Make Boondocking Easier With These 5 Things

Aug 31, 2020 | Boondocking, Camping Tips

Make Boondocking Easier With These 5 Things

These items will help improve your boondocking experience, no matter if you're a seasoned pro or first-timer.

By Meg Carney

Whether you’re traveling across the country or just out for a quick trip, there’s always a chance that you’ll be boondocking at least a night or two along the way. First, it’s a free place to stay, and second, it often lets you escape the crowds in busy, cramped campgrounds.

Related Everything You Need to Know About Boondocking

Knowing what to bring can be tricky if you’ve never gone boondocking or dry camping. You will need different things than you would at a campground, as you’ll essentially be self-sufficient. There’s no access to hookups, water, or a public bathroom when boondocking.

The good news is that there are plenty of overlapping boondocking gear essentials, whether you’re in a camper van, hauling an Airstream, car camping with a tent, or anything in between. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it covers the must-have items that you won’t want to forget.

solar panels set up next to a van in the desert
A solar panel setup for boondocking.

1. Power System and Chargers

The first essential on our list is geared toward boondockers living in a camper or van. If you are car camping, a generator may not be necessary. However, it can be nice to have a few portable chargers around for charging your phone, headlamp, etc.

A generator, solar panel power system, or other off-grid power source makes dry camping spots much more hospitable. It lets you still enjoy all of the creature comforts of your van or camper, like the kitchen, fridge, and lights. Full-time travelers who work while they travel will find an off-grid power system invaluable.

Some of the best options for an off-grid power setup include:

The main deciding factor in choosing your power source is the fuel type. You can use generators powered by gasoline or invest in a solar system that charges a bank of batteries with sunlight.


camping light hanging on a tree
A camping light hanging on a tree branch.

2. Lights

No matter how you power your camping experience, you will probably want some lights. Even if you are tent camping, having a lantern or a headlamp is a must. If you have a van or camper, your lighting may be more elaborate.

Some of the best light sources are rechargeable in one way or another. For instance, the Luci Lanterns have a small solar panel on them, so they can recharge their batteries while in the sun during the day. Or, if you want something even simpler, you can opt for a rechargeable headlamp.

For camp stays longer than one or two nights, stringing up LED lights around the camper door, awning, or outdoor kitchen will make camp life easier as the sun begins to set.

If you have a pet, add a small LED light to their collar to make it easy to find them around camp each night. Seeing them from a distance will bring some ease of mind when you let them out to go to the bathroom or head out on a late-night stroll.


propane heater
A Mr. Heater portable heater.

3. Heating and Cooling

Depending on the time of year you’re traveling, packing a portable heater or a battery-powered fan can be the difference between a cozy night’s sleep or lying awake.

If you don’t have a heating system in your camper or aren’t traveling within four walls, one of the best ways to keep your tent, van, or camper heated during cold spells is the propane heater known as Mr. Heater. You can use small propane tanks to power this portable heat source, and you’re good to go. Just remember that propane heaters need to be adequately ventilated. The one stand-out feature about these heaters is that although it uses a flame to heat, the power is cut if the heater tips over for any reason, making it less of a fire hazard.

Even if you have air conditioning in your camper, a fan is a perfect way to keep bugs away when cooking outside or cool down a pet on a hot day. A battery-powered fan will save some of your portable energy and make it easy to move around. Plus, it makes a perfect addition to a car camping setup and sleeping in a tent.


man filling up a water jug next to trailer
Filling up a hard-sided water jug.

4. Water Containers

One of the challenges of dry camping or boondocking is limited access to water. There may be a water source nearby, but that will require a filter or purification system. Packing one or two water containers is an essential gear option. Water containers for camping often range from 5 to 45 gallons.

A 45-gallon water container isn’t feasible unless you stay in a camper trailer. Most van and car camping boondockers will pack a few 5-gallon containers for ease of use instead of having one giant tank.

Designs will vary; you can choose a water bladder, a hard-sided tank, or even a collapsible 5-gallon tank. Just be sure that whatever water container you choose is BPA-free and holds more than enough water to last the length of your stay.


electric coolers outside in nature setting
Dometic electric cooler options.

5. Cooler or Fridge

If you’re prepared and have a cool place to store your favorite foods, making gourmet meals on the road is possible. When you car camping in a tent, your options will be somewhat limited, but many campers with off-grid setups choose to have a fridge. In those situations, you still have to be careful not to get a fridge that sucks all of your stored power.

You will likely resort to a cooler if you don’t have an off-grid power source. While there are many great coolers on the market today, one of the best brands for extended camping trips is YETI. The YETI Tundra cooler can hold ice for an impressive amount of time, but it won’t keep things fresh forever.

Another option is to check out an electric cooler, like the options from Dometic. Electric coolers save you time from dealing with ice and keep your food and drinks chilled.

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