What is boondocking and dry camping?

[Mello_Mike]

This subject is often brought up so I thought we'd put our collective heads together for the sake of newbies and others who are curious what these terms mean. This will be posted as a permanent thread at the top of this forum.

Dry Camping: Means no utility hook ups such as water, electricity, sewer, cable TV or telephone and may or may not require a fee. Can either be in a city, state, or federal campground, a sporting venue or a parking lot.

Overnighting: Stopping at a Rest Stop, Flying J's or WALMART overnight to catch a few winks.

Boondocking: Means wilderness or primitive camping out in the "boondocks." Natural beauty with little or no (noisy) neighbors. This type of camping (usually in Public Lands like State, BLM, and National Forests) is usually FREE. Just find a place and park.

Finally, you always dry camp when you boondock, but you don't always boondock when you dry camp.

[BarbaraOK]

Overnight stops at Wal-Mart are some of the more expensive stops you'll make - - that 'quick' trip instead for milk and bread usually ends up with a couple of the items and $$$$ before you get out.

[ballpart]

whiteboy,

Isn't RVing our drug of choice? Sometimes we mix it with an elixir.

[whiteboy]

"Free Basing"...Sounds to much like taking drugs....I agree sometimes RV experiences require some sort of pain killer.....

[ballpart]

Why not just call it "Free basing?" That would include a lot of things & save the arguments.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[whiteboy]

I too think that Dry Camping at Wall Marts, etc should have its own name....Maybe "Lot Squatting"...Just a thought.

[whiteboy]

Dry Camping at Wal Marts, etc...I too think that it needs to have its own term.....Maybe like "Lot Squatting"...Just a thought...

[wa0mqe]

'Mello Mike' pretty much hit the nail on the head. However, some true Boondocking sites dont't necessarily mean quote: "little or no (noisy) neighbors". Take for example: Quartzsite and Senator's Wash in Arizona. These popular BLM spots are the nations top Boondocking locations. You'll have thousands of neighbors out there. Although, everyone gets along and only the occasional barking dog and/or generator noises are the only (noisy) issues.

[Rampowered]

Kane's Undertow,

Thank you so much for posting RV-Camping.org. What a wonderful and informative reading.
Dave

[SieraSam]

I do not know about flying J, but none of the Walmart stores allow "CAMPING" per se. Some stores, depending on local ordinances allow one or two overnight stays to catch up on some ZZZ's, but not to set up a camp site with awnings out, camping chairs, portable BBQ etc.

[Kane_s_Undertow]

Dirtbags77, someone had posted the following website a few weeks back,
http://rv-camping.org/
I found it very helpful with tons of info on everything. If you scroll down the page there is a bookdocking section. You can also find places by state. Great info!

[DenverDan]

Dirtbags77 wrote:
New to boondocking so I have a stupid question. Is there any listing or guide where this is available? Do you have to get permission from the property caretaker before you park or just pull in. We will be heading West next Jan and this could help out on the finances. Thanks in advance for any info.

Not sure what you mean by 'out west' but here in Colorado we have literally millions of acres of national forest land that is prime for boondocking. No permission required.
Post where you intend to go and I am sure plenty of folks here will be happy to assist. Also give a little info about what your rig is so we have an idea of what kinds of roads you can handle.

[Dirtbags77]

New to boondocking so I have a stupid question. Is there any listing or guide where this is available? Do you have to get permission from the property caretaker before you park or just pull in. We will be heading West next Jan and this could help out on the finances. Thanks in advance for any info.

[FredAr]

"...also casinos are popular places to get free overnight accommodations."

Good point.

[jerrit1]

Urban camping = any parking lot

[Mello_Mike]

Yes, unless there are signs prohibiting it. As for rest areas, again it depends on what the rules are. But even with "no overnight parking" signs, I've never been told to leave in the middle of the night.