Why do people want to Boondock?

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by robert claus

Being ready to boondock means that you can camp without any hookups. Many state and county parks don't offer utilities, but they are great places to stay if prepared. There are few places you can just pull off the road and park for the night, without getting a knock on the door, at least in the midwest.

We have pulled into many Wildlife Management/Conservation areas, and stayed the night without anyone bothering us. If it is not posted, you can stay, is our view.

We always take the judicious, conservative approach, and not look like we are settling in to stay for awhile.

There are also beautiful areas by rivers, streams, lakes, etc., essentially designed for fisherman and boaters. Have stayed at closed ferry areas a time or two, as well. You learn to spot the potentials as you are driving around the beautiful backroads.

Pull in, spend the night, leave the next morning with no trace you have been there, is the way to do it. One of our most favorite ways to travel, just roaming and looking and enjoying....find a pretty spot to spend the night and repeat the next day.


Maggie

[mstephens]

So, the distinction is more about "no hookups" than about "campgrounds?"

Camping in a state park or state campground with no hookups is "boondocking?"

I'll have to do more looking. I am a bit cautious though about plowing down some miles long dirt road with a 25' trailer and then discovering no way to turn around!

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by mstephens

So, the distinction is more about "no hookups" than about "campgrounds?"

Camping in a state park or state campground with no hookups is "boondocking?"

I'll have to do more looking. I am a bit cautious though about plowing down some miles long dirt road with a 25' trailer and then discovering no way to turn around!

To us, boondocking is no hookups and generally no campground.

Camping without hookups in a campground we consider dry camping. I could have my terms wrong, here, but I'm sure someone will correct me.

We don't generally do dirt roads unless they are the hard packed and bladed ones you find in the lowcountry.

The CampWhere app will tell you about access to sites, and any restrictions.


Maggie

[perryg114]

I am not seeing CampWhere at the Google Store it must be an Apple only app.

Perry

[Jammer]

It is my experience that there are few worthwhile boondocking possibilities, in my area, for a 30' trailer.

In Minnesota, the current regulatory environment prohibits camping on most public land except at developed campsites. There are exceptions for state and national forests but it is now technically not permitted to drive off the roadway, and access for large trailers is poor.

On the other hand, there are a considerable number of developed campgrounds that lack hookups, or that are electric only.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I am not seeing CampWhere at the Google Store it must be an Apple only app.

Perry

Apple App.

This link provides the same information:

ALL US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS: STATE PARKS NATIONAL PARKS FORESTS MORE california oregon washington new york pennsylvania more


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Jammer

It is my experience that there are few worthwhile boondocking possibilities, in my area, for a 30' trailer.

In Minnesota, the current regulatory environment prohibits camping on most public land except at developed campsites. There are exceptions for state and national forests but it is now technically not permitted to drive off the roadway, and access for large trailers is poor.

On the other hand, there are a considerable number of developed campgrounds that lack hookups, or that are electric only.

On of the mods here, Moosetags, put a topper on their pickup/Tow Vehicle for remote boondocking.

They then have the best of both worlds. He has a thread about that here somewhere.

The flexibility of being able to pull into something out of the way is a delicious experience.


Maggie

[pickerdd]

Most of the music festivals we attend require us to boondock because there are no connections for shore power or water, so we carry our own generator and water.

[Jammer]

Maggie,

I am working on a similar setup. For true boondocking in remote areas, it will help with ground clearance, traction, backing, and maneuverability.

More often, we will use it for the many times when it would be a great convenience to spend the night in a driveway or parking lot incidental to whatever else we are doing.

[wheel interested]

Where? It's on the other side of town across the tracks... Once we left Chicago we have always tried to live out in the boondocks. Rural nirvana?

Billy Joe Royal - Down in the Boondocks - YouTube

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Maggie,

I am working on a similar setup. For true boondocking in remote areas, it will help with ground clearance, traction, backing, and maneuverability.

More often, we will use it for the many times when it would be a great convenience to spend the night in a driveway or parking lot incidental to whatever else we are doing.

Yep, Moosetags and his wife go out on forest service roads, etc., in search of wildlife. .

Must be such a peaceful experience, out in the middle of nowhere.


Maggie

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by robert claus

Being ready to boondock means that you can camp without any hookups. Many state and county parks don't offer utilities, but they are great places to stay if prepared. There are few places you can just pull off the road and park for the night, without getting a knock on the door, at least in the midwest.

That knock usually comes at 3 in the morning

To us boondocking is to travel without reservations, they are like wearing a watch when retired, hate deadlines and forced driving because we have reservations. Campgrounds serve a purpose and boondocking is not using utilities from CG, and being parked within arms length of 25 other campers.

[Taylormade]

Now that beachfront is some boondocking I can definitely get into!!!

[Lily&Me]

Padre Island NS on the Gulf in Texas. Absolutely beautiful.


Maggie

[outofcontrol]

I think you need to get to a less populated state in order to really appreciate Boondocking. Of course there's less of it near Portland, OR, but it only takes an hour to get out to the "woods" which are mostly state forests. You can drive down any forest service road and find breathtaking sites. Many times the best spots are where a logging operation set up a tower to yard trees up.

Most people like to boondock so they don't have to listen to other people. I, on the other hand, like to boondock so I don't bother anyone else! I guess it started when I was in my 20's. We'd bring guitars/drums, maybe a motorcycle or two, plink cans with a .22. Stay up late drinking beer, laughing, telling jokes and stories way too loud. Just do whatever we wanted without anyone to bother. Now that I'm in my 40's with kids, it's still mostly the same environment, just a little safer for 5yr olds. And we go to bed earlier.

This picture is not the Tillamook Rainforest, but the other way, East, in Central Oregon. Pick any road, find the spot you like, call it yours for the night or weekend. One of the nice things about living in one of the less populated states.

-Kevin

[Globie64]

so how do you find places to boondock? I thought it was more difficult now versus when our trailer was new (64), "no overnight parking" or more uptight private land owners. Or, where we are, a lot of pot growers and it's scary to park in the wrong place.

[Kota]

Not a sound but the fire crackling and a coyote off in the distance.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Stop when and where I want.

Yes, the rest is just variation.

Self-contained means just that. Doesn't matter if one is parked at the back of a truckstop or with a million-dollar view.

How long and how well are where the hang-ups occur.

The crap about "no-access/restricted" is just the rich using government to their ends . . having kicked Americans off the land from the 1890's thru the 1950's, this is just part of a longer, deeper trend of disenfranchisement. Screw 'em.

.

[JFScheck]

Because sometimes the views are the best where there are no facilities!

[aireseneca]

Don't forget that some Airstreamers already live in some nice places and offer courtesy parking! Remember to call ahead....or does that violate the whole thing?
http://wbcci.org/club-information/co...sy-parking-map