Boondocking with other people around

[GaryS1953]

Hi All - I'll be retiring in January and will be doing some boondocking. Plan on spending at least a month at Quartzsite, then maybe move to another location in the southwest for another couple of weeks to a month. My question is where, besides Quartzsite, can we boondock for free, yet still have SOME people around? My wife is all about the boondocking, just not complete desolation. We are not going to have a ton of money for our travel, so the idea is to spend the money getting there, not on campgrounds. I appreciate any feedback.

[2gypsies1]

Between Quartzsite and Yuma is a lot of BLM land and boondocking with others. If you want to tour around Tucson, AZ there's a small patch of BLM land in the SW corner of Tucson. Look into national forest lands around Roosevelt Lake east of the greater Phoenix area and other lands.

Are you 62+? Do you have the national Senior Pass? If so, you can use public campgrounds such as national parks, national forest campgrounds, etc. for 1/2 price. We've stayed in some as little as $6/night... beautiful places on rivers and lakes.

If you're going to Quartzsite talk to people and you'll get many suggestions on where to boondock or cheap camping. Good luck!

[GaryS1953]

ReneeG wrote:

GaryS1953 wrote:
Is there a certain distance that's considered polite? I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places. Obviously that spacing wouldn't work at Quartzsite during rv show in January.

Here's a great article on boondocking 101that talks about distance and mentions Quartzite.

ReneeG - Thanks for the great article. I'll put in in my boondocking portfolio.

[GaryS1953]

fitznj wrote:
I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places.

Not sure what the right distance is but we always try to set up as far away as possible;

Funny story: couple of years ago I was set up in the middle of nowhere in one of the many forests in PA. It was in an open space (probably > 10 acres). Just after we set up, this guy comes and setup less than 10 yards away...... I went up to him and said "really......" I asked him to move - which he did. He went to the other end of the field.

Ok, so if I see YOU out there I'll be SURE to keep my distance:) Thanks!

[GaryS1953]

ItsyRV wrote:
If in AZ, you can also checkout AZ State Trust Lands. Camping is permitted up to 14 days unless the land is closed for a specif reason. Often they border other over used and populated federal lands bondocking sites. Access is by permission. Permission is granted through a annual permit. The permit is not expensive at all and is bought and printed online. use the parcel viewer in the link below and you'll be surprised how much of the state open space is under State Trust Lands control. Even if a parcel shows grazing or other lease use, it often is still open to camping so long as you don't interfere with the lease operation.

Some do confuse these with BLM land until they get a trespassing ticket from law enforcement. Due to abuse of the land, the state has been stepping up enforcement of permit and use regulations especially in popular areas adjacent to BLM or National Park lands.

Arizona State Land Department

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks so much!

[fitznj]

I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places.

Not sure what the right distance is but we always try to set up as far away as possible;

Funny story: couple of years ago I was set up in the middle of nowhere in one of the many forests in PA. It was in an open space (probably > 10 acres). Just after we set up, this guy comes and setup less than 10 yards away...... I went up to him and said "really......" I asked him to move - which he did. He went to the other end of the field.

[ItsyRV]

If in AZ, you can also checkout AZ State Trust Lands. Camping is permitted up to 14 days unless the land is closed for a specif reason. Often they border other over used and populated federal lands bondocking sites. Access is by permission. Permission is granted through a annual permit. The permit is not expensive at all and is bought and printed online. use the parcel viewer in the link below and you'll be surprised how much of the state open space is under State Trust Lands control. Even if a parcel shows grazing or other lease use, it often is still open to camping so long as you don't interfere with the lease operation.

Some do confuse these with BLM land until they get a trespassing ticket from law enforcement. Due to abuse of the land, the state has been stepping up enforcement of permit and use regulations especially in popular areas adjacent to BLM or National Park lands.

Arizona State Land Department

[2oldman]

GaryS1953 wrote:
Is there a certain distance that's considered polite? I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places. Obviously that spacing wouldn't work at Quartzsite during rv show in January.

That's about right.. but I always look for contractor generators before setting up. Sometimes even 200 yards isn't far enough away from those. Unfortunately they can move in next door.

In January I'd be looking out on Plomosa road.

[ReneeG]

GaryS1953 wrote:
Is there a certain distance that's considered polite? I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places. Obviously that spacing wouldn't work at Quartzsite during rv show in January.

Here's a great article on boondocking 101that talks about distance and mentions Quartzite.

[GaryS1953]

gemsworld wrote:
After Quartzsite, you can head north a bit and boondock around the Lake Havasu area. Form there, you can travel north again to Laughlin, NV and stay for free in or around the casinos.

Sounds great, thanks for the suggestion.

[GaryS1953]

the bear II wrote:
Anytime you boondock it's good to find a spot where you can see neighbors and they can see you. With someone within eye sight and shouting distance you can get help should you need it.

You can go onto the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) website to look at the free camping locations they manage throughout the southwest.

At night or if you leave your campsite make sure anything of valuable is put away or very securely locked up. Folks have lost portable generators, bicycles, motorcycles and other items during the night or while they were away sightseeing. It's rare but it does happen.

You and my wife think alike 🙂 I wouldn't mind a little more seclusion and open spaces.

[GaryS1953]

S-n-L wrote:
You might look into Anza Borago State park in California. Although we have never boondocks here we visit often and see lots of folks Boondocking in spread out clusters.

This a wonderful and interesting area. California's largest state park.

Sounds interesting, thanks!

[GaryS1953]

ReneeG wrote:
The rule on boondocking is to camp where others have camped before and not break ground per say, in order to save the land. With this rule, you are more than likely going to camp where others usually are and should be able to maintain a distance. That's another rule - to respect the other campers space, but that doesn't always happen. Of all the times we've boondocked, twice others came in and practically camped on top of us. Very frustrating. The only thing to do is move because there really are no boundary rules as in a designated campground.

Is there a certain distance that's considered polite? I've always had the impression that 50 to 100 yards would be good in most places. Obviously that spacing wouldn't work at Quartzsite during rv show in January.

[S-n-L]

You might look into Anza Borago State park in California. Although we have never boondocks here we visit often and see lots of folks Boondocking in spread out clusters.

This a wonderful and interesting area. California's largest state park.

[ReneeG]

The rule on boondocking is to camp where others have camped before and not break ground per say, in order to save the land. With this rule, you are more than likely going to camp where others usually are and should be able to maintain a distance. That's another rule - to respect the other campers space, but that doesn't always happen. Of all the times we've boondocked, twice others came in and practically camped on top of us. Very frustrating. The only thing to do is move because there really are no boundary rules as in a designated campground.

[Lwiddis]

Lots of free BLM-USFS camping up and down US395 Lone Pine-Bishop-Mammoth area but with a Golden Age Pass the semi-developed dry sites are only $12.50 a night. Watch the weather however. Remember it may be no cost to you the camper, but it isn’t “free.” Dumping, fresh water, trash, road grading etc.