RV BOONDOCKING - RV DRY CAMPING
| What is RV boondocking? It is simply camping in your recreational vehicle in an area with limited or no facilities. |
RV Boondocking is a bit of RVer slang. It refers to
the lifestyle choice of taking your motorhome, fifth
wheel or pull type trailer, and parking / camping
without hookups or "dry camping". RV
Boondocking is taking advantage of the built in
capabilities of your RV, to find a joy that RV Park
bound RVers can only dream of. The only caveat
of RV Boondocking is that your must be sure to
have all your camping supplies with you.
the lifestyle choice of taking your motorhome, fifth
wheel or pull type trailer, and parking / camping
without hookups or "dry camping". RV
Boondocking is taking advantage of the built in
capabilities of your RV, to find a joy that RV Park
bound RVers can only dream of. The only caveat
of RV Boondocking is that your must be sure to
have all your camping supplies with you.
Another term for dry camping or boondocking
is dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is
the term that the National Forest Service
uses to describe the act of camping where a
campsite is not developed. What this means
to you is, that where dispersed camping is
permitted, you can camp or park your RV
pretty much anywhere you want to!
You can choose from developed National
Forest Campgrounds, to "dispersed camping"
in virtually every National Forest in the
country, as well as BLM sites and Corp. of
Engineers locations!
is dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is
the term that the National Forest Service
uses to describe the act of camping where a
campsite is not developed. What this means
to you is, that where dispersed camping is
permitted, you can camp or park your RV
pretty much anywhere you want to!
You can choose from developed National
Forest Campgrounds, to "dispersed camping"
in virtually every National Forest in the
country, as well as BLM sites and Corp. of
Engineers locations!
In many areas of the west, you can just drive into the desert, and stay free for up to two weeks. This
is the case on most BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and national forest lands. How far you have
to move to stay another two weeks is open to interpretation, but is probably isn't far.
is the case on most BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and national forest lands. How far you have
to move to stay another two weeks is open to interpretation, but is probably isn't far.
With the growing popularity of boondocking, the BLM has begun to establish areas for longer stays,
particularly in Arizona. The permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six
months, and you'll have pump stations, dumpsters and water available. That's cheaper than paying
property taxes or rent for a lot to park on.
particularly in Arizona. The permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six
months, and you'll have pump stations, dumpsters and water available. That's cheaper than paying
property taxes or rent for a lot to park on.
Look, and you'll find "hidden" places where you can park your RV for a week or a month in the
desert southwest. Some are free, and others just inexpensive. For example, the Hot Well Dunes
Recreation Area, north of Bowie, Arizona, costs $3 per night, but has nice hotsprings and plenty of
wildlife. You can get an annual permit for $30, but you're limited to two weeks per month (permits
are sold at the BLM office in Safford). Outside of the fenced area you can stay free, but then you
don't get the hotsprings and shaded picnic tables.
desert southwest. Some are free, and others just inexpensive. For example, the Hot Well Dunes
Recreation Area, north of Bowie, Arizona, costs $3 per night, but has nice hotsprings and plenty of
wildlife. You can get an annual permit for $30, but you're limited to two weeks per month (permits
are sold at the BLM office in Safford). Outside of the fenced area you can stay free, but then you
don't get the hotsprings and shaded picnic tables.
Perhaps the largest gathering of RV boondockers is in Quartzite, Arizona. Up to several hundred
thousand people spend at least part of the year boondocking here. Quartzite is near the California
border, on Interstate 10, only 20 miles from the Colorado River. It's surrounded by BLM lands, and
it's famous for gem shows and swap meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter.
Surprisingly, in February, Quartzite is the host of the world's largest sports vacation and travel show.
thousand people spend at least part of the year boondocking here. Quartzite is near the California
border, on Interstate 10, only 20 miles from the Colorado River. It's surrounded by BLM lands, and
it's famous for gem shows and swap meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter.
Surprisingly, in February, Quartzite is the host of the world's largest sports vacation and travel show.
How To Find The Best Free Scenic Campsite
Go to National and State parks, mountains, seashores, canyons, forests, lakes, deserts and
grasslands.
Remember that nature didn't draw the park boundaries and that some of the most scenic areas in
the American southwest and Canadian north are not included in the parks. Public lands such as
National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands often border the parks. Who owns
public land? Are you a member of the public? Then YOU do!!! Why not camp on the land that has
been set aside for you through your tax dollars? There are many useful maps that will help you find
that special bodocking area.
Learn to identify and watch for small road signs that indicate you are entering public lands. Never
drive by a National Forest office, BLM office, or area Visitor Center without stopping. While there, ask
for free maps of the area, points of interest, directions, rules and road conditions. Most forests and
BLM lands have inexpensive campgrounds with minimal facilities. However, they also have free
dispersed camping and this is usually where the best scenic view camping is found
Go to National and State parks, mountains, seashores, canyons, forests, lakes, deserts and
grasslands.
Remember that nature didn't draw the park boundaries and that some of the most scenic areas in
the American southwest and Canadian north are not included in the parks. Public lands such as
National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands often border the parks. Who owns
public land? Are you a member of the public? Then YOU do!!! Why not camp on the land that has
been set aside for you through your tax dollars? There are many useful maps that will help you find
that special bodocking area.
Learn to identify and watch for small road signs that indicate you are entering public lands. Never
drive by a National Forest office, BLM office, or area Visitor Center without stopping. While there, ask
for free maps of the area, points of interest, directions, rules and road conditions. Most forests and
BLM lands have inexpensive campgrounds with minimal facilities. However, they also have free
dispersed camping and this is usually where the best scenic view camping is found
| IMPORTANT NOTICE Before you leave on your camping trip, we strongly suggest that you have a RV camping checklist. |
| Visit our RV link page for useful topics and products relating to the RV Lifestyle |
|
| Before you leave for the boondocks, be sure to have all your supplies on hand. There won't be a store for miles around. |
| RV Road Service, Insurance, Trip Planning, RV Maintenance Programs, Books of Interest are all available at the GOOD SAM CLUB |
| For a wealth of information on RVing, just visit our Bookstore |
For more informative articles on Dry Camping and Dispersed Camping
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