This Is All You Need To Know To Get Started Boondocking Right Now

Boondocking is one of the most incredible ways to camp. It gives you scenic views, freedom from the day to day rat-race, and best of all, it's almost always FREE camping.

If you never tried RV boondocking, it's a lot different than staying at a campground. Therefore, there is a lot to learn.

This is a very detailed post about primitive camping. Take a deep breath, get some coffee and settle in because you have some learning to do!

No matter how much research you do, you will make mistakes.

Even myself- the very first time I boondocked, I did it wrong, LOL! In Quartzsite, Arizona, I accidentally parked in an LTVA (long-term visitor area).

This is everything you need to know to boondock comfortably, including unique insider tips!

So, I created this article to provide you with all the ammunition you need so you can have an educated and enjoyable first boondocking experience!

Here you will find everything you need to know to boondock.

What is boondocking camping?

It's camping remotely without hookups, usually on public land.

It's free camping. It's freedom. It offers the best views. You get serenity. You get wildlife/nature with dispersed camping/boondocking.

But for you skeptics, let's go over in detail why boondocking is so rad.

I (and Marshall) ONLY boondock. There have been infrequent occasions when we have had to (or chose to for SOME dumb reason, heh) stay in a campground.

Here are some reasons we choose to boondock.

• Views: Boondocking offers you the most beautiful views available in the country. You're going to get MUCH better views boondocking than you will in a campground.
• Savings: Boondocking is free camping!
• Privacy: With nobody around you in many spots, you have the option to wear only your birthday suit or to let your dogs (or cats) run around off-leash (while supervised, please).
• Hiking: Often, there's a trailhead close by. Or you can start walking from camp for an incredible hike or walk.
• Quiet: Boondocking isn't always totally peaceful, but odds are it will be MUCH quieter than a campground.
• Nature Abounds: You're usually in the middle of it when boondocking.
• Conservation: Boondocking helps teach conservation as you have to conserve your power, water and deal with your trash. It opens your eyes to how much we waste in the world, which IS a good thing.
• Beneficial For Kids: Get your kiddos away from the city and (hopefully) off the devices and introduce them to more nature and travel experiences.
• Freedom: You don't have to make reservations to stay, so your plans can be totally Jell-O.

Ok, ok, so it's not ALL rainbows and kittens (just mostly).

• Terrain may not allow your RV to go there
• Can be dirty/dusty
• Often at least 30 min from towns
• Must be self-sufficient
• Need to be able to charge your batteries daily and understand your 12-volt system
• Muddy/dirty when raining
• Sometimes challenging to stay climate-comfortable
• Can't stay over the stay limit in the area
• Some spots may not be big enough for RV boondocking

Stuff like that. Let's look at the good parts of park stays.

Even though I am a serial boondocker, I'm reasonable. I'll admit that campgrounds have their pros as well.

(Though not NEARLY enough for me to go there willingly.)

• Hookups: Many campgrounds have power, water, and sewer hookups which is  easier than camping without any.
• Proximity to Town: If you want to camp but still do things in town, campgrounds win. (This one is a massive plus in my eyes, but only because I am full-time.)
• Cleanliness: It's much easier to keep your RV (and yourselves) clean when living in town on a concrete pad. Dispersed camping can be dusty. (But you're complaining?? Come on- It's smaller than one of the rooms in your house!)
• Amenities: Some campgrounds offer amenities such as hot tubs, pools, laundry, playgrounds, etc.
• Sense of Security: This one is a reach IMHO. That's all it is- a 'sense' of security. You're safer out on public land by far.
• Length of Stay: You can stay much longer than you can in most boondocking locations. (Boondocking = 2 weeks maximum stay on average.)

I could go nuts here. I'll try to hold back. Just for you.

• Loud
• (Often) can't pick your site
• Views of other RVs (yay!)
• So many rules
• Having to check in/deal with reception
• Karen's (lol)
• Not free camping
• Loud children
• Annoying neighbors
• Dogs barking all day
• Bright lights at night
• Needing to have reservations/to plan ahead on dates of arrival and departure
• Possibly can't get a reservation if you don't plan in enough time.

In essence, you're PAYING to have noise, neighbors, rules, and power!

You can find most boondocking/dispersed camping on our public lands. The majority of these lands are in the West.

(What is dispersed camping? It's the same as boondocking.)

You can find spots in the East, but choices don't even come close to matching the availability in the West.

Be aware that most RV boondocking out West will be at least 20 minutes from any decent city or town. And much of it will be BLM boondocking.

I use a few apps for finding spots. Campendium, The Dyrt, and iOverlander. Most of these are crowd-sourced sites.

The personal reviews and photos users make them up-to-date and easy for you to figure out whether it's a good spot for you or not.

Users review the spots and upload photos and other information about the area.

You get to read the good and the bad about wherever you are considering camping before you go.

Some review campgrounds and RV parks as well.

Here are some other ways to find free parking:

• AllStays Camp And RV (app)
• FreeCampsites.net (website and app)
• Google Maps Satellite View (You can look for campsites along dirt roads that are on public land.)
  

• What Is Boondocking? It's free camping on public land and always has a duration limit.
• LTVA- (Long-Term Visitor Area) this is also public land, but you must pay. Paying allows you to stay for a MUCH longer time (7 months) and often includes some amenities.

LTVAs only exist in southern Arizona and southern California. RV boondocking on public land can be found almost all around the USA, but primarily out West.

Both free public land camping and LTVA's are dry camping experiences. An LTVA will more than likely be crowded.

When boondocking, you can find places where there's hardly anyone else around, or there is much more space for people to park away from each other.

These three terms are kind of interchangeable but also not. What is boondocking versus dry camping versus dispersed camping?

What is Boondocking? Usually, is a term saved for camping in remote places. But it also implies camping without hookups.

It's true off-grid camping.

What is Dry Camping? Technically, this means 'camping without hookups'.

If you are staying in a campground and there are no hookups, you are still RV 'dry camping'.

It's not 'correct' to say you are boondocking or dispersed camping if you are in a campground without hookups.

But you COULD be boondocking and also call it dry camping (though it's implied) because there is no boondocking WITH external hookups. 

(Your generator doesn't count as a 'hookup' here.) 'Cause ya know, nature doesn't provide spigots or outlets.

Primitive camping and wild camping are other terms often used for RV boondocking.

So you see there's a lot of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land out West. How do you know where you are allowed to camp?

First, use The Dyrt or Campendium for reference to find the road into an area.

It's up to you to find a legit camping spot.

Stick to existing roads. The reality of it is that there's lots of lands out there. But not so many places to RV camp.

Can you park wherever you want? Absolutely not.

Public land has rules. Yes, there's a lot of land. No, you can't park just anywhere.

Sadly, if that were allowed, humans would quickly destroy it.

Instead, you are only allowed to park in areas that have been previously used for camping.

This means apparent tracks/road, a fire pit, and any other reasonable/obvious sign people have parked there.

Stick to existing roads. The reality is that there's lots of land out there, but not so many places to camp. 

There are things you need to plan (ahead of time) for moving day.

Failing to plan these things can mean a very aggravating day.

I HIGHLY recommend scouting your spot. That is unless you're coming into a wide-open area like Quartzsite, Arizona.

You CAN use Google Maps satellite view to at least preview the route in. With it, you can sometimes see if there are places to turn around or not and how many spots are in the area.

Even if there are many dispersed camping spots, you could arrive, and they are ALL taken.

This is often the case on Forest Road 525 in Sedona. The spots are small, they are often full, and you don't have a good place to turn around but in one of these spots.

(There's usually enough room to do so, though.)

Just be aware that you DON'T want to get caught in a place where you have to back up for a mile or more (or less) to get out of where you just drove in.

NO FUN.

It's best to have a toad if you are driving a motorhome. Or a motorbike or even a bicycle. If you are pulling a trailer, you can unhitch somewhere safe and then go scout.

Ok, now you have scouted a primitive camping spot, and you're ready to drive in.

Before you go and park, there may seem to be no rules 'out there' when camping on public land.

Of course, there ARE rules, but there are also 'unspoken' boondocking rules. We won't cover the written rules that a ranger can enforce.

We are talking about the unspoken rules you may not be aware of:

How Not To Be 'That Jerk' When Boondocking

• DO NOT bring your contractor generator. Only the quietest RV generators while boondocking. Seriously.
• Don't park right next to someone (or even mildly close) when there is PLENTY of room elsewhere. Nobody wants close neighbors when boondocking. It's called personal space, and yes, it exists on public land. (Your personal body bubble doesn't disappear because you are on public land, does it? Of course not.) Often when you see a cluster, the people in that group know each other already.
• No blaring your music. Unless you're deaf, that's not necessary. It's a bit rude. Also, sound tends to travel in open spaces. Also, watch what you are saying!
• Don't leave barking dogs at home in your RV all day. If they are going to bark while you are away, don't bring them.
• Nobody wants your dogs running up into their camp, peeing and pooping all over the place. (Yes, this happens.) It's OK for them to be off-leash, but please keep them in YOUR camp at all times.  Your dog(s), your responsibility.
• Generators off at a reasonable night-time and don't start them at 6 am, please. Give people considerate "quiet hours".  Even inverter generator noise will carry a surprising distance.
• This one should go without saying, but people are doing it all over the place, and it's disgusting. DO NOT crap outside without digging a cathole at least 6 inches deep. Bury that s*** deep IF it is allowed in the area. And take your used TP with you (pack it out) in a plastic bag.

That's a good starter package for you on ways not to be 'that guy/gal'.

There are more things to consider when parking other than not parking on top of someone.

Here are more things you should consider when positioning your RV while primitive camping.

Things To Consider When You're About To Park:

• Views- If possible, it's nice to park to have the best views out the window you use the most.
• Be considerate- if there's an obvious gorgeous view people are parked to see, don't park right in front of them, blocking their view. That's not cool.
• Watch the slope- You may not be able to park for the best view. If you have an absorption refrigerator (most RVs do), you have to be level. This may determine precisely where and the angle of where you park. (leveling a travel trailer)
• Solar- if your solar panels tilt or get blocked by shade from various utilities on your roof, angle so you get the best solar for most of the day. This may trump your view.
• Summertime- you may need to park so that your awning gives you the most shade during the day to help keep temps down. During the summer, this might trump views and solar needs.
• Give Space- Again, if there is plenty of room, do NOT park right next to, or even fairly close to other people. They don't want neighbors. You're safe out there 'alone.' You're likely safer NOT parking on top of someone.
• Washes- Don't park in a wash. In the event of rain, even if it doesn't rain right where you are, the wash could flood.
• Cellular- If you need cellular service, test it when you are scouting. Or test it before you get all set up. It may be way better, just 1/2 mile down the road.

You don't see these two mentioned often. However, they each can save your life or hours of frustration when primitive camping!

1. If you aren't already sharing your location with someone you trust, share your location, ESPECIALLY if you are remote camping in the middle of nowhere.

2. If you are in an unlit area, and you VERY likely are if you are RV boondocking, listen very, very carefully:

DROP A GOOGLE MAPS PIN WHERE YOUR RV IS PARKED!

I repeat:

DROP A PIN WHERE YOUR RV IS PARKED!!!

If you fail to do this and you leave and come back after dark, well, you may have a tough time finding where your RV is.

It may be obvious where you are parked, depending on the area.

But if you are in a wide-open area with little to no roads showing you in, you could be in trouble. Just do it.

Without one or both of these, you cannot keep your batteries charged (batteries are your power) while boondocking.

If you have a motorhome, there's an excellent chance your RV comes with a built-in generator.

If you have a trailer or don't have a built-in generator, you will need a portable generator or plenty of solar.

What size generator or solar+battery bank you will need is outside the scope of this article. Google will help you there.

You don't want to have to depend on having your generator on ALL DAY for power needs. This is no fun for those around you, not to mention for YOU.

Dispersed camping is half about getting out there in nature and enjoying the peace and serenity.

Having a generator drone on the whole time defeats that purpose.

It would be best if you had a battery bank that can sustain you for at LEAST a day before going below 50% charge. (For typical lead-acid batteries.)

You might be able to get away with portable solar power.

This is a great question.

Once again, the availability of online resources makes finding the answer to this question much easier than before.

If you are using Campendium, it most likely will list how many days you can stay in a particular primitive camping area.

Which is VERY nice, and it's what I mostly use. If Campendium doesn't list the stay limit, look around the entry road for signs.

Often the BLM/National Forest/State Trust Land signposts will declare the stay limit.

If they don't have a stay limit listed, you need to find out what type of land you are on.

Is it National Forest, BLM, State Trust Land, or what? (Usually, there is SOME sign around with this info.)

Then hit the Internet. Look for a ranger station if you are looking for dispersed camping in national forests, and look for a BLM office if you are on BLM.

You can search for them by doing a Google maps search around where you are. Then call or visit the station and ask.

Here are some ways to conserve water:

• Lick or wipe your plates. I'm serious. No one is watching! Or let your dog lick your plates.
• Use a dish bowl full of water to keep dirty dishes in so food doesn't dry on them.
• Shower once every few days. In the West, this is not an issue. No humidity = no sweat.
• You can sponge clean the 'dirty' areas. (Pits and bits.)
• NEVER let water run when it's not performing a 'job.'
• When showering, catch the water that hasn't warmed up. You can use it for dishwater or flushing the toilet, etc.
• Get a composting toilet.
• Get water bags or a large bladder and fill them up when you fill your RV. This way, you can replenish your supply without moving your RV.
• Make meals and freeze before you hit the road. Saves tons of dishwater. Just heat and eat!

Read our tips on how to save water while cooking.

Ok, so I mentioned not showering every day. And I mentioned sponge-bath type bathing for your pits and 'bits.' 

Most full-time boondockers only shower about once or twice a week, on average. No, we don't smell. And guess what?

My skin is in better shape than it has ever been.

Soap strips you of your natural oils. My face is not NEARLY as oily now that I don't wash it every day.

So, here's what you need to do when showering.

To conserve water, you should get a very low flow RV shower head. Also, get a shut-off switch.

OTHER THAN the one that comes with your new shower head. (These products are listed at the very bottom of this post for your convenience.)

The on-off valves that come with showerheads will dribble when in the 'off' position.  This causes the water to turn cold or hot when you turn it back on.

We recommend you get an actual shut-off switch. No more annoying dribble. No more temperature changes.

When taking a shower, you can't let the water run unless it's rinsing something. It wastes too much water.

That's about it for showering.

(I actually sometimes even lick my paper plate and re-use it. Not kidding.)

Did I say that out loud? Oh well. I do, so... (And yes, Marshall is suspicious of the paper plates when he comes over for a meal.)

Keep your dishes in a water-filled container in the sink if possible. Dried-on food takes a lot longer to clean.

Line what you can with tin foil or wax paper when cooking. Then remove the tin foil/paper when done and throw it away, leaving your cooking container clean!

There are multiple places you can go to refill your tank or water containers.

Here are a few places you are likely to find sources of water:

• Gas station spigot (ask before using)
• Campgrounds
• Dump stations that have potable water
• City parks
• Fairgrounds (ask before using)
• Rest stops
• If you boondock a lot, you will get good at keeping an eye out for spigots that may be available for use

You may stay longer than your water supply can last any time you are remote camping. It can happen even with the best of conservation methods.

Sure, you can drive your RV to the nearest water spigot, but who wants to do that? You have to break your entire camp to do so.

Instead, if you have a toad with cargo space, get yourself a large water bladder.   Fill it at the water spigot and bring it back to camp. Using a portable pump, you can pump it right into your RV.

If you have a smaller vehicle without ample cargo space, you can also use collapsible water bags or jugs.

Fill the 5-gallon bag(s) or hard-sided containers at a potable water source. 

Bring them back to camp and fill by using a water pump or by simply dumping the water right into your rig.

Again, you can bring the water with you to camp if you don't have a toad. Fill the bags when you fill your RV.

(Given that you have a place to put them while on your way to your dispersed camping spot. The bags are notorious for eventually leaking.)

Well, this is something you mostly can't get around unless you have a composting toilet and don't put water down into a grey tank.

So you're going to have to get over it! If you have a regular RV toilet, you're making sewage.

You can't just dump raw sewage anywhere. (Gross, people!) It must be dumped into a proper receptacle.

• Call nearby campgrounds - both private and public
• Use Campendium (Filter for dump stations)
• Sanidumps website
• AllStays App- shows mostly campground dumps though
• Truck Stop Apps (Lowe's, Flying J, etc)
• City parks (some have dump stations)
• Rest areas (certain states will have RV dump stations at rest areas)

When dumping your tanks, dump the black tank first. Then the grey tank.

This way, the grey water 'rinses' out the black tank 'residue'. Sure, the grey water is still gross, but which is worse?

If you said black (sewage), you are correct. If you said grey (dish/shower water), what is wrong with you??

You probably think that you will be out of range of help and that people 'out there' will want to get you or rob you. This is 100% not accurate. How do I know? Read on...

No criminals will drive miles and miles to look for some camper people are likely just vacationing in.

What are they going to get? Clothes? Food? Maybe a computer if they are lucky? Think about it. Not worth it.

Criminals are lazy, and they need a lot of low-lying fruit. That means lots of people and lots of opportunities, which means cities.

Case in point - recently, friends of ours stayed in an urban RV park after spending a month out in the middle of nowhere.

They didn't lock their truck because they were so used to not locking it while staying out in the boonies.

The first night in the RV park, someone rifled through the truck. This is an extremely rare event when you are boondocking.

As far as safety goes, don't worry about other people. Worry about real fears such as getting hurt or stuck somewhere without anyone around to help.

You're probably still afraid of dispersed camping if you have never done it. This is perfectly natural. You can stop worrying about 'bad people.'

Worry about YOU doing something dumb that could injure you or even cost you your life like this accident could have done to Marshall.

That's a much more realistic scenario.

RV Boondocking Safety Measures:

• Let someone know where you are going to be and when you will be back.
• If you are going to park TOTALLY remote and there are NO other people around, be sure to keep your phone on you at ALL TIMES, especially if you are solo. Share your location with friends/loved ones if you are in an area with cell reception.
• If you are going to go alone on hikes or park alone with no cell service, get yourself a satellite tracker. One that doesn't need cellular service to track you, get one that uses satellite. It might just save your life.
• Bear spray- get this and keep it handy in bear country.
• Never leave food outside overnight.
• Enjoy! Don't be paranoid. It will ruin your trip. There's nothing to be worried about as far as other people go. However, YOU could be your worst enemy if you don't do your due diligence. (But you're doing it now, so congrats on that!)
• Again, PIN the location of your RV in Google Maps, so that you can find it at night.

One thing that can make your boondocking experience even more fulfilling is to bring along man's best friend. (Or your cat.)

While it can be a fantastic time for you and your pet, some concerns go along with having your pet with you.

Here are some things you need to think about for their safety.

With pets, the biggest concern when primitive camping is usually heat. Full-timing boondockers chase elevation in the summer to get out of the hottest areas.

Still, there can be days hot enough to put your pet in danger in an enclosed RV if it starts rising above 70 degrees or so.

Even if you have the ability to run your air conditioner while boondocking, don't rely on it while you are away unless you have a temperature monitor such as the MarCELL or a Waggle Pet Monitor.

Keep vents open and turn the roof vent fan on. Crack windows if you can. Know how hot your RV gets at 'X' outside temperature before leaving pets inside on a hot day.

Either bring them with you if you have to leave during hot hours or don't leave your RV and leave it wide open. 

Other Pet Considerations:

• Make sure you bring your pets' essential medications and any prescription foods they eat.
• Keep a close watch on your pets when boondocking. They can get lost, and the coyotes are ready for an easy meal.
• Get your pets used to your RV at home before you take your trip. This way, they are less likely to get separation anxiety while you are away from the RV when you can't bring them with you.
• Certain areas do not allow dogs (Hikes, etc.). It's up to you to do your due diligence and know if you are allowed to bring Fido or not.
• Oh, and PICK UP or BURY your dog's poop!!!! Don't be that jerk trashing up sites, please.
• This should go without saying, but get your pets microchipped and have your contact info on their collar.

Heat is pretty easy to get in an RV. You likely have a propane furnace.

You can supplement it or replace it with a portable propane heater such as a Buddy Heater or Wave Heater.

You don't want to use an electric heater. Why? Because you will have to run the generator the whole time you are using it.

You likely aren't going to be able to your rig's air conditioning. Why?

Again, because you will have to be running your onboard generator to use it. Maybe you CAN, but if it's scorching, do you want to run the genny all day long?

Almost NO-ONE has enough of a battery bank to run an A/C for any meaningful amount of time.

Your portable generator also may not be able to produce enough power to turn on and run your A/C.

This is why it's best to go up in elevation in the summertime. Cooler during the day and while you are trying to sleep.

Try to park so your awning faces South or West to help reduce the heat. Or only go camping during Spring and Fall when the temps are milder.

Especially if you want to bring pets along.

That said, it's not a bad idea to have more than one cellular provider if you will boondock full-time.

If you want to do it for a week or weekend, you are probably fine having just your phone and possibly using it as a hotspot.

There are service maps (apps) out there, but are they reliable? Not 100%.

Campendium and The Dyrt offer maps of coverage for an additional fee. This helps save you a step of looking at another site.

Minimize Your Trash

Trash is an unfortunate side effect of being a human in our society. The more you boondock, the more aware you will be of how much waste we create as a society.

Much of the trash produced when RV boondocking comes from food packaging.

There are things you can do to minimize your trash.

Minimizing Ideas:

• Buy mostly fresh foods. Bring reusable bags to put it in.
• Bring your reusable grocery bags for carrying items.
• Take processed foods that you can out of the packaging and throw it away at the grocery store while you're still there. This also saves room in your pantry/fridge.
• Burn the trash that will burn (and isn't toxic to burn).

Trash Storage

If you are staying long enough to accumulate more than one trash can full, I recommend having a place outside your living area to store it.

I use a foldable/pop-up trash can in my truck bed. You should store it somewhere that bears/coyotes can't smell it or get into it.

You might have room in your motorhome basement. Or, if you have a toad, you can put it in a sealed container in there.

Finding places to dump your trash is challenging.

The most proper way to do so is to find the local dump/transfer station. If you can find it, by all means, head there.

Some people dump their SMALL trash bags at a gas station when they fill up. Others find open dumpsters.

Some go to nearby campgrounds and use the dumpsters there.

There are garbage cans everywhere in towns and cities. Or, keep your trash and throw it in your trash bins when you get home.

If you stay out long enough, be sure you have somewhere to put your trash in the meantime, so it doesn't stink up your living quarters!

The simple answer is yes - Your RV size matters when it comes to dispersed camping.

The larger your rig is, the more limited you will be in choices of remote camping locations.

The longer you are and the heavier you are, the more likely you are to get stuck or not fit. Taller RVs such as Class A motorhomes will sometimes have height issues.

Check boondocking location reviews for evidence of whether you will or won't fit. Some camping spots are limited to vans and tent sizes.

It just depends on where you want to go. But always check ahead of time by reading reviews carefully if you are a large rig.

I have a 24-foot travel trailer. In total length (including truck) I am pretty long. Unfortunately, I've been limited before.

Sometimes by lack of power (before I had four-wheel drive and a bigger engine), sometimes by height, sometimes by length.

Each boondocking spot is different.

So if you are still in the market for an RV and you know you want to boondock a lot, stay as small as you can.

How small is small? As a rule of thumb,  try to keep your trailer under 25' or so, and with a motorhome, under 30'.

Larger rigs won't have as many options. You will limit yourself somewhat the larger you go.

It's all about compromise.

We should strive to make the places we stay better than we found them.

With this principle in mind, here are some actual rules as well as unspoken words of advice:

• Pack it in and out
• Use existing roads only
• Don't dump your grey tank (it goes without saying, NEVER dump your black tank!)
• Fires- put them out COMPLETELY
• Pick up your dog's poo (AND your own, or bury it 6 inches deep)
• If you dig a hole to help get your rig level, fill it back in before you leave
• In general, leave the area better than you found it when possible
• Pick up trash around your site. EVEN if it's not yours.

There is much to know to boondock successfully. You should be armed with some basic knowledge about primitive camping before you try it.

This guide is an excellent start in getting you safely out there for the first time. Much of what you need to learn will be self-taught.

No website article can tell you precisely how many hours of full sun you need to re-charge your batteries.

No one can tell you just how hot it has to get outside for your RV temperature to rise above 90 degrees.

These are things you will learn with experience and are personal to your situation.

The best I can recommend that you do is find a place that is boondocker-friendly (an area such as Quartzsite, Arizona) and get out there and do it.

There are also many people boondocking in Q, so if you have questions or need help, you can easily find someone willing to help.

Have fun, enjoy it and say hi if you see me! (But don't park too close, LOL!)