Boondocking - how to find a spot

[Effy]

We have never really boondocked with the exception of one time at a country club for a wedding. That was planned way in advance. My wife wants to try it this weekend or next but we are a bit lost about where to go. How do you find a spot? We have some fairly rural and mountainous areas around but none that obviously don't belong to someone. I can't imagine willy nilly driving around til something looks good. Do most boondocks have pre-determined designations?

[Busskipper]

Effy wrote:

wallynm wrote:
There is some nice scenic National Park land on Pennsylvania Ave. not to far from you. How about some rustic Atlantic sea shore. Maybe some places in West Va. or western Penn.

PA ave in Hagerstown? I grew up in Hagerstown I assure there are no parklands.

Not a Boondock but a Park Greenbelt Park If you keep your eyes open it's just amazing what you can find.

Wine country in Virginia/Maryland, could also yield results that would be fun. We have stayed in a few over the years, along with athletic fields/parking lot's all over the country.

If 2gypsies is your definition then;

2gypsies wrote:
Boondocking is not staying without hookups at state parks, national forest campgrounds, etc. That is dry camping. It also is not staying at WalMarts, truck stops, etc. That is a one-night stop enroute to somewhere else.

Boondocking is finding a spot on public lands such as national forest land (not campgrounds), BLM land, state land (not campgrounds). In some states you can stay at fisherman's access areas run by the state.

I just looked through my boondocking reference sites and there really isn't anything in Maryland. You might want to do a post for Maryland in this site's boondocking forum. Also, look on the top of that forum at the 'Sticky' to see pictures of fabulous boondocking spots. Most are in the West.

We do a lot of it but it's in the West and there are miles and miles of remote roads to get you to that 'perfect' spot, preferably with no one else around.

you will need to follow that lead and find the proper Boondocking Spot, otherwise just find a spot and Dry Camp. Lots out there.

JMHO

[dahkota]

Effy wrote:

tjfogelberg wrote:
Try boondocking.org

I have found several spots and added them as listings to the site.

I love boondocking! On the East Coast, we boondocked at Walmarts and Foxwoods Resort and Casino.

It can be very rewarding - adds to the adventure and saves money.

nothing within 500 miles of our lat/lon on that site. East Coast must be pretty tough to find a boondocking site. maybe I look at some local farms etc and ask permission.

In Maryland, about the only place to boondock is in the state forests. But, they now charge $10 per night as they maintain the sites. Some are easier to get to than others. Some are definitely tent only.

Maryland State Forests

On the road map for Green Ridge State Forest, you will see tiny little numbers. These are sites. Best check the road before hauling in a tt or anything larger.

Map

The alternative is to head over to George Washington National Forest.

[Effy]

wallynm wrote:
There is some nice scenic National Park land on Pennsylvania Ave. not to far from you. How about some rustic Atlantic sea shore. Maybe some places in West Va. or western Penn.

PA ave in Hagerstown? I grew up in Hagerstown I assure there are no parklands.

[wallynm]

There is some nice scenic National Park land on Pennsylvania Ave. not to far from you. How about some rustic Atlantic sea shore. Maybe some places in West Va. or western Penn.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

Not sure where you are in MD, but there are lots of nice opportunities to dry camp in National Forest campgrounds here in WV. Right now, they are not crowded, since school is back in session and fall trout stocking won't begin for another 6 weeks and fall hunting season is even further away.

Some really beautiful areas in the National Forest, too, and cooler here in the mountains.

Wayne

[2gypsies1]

Boondocking is not staying without hookups at state parks, national forest campgrounds, etc. That is dry camping. It also is not staying at WalMarts, truck stops, etc. That is a one-night stop enroute to somewhere else.

Boondocking is finding a spot on public lands such as national forest land (not campgrounds), BLM land, state land (not campgrounds). In some states you can stay at fisherman's access areas run by the state.

I just looked through my boondocking reference sites and there really isn't anything in Maryland. You might want to do a post for Maryland in this site's boondocking forum. Also, look on the top of that forum at the 'Sticky' to see pictures of fabulous boondocking spots. Most are in the West.

We do a lot of it but it's in the West and there are miles and miles of remote roads to get you to that 'perfect' spot, preferably with no one else around.

[Ivylog]

I've had good luck with this site for finding public CG's. Looks like several Yellow circles of interest in northern VA and western MD.

[tonyandkaren]

A 30 class A is going to limit your options, especially in the east but I found a nice spot and posted about it here - http://freecampsites.net/#!3000&query=sitedetails Not too far away from Maryland and you should have no problem driving to the site and setting up in it.

[Effy]

deandec wrote:
Boondock or dry camp?

Two different things to my way of thinking.

Boondocking would be much easier in the Western States where you can drive all day and see just a few towns.

Dry camp could be done in a City, State, or Federal park.

I don't think I know the distinction. Camping somewhere other than a CG, no hookups. (SW or E) Nothing.

[deandec]

Boondock or dry camp?

Two different things to my way of thinking.

Boondocking would be much easier in the Western States where you can drive all day and see just a few towns.

Dry camp could be done in a City, State, or Federal park.

[mockturtle]

Get yourself some Benchmark atlases. They show colored areas for each type of land so it's fairly easy to determine if you are on BLM, USFS or private land. Not every government area allows dispersed camping but if you ask at the HQ they will tell you whether or not you may and also give you good advice on areas to camp.

[Gjac]

If you have never done it before I would start at a SP or a NF CG for a few nights first to see how your wife likes camping without hook ups. Assateague is in MD. and is a nice place to dry camp especially now that the kids are back in school. Md also has a number of state parks also which I have not camped at.

[Effy]

thanks for all the tips. Was hoping of something a little more scenic. I'll check around

[rwm2_2000]

We stay at truckstops or walmarts or targets or even shopping centers. Just look around for dangers such as bums or signs of gangs etc.

[2oldman]

Effy wrote:
East Coast must be pretty tough to find a boondocking site.

Yep. Maybe a truck stop.