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Where do you boondock.

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
Our boondocking consists of a canoe and tent in some wilderness area in Northern MN. But I was wondering where people boondock with a TT?
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.
43 REPLIES 43

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
rbpru wrote:
This tread got me looking. Though Indiana does not have BLM or Public lands in the western sense; it does have State and National Forest and a few Fish and Game areas that could be considered โ€œsparceโ€. They are on my list for things to see.

I love the camping pictures, they remind me of my canoeing adventures. :C

More regional nomenclature, Dry camp. 1. No water in the RV system or tanks. 2. No alcohol allowed at this campground site. ๐Ÿ˜‰


I have looked at Indiana as I will probably be through there this spring. Blackwell horse camp and Hoosier National forest/Hickory Ridge fire tower sound like good possibilities. It's an easy day of driving from the Natchez Trace to there.

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
This tread got me looking. Though Indiana does not have BLM or Public lands in the western sense; it does have State and National Forest and a few Fish and Game areas that could be considered โ€œsparceโ€. They are on my list for things to see.

I love the camping pictures, they remind me of my canoeing adventures. :C

More regional nomenclature, Dry camp. 1. No water in the RV system or tanks. 2. No alcohol allowed at this campground site. ๐Ÿ˜‰
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
proxim2020 wrote:
rjxj wrote:

Proxim2020,
Where are you traveling to? Not the exact spot you are going but what city are you going from and to.


Heading from here up to the Great White North, visiting family in Quebec and Nova Scotia.


Google maps shows through Detroit and over. That seems to be the coldest way to go as compared to the Carolinas and up. I'd be hugging the south but I dont have any dead lines either.

Yes, it may be a challenge depending on the winter. I haven't been past South Carolina but looking at freecampsites.net there are potential spots all the way up. You may need to scrutinize the free stuff to see if they are closed in the winter. Again, COE, Dept Ag, etc.
I would also use freecampsites. COM and figure out your anticipated travel distance per day then find a few different things in that area with walmart and truck stops being the last resort.

I try to have a list with gps coord for best to last choice spots before I head out.

Community Alumni
Not applicable
rjxj wrote:

Proxim2020,
Where are you traveling to? Not the exact spot you are going but what city are you going from and to.


Heading from here up to the Great White North, visiting family in Quebec and Nova Scotia.

dave54
Nomad
Nomad
avoidcrowds wrote:
"Or did you appoint yourself to that role?". No, dave54, I didn't.

Right here in the RV.net forums, under the Public Camping and Boondocking area, is a sticky that defines the different terms.

Proper use of terms reduces the chance of being misunderstood.


I do not consider random postings on this website to be the lawful authority on any terms. The term boondocking is user defined, not only varying between different regions of North America, but from person to person within any given region. There is no standard definition of the terms dry camping, boondocking, camping, or any other terminology used here. The term boondocking is itself plagiarized, just as there is no general agreement on what constitutes the slang term boondocks -- borrowed from the Tagalog language for a mountainous area.

Not worth anyone getting their knickers in knot over. And no reason for anyone to be the terminology police.
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So many campsites, so little time...
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azrving
Explorer
Explorer
profdant139 wrote:
With reference to the question about refilling the water, we sometimes ask the rangers if we can fill at the ranger stations, and they often say yes. We carry a hose, of course. We also carry several six gallon jugs in the truck and refill them at campgrounds. We then haul them back to the trailer. The hardest part is lifting the jugs up to the fill spout!


Lifting the jugs was killing me. When I installed my water filters and pressure tank I installed an extra valve and tee. When I open that valve it lets the pressure side go back to the fresh tank. I then put the winterizing hose in the jug and pump the water into the fresh tank. It lets me use a folding hand cart to move the jugs and leave them on the ground. I have a spray bottle of bleach solution and spray the hose every time before I put it in the jug.

You may already know this but just sharing. My back has developed other issues so lifting 5 or 6 gallons up that high is out of the question for me.

azrving
Explorer
Explorer
proxim2020 wrote:
I'm interested in ideas also. I'm planning a trip for next winter that will take me through areas where all of the campgrounds will be closed for the season. Finding dump stations shouldn't be hard. Where to spend the night and water are my biggest concerns.


This is also for jmccen58 as he asked about water. May basic goal is to camp for free and not be near a lot of people. There is not one answer as far as where I get water or will I be able to find free camping along the route I choose. It's a work in progress as I travel. Yes I do look at maps to see what areas have free stuff and I will trend that way if possible but there is no guarantee that it will work out. If there is nothing free or cheap then I move down to what truck stops or WM are in that area.

Sometimes I will end up at a Walmart or truck stop because it's late. But the next week may be spent in a beautiful free spot. It's more like cheap camping for me as it's impossible to get everything free. That is not all bad as it let's us also meet people or stop at interesting spots. I stopped at one in Marathon Tx and asked about dry camping in their campground and they said $15.00 It ended up being a fantastic place. They had a gorgeous Mexican architecture style court yard, small pond, paved area and it was quiet.


Here is an example that I found on freecampsites in Floydada Tx. It's not beautiful, it's in the city but it's free. It has water and electric hook up and a dump station. I stayed there one night while going up to Co.

Wayne Russell

This one is just off US10. It's right along the bank of the Llamo river and within a couple miles of food, fuel and stores. No water or elec but a great place to overnight.

Schreiner Park

I dont think I have ever pulled up to a water supply and filled my tank for free. I will often take my 5 gallon jugs with me before I need water and stop at various places like city parks, gas stations, rest areas. I have been to areas that have a campground with a central faucet and filled jugs there. If there is a camp host or ranger I ask them. A couple times I have paid for water at Walmart in a pinch. Yes, pricey per gallon but it also supports WM.

You can search for other resources on free or cheap camping. I have had good luck with freecampsites.net but dont totally rely on it. When you look at a site it will often give a link as to who runs the campground such as Dept of ag, core of engineer, forest service etc. By going to those links I can further sort them out and also go to Google earth or maps and see what the area is like. It's just another tool to help you find what you are looking for. I have had a couple I couldn't find on freecampsites but I have also found other fantastic ones. Read the reviews and try to verify the coordinates. I have found one with bad GPS coordinates. If you go to a camp, leave a review or give the correct coordinates.

Proxim2020,
Where are you traveling to? Not the exact spot you are going but what city are you going from and to.

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
With reference to the question about refilling the water, we sometimes ask the rangers if we can fill at the ranger stations, and they often say yes. We carry a hose, of course. We also carry several six gallon jugs in the truck and refill them at campgrounds. We then haul them back to the trailer. The hardest part is lifting the jugs up to the fill spout!
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

avoidcrowds
Explorer
Explorer
"Or did you appoint yourself to that role?". No, dave54, I didn't.

Right here in the RV.net forums, under the Public Camping and Boondocking area, is a sticky that defines the different terms.

Proper use of terms reduces the chance of being misunderstood.
2017.5 Lance 1995
2017 F150 EcoBoost, Max Tow
Most camping off-road

dave54
Nomad
Nomad
avoidcrowds wrote:
"...Uh, no. Terms have specific meanings for a reason. When someone asks where they can "boondock", it should mean they are asking where we camp with no hookups, and preferably, with no one around.

When they ask where they can "dry camp", that can mean parking lots, NF campgrounds with no hookups, or remote areas. The "dry camp" question needs more clarification than a "boondock" question would.

But, I personally feel Americans are getting too sloppy with language. That is my issue, so this is how I cope with it. ๐Ÿ˜‰


Is there some RV governing body somewhere that is empowered to determine proper nomenclature? Or did you appoint yourself to that role?
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
So many campsites, so little time...
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~

Community Alumni
Not applicable
I'm interested in ideas also. I'm planning a trip for next winter that will take me through areas where all of the campgrounds will be closed for the season. Finding dump stations shouldn't be hard. Where to spend the night and water are my biggest concerns.

Atlee
Explorer II
Explorer II
Most of my "boondocking" or "dry camping" is in a field next to the executive airport, next to the Va Tech campus, with lots of other Hokies.

This is where our group of 23 RV'ers "camp" or more correctly tailgate on football weekends. We do have to pay for the privilege, but there are no facilities. The university does have a dump station on the other side of campus where we can drain our waste tanks before going home.

Plus there are usually 3 or more of us who get to away games under the same conditions.

Also, if I'm between destinations while traveling, I will stay in a Walmart or sometimes truck stop.
Erroll, Mary
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch

jaycocreek
Explorer II
Explorer II
For years I took a couple 6 gallon water jugs and filled the trailer with those and re-filled them when going to town for supplies.Now I have several 50 gallon water containers with a spicket on the bottom for gravity feed or for filling one gallon jugs we use a lot while off grid.

99.9% of our camping is in the boonies not in forest services campgrounds or rv parks,just by the creek somewhere with know one close so we have to take a lot with us to make it a couple weeks before going to town!



Lance 9.6
400 watts solar mounted/200 watts portable
500ah Lifep04

jmccen58
Explorer
Explorer
Good to know thanks,,,,