Family Travels
Active Member
I'm not knocking it, I'm just curious to the appeal of boondocking? I enjoy the luxuries that my pup comes with that require electricity. Maybe if I understand it better I'd have the same interest.
Whats the appeal?
- Thread starter Family Travels
- Start date
you don't have to lose the electric on boondocking... solar charging for your 12VDC needs, gas or propane generators for the AC if you need it... being away from other folks to experience nature in the raw, instead of listening to the lavatory door bang closed all day and 1/2 the night... to each his own.
Toedtoes
Super Active Member
Well first, as rsdata states, you can boondock without giving up electrical - just use solar and/or a generator.
Boondocking is the RV version of dispersed camping. It simply means you are camping in the wilderness outside of a campground. Folks who enjoy boondocking have many different reasons: no other people nearby, free camping, no light pollution, ability to make as much noise as they want, getting away from noise, etc. Boondocking lets you camp with fewer rules than a campground.
Dry camping is camping without hookups. Again, you can have electricity with use of a generator and/or solar. Or, like me, you can forego all the "conveniences" of being hooked up and simplify your camping experience. I like cooking on the stovetop and oven when camping. I like cozying up in my bed with warm covers rather than have a heater run all night (OK, that is mostly because my internal thermostat is wonky), I don't want to watch tv on a rainy night (I'd rather listen to the rainfall)... For me, camping is reminiscent of my childhood when the power went out and we got out the candles and talked or listened to the radio (still remember The Pit and The Pendulum). So, I happily give up those conveniences to regain the atmosphere.
Boondocking is the RV version of dispersed camping. It simply means you are camping in the wilderness outside of a campground. Folks who enjoy boondocking have many different reasons: no other people nearby, free camping, no light pollution, ability to make as much noise as they want, getting away from noise, etc. Boondocking lets you camp with fewer rules than a campground.
Dry camping is camping without hookups. Again, you can have electricity with use of a generator and/or solar. Or, like me, you can forego all the "conveniences" of being hooked up and simplify your camping experience. I like cooking on the stovetop and oven when camping. I like cozying up in my bed with warm covers rather than have a heater run all night (OK, that is mostly because my internal thermostat is wonky), I don't want to watch tv on a rainy night (I'd rather listen to the rainfall)... For me, camping is reminiscent of my childhood when the power went out and we got out the candles and talked or listened to the radio (still remember The Pit and The Pendulum). So, I happily give up those conveniences to regain the atmosphere.
generok
Super Active Member
For me, the biggest draw for boondocking is SPACE. We can find a place and not be in a parking lot with someones slide out touching our awning. With that space comes quiet.
I have a 300W solar rig, but I have no problem running the genny when I boondock... who cares, nobody is around me. I'll watch movies on the TV (no signals for anything, just downloaded stuff or actual round DVDs), take a hot shower, run the furnace... whatever. Million dollar views, zero rent and no neighbors. I look at it as a great apartment in the best location. I also can carry 100 gallons of fresh water if needed, but I seldom need that much.
Also, where I boondock, there really are few "rules" for camping. The dogs can walk around the area and run and have fun, if we want we can set up a small target range and hone our skills, or we can just sit in the quiet.
Don't get me wrong, I also dig a full hookup site with no real limits on power and water, but that typically comes with neighbors. Sometimes that's okay too.
I have a 300W solar rig, but I have no problem running the genny when I boondock... who cares, nobody is around me. I'll watch movies on the TV (no signals for anything, just downloaded stuff or actual round DVDs), take a hot shower, run the furnace... whatever. Million dollar views, zero rent and no neighbors. I look at it as a great apartment in the best location. I also can carry 100 gallons of fresh water if needed, but I seldom need that much.
Also, where I boondock, there really are few "rules" for camping. The dogs can walk around the area and run and have fun, if we want we can set up a small target range and hone our skills, or we can just sit in the quiet.
Don't get me wrong, I also dig a full hookup site with no real limits on power and water, but that typically comes with neighbors. Sometimes that's okay too.
It's a Different Strokes for Different Folks thing. I'm like you in that in my old age I've come to enjoy a few of the creature comforts, but IMO there is something to be said for finding a beautiful spot somewhere and not having anybody around. I also like to "get back to nature" and it's a lot easier when you're not in a crowded campground.
Family Travels
Active Member
Is there a good resource for finding spots for dispersed camping?
Grandpa Don
Super Active Member
Okay... I'll be blunt! I'm not a very sociable person. I prefer to be alone. I'm single, but was married until 1982 when "David" decided that he wanted my wife more than I did. I prefer the solitude of the wide open spaces. I love to hear the wind blowing in the trees, or bushes depending on where I camp. I love it when a storm blows in. Weather gives the day Character. The sound of a flowing stream is soothing to me. I prefer not to hear people talking, or music coming from a nearby camp site. When I do have to stay in a public camp ground, I always pick a spot as far from other campers as I can. My son and I go camping together as often as we can. It is always a boondocking site. And I have a cousin who is like a brother to me. In our younger days we were inseparable. He also has a popup camper and prefers to boondock like I do. I'm friendly and cordial to anyone who just happens my way, but I don't go out of my way to seek companionship from strangers. If I need to I can run my generator all night long. There would be nobody to complain. Am I weird?
Kyle R Thorson
Active Member
Nope
tombiasi
Super Active Member
You either like it or you don't. Your need for luxuries is not likely to change because you understand why other people like it. It is, however, noble that you attempt to understand other people.
When I camp I strive to be in nature and not bring my home with me. There are people on here like me and there are people who want every luxury they can get.
To each his own.
Fish N Farm
Active Member
We all have our reasons for Boon Docking/dispersed camping or what ever one wants to call it. My short term here so far I have seen people starting to turn away from public shower houses and restrooms to having more and more in their PUP. The biggest thing I see is no place to get a reservation w/o planning 6 mo. or more in advance. Unless more camp grounds are built this is going to get worse. National Forests and BLM land is about all that is left. National Parks are so over crowded you might as well camp in your driveway. That being said we are all going to need to adjust to pay those $100.00 plus per night fees or stay with Tom Bordet. It is probably cheaper with Tom. It is going to get worse before it gets better. Some places don't allow tent or PUP camping because of bears. MFG's are not building as many low end units like we like. While the MFG's are flush they should be investing in building more camp grounds so they can continue to grow. Where are we going to camp out at when the rest of this country becomes as populated as the I-95 corridor, Houston, DFW, SD, LA, SF. Better yet what are we going to eat? There is basically no excess water west of the Rockies so there goes all of the fruits and vegetables. When Lake Powel finishes going dry and they saw it will never be full again, what are the people in Southern California going to drink? That is just over use throw all the enviro issues on top!
jmkay1
2004 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Where I live there is very very little land open for dispersed camping using motorized vehicles. However some campgrounds offer no hookup sites. I seek these places out for usually the quietness. I live in the city I hear city noises day in day out. When I camp I want to actually be able to hear birds and other nature sounds. Most people who dry camp usually conserve their power so don’t keep radios/TVs on all day long. Unless I get the misfortune to camp next to someone with a generator. Camping loops with no hookups also ment fewer people so it felt like I had more room. Unfortunately after COVID hit campgrounds all over were packed to the gills that I could no longer find camping sites anywhere without months and months notice. This is when I really wished I could find dispersed camping areas. So I can at least camp and still have my peace. I have solar power so I’m able to recharge my camper batteries. I can have lights, furnace, and water pump. I usually charge my phone in the car or with a separate battery pack I bought. I personally don’t need TVs or radios, but they do make 12v devices and you can install 12v plug in your camper so you can still use said devises. You can install USB ports so you can charge your phones. Now if your the type that needs a fan running on high all night long just to sleep you may have a problem. If you require AC you won’t be able to dry camp unless you buy a generator.
Family Travels
Active Member
I would like to try it but there is no place to do it near me. Is there a resource to find places in the Midwest to do this?
Grandpa Don
Super Active Member
I think you can use this site to find places. https://freecampsites.net/
Also try the BLM web page. (Bureau of Land Management)
we boondock for one or more of the following reasons: its as quiet as you will ever achieve (no man made noise, and we can hear birdlife etc) scenic beauty, close to trailheads, no-one tramping thru our campsite, dark skys for stargazing, and to just escape the direct pressure of civilization (including muggings and gunshots)
gladecreekwy
Super Active Member
Haven’t camped within sight of another person or in a campground in 25 years. When you live in a tiny town that gets three million visitors a summer getting completely away is all we want. (Fish’in is better too)
Family Travels
Active Member
The more I dig into this, the more I'm finding interest. Are the roads usually passable for a minivan? Or do you need a truck? I'm eyeing a national forest in Northern Wisconsin to try (only 6 hours away).
Grandpa Don
Super Active Member
That is a hard question to answer. There are so many choices and so many roads. Many of the more popular free sites are well documented by other campers who have been there. I make it a habit to write a review of most of the sites I visit. Here is a review I did on a site near me: https://freecampsites.net/#!145178&query=sitedetails
Sometimes I make a YouTube video of the site.
gladecreekwy
Super Active Member
I’ve spent some time in that area. The Chequamegon National Forest is beautiful. Plenty of dispersed camping (boondocking) possibilities.
Family Travels
Active Member
That's exactly what I was looking at. Is it passable for a minivan? Is it close to trails for hiking?
gladecreekwy
Super Active Member
Many FS roads leading to quiet lakes and primitive FS campgrounds. As far as passable it depends on the weather and specific road. In the summer all the roads I saw were fine for passenger vehicles. They have a nice website
