Backcountry Boondocking Pics-Class B?

[IdahoRenegade]

Hi all,

I wonder who has some boondocking pics that they'd like to share. By "backcountry boondocking" I mean somethat at least involves a gravel road, as opposed to overnighting at Wally World. Given the limited ground clearance of most class Bs (other than Sportsmobile and a couple others) I'm wondering just what kind of places you've taken them?

I'm largely looking to learn just where I can take the one I'm picking up. We have lots of forest service roads here in North Idaho, with some amazing country. Some of those roads are "gravel highways" that wouldn't be a problem for a diesel pusher. Others start out "OK"...but turn to goat trails. There are plenty in between...I'll have to learn the limits.

And of course, just for fun, I'd love to see the great places you all have camped at with the B.

[bobman]

Good tires and a lock right locker by Richmond will take you a lot of places
I use mine pheasant hunting and go a lot of places without worry

The locker is a little noisy but made a huge difference

[MickD]

I take my 'B' places I know I shouldn't but the rewards are most of the time great. I recently went 20 miles on a forest service road that should have been marked 4X4 only. We made it fine just took it slowly. You must be careful of ground clearance and pick your way. On one trip last month we drove to a place near a river, got out to check for a place to park for a couple of days and when we returned the B had sunk to the axle. Got pulled out by a 4X4 truck and proceeded to find another place. You can tell in the photo below that the road to our B is not very smooth. Be careful and have fun.

[IdahoRenegade]

Oops, pls ignore, double post.

[IdahoRenegade]

Islandman wrote:
Renegade - Don't have any pictures, but two roads that I'd higly recommend are the North Fork Clearwater River Road near Pierce, and the St. Joe River Road upstream from Saint Maries. Both offer some good boondocking sites and don't have much traffic. You can drive the St. Joe River Road all the way to Superior MT if you so desire. Check with the Idaho Panhandle and Clearwater-Nezperce NF's for more info.

I know the St. Joe River Road very well, I've camped there (often off the ADV motorcycle) several times. Love the area. It'll be one of the first places we spend significant time with the new rig...just waiting for the miserable white stuff to melt! We stay at the FS campground up Big Creek pretty regularly, and also up Marble Creek. Might spend some time further up the Joe above Avery...hope to have some pics to post before too long.

I want to explore that area near Pierce that you mentioned some more. I've only been there one time, we did the Lolo Motorway on bikes last summer and came through there. Looks like a lot of country to get to know.

I need to so some more 'splorin off Moon Pass Road between Wallace and Avery. I know the road well, but never really looked for camping spots. I expect there are plenty of places on it or Loop Creek.

[KK_R]

Excellent. Thanks. WIll check them out.

[TMcArthur]

Boondocking just outside of Grand Teton National Park, there are two locations

1) From Moran Junction, head South on 191. Directly across 191 from the Cunningham Cabin parking lot there is a dirt road heading East into the National Forest. Drive a 1/4 mile out and you are free to camp. Go another 1/4 mile (up the hillside) and you have spectacular views of the Tetons from the elevated camping positions. You can go further into the National Forest and find even more camping, but the road can get very rutted. You can even get a Verizon 3G signal here.

2) Continue south on 191 to just North of the Moose entrance to the National Park to Antelope Flats Rd. Take it East a few miles an turn North on Shadow Mountain Rd. Continue out and you have miles an miles of choices of camping locations below Shadow Mountain. Again, the dirt road can get very rutted, but they are passable with care. No Verizon signal and a lot more crowded area.

You can find them (and more) mapped out on my blog

[KK_R]

TMcArthur, Nice pics. Are you able to describe the location of your boondocking outside of GTNP? We often arrive there late and night and the campgrounds are often full. We've looked for a first-night boondocking location, but so far haven't found a good one. If you could describe yours, that would be great.

[Islandman]

Renegade - Don't have any pictures, but two roads that I'd higly recommend are the North Fork Clearwater River Road near Pierce, and the St. Joe River Road upstream from Saint Maries. Both offer some good boondocking sites and don't have much traffic. You can drive the St. Joe River Road all the way to Superior MT if you so desire. Check with the Idaho Panhandle and Clearwater-Nezperce NF's for more info.

[TMcArthur]

What I have done it to get out and hike or bike that road before committing to it in the van. After a few rough roads you get a sense of what it can and can not handle and you get a little exercise too.


Boondocking just outside Grand Teton Ntnl Park with one hell of a view each morning.


Boondocking in Prescott Ntnl Forest in Arizona. I had checked the dirt road first, and this is what I saw... it was a close call to go or not... I went for it.

[juliev]

Here's our favorite, Hatch Point in Utah.

( will repost after I re-size)

[ReneeG]

I know you are asking specifically for Class B's on Idaho backroads but we wouldn't tow our fifth wheel anyplace you wouldn't take your Class B. Here are a few of my favorite places -