what states allow boondocking how to findout?

[new rver]

i know nobody likes to give up there spot. how do u find out were u can stay in what state. any info would be nice. were new at rven and love it were heading to main then FL for winter and god will'ing alaska in june 2011.
thanks bob,linda & missy

[missourijan]

Freecampgrounds.com, casinocamper.com, Don Wright's Free Campgrounds (2 editions Eastern & Western, buy from Amazon.com), gypsyjournal.net is a former newspaper owner that hit the road 11 years ago and writes a bimonthly newsletter and sells his own books about free camping & fairgrounds camping. If you are a member of the Elks, a lot of them across the country have rv parking for members, usually low cost.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by new rver i know nobody likes to give up there spot. how do u find out were u can stay in what state. any info would be nice. were new at rven and love it were heading to main then FL for winter and god will'ing alaska in june 2011. thanks bob,linda & missy

this website lists walmarts that allow overnight free parking, not camping. this site depends on users for updates. there is a lot of info on this forum about the difference and protocol for parking at walmart.

Walmart Store Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide

[leadman]

There is a wealth of info in these last 2 posts. We are going to Wyoming in Sept and this will come in very handy.

[new rver]

thanks for info. can't wait to hit yhe road
safe travels bob linda & missy

[springwater]

try the Bureau of Land Management. They have public land available for camping, some free, some 14 day periods, others a once a yr fee of about 180.00 and you can stay 6 months. Arizona and California are extremely popular areas. Outside Quartzsite AZ is BLM land, one is La Posa South, its 11,000 acres, you park where you want to., There is water/dump and trash at the entrance. Loads of snowbirds flock to this area in winter. There is probably about 6 areas right near Quartzsite. Also Imperial Sand Dunes and Oglivey Rd near Yuma and Pilot Knob across state line in Calif I think. Loads of folks know about these areas..Have fun planning. Dona

[skipwil]

You might want to check the site also.
www.OvernightRVParking.com
The site owner posted it in the wal mart parking thread.
Safe travels...

[Lorna]

Free RV Camping. Free Campsites, Free RV Campgrounds and Boondocking Locations

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

And if you will be boondocking this site may come in handy for you (often you can find the info free elsewhere).
RV Dump Stations, Sani Stations, Dump Points; a comprehensive Directory

[jobriant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by new rver ... how do u find out were u can stay in what state.

Where you can and cannot boondock (including Overnight RV Parking or "blacktop boondocking") is generally not determined on a state-by-state basis. Every state has places where you can camp for free, for one night or several nights, and every state has places where you can't. Every state has places where you can park overnight (not camp, just park) overnight for free, and every state has places where you can't.

The previous replies list a number of information sources. My website (link in my signature file) lists many as well.

In purchasing printed books, I recommend paying close attention to the copyright date. When using websites, I recommend paying very close attention to how often they update their information and how recently each listing was updated.

No book or online list is 100% complete -- because things change constantly, no list is 100% accurate.

I hope this is useful!

[full-timer]

There is so much information on boondocking and places for free overnight parking on the internet that you shouldn't have to pay anyone for this.

Joe

[powderman]

Leadman, In Wyoming, be sure to check out the Walmart in Cody. They are very RV friendly, but be sure to get there early (preferably by 5 pm ) to get a good spot. This place looks more like a campground than a store.

[Old Rv'er]

Fulltimer, I agree no one should have to pay for information about free camping.

We purchased a book on places to camp for free. Then we were up at the farm, and one place listed was near that, so we checked it out, the county had blocked the road so you could not use it any longer. Good thing we checked, we would have never been able to turn the rig around. And there were a lot of low hanging trees, which would have done a number on the roof.

So, before you head into a place that looks good, or is listed in a book or on a website, you might pre drive into it to make sure you can get in and out. This is only if it's not someplace "known" to be used by a lot of people.

Many states and the Feds have places where you can camp for free. Check with the state you are going to visit, and it's the natural resources department usually (whatever name each state uses) who has the handle on it. For the feds it's usually BLM, but could also be Forest Service and Interior department as well. BLM falls under one of those I think. But, BLM might control some, and the parent dept (I think it's Interior) has other lands they manage directly and so checking with both get you the whole picture.

When TVA and other federal power marketing agencies were formed in the 30s and 40s, part of those acts, inundated lots of previously used land, and the government wanted places built to take the place of the lost land, so lots of parks and other type of use areas were created for people to camp in. So do your research and you can find them all over the place? There is a place along the Columbia River, at MP 104 on I-84 e/w and for years it was free, then about 10 years ago, the Feds, fixed it up, built better boat docks put in power and water, and now it's 18-20 a night for a power/electric site. I believe they have a dump there as well. Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing I have ever had was in this park and it is located here.

Here is one link no else has thrown out: http://www.recreation.gov/

Happy trails to you.

[SideRoads]

Here is a list of Boondocking info I have collected over time. I add to them as I discover new info.

VolConus: Boondocking

[Lorna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Rv'er Fulltimer, I agree no one should have to pay for information about free camping. We purchased a book on places to camp for free.... before you head into a place that looks good, or is listed in a book or on a website, you might pre drive into it to make sure you can get in and out.

We buy the books (mostly Don Wright's) because sometimes you need to ro want to know when you are not hooked up to the computer. I make notes in my books and try to transfer them over when we update books. The book came in handy when we headed out west. I do reccomend that to check out sites whenever possible. While back in NC, we tended to picnic in N GA public campgrounds (many allow this). We would take the opportunity to check out nearby "free or cheap" campgrounds. I found one (Warwoman Dell in Clayton, GA) that I had trouble getting my 4 wheel drive Jeep into. I certainly wouldn't attempt it with an RV. I also noted that in my book. I would also note the "best" sites for us (size, shady, etc).
Along with the book I also use the internet. It tends to have more up to date info... but not always. This is why we try to have a "back-up" site and get off the road earlier. I have noticed that the cheapies & freebies tend to be off the beaten path. We like to travel the primary & secondary highways. where we find the free & cheap". When we run on interstates, we like Sam's clubs and Wal-Marts.