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.

[Corky52]

Dry camping is being able to camp in any place you legally can, without need of support or facilities!

Boondocking is a subset of Dry Camping, Dry Camping in undeveloped natural areas.

[trails2004]

Mello Mike wrote:


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.

Caution>>>>in the west >>the term Wilderness means no motorized access.

[Seon]

turnippp wrote:
We are new coming on board to RV. Have 5th wheel. Where do you get information/email site that lists where you can stay in Walmarts, ect. and RV friendly overnights?

Thank you.

Here's a site that list some WalMarts that do not allow parking overnight.
But you should still ask each store manager before your stay.

[turnippp]

We are new coming on board to RV. Have 5th wheel. Where do you get information/email site that lists where you can stay in Walmarts, ect. and RV friendly overnights?

Thank you.

[was_butnotnow]

Boondocking or dry camping is not having to PAY for services we don't need or want since we are self contained with solar/inveter/generator setup in a 5er.
In an acceptable site that is not in a store blacktop parking lot. That is a few hours rest stop on the way to a pristine BLM or forest service area real boondocking site.
We like to find a city or county park that wants us to say for free or a buck or two so we will explore the area and spend time with them and spend money in the area.

[80psi]

I've not read anyone recommend Lowe's Depot for a few hours rest. I've been in 2-3 dozen coast to coast with no problem. Do that repair you forgot to do B4 you left the house. Also join the ELK'S hundred's of location nationwide, most have a bar and restaurant.

[uzbekjoe]

I am guessing not to many parking lot urban campers travel the NE. I am in PA and if you start going up into the New England states it gets really hard to park in a shopping centers and forget a mall.I have been woke up in the middle of the night asking me to leave. Allot of the rest areas here in PA have no overnight parking signs posted.

[2milesup]

Sandy & Shirley wrote:

Your definition of dry camping was close, but you forgot to mention the biggest hardship, no cable TV hookup.


For us, the best thing about dry camping is no cable TV hookup...

[Joe___Sharon]

If you have trouble sleeping at the Flying J you just were not tired enough. (smile)

[Happy_Trails]

TA Truck Stops are another place you can stop.
Flying J are great, everyone that Ive stayed in, has a dump station. Hose to wash out your sewer hose, and seperate place to fillup with fresh water. Many reccomend first tasting the water, because some locations have foul tasting water.

[Happy_Trails]

Sandy & Shirley wrote:
Your definition of dry camping was close, but you forgot to mention the biggest hardship, no cable TV hookup. 😞

Satellite TV, gives you TV no matter where you stop, Rest Areas, Walmart, Home Depot, Boon-docking, etc... It is also in my opinion, better than most Cable or TV hookups, as you can get all that is available on Satellite. You dont even need a generator, as long as you have 12v TV.

Nadine

[graviz]

Alan_W wrote:

Wayne59 wrote:
What is a Flying J


Wayne

Flying J is a brand of truck stop. They are fairly common in the West and are popping up nationwide. Company started in Utah. They tend to be very RV friendly.

There are a couple in Edmonton & Nisku, Alberta that I know of. Their diesel is much cheaper, $ wise that is.

[Wayne59]

Well Thank you very much

wayne

[Alan_W]

Wayne59 wrote:
What is a Flying J


Wayne

Flying J is a brand of truck stop. They are fairly common in the West and are popping up nationwide. Company started in Utah. They tend to be very RV friendly.

[Wayne59]

What is a Flying J


Wayne