What Is Boondocking (And What It Isn’t)

Jul 6, 2020 |

What Is Boondocking (And What It Isn’t)

By Sara Sheehy

We’ve often been asked, ‘What exactly is boondocking?’ From phrases like ‘dry camping’ to ‘dispersed camping,’ there’s a lot of terminologies to contend with whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting out. Here’s our take on boondocking—what it is, and what it isn’t.

All About Boondocking

Boondocking has two main components: how you camp and where you camp. ‘Dry camping’ and ‘wild camping’ are two ways to describe the “how” of boondocking. When you boondock, there are no connections to water, electricity, and sewer like you’d find in a developed campground. There aren’t any bathrooms, water spigots, or picnic tables. It’s just you, your camper, and a piece of land to call your own for a night or two. Boondocking is generally free, though sometimes a permit is required.

Now, let’s tackle the second component of boondocking, the “where” of camping. Here’s our take on what is boondocking, and what is not.

Dispersed Camping

Boondocking is dispersed camping on public land. Dispersed camping is camping outside of a designated campground, on lands that are managed for this purpose. You’ll find a durable surface to park your rig or pitch your tent, but little else.

The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Department of Fish and Wildlife are great examples of public land management agencies that allow dispersed camping on some of the lands that they manage. You can find locations on Campendium or check directly with the managing agency for more information.

Once you’ve found a place where you can enjoy dispersed camping, be sure to adhere to the Leave No Trace principles. Good campsites are found, not made!

For more information about Boondocking, be sure to check out our Boondocking 101 article for more rules and boondocking tips.

Designated Dispersed Camping

Due to skyrocketing interest in dispersed camping, some popular destinations have suffered from issues like irresponsible campsite creation, littering, and overcrowding. In an effort to keep these areas open, the Forest Service and BLM are increasingly transitioning these areas to “designated dispersed camping.”

In these areas, campsites are clearly marked and you must be at a campsite to spend the night. Some designated dispersed areas are also shortening the amount of time you’re allowed to stay so that more people have the opportunity to camp. Be sure to confirm the stay limit with the managing agency before settling in.

How to Find Boondocking

The easiest way to find boondocking is by searching Campendium for your general destination. Click on the Price filter and select “Free.” Then, click on the Category filter and select “Public Land.”

Alternatives to Boondocking

At Campendium, there are some forms of dry camping that, to us, simply don’t capture the essence of what boondocking really is. They are:

Dry Camping in a Developed Campground

While not being plugged in may feel like you’re roughing it, developed campgrounds often have some amenities that differ from boondocking. Camp hosts, vault toilets, and picnic tables are some of the tell-tale signs of a developed campground, along with the fee you’ll often pay for your stay.

Parking Lot Camping

Overnight parking at a Walmart, casino parking lot, truck stop, or rest area is dry camping in a parking lot. Because these aren’t public lands, they can’t truly be considered boondocking. Wally-docking and casino camping are the only ones that have a cute name; we’re still working on a nickname for the others.

mooch-docking

Campendium HQ mooch-docking at a friend’s house.

Mooch-Docking

Even though there is a website that welcomes boondockers to private driveways, camping in a driveway isn’t boondocking. If you aren’t paying to stay overnight, it’s fun to call it mooch-docking. If you are paying, then it’s more accurately described as driveway camping.

Get Ready to Boondock

While dry camping is not always boondocking, it’s a great way to test the waters.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to boondock but are nervous about taking the leap, an RV Park or even your driveway is a great place to practice dry camping. Put away the power cable, water, and sewer hose and see how long you can go!

The next step will be to move on to an actual dry camping spot. You’ll be in the comforts of an organized campground where your spot is clearly marked and the road in should be easy to access. After a few nights of dry camping in a campground, you’ll be ready to head out into the boonies.

When researching your first boondocking spot, be sure to read the reviews. You’ll want to go somewhere that’s easily accessible (keep an eye out for road condition reports in the reviews themselves). Plan to arrive during the day when there is enough light to find a spot. Most importantly, before pulling down any dirt road with your rig, be sure to find a safe place to pull over and get out and scout the road. The last thing you want to do is get stuck! Sometimes you can scout on foot, and in other cases, you may have to unhitch and drive. It’s worth repeating, arrive during the day, and be sure to scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.

There is nothing like the wide-open space of a boondocking spot where the only sounds you hear are the birds chirping and it doesn’t cost a dime. You might find that you’re not keen to return to an RV park anytime soon (until it’s time to empty your holding tanks, that is!).

While boondocking, make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and adhere to any posted stay limits. Boondocking on public lands is a privilege. Treat the land with respect and care, and we’ll all be able to enjoy the experience for years to come.

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