Finding safe location for boondocking

Nearly all the boondocking locations outside of cities are safe. So the simple way to go is to avoid the cities! That's what I do. (Nothing I want to see in the city anyhow, I see plenty of city every day while working.) My biggest safety concerns in the boonies are (1) make sure I'm not parking in a flood-prone area, (2) make sure I'm not parking on a big ant hill, and (3) keep an eye out for mountain lions and bears. ;)

WyoTraveler wrote:
I am assuming you are talking about rural areas. First, anyone can be a victim almost anyplace. I try to just be vigilent and observant. ...

X2 yes it can happen anywhere.

But what I do is check here first.

Map is based on 'actual' documented crimes. I was surprised about a lot of areas I THOUGHT were safe until I pulled the area up on this map....including many Walmarts. :W

http://www.spotcrime.com/

If you find ANY place to boondock near Chetek, WI let us know!

Someone related to me their experience with boondocking next to a peaceful stream a few miles down a forest access road in a clearing used by many paddlers as a place to park and launch from.

Their mid-week break was interrupted by dozens of heavily armed men and a helicopter buzzing overhead as the sun came up one morning.

It seems that some less than law-abiding had a pot growing operation in the forest directly across the stream from where they were camping.

Needless to say they had a memorable camping trip.

I, too, don't associate boondocking with high crime areas. WalMart overnight is not considered boondocking, if that's what you mean.

To me boondocking is a nice scenic spot on public lands such as BLM or national forests. We did a lot of it and never felt unsafe even though we were far from civilization and without neighbors. We also felt safe leaving the RV and taking the Jeep siteseeing. In 16 years of full-timing we never felt unsafe or had any problems. Just use common sense.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
When you are driving through a strange town, and see a lot of bars on the windows, then you know it is not a place where the residents feel safe at night. . ..

I look for a school on weekends, or a church on weekdays.

Good luck,

Fred.

Is that what this thread is about???

To me, 'boondocking' means camping in the forest or desert or whatever, usually on public lands, where there is no campground. That's why it's hard for me to think of a high-crime boondocking area.

Not that I don't worry about scary people, camping alone. But I am worried about one crime, not a crime WAVE.

When you are driving through a strange town, and see a lot of bars on the windows, then you know it is not a place where the residents feel safe at night. . ..

I look for a school on weekends, or a church on weekdays.

Good luck,

Fred.

Thanks for your comments!

I know that as a tourist in a city I look for well lit ares with lots of people around. I was just wondering if there were any generalizations like that for boondocking. I will check out rv sue and mellow mike.

I'm trying to figure out what a high-crime boondocking area would be.

I do avoid places that are obviously the local party spot for drunk teenagers, even if it's not the weekend and nobody is around. I feel like there is a bad vibe. These places are identifiable by the broken bottles / beer cans / condoms.

WyoTraveler wrote:
I am assuming you are talking about rural areas. First, anyone can be a victim almost anyplace. I try to just be vigilent and observant. If I feel uncomfortable I wouldn't camp there. Are other campers in the area? Do I feel comfortable around them? It is just like driving in a different town that I haven't been in before. If I walk into a store am I in my comfort zone? I don't think it is any one thing.

I have to agree with the above statement. When DW and I boondock,we usually stay in BLM Campgrounds. We have stayed in several Wal Mart locations,but more often than not we stay in the BLM campgrounds, while traveling in our RV. Google RV Sue, she has a very interesting blog about Boondocking, Also Google MelloMike. He's also a moderator here and does a lot of boondocking. Whazoo also a member here has good info.