The truth about Boondocking

icanon wrote:

Some examples I wonder about are where to boondock, how do you know if you're allowed to camp there, how to know if you're not on private land and not get shot for camping there.

Most of the National Forests I have been to have MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Maps) that show where dispersed camping is allowed. In a disperced camping area you can camp just about anywhere the camper will fit, thou they do prefer you use existing "trails" and such to get there. BLM and State lands often do something similar. Check out the website for the public land where you intend to go.

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml

icanon wrote:
What do you do with gray and black water?

You will get plenty of opinions on this one. We use biodegradable soap and our grey water stays at the campsite. I generally dig a small hole under the drain and open the grey water valve upon ariving. I have found that it is very neat, and doesn't stink, if you let it drip out at the rate you use it, just like the tent campers with a 7 gal jug on their table. Dumping it at the end of the trip does stink and make a mess.

Black water stays in the tank until we dump on the way home. Even on 10 day trips we have never ran out of black space with 5 people.

icanon wrote:
Do you pee in the woods or behind a rock if in the desert to save tank space?

Yes.. which is part of the reason our black tank can last for 10 days, or more if we had to.

This includes my wife and 3 daughters.

icanon wrote:
Yeah, seems like silly questions but I wonder what people really do?

Not really silly. IMHO campgrounds (not including the primitave ones miles from pavement) isn't camping. Dispersed/Boondocking IS camping. So ask all the questions you want and get into the woods away from everybody.

icanon wrote:
How long do people stay in one place, do they move when they run out of water or food etc.

As long as my trip is, which is generally 3 or 4 days and as many as 10 days a couple times a year.

We take enough food and water for the duration of the trip. Sometimes the onboard 50 gallons is enough and sometimes we take extra. I will find out if there are any nearby water sources. I have driven 45 minutes before with empty water jugs to get potable water. For a 10 day trip it takes a potable water source and taking water, but these are both easy enough.

icanon wrote:
Do you leave the TT there to get water or whatever?

Yes.

icanon wrote:
Do you worry about theft, people roaming around near or in your campsite?

Only if I have to camp in a campground near civilization. Generally people that leave the city and head into the woods are not the kind of people you have to worry about. They also realize that most people that recreate in the woods are armed, at least out here anyways.

icanon wrote:
I read somewhere about people being attacked by wild animals at night while letting their pet relieve themselves nearby. Is it the 'wild west' shoot first ask questions later?

I have never heard of this happening.

We have had foxes, coyotes, raccoons, etc roam thru camp but never anything happen from it.

I am armed fairly well, but generally don't worry about anything.

Be sure you have a way to recharge your camper batteries.

Camping is so much better when your off the gird, off the pavement, can't hear the highway and just enjoy the stream/river/lake with friends and family.