I've found searching for a good boondocking location very difficult online. Is that because they are like fishing holes? I.e., no one wants to share where the good spots are?What I'd like to find is a list of places where there are places to pull out, on public land (now please don't respond with "go to the BLM site" as it is almost worthless for what I need).

freecampsites.net is not horrible.

For me the whole point of boondocking is getting away from everybody else. I have spots I will never share with the public. Family and friends know about them.A lot of great areas were ruined by all night partyers.

DarkSkySeeker wrote:I've found searching for a good boondocking location very difficult online. Is that because they are like fishing holes? I.e., no one wants to share where the good spots are?What I'd like to find is a list of places where there are places to pull out, on public land (now please don't respond with "go to the BLM site" as it is almost worthless for what I need).Realistically, you have to do a lot of internet research to find potential boondocking spots, starting with the BLM site, COE, NF, etc. Then, you have to go to satelite sites and look at the views, then you have to look at sites like freecampsites.com for any comments by folks who stayed in that area, and on and on.RV boondocking is not for the anti-research crowd. Tent campers can pretty much drive out and find a spot anywhere, but with an RV, you have to be much more mindful of access roads, soft ground, etc. Your best bet is to find a group of tent campers and ask them for advice - they will best be able to provide you with potential new spots and tell you if your RV will be able to get there and back safely.

I have found our boondocking sites in the local National forests. I get a map of the forest or district areas and park our 5er in a nearby campground and take day trips (without the 5er) into the forests and note certain areas that would work. Don't want to be searching for sites while connected - may need to back out.

the Ontario way.... look for crown land on map. drive around it until satisfied with location. camp.

Why are boondocking sites so hard to find online?

23 Replies

ctilsie242
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2017
The problem is that you never know who is watching/listening. That secluded boondocking site you are at, once published might bring unwanted visitors like:

The police or sheriff.
People looking for a secluded spot to do drugs.
The landowner who realizes that a chunk of his property is now mentioned in public.
People waiting for a boondocker to come by, to rob or just to vandalize a vehicle.
People looking for a spot to dump tons of junk or waste where they are unlikely to get caught. Then when someone comes to the spot, they get blamed for the dumping.

Best thing to do for boondocking spots is to find groups. Sometimes a local group may freely mention spots that would never be told anywhere else.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Mar 16, 2017
Caus the Internet doesn't work so good in the boondocks?
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
Yep, the difference between a great boondocking site and a lousy one is the lousy one is lousy because everybody knows about it and its ruined!!

Daryll
tatest
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2017
Information gets online (on the World Wide Web) because somebody has something to sell. A boondocking site is a place in the wilderness where you might park for free. Nobody has an incentive to advertise it. If somebody has a favorite place in the middle of nowhere, why would they share it to draw thousands of people to the same place? Fishing hole theory fits.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
Please see this post, and be sure to click on his signature link entitled 615 campsites. Some of them are free sites, most are dry camping, and all are out west.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29216159.cfm
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
If the good boondocking spots were published everyone would know about them & soon they would not be good anymore. Just like good fishing spots. The good fisherman does not blab where he goes all over.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Mar 14, 2017
So there are still some things you can just find on the inner webs.....cool!
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
We also have trouble finding places we know are okay for our rig due to lack of information given. Many sites give you no idea if the spot is suitable for something other than a tent or popup, the roads in etc, so it does take a lot of research to even decide if you can go with a larger rig. Thank you to all who post pictures in your reviews and give information regarding size and access.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
Honestly, I grab a site at an established state campground, and then go exploring from there for campsites in the future. The BLM site has been a great source of info along with Google Earth. Just drop the trailer and scout it out in person before towing in.
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
every national forest visitor center will have maps of the dispersed sites in their area and will be able to tell you if you can get your rig in and out of the sites...which is the most important thing you need to know. :)
they can also tell you where the nearest water and sewer sources are.