Suggestions please!

[caysea7254]

We would love to boondock but we have a very hard time finding places that we feel secure at. We have solar and generator but want to try and find blm or forest land out west in texas new mexico arizona and california for winter time that have designated campsites. Last April we tried our 1st Blm location which was Craggy Wash just outside of Lake Havasu City and a very bad encounter with a very unkind man. The place was full of homeless people lurking at us like why are we here!! so we turned around and left and needless to say havent tried any others!! So suggestion on places that are not to isolated, that is not our cup of tea! Thanks Tara

[profdant139]

Tara, if you want a relatively quiet experience and better security, think about RV parks, believe it or not. Unlike campgrounds, there are no generators in RV parks. And because the perimeter is usually secure, the crime rate tends to be low (except, of course, in urban areas).

I know this sounds like heresy, coming from a die-hard boondocker like me, but there are times when ordinary campgrounds are less than wonderful. Especially around Spring Break!

[agesilaus]

If you are in Florida be sure to check out the State Park springs, fantastic camping sites. That would be Manatee Springs, Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs and Blue Springs. The one near Defuniak north of Orlando. Oddly FL has 4 parks with Blue Springs in their name. Homasassa State park is well worth the visit but no camping. If I was going to pick one, I would pick Manatee.

Florida Parks apparently just won their fourth gold medal in a national park competition. We take parks seriously down here, I think they are up to around 200 parks now.

[caysea7254]

Lol that's where we r now in south florida!! We will go on u tube and watch. We dont care if it's free we just want beautiful places to experience. The reason we r fulltiming is to visit all national parks and monuments! So far so good!! We do Corp of Engineers campgrounds most of the time but not many out west. Thank u all for for ur suggestions, appreciate your time! Tara

[agesilaus]

We had a really loud and late neighbor one time that I recall. Think it may have been in a state park. They looked like a group of friends getting together, nonthreatening, I went over and asked them to tone it down. And they did.

I have seen a CG trashed by people. Blackwater State Park in NW FL, we got there right after the 4th of July. The place was a mess, watermelon rinds all over the place, trash cans overflowing and no sign of any park employees. I later found out there were supposed to be a couple of college students as CG Hosts but they went AWOL.

I've recently discovered that FL Parks have a very hard time recruiting CG Hosts for the summer, one of our local parks doesn't have one. The winter? People lined up 10 deep for the job...heh. Wonder why.

[profdant139]

Gosh, speaking as someone who has done a lot of back-country boondocking all over the West, we have never felt threatened. I have had a few uncomfortable experiences in campgrounds closer to big cities when our neighbors have been playing loud music and drinking and yelling, late into the night. I did not feel safe in asking them to be quiet -- anyone who would engage in that behavior is not likely to be compliant! 😉

Whether boondocking or in a campground, the farther we are from town, the safer we feel.

[2oldman]

caysea7254 wrote:
want to try and find blm or forest land out west in texas new mexico arizona and california for winter time that have designated campsites.

Boondock (BLM,forest) places don't have designated sites. For that you need dry campgrounds, like state or Federal parks.

Quartzsite is a favorite among many RVers for its proximity to the town and lots of space. I've never been hassled by anyone there.

[ndrorder]

If looking for no-fee camping sites, the forest service uses the term dispersed camping sites. 14 Day maximum stay no fees, no features. If looking for rustic campgrounds, the Army Corps of Engineers have sites in addition to the BLM and Forest Service.

[wanderingaimles]

Am not out there now, but can understand your trepidations.
If you can believe them try a couple of the you tubers channels and their spots. A member who shows up in here occasionally has a channel called "Grand Adventure" His security video
He also has one on specifically how he finds boondocking spots. You may find them helpful, maybe not.
Or maybe Love your rv Both will give you some ideas for methods of selection and areas to visit.
Personally, for getting started, it may seem counterintuitive, but go farther away from towns or attractions. Being near a large lake, reservoir, or other tourist draw, also draws un desireables. Go for the middle of nowhere a few times. Then look back towards people.

[Lwiddis]

In Califonria U.S. 395 from the intersection with CA 14 is loaded with dry campsites and boondocking opportunities. Suggest you stay around Lone Pine or south thereof.

[agesilaus]

If you have specific National Forests or BLM districts go to their website and they will show all their CG. Freecampsites is very good. Or just a good paper map and look for the little green tree symbols that a lot of them use for campsites. I don't have it but a lot seem to like the Allstays app, I think it costs $9. You basically have to do your own research. CG near a city are asking for trouble. In my many years of camping I saw a situation like what you describe once, and it turned out to be a camp out of the Rainbow Tribe (may be extinct now) a mob of wandering hippies and bums. But we do not camp near any large cities.

[pianotuna]

https://freecampsites.net/ This includes a nice trip planner.