Boondocking- Make it up as you go???

[Ray Eklund]

The term Boondocking means something different to each individual and where this individual is living. When I visualize Boondocking in Miami or Los Angeles, it is not the same as Boondocking at Oregon Buttes, Wyoming.

- Parked 'anywhere without hookups' is the dominant definition.
- Dry Camping is also 'parked anywhere without hookups'.

Location, location, location is what Real Estate Agents consider important. For serious Boondockers... I have to agree. Location, location, location.

Making use of what you have on hand... without hookups, anywhere, now becomes a bit more vague. Those in the mid 19th Century pulling a wagon with oxen or horses was what everyone did at that time. What we consider Boondocking Off the Grid... is a luxury compared to early settlers of the Western USA. The 21st Century Boondocker has every luxury a small Manhattan apartment contains... and for a lot less cost per month!

I am certain that we have ZONES of BOONDOCKING definitions.

East Coast, Mid West, Rocky Mountains, West Coast Boondocking... but then Florida and Maine are not even similar, other than sharing Atlantic Ocean coastlines. The Boondocking 'Soup' thickens.

Southern Rocky Mountain Deserts to Central Rocky Mountains high elevations to Northern Rocky Mountain's wet, lower elevations and higher latitudes make for a totally different environment. ...and not even begin to discuss the Midwest and the West Coast.

I would find Boondocking in Los Angeles not to my liking. Boondocking above 5,000 feet elevation with 40 degree drops in day highs and evening lows... that is MY Boondocking vision.

I haven't a clue what Boondocking is available in Texas. Never tried to go and find out. ARE there Public Lands, or not?

The National Forest in the north central part of Nebraska... is not even what I would consider a Forest... non the less... National.

So... help me clear this up and also have some fun doing so.

I discovered that Wyoming Boondocking is more Off the Grid than... lets say... Colorado Boondocking.

Give Boondocking YOUR defintion, why and where you Boondock.

Whatever Nancy, myself and two Blue Heelers experience on our Boondocking Off the Grid may not be a pleasant experience to some. Many, from my experience expect THEIR idea... everywhere. We love doing OUR form of Boondocking, and will continue... no matter the definition!

[nvestysly]

It is interesting how the same word can be used to mean so many different things to different people. Some people go to the grocery store to purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, and other staple food products. Others go to the grocery store and return with all sorts of pre-packaged, pre-cooked, food related products. Some come home with a combination of the two. Yet all of them went to the grocery store to buy what they consider to be food.

So it is with boondocking - there are sure to be a wide variety of definitions.

My definition has quite a few shades of gray. Here are some IS and IS NOT statements to create my definition.

IS:
No hookups to water or electricity.

Can be with a group of RVs (boondocking does not mean solo RV travel).

Typically not in an RV campground although state and national forests do sometimes make available primitive campsites and I would call this boondocking.

IS NOT:
An RV rally even if there are no hookups. Rather, I would refer to this as dry camping.

Not a parking lot in front (or behind) of a big box store.

[Al and Missy]

Just curious how you reconcile:

IS:
...
Can be with a group of RVs (boondocking does not mean solo RV travel).
...

with:
IS NOT:
An RV rally even if there are no hookups. Rather, I would refer to this as dry camping.
...

Al

[Utah Man]

My definition (credit to yourdictionary.com):

Verb
(third-person singular simple present boondocks, present participle boondocking, simple past and past participle boondocked)


To stay in a recreational vehicle in a remote location, without connections to water, power, or sewer services.

While traveling in the American southwest, we saved money on campsites by boondocking in the desert.

Will be dry camping soon in a USFS spot at Fish Lake, UT without any hookups. It is not boondocking to me as I have some neighbors nearby (but good elbow room, not sardine-style camping) who can observe, critique and possibly object to what we do (say build a camp fire). Would need to be out in a undeveloped, dispersed camp spot for it to be boondocking to me.

Regards - Ron

[Ray Eklund]

A picture is worth... 1,000 words or 10,000 words. How about ZERO words for Boondocking Off the Grid.

Top: Oregon Buttes, Wyoming 2016
Middle: Sawmill Creek, Wyoming 2016
Bottom: Greys River, Wyoming 2016

[Ray Eklund]

A couple more examples of Boondocking Off the Grid:

Top: Taylor Reservoir, Colorado Greenhorns 2016
Middle: Quemado, New Mexico 2016
Bottom: Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming (post Wyoming 2016 camp)

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

A picture is worth... 1,000 words or 10,000 words. How about ZERO words for Boondocking Off the Grid.

Top: Oregon Buttes, Wyoming 2016
Middle: Sawmill Creek, Wyoming 2016
Bottom: Greys River, Wyoming 2016

Wow, those are great pictures! That certainly fits my definition of boondocking. Yes, there were several RVs in attendance but it certainly was not a rally. As I said, there are some gray areas in my definition.

[Ray Eklund]

Boondocking Off the Grid is for EVERYONE to experience at least once... maybe often. None of the previous are marked on a map. They are actually available on your... Airforums Boondocking threads. If you like it... you will catch on how to find these special locations that provide only fresh air, all the company you want or do not want... and miles of space to just sit back and to enjoy.

But....

Top- Boondocking Airstreams on our street in Colorado
Middle- Boondocking Lake Meade, Hoover Dam, Nevada
Bottom- Boondocking Off the Grid the Deserts of Nevada

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It seems like this is drifting towards a definition that restricts it to public lands. There's not a whole lot of BLM land east of Denver. More or less it would only be something you could do in a about a dozen states. I think that "as used" the term applies to a lot more than just what is done in those areas. If it does not, then one needs a different term to apply to zero cost / zero facilities operation in the other 38 or so states (plus Canada and Mexico).

Bob

[1973Argosy]

This boondock is in coastal Mississippi. No power, no water, no sewer equals boondocks.

[1973Argosy]

[1973Argosy]

So it doesn't matter how I orientate a picture. The system flips it upside down no matter what I do.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by 1973Argosy

So it doesn't matter how I orientate a picture. The system flips it upside down no matter what I do.

Well we are located at the bottom of the USA.

[Monza]

Originally Posted by 1973Argosy

So it doesn't matter how I orientate a picture. The system flips it upside down no matter what I do.

We all just assume that it's a Mississippi thing

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by 1973Argosy

Attachment 288427

Is that Australia?

[TravlinMan]

I dunno, I always thought if it's outside of an actual 'campground', but it's still in nature, it's boondocking. If it's on a street or in a city, it's stealth camping. Like I would consider a State Park, National Forest or BLM campground with actual sites but no hookups, dry campin. But if I'm just heading down a random forest road or BLM road and pull off a spur, that's boondocking. And if I just park for the night on a side street, that's stealth campin. But, really it's all just campin. Or livin.

And if ya look at the word on it's face, I guess it's just dockin' the trailer in the boonies.

[utahredrock]

This is definitely NOT the time for a camp fire at Fish Lake! Just sayin'. #AsBrianHeadBurns

[TravlinMan]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

This is definitely NOT the time for a camp fire at Fish Lake! Just sayin'. #AsBrianHeadBurns

I'm thinkin it's not the time for a campfire anywhere!

[utahredrock]

Originally Posted by TravlinMan

I'm thinkin it's not the time for a campfire anywhere!

Probably somewhere, but not here, that's for sure.

[TravlinMan]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

Probably somewhere, but not here, that's for sure.

Not here either!

Stay safe y'all.