Boondocking and Dry Camping Advice

Wether you call it boondocking or dry camping, RVing without being connected to water, electric, or sewer needs proper preparation. Here are some tips on getting it right.

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Words by Jason Betzing

Boondocking and dry camping mean essentially the same thing; camping somewhere in your RV with no electrical, water, or sewage connections. This type of camping usually conjures the image of a beautiful secluded mountain view or a secret site on the water. But there are a few different places to boondock and the experience is as diverse as the locations chosen. We have boondocked in a variety of spots and I thought I would share the experience, lessons learned, and ways to make the experience more enjoyable.

Pros and Cons

One advantage of boondocking instead of developed RV campgrounds is that no reservation is required. It’s nice just to roll up and pull into any spot you choose. Another is the cost. It’s hard to beat FREE if you’re trying to stretch your budget. If you have an older RV, the wildlife doesn't care how old it is and you won't be turned away. The amazing places we can boondock and the ability to get away from it all are our favourite things about boondocking.

However, the downsides include the obvious lack of services. Narrow, winding roads and small sites may prohibit big rigs from getting the best spots. Although rare, it's necessary to be more prepared in case conditions change and you are forced to stay longer. For instance, if the road becomes impassable after it rains. Cellular coverage could be poor preventing us digital nomads from being able to work. If anyone has medical conditions or an emergency, help may be very far away.

Where to Boondock?

Very popular free locations to boondock are business parking lots. Pull into any Walmart, and you'll likely see a small group of RVs parked in the furthest corner of the lot. Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel and IHOP are also popular. We’ve done this and it was not something we would do again. It's best suited for someone transiting who just needs a stop for a quick overnight. You'll want to check ahead as local laws and policies are always changing.

Another way to boondock for free is by staying in rest areas or pull-offs that allow overnight parking. In the U.S. this will vary by state and will require some quick research. While some states allow travelers to sleep in their vehicles as long as needed, some have a time limit while others prohibit it. In Canada, each rest area will post if large vehicles are allowed and the length of stay permitted, (usually one to four hours). We stayed at a rest area outside of Vail, CO when we hit unexpected snow and were just too tired to go on. A word of caution, if you put out slides and set up camp, you could be forced to leave or even ticketed. While overnight parking may be allowed, "camping" usually isn't. As with parking lots, this is also best suited for a quick stop to grab some shut-eye while transiting.

While this option isn’t free, staying in a private RV park’s overflow or dry camp area will usually save about half the normal rate. You'll still be able to use the amenities such as showers, laundry, and pool. On the way out, you can make a quick stop at the dump station, usually included with the overnight rate.

Harvest Hosts is a relatively new option. It's a very reasonable annual membership plan and you can boondock in beautiful, unique locations such as wineries, ranches, and museums. This option does require reservations and you can find out more about this on their website.

Mooch-docking jokingly refers to parking at our family and friend’s homes. We do this for several months every year while visiting our family in Michigan and Washington. It’s a great option if they have enough room for your rig. If they let you plugin, even better!

Lastly, “Dispersed Camping” on BLM (Bureau of Land Management), WLA (Wildlife Management Areas), Grasslands, State land, and Crown Lands are in my opinion, the most enjoyable option to truly "unplug" for a while. If you are looking for seclusion, this is the way to do it. There are thousands of acres available with breathtaking scenery everywhere you look. In the U.S. most of the boondock-friendly land in the U.S. is in the midwest and west coast, while in Canada the majority lies to the north. It's usually free, but some state/provincial parks and developed dry camping spots charge a small fee, ($8-$12 in our experience). If they charge a fee there are usually amenities of some type ranging from pit toilets, bathrooms, drinking water, or dump stations.

Talk to the Experts

The Park Rangers in the district you stay in will have the best local information. It’s important to know about local hunting seasons and any seasonal restrictions beforehand. Knowing weather seasons and patterns will help you travel safely and rangers can tell you about these. Many ranger stations have paper maps, which are essential. Electronic navigation is awesome, but you should have a backup plan to navigate if your going way off-grid. Park Rangers will also be able to tell you which animals to watch out for and how to protect yourself. Doing some research online before arriving can provide some of the same information. If the websites are current, you may be able to get alerts and even download and print the local maps.

National Forests https://www.fs.usda.gov

BLM https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/camping

Comfort Level, Realistic Expectations

To prepare for boondocking in an RV, consider what kind of experience you want to have. To simply get away from it all and truly “rough it”, you only need to stock up on as much food and water as you can and you’ll be able to stay as long as your supplies allow. Keep in mind your refrigeration type, capacity and how long it can run on either battery or propane, or how long ice will last in a cooler.

If you want a little electricity for things like 24V lighting, then you’ll need a battery or two onboard. Connecting several batteries (known as a battery bank) will give you more power for longer. Adding some form of power generation will give you 110V 20A, 30A, or 50A electrical service wherever you are. These generally include solar power, portable or installed generators. If you make enough power, you can boondock with all the comforts of being plugged into shore power.

Besides supplies and power, your water, gray water, and sewage capacities will limit how long you can stay in one spot. For us, about a week is our max due to gray water and sewage tank capacities.

Finally, the rules will dictate how long you can boondock. Parking lots and rest areas are usually limited to one day, while public lands are 14-30 days per spot before having to break camp and move to a new spot.

Actionable Steps:

  • Determine where you want to stay and if you need to get a permit
  • Contact local BLM or National Forest office and talk to rangers or go online to get valuable information and alerts
  • Stock up on supplies, especially water and plan for more than you need, (we were stuck for an extra week in the Redwoods because of forest fires)
  • Ensure any RV maintenance is completed before heading into the wild. For us, this means monthly generator and battery maintenance
  • Tell others where you’re going and how long you plan to be there
  • Bring things to do such as games, puzzles for any inclement weather days
  • Prepare for the worst, have a current first aid kit

Boondocking can be a rewarding and ironically inexpensive way to see some of the most beautiful landscapes around. You can easily go from oceanside to cactus-studded desert, up onto a canyon rim and then to green meadows with snow-capped mountain views. With a little preparation and realistic expectations, your boondocking experience can be nothing short of epic.