What is boondocking and dry camping?
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.Must Have Boondocking Items?
Let's have a little fun. What do you consider to be "must have" items when you go boondocking? I'll start: 1. Two AGM 6v or Group 27 12v batteries 2. Solar power (100 watts) 3. Propane (2x5 gal tanks) 4. Seven gallon portable water tank 5. First Aid Kit 6. Water Purification Kit 7. Saw Zaw (for cutting firewood) 8. Firestarter 9. Camera 10. Altimeter App 11. Dump Station Location App 12. GPS/Maps 13. GPS locatorBoondocking Resources - Tips, Tricks, and Information
Hello everyone, I'm starting this thread (that will be a sticky) to provide general information on Boondocking. If anyone has a resource link they want to add to this list, just send me the link via PM and I will add it ASAP. Please don't nominate a link by responding to this thread. And please no campground links, we talkin' Boondocking here. If you have an idea for a new category, then by all means let me know. Note that not every link can be added, so a nominated link may not make it. But the goal here is to capture useful links that will be of interest in one convenient location. And thanks for the links. Categories are listed below: GENERAL BOONDOCKING TIPS AND INFORMATION: Mello Mike's Boondocking 101 RV Boondocking News Camping with Suzi 2oldman's Boondocking Basics and Procedures Boondocking Info Mello Mike's 9 Boondocking Tips and Tricks Freecampsites.net LOCATION RESOURCES: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Quartzsite, AZ Maps and Info Band of Boondockers Free and Low Cost Campsites Bob's Cheap or Free Campsites US Forest Service Vehicle Maps TECHNICAL TIPS INCLUDING SOLAR, WIND AND INVERTERS: Mello Mike's Solar Power 101 Handy Bob's Solar Mod My RV Jack Mayer's Solar and Electrical Jerry and Cynthia's Solar Power Installation Guide Mello Mike's Top Five Boondocking Mods WATER, DUMP SITES AND OTHER RESOURCE TIPS AND LOCATIONS: Sanidumps RV Dump Stations RVDumps.com OVERNIGHTING: Who Allows Overnighting? CA Transient Parking Fraternal Order of Eagles
The "Milky Way" test of a boondocking site
I know there are many definitions of boondocking, and that is a good thing. But here is one possible test -- if you are not in a campground and you can see the Milky Way under clear skies, you are really out in the boonies! Here is one of our more recent Milky Way experiences -- it is not a great shot because I illuminated the trailer with an LED flashlight for a few seconds, giving it an odd blue color -- but the sky is pretty close to the real thing:
Transfer of Federal Lands to the States
I am wondering how many RVers are aware of the movement to transfer federal lands to the states? Many western states are pushing this initiative. In Wyoming (my home state) nearly 25 million acres would be transferred to the state if transfer proponents are successful. Many recreationists are concerned because they think the states would overdevelop or sell the land. Past experience suggests this might happen. For example, the State of Nevada has sold almost of of the state land it was granted at statehood. Most eastern states have sold most of their original federal land. If you enjoy recreating on our western public lands, you might want to get informed about this issue. Thanks.
Naked-eye astronomy is more than just meteors.
For you meteor hunters out there in the boonies, there is other visible stuff buzzing around up there: satellites. The easiest to see is the International Space Station. It’s extremely bright and, with a good pair of binoculars, a “shape” can be discerned. It’s possible that you have already seen it and mistook it for an aircraft flying with its landing lights on; it crosses the sky at about the same perceived rate as an airliner. Other interesting but more challenging objects are the Iridium Communication satellites. These satellites very in brightness and are only visible for a very short time, perhaps a minute or less, thus they are called Iridium Flares. There are apps out there for satellite tracking, which will help in your hunt. The best thing about sat-spotting is that they happen within a couple of hours of sunrise or sunset so no need to stay up late. The app I’m currently using is the ISS Detector. Iridium Satellite info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation Happy hunting! LS
Coffe pot for boondocking
I didn't know where else to put this since it might not apply to people using full hook ups. This coffee pot is great. I still like a percolator, but for ease of use and those who don't like percolators, this is the best coffee pot I've ever used while camping. Used it both on my trailer's stove and on a two burner propane stove. It flat out works great. Just the same as at home except it doesn't get plugged in. Uses the same #4 filters we use at home too. Just thought I'd share in case anyone was looking for one. It flat works. Coleman coffee pot
Stealth Camping or Layovering
This is a related subject to boondocking and dry camping. I'm not sure I've broached the subject here. We have stealth camped for decades and find it works well in cities large and small even with our only medium stealthy rig. Here is a link to probably the best thread on the subject: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/92447-Tips-for-Stealth-Overnight-Parking-and-Building-a-Stealth-Vehicle?highlight=jefe4x4 The first 16 pages or so stay on point, but there is some digression after that. In order to make our truck camper more stealthy I'm going to white-out the windows, loose the decals, and use a hook for the steps to lift them up to the large hanger on the rear ladder of the camper. Beyond all that, it's where and when you park that makes the most difference. The author sets out his ideas on being truly stealthy and how it's not trying to deceive anyone but stay within the laws. Actually, I see more and more Millennials giving up on buying a stick house and just buying a large white M.B. Van and living in it to conduct their oh-so-portable I.T. gig. Better than their parents' basement. jefe