Boondocking: Kansas, Alabama, Missouri

[INSAYN]

Referencing my other thread....

INSAYN's road trip

What kind of open land or public landscape can we look for in these states. Granted I'm not putting down a particular route through these states, as I don't know till I get there. Tornados, Hurricanes, suggestions from travelers, and other changes along the way can better dictate our exact route.

Just looking for last minute tips on where we could boondock, overnight, stealth it for one or more days in these states without dealing with pompous police, negative ranger Rick, or high crime rate areas.

Whatcha got? :C

[mikestock]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you take the "commercial" sites out that still leaves 20 places to stay.

After some investigation, I have researched 10 or so of these boondocking sites that are not truck stops or Camping Worlds. Seven say primitive or backpacking. Three say tent or very small RV only. Some, I couldn't find any information. Haven't found one that would accomodate a 37' fifth wheel trailer.

I do, however, know of one, called the "Gravel Pit". It is located on the Tennessee River near Muscle Shoals. It is on TVA property and is well secured.

[INSAYN]

Awesome info. I know this is kinda late in the game just now geting to this info, but my last few months has been nutz getting everything prepped to go.

Now I'm hoping the Tornado season will pipe down and the Hurricane season will hold off till at least September. :B

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If you take the "commercial" sites out that still leaves 20 places to stay.

[mikestock]

OK. Truck stops and Camping Worlds didn't come to mind when thinking of boondocking sites. I have seen a few of the places listed. Some are not bad but nothing like the BLM camping areas out West.

[pianotuna]

Hi mikestock,

Freecampsites.net lists 28 locations in Alabama from free to a maximum of $12.00

[mikestock]

As is true in most states east of the Mississippi River, Alabama has very few boondocking opportunities outside of Walmart parking lots. Very frustrating to us locals who like the independent style camping.

[Windwalker55]

Missouri has a lot of boondocking areas. Lots of National Forest in the southern portion of the state, which is the prettier part of the state as well, IMHO.

The Missouri Dept. of Conservation has a lot of conservation areas through out the state and many of them allow overnight camping. Here is a link to the Conservation Dept. Atlas. You'll just have to figure out where you are going to be and then check the areas in the counties you will be in to see which ones provide overnight camping. All of the conservation area are unimproved but offer some nice boondocking opportunities.
Missouri Conservation Atlas

There are also lots of Corp lakes in Missouri, where the camping is not free, but very reasonably priced.

Kansas has lots of fishing lakes that allow free camping. Here is a link to a fellow's blog who lives in Kansas and has suggestions on camping areas there.
Casita Adventures

Have a great trip.

[caver]

West of Springfield MO N37 10.275 W093 56.827

Free and I did an overnight there in April.
It's part of MO DNR site called Talbot Conservation area.

If you cut-n-paste that location into Google maps, the green arrow is the exact spot not the red balloon.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The Don Wright books are not available. Try http://freecampsites.net/ (free to $12)

[skipnchar]

There is very little public lands in Kansas but MANY small communities have a small over night stop type RV set up in town which is usually free (or at least minimally priced). COE or State parks in Kansas all will have "no utility hook up sites" available for very low cost also. Road side rest areas are usually set up with a special area for RVs to overnight and it's located away from the noise and high traffic of the trucking area and public parking lot. MOST of them have free dump stations and many also have free water fill facilities.

When traveling I always carry "Don Wrights Guide to Free Camping" Which includes only sites for less than $12.00 per might (for some reason :H) Good publication though and it includes nearly ALL public campgrounds and a few private ones, where that pricing criteria is met. It does NOT include any parking lots. It comes in two volumes (one for west of the Mississippi River and one for East of the river. Over all it contains thousands of locations.

Good luck / Skip

[sdianel_-acct_c]

If you don't get any replies, you might try www.allstays.com or Don Wrights Free or Low Cost Camping book.