Boondocking Etiquette

Leave a chair or sawhorse with a note attached and dated. Stating that you are camping here and will be back in a few hours.

I leave two cheap bright red chairs with a note. I cable lock the chairs to something if possible. And I take a photo of the camping tag on the post and the chairs with my vehicle.

Generally, you can't "boondock" in the national parks.
- In the National Parks, there are formal campgrounds. Usually there is a post at your site where you put the reservation slip after you pay for the site.
- On BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, you can often boondock. There your idea of a sawhorse with a note should generally work but no guarantees.

If you carry a ladder with you, we have seen people leave those set up on the site with a posted sign that says the site is "OCCUPIED". They either had the signs made, or found them to purchase some where. They were good size and easily seen. They often do that in campgrounds too.

I have found - all bets are off if you leave, the site becomes available. I would not intrude on a marked site but many people would.

A sign like this works for us. We clip it to post on formal campgrounds. Make sure you are registered!
Campsite Occupied
I would not leave items like a good ladder or chairs. In the old days yes, but times are changing.

Same situation as you. We bought a cheap 2 person tent and set that up when we went on day trips. Takes up very little space.

second for a cheap tent. I keep it stored way in the back of my truck camper. If I want to "reserve" a legal campsite in a first come first serve campground or dispersed camping site, I will sometimes set up the tent in an obvious spot out in the open.

BLM & USFS, many State lands are open to dispersed camping. Many are not. Inquire from the dept. for maps, before you go. the USFS calls theirs MVUM ( motor vehicle use maps ) that show where and when you can camp on or use forest service land.
BLM & State lands have their own rules, of dispersed camping locations and ' marking your site'. while away for the day is accepted with personal effects
14 day stay limits are the normal, with a move of 25 miles to the next site.
I have seen this rule broken in Az. BLM, rigs a month or more in the same spot. Here in the Black Hills NF , it is enforced. A ranger will make you move.
Off Road Vehicle use on the land seems to be a concern, with wild land fire major. The areas Ive seen off limits to dispersed camping are areas with tall grass, dense forest, remote for emergency fire service.
Get out and enjoy your lands. Be respectful, do no harm. Any unnatural marker you are away for the day should do.

Scooper31,

Welcome to RV net!

Boondocking is not quite the same as "dry" camping.

Often boondocking is finding a site that is free and without any services.

"dry" camping can be done in a paid site.

My favorite trip planer is here:

https://freecampsites.net/