant sleep was elusive.  So many folks coming and going at all hours.  Especially on a Fri or Sat in a rural area where there was no where for [young] people to hang out... But if you’re a heavy sleeper or can use ear plugs it works.

Rest stops were sometimes great, sometimes sketchy.  It all depends on the rest stop.  I’m a solo female traveler so I had to be extra careful.  I only stayed once in a totally deserted rest stop (somewhere in SD or WY).  I was falling asleep at the wheel and had no choice.  It was ok in the end but I wouldn’t suggest staying over in an empty rest stop, for anyone... there’s safety in numbers.  But I typically loved rest stops as I could set up my cookstove and make coffee/bfast before hitting the road.  Never had trouble with noisy / rowdy folks.  (I have overnighting in Walmarts).  I do wish I had planned ahead a little better and searched for open rest stops along my route.  Sometimes the closest rest area is hundreds of miles away and then it’s CLOSED.  That happened a lot to me out West...

I found that Walmarts in CA - from Rhonert Park to Central CA to SoCal are impossible to boondock at.  Many of them hire private security that make you leave / will not allow sleeping over.  This has been true for me in Oxnard, NorCal - literally every CA Walmart I tried.  (I have driven all over most of the US and found this is a California thing.  I never encountered a WalMart in any state that made overnighting illegal UNTIL I drove into CA...).  In CA when driving long distince I go find a Kmart.  

If traveling through / near BLM &/or National Forest land, look into “dispersed camping”.  I learned about that when I started my journey and landed in the National Forest in MO.  The rules vary from state to state and even regionally (within the same state), but dispersed camping is FREE.  And typically peaceful and beautiful... here in Morro Bay the “dispersed camping” is literally the cut outs / shoulders of the road along the 41 Highway.  Unless it’s on someone’s land (signs posted).

Again all my experiences are based on “vanlife”, but it still translates.  I therefore can’t speak to the dumping question.  Good luck to you!  And please share your route once you decide how to get to TX and back; I am going to VA from the Central Coast in late May and am beginning to plot my course now.  Still open to different routes (although driving through the Mojave and through Needles is not a fave of mine).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ditto for truck stops. Good safe places to be. Almost all truck stops also have dump stations. Cost from 5 to 20 dollars. BLM land where you can camp is almost always far from any main road. Most people going a long way don't have the time to track them down. Depending on the state rest stops are an option. I have stopped at country stores and asked if I could park for the night. Usually it was a yes. There are a couple of websites that list boondocking spot and they have been posted here but I can't find them right now. Just make sure you have multiple options because those websites if someone else posts it are often not updated frequently.

Linda S

Oh and casinos. They are everywhere now and as long as it's dark inside your camper they will think your inside gambling. Some welcome RVer's. Also good place for cheap excellent food

Link to comment
Share on other sites

with prior permission , I "boondocked" in the parking area of a MOOSE lodge in southern Il. last year for viewing the eclipse. there are many organizations such as moose, eagles, elks, vfw, etc. that allow over nite parking at their locations, some,  such as the moose, have a directory on line that list the locations that allow this, and have other info related to staying at their location, like pet friendly, length of stay, available hook ups, etc. and some even have dump stations. of course I am assuming this courtesy is extended to fellow members of the organization, but it may be available to non members as well.  did the Wal-Mart thing to and from the eclipse event, and both times was not welcomed by the wally world managers, rather tolerated. won't do that again. I try to travel to my destinations via NON interstate. have noticed that I go through many smaller towns and cities with many churches, I am thinking the church parking lots may allow for a over nite stop ? have not tried this yet, but you never know til you ask. joe from dover.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There different levels of boondocking. Some need to run all their 120VAC appliances and consider a large group areas with no designated assigned spots to be boondocking. Then at the other end is the rv'er who stays out for more than a couple of days where no one else is in sight. Conservation of your RV's resources becomes necessary.  You did not say what your going to boondock in. Our first toy was a Sunrader 18 foot 4x4. The biggest problem was the size of the black water tank. 8 gals I believe.  The shower also uses the blk tank. I replumbed the drain from the shower so that it could dump into a 5 gal bucket. I also removed the stock shower head and installed one of the house sink sprayers that are on the long hose.  We could get a shower with about 2 gals or less of water each.  My point is water usage really needs to be minimal for several days of boondocking. Battery charge is another concern. Led lighting, only enough lights on to get'er done.  The small camping led lanterns are great. If needed the small Honda Generators can be run quietly for along time to recharge the coach battery. But still try to orient the genset so that if you do have neighbors they will not hear it. In a dead quiet area you can hear them at a good distance sometimes. Watch the weather. A barometer is a handy item for unforeseen weather approaching from a direction you do not have a view of like a snow storm. First aid for when you or someone is losing some blood! Insect repellant. A way to start a campfire if all the wood is wet. A small shovel. The more you do it the more you will know what there needs to be. As far as finding that great spot research, look at it with google earth then go there. Good chance you will find a different better spot. Always best to let someone know the general area or direction you took off to and how long. Cell phones usually don't get a signal at your favorite spot. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 9/26/2017 at 4:33 PM, markwilliam1 said:

Welcome! I've only tried boondocking once in a very large recreational area in S Ohio. I was so dismayed of other campers @ least 300 yards away running their very loud generators 24/7 that I only stayed 2 days. Couldn't even hear the birds singing! It was a complete bust for me but it was free. Maybe on the coast people won't be using their loud generators so much. Hope you have better luck! 

Hi Mark, I'm from Ohio also, are you refering to AEP land? I like the area, fishing hasnt been the best and I usually say during the week days, I know it can be busy weekend and holidays

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yes, mark and I went to the AEP land together in my Winnie, shortly after I purchased the rig. . our trip was a wet one, rained from the time we left my house, all the way there and while we there. we finally gave up hope of dry weather , said enough is enough and returned to my house the same day. not a good first trip for my Winnie.  but I plan to return this year, now that I am more familiar with my rig and have had time to become more experienced. like you I camp during the week to avoid the crowds. AEP, is free and there are "resident" campers at certain areas that act as "hosts" that offer info, maps of the area , etc. there are many small fishing lakes and ponds, some areas have swimming lakes and picnic shelters, but mostly it is primitive camping with no hook ups for water or electric, or dump stations.  I live about 30 minutes south of canton, good luck and welcome to the group. joe from dover.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fellow Roadtrippers!

Thanks so much for all of the great responses. The info has been very helpful. We have been restoring a '91Toyota Dolphin. Everything works, it is great. We have done quite a bit since buying it last summer. We did our first boondock last month in Bodega Bay. Good information about parking strategically when running a generator (we have a very quiet one, but still). We are taking a huge road trip this summer but have opted for reservations because we have several kids with us that don't yet the idea of "conserving" since this is our first big trip. We will however for sure be scouting for places to boondock as we travel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope this isn't off-topic, but it does seem relevant for boondockers: We've stopped a couple of times at large truck stops, thinking that they must have some kind of dump facility: never been able to find them. I've driven all around a couple of those places (which aren't exactly inviting to the general public) and could never see any signs or indicators. Anybody have some suggestions or insights for finding convenient dump stations close to the highway? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well not guaranteed 100%, here's a start....http://www.rvdumps.com/

 

PS here's is another useful friend ...https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap?z=4

 

Edited by WME
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...