Today I want to share some beginner tips on “boondocking” with you guys. The more I talk about it over on my instagram, the more questions I get in my inbox. So I thought it would be handy to put together a blog post on how to do it, where to find spots to boondock and what you need to bring.
What is boondocking?
Lets start with the basics my friends – what the heck is boondocking? Boondocking is essentially camping without hookups. But more so, it’s RVing without being connected to water, electricity, or sewer of any kind. It’s oftentimes also called “primitive camping”. Feel free to check out this blog post about Boondocking near Carlsbad Caverns for more general information.
Where can you boondock?
The best resource I have found for boondocking is www.campendium.com. It’s super easy to navigate. Just type in where you are going and it will show you all camping options in that area – both campgrounds and private ones. If you are specifically searching for free camping, just navigate from that tab and search from there. The best thing about campendium is that people leave reviews and share pictures, which I find to be really helpful.
You can learn more about primitive camping on public lands over at the Bureau of Land Management website.
What you need:
So to boondock you can bring as much or as little as YOU need to be comfortable. I’ll be focusing mostly on boondocking via Travel Trailer, Camper and RV but if you are tent camping, the basics are as follows:
For tent camping:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Flashlight/ Lantern
- Food
- Water
- Multitool (with scissors, knife, hammer, etc.)
- Firewood (if permitted)
- Trashbags (leave no trace)
- Shovel (to bury your poop)
- First Aid Kit
- Insect Repellent
- Cell phone and portable charger
- Map
For RV/ TT/ Camper:
- Water
- Extra water jug
- Gas
- Propane
- Generator (not a must, but it will make you more comfortable)
- Portable charger (Jackery)
- Trash bags (leave no trace)
- Food
- Firewood (if permitted)
When you are boondocking in your own vehicle, camper, etc. ideally, you already have many things inside your rig -things like plates, utensils, games. Your pantry, fridge and water tank are probably stocked, so you’ll need to “bring” fewer things than if you are tent camping.
Unwritten “Rules” for Boondocking:
The first unwritten rule is to give people space! The whole point of boondocking is to have not only a free campsite but to have a little more privacy and enjoy some solitude. Therefore, if you are fining a spot to boondock, don’t park your rig right next to someone else who is already there. If space allows, spread out!
Rule number two is to follow the “Leave No Trace” principles. When taking advanatge of dispersed camping keep in mind that there will not be dumpster or trash cans around, so be sure to plan ahead and be able to pack out everything you bring in. By keeping our free campsites clean, we as the RV/ Van Life/ Nomad community are ensuring being able to take advantage of boondocking for years to come!
Feel free to check out my video below where I go over much of what I talked about in this blog post and showcase some really beautiful spots we have stayed at in the past:
