Where did you last boondock?

Phil, there would be a heck of a "co-pay" on that insurance, not to mention the premium! One time, we were boondocking up in the Sierras when a freak snowstorm came in and dumped on us -- we got out just in time (at 2 am!), but there were several other folks nearby who waited a little too long and had to call in the tow trucks the next day. The Ranger told us that each tow cost $500 -- these folks were way back in the woods, and there was more than a foot of wet snow. I don't know if the ranger was right about the amount, but I would not want to find out the hard way.

That tracked vehicle for towing out of wet Salt Flats raises a question: If one has "good" Emergency Road Service coverage - will they pay for a tracked vehicle RV tow out of the Salt Flats.

The reason I ask is .... we go offroad a bit with our small Class C and I'd sure like - and pay the premiums for - RV EORS, if someone offered it.

(EORS = Emergency Off-Road Service)

Just came back from Carroll Summit on hwy 722 in central Nevada. We had two other RV's with us. Hot days cool nights. We were giving the neighbors new bighorn a test run. I don't think we were too popular with the deer hunters with all our tearing up and down the trails.

Love the pics from the Salt Flats. That was on our potential "list" earlier this year, but we altered plans to another route. Hope to make it there one day. Just love that crazy view.

Roy&Lynne wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Potholes reservoir near Othello WA

Is that the place by the dam?I stayed at the State Park once and we walked down there. It looked really nice

You mean the Mar Don resort? No.

Lots of stuff...ooohhh...I have been past there a bunch of times but never stopped. Had no idea that the surface got so soft, as to require a 'cat' to get out of it. I've always meant to try and time my pass-by to coincide with Speed Week, but so far....missed it.

Neat pix...thanks.


Gary Haupt

Our last boondocking site proved interesting.
It was the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats. We spent a night there this last June.




Wife at sign.


June can be a little early to drive on the salt. Tourists in rental cars tend to get stuck.


Others with four wheel drive try to help and they get stuck as well.
Then they call Wendover for help. Thank goodness for cell phones.
The towing company uses a tracked vehicle to extract people. Notice it on the right.


I think the tow company keeps busy much of the year.


We on the other hand had a very interesting and eventful boondocking evening.

2oldman wrote:
Potholes reservoir near Othello WA

Is that the place by the dam?

I stayed at the State Park once and we walked down there. It looked really nice

Handbasket mentioned the Perseids -- this should be a great year, especially in the early hours of August 12, after the moon sets. Unfortunately, I am tied up with family obligations -- but anyone who has never seen this annual meteor shower should try to get way out in the boonies for some dark, clear skies.

Depends on one's definition of 'boondocking', it has been many years since we have done in the boonies dry camping. But for dry camping, most times it is how we camp/overnight and/or stay.

If you would count dry camping in a somewhat undeveloped place to camp, but with a fee to use, we did several nights & days at one across Resurrection Bay from the town of Seward, Alaska starting 20th July. $15 a night, on set site markings, large gravel graded area, no tables, no water, no developed fire rings (a few made by earlier campers), no real shade (a tree line between some of the 'parking/camping' area & the beach), but two outhouse toilets & dumpsters.


We also dry camped at Morgan State Park near Soldotna, AK (had fire rings, grills, tables & gravel site, road) & at Clam Gulch State Recreation Area (gravel parking lot site (no fire ring, grill or table at our site, which were numbered/marked. Then we went back to the Seward site for a few more days. Seems they were about $10 or $15 per night as well.

We where in a rented Aliner towed with our son's TC.

For last time dry camping in the Lower 48 in our Scamp, this would have to be at Juniper Camp Ground at Bandelier Nat'l Mon't (3 loops, 56 sites, I believe). $6 a night with Senior Pass. Stayed two nights. No electric, first come, first served, water near by in campground & at the dump station. Nice campground. Flush toilets, no showers. One may run generator from 8 am to 8 pm if needed. This is in the 47th State, New Mexico - With A Trip Report last summer.


As for real boondocking: Did a few trips dispersed/boondock camping by Cloudcroft, NM years ago in the Lincoln Nat'l Forest.

:S As for some real remote boondocking: The Springtime Campground (but only 12 miles south of I-25 exit #115 via NM 1, FR 225; we always used the Red Rock Exit 100, then NM 1 N to FM 225) and the Luna Park Campground (only 8 miles northeast of Monticello via FRs 139 & 225, but we used CoRd 34 from exit 92 off I-25) always seemed pretty remote. In Southern New Mexico between Socorro & Truth or Consequences (TorC).

I have driven by Spring Time & Luna Park with a Scout II & a CJ-7; I tent camped dispersed near Luna Park (off the road over some hills in a saddle between two hills (must have been the most true boondocking we have done, 33 years ago. On the road to Spring Time, we dispersed in a Class C MH.

Never camped here, Red Cloud Campground (18 miles southwest of Corona via US 54 and FRs 161 & 399 Latitude: 34.2103491 Longitude: -105.7558336) seemed pretty remote as well when we drove by Red Cloud in a Ford Ranger deer hunting some years ago.

In the Gila Nat'l Forest (on the edge of the Gila Wilderness), Dipping Vat Campground is adjacent to the west side of Snow Lake. Snow Lake is approximately 52 miles southeast of Reserve, New Mexico. Willow Creek Campground is near by as well; approximately 55 miles from the town of Reserve. But from over by Glenwood, from US 180 to Mogollon on NM 159, then FR 142 & FM 1421, it is only about 36 miles. Maybe a little less than two hours to drive.

I have camped at Willow Creek in a small TC. I drove over to Snow Lake in a small TC, really a camper shell, no over the cab. Almost 40 yrs. or so ago.