I was recently exploring some off-road territory near Wickenburg, AZ. On GE, the Vulture Mountain road looked passable for my TH, but when I got there, the reality was that it was not - or at least riskier than I wanted while going solo. So, I ended up parking just off the road at a big flat where several other RV'ers had already established themselves. This was State Trust land, so apart from a permit, camping is free for up to 14 days with a permit.So I settled in and went for a short trail ride. While on this ride, I noticed a variety of trailers/tents that appeared to be well-established in their location, and it was pretty obvious these people had already been there more than the limit.It felt very sketchy camping near these long-term campers, and while riding, I stopped and talked to some people out wandering the desert. The conversation left me more than a bit concerned that I might experience a late-night visitation. I secured/locked everything up before going to bed, but I just didn't feel safe here. Nothing happened, but I camp to relax, not worry about whether I'm gonna get robbed. I cut my trip short because of this unease. I'm not a snowflake, and I am always well-armed, but I prefer to use my artillery as a deterrent, and would rather not unleash it. Has this ever happened to you? Any suggestions on how to deal with it, apart from just leaving and finding another location? Is there a forum or website I can check that reviews boondocking sites like this?I plan to retire soon and take longer trips, so any advice would be helpful.

I think you used wise judgement, leave while you can.

X2 no need to second guess a gut feeling.I have no advice to offer, retirement is not a word in my lexicon.I've only once encountered a bad gut feeling in my travels, when visiting the rather remote Goosenecks State Park in Utah.The park was deserted, except for natives selling jewelry. It wasn't selling jewelry that gave me issue, but that they had parked their vehicle so it wasn't visible until you were inside the park, at which point it was between me and the exit.Instant gut feeling cancelled my plans to spend a few nights.

Trust your gut and roll. I don't know of a website that will help either. Did you report your suspicions to the local LEOs?

I know where you are talking about. We spent a week at the Escapees park and rode around that area and it didn't look like an area to be hauling any large rigs. This year we stopped at Constellation park in Wickenburg and met another couple who stop there twice a year. They said that last year a TT was broken into during the day when the person went to town. I didn't have a bad feeling in that park but the couple asked us a few times to extend our stay because they obviously weren't comfortable yet they liked the park. We were the only ones there and they parked next to us. The market may be doing well but I sure dont believe it's a true reflection of life in the USA. I go to camp after camp that has a good number of basically homeless people. They ones that can afford to still be in a van or RV or something are called the "Wealthy homeless". I dont consider them all bad people but when push comes to shove and someone wants something they take it. There are a good number of people out there who are living the mobile lifestyle and look at others with jealousy. You notice it on some forums with comments like "Those people in the big motorhome" or "They came rolling in with their fancy fifth wheel". Any generators come up missing in Scaddan wash this year? ;)It seems most likely to run into trouble around cities and I'm not talking about Chicago or St Louis. I'm talking about Quartzsite or Yuma or Deming or wherever. The "Wealthy homeless" cant afford to drive far and the panhandling and theft opportunities are better in town. Look for vans and old class C's with contractor generators on a wood frame ready to fall off the back.

I will add that I try to use freecampsites.net and campendium. I'm starting to lean more toward the sites where you have to pay at least something to stay. That's one of the first steps in weeding out riff raff and then as mentioned above try to stay away from towns.I often try to make contact with others park around me in these places just to feel out the situation. There are some of the nicest people in the world who just have a difficult situation and there are also people who should be institutionalized. My prediction for these free places is that they will become worse and worse. The boondocking spot east of Cottonwood is a good example. I've been there 3 years in a row and stay in the same spot and spend hours picking up trash and raking up glass. If you go in to the far end of the site in looks like an actual dump. There were van seats, interior panels, plastic parts, mattresses, cupboards and all sorts of garbage. This year I noticed that the BLM? had dumped a pile of large boulders back there. It wouldn't surprise me that they aren't for blocking off access to part of the site. No entity has the resources to haul off tons of trash over and over. These places will be shut down and then people will scream about the BLM or the "Man". idiots just shaft themselves. On the other hand and not making excuses for anyone you do have to consider the overall situation in the country. It will get worse.

Boondocking or Squatting? | Good Sam Community

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jan 22, 2018
toedtoes wrote:
X2 completely.

(Shoot, I didn't even notice who I was agreeing with until after I posted :) ).

About that lottery ticket, LOL ;)
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2018
You know I had a dream avout lottery tickets last night. Might be something to this...
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jan 22, 2018
You play one this week and I'll play one this week. If either of us hit, we'll split it!
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2018
Deal!
Kenz71
Explorer
Jan 22, 2018
DiskDoctr wrote:
You play one this week and I'll play one this week. If either of us hit, we'll split it!

Can I join this club? Promise to share any winnings, especially yours ;)
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jan 23, 2018
freecampsites.net has many boondocking locations and some have reviews from previous campers as well as photos. There are directions as well as GPS locations. Create an account (free) and sign in to see any photos that may be attached. There are also county, state, city parks, Corp of Engineer, forestry parks, blm camping and other misc locations that have been reported by site users.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jan 23, 2018
2gypsies wrote:

The only time we felt uncomfortable and moved was when some yahoos set up their target practice and proceeded to fire away. We don't carry guns so just this noise made us uncomfortable.

Assuming there wasn't something else sketchy and they weren't shooting towards your rig, I would actually consider this safer.

Ammo isn't cheap, so that suggests they have some money and aren't desperately poor ready to steal the minute you aren't looking. Also that noise that made you feel uncomfortable makes criminals uncomfortable because they know someone has guns and they don't know who. No guarantees but better odds.

To the original post:
- Yes follow your gut. Better to walk away from a situation that isn't as bad as it looks rather than stay in a situation that is as bad as it looks.
- While you can notify the officials, I wouldn't expect much to be done.

This is one of those no win situations for the authorities. If they clean up the place and chase off the people causing problems, you can expect the papers to go after them for attacking the homeless or illegal aliens. If they don't, they have citizens not able to feel safe using public lands.
clikrf8
Explorer
Jan 27, 2018
We used to boondock in state or federal forest lands along the Oregon coast. Because the absentee homeowners/investors rent their homes via VRBO or Air BnB, rentals are xoensive forcing the workers in the low wage jobs to live in the woods. Or, at least that is what one told me. At Bastendorf Beach, a BLM free campsite, there were two burned out RVs parked there. We soent th3 night, nothing happened, but it was unnerving.
seagrace
Explorer
Feb 05, 2018
Went back to the same area this past weekend, but didn't take the TH. Instead, pulled the toy on my flatbed, went in a couple of miles, found a fantastic spot and logged over 60 miles of trail riding. Of the squatters I could see, they were the same ones there from over two weeks ago, but since I was further from the pavement, didn't see any more, and didn't run into any "wandering" the desert. Also had a chance to scope out more of the area and potential camping spots.

Checked out the Gates road open area on the east side of the Hassayampa, it is currently fenced off for "re-vegetation".
seagrace
Explorer
Mar 06, 2018
Went back to the same area again this past weekend. The same "boondockers" were still there, some looking more or less permanent. Makes me wonder why I even pay for the STL permit.

The draw for me is the riding, with some incredible trails from greens to double-blacks. The past couple of times out I didn't take the TH and instead camped with a tarp and a cot, but much further from the pavement and the squatters.

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