BLM campground questions

[keymastr]

So we will be using a BLM campground near Moab this May and I was wondering how secure it is. Can you leave the trailer for the day while you go exploring?

[WinnieView]

Usually the only others around are the like-minded and honest. Never had a problem.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by keymastr

So we will be using a BLM campground near Moab this May and I was wondering how secure it is. Can you leave the trailer for the day while you go exploring?

No problem. However, don't leave anything out that is tempting like bikes or a generator.

[jbrv]

Second what others said. Most places not an issue. just dont tempt an honest person by leaving stuff you want to not walk off out and easy to grab.

We like to take day one at a BLM, or boondocking or remote campsites to stay at the rig and relaxe a bit. It lets us get a feel for who comes and goes when and lets people see that we are around and paying attn. Often i can go greet a nearby camper and feel them out and let them know that if they see anyone other than me or my wife at the rig feel free to chase them off. I dont tell them what days i will be gone and how long or anything like that. Just let em know if they see anyone other than me or the wife to say something to them. Not sure it has ever helped but makes me feel better.

[lwmcguire]

Several BLM areas have been closed to camping due to trashy people

We have never had anything stolen or broken into when leaving the coach

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

Several BLM areas have been closed to camping due to trashy people

We have never had anything stolen or broken into when leaving the coach

I think it was for campers not respecting the land, not trashy people. Driving off-road in the fragile soil is a biggy.

[keymastr]

Thanks for the answers. We are all set up for boondocking just new to it. BLM land certainly looks like the type of places we enjoy, less crowded and better scenery. Just wasn't positive about the security aspect.

[Reed Cundiff]

Check in with BLM and Forest Service HQ. They are very helpful in giving information on dispersed camping sites.

If pulling a trailer or 5th wheel, you might want to check out roads and sites with your tow vehicle before going in with full rig. Want to make sure:
Road in us passable
You can turn around

Reed and Elaine

[USAMTBR]

All good advice. Moab is pretty locked down because of overuse. There’s a large lot with ATVers that dry camp but it’s relatively noisy. Might have to drive a bit, especially with a 5th Wheeler. Can set up away from Moab and car camp close to it but finding legal spots can be hard. I believe you have to camp a certain distance from the road and the brush is so overgrown I couldn’t get my 1/2 ton truck back there without scratching the shite out of it. If you bandit camp with a cot and set up late and get out early you should be fine. In all the years my friend has been boon docking he just had an old zero gravity chair stolen by some drunk yahoos. Don’t leave generators out although I’ve seen people do it often with mediocre locks and have no issues. I always take my expensive mountain bike and secure electronic devices with me.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Reed Cundiff

Check in with BLM and Forest Service HQ. They are very helpful in giving information on dispersed camping sites.

If pulling a trailer or 5th wheel, you might want to check out roads and sites with your tow vehicle before going in with full rig. Want to make sure:
Road in us passable
You can turn around

Reed and Elaine

I think that's good advice for a motorhome too. Mine is probably around 50,000#'s loaded (dry weight is 47,600#'s). No way do I want to get stuck and need to be pulled out.

[RichnSue]

Mr. D, is this what you mean!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLdJbDwb3OA

[Reed Cundiff]

Folks get stuck way down beach on South Padre and it is expensive

There is a couple that cruise about Elephant Butte Lake in an old Army 6 x 6 hauling out stuck RVs. Free for the first extraction and quite a bit more if you do it again

[CoachDitka]

Originally Posted by Reed Cundiff

Folks get stuck way down beach on South Padre and it is expensive

There is a couple that cruise about Elephant Butte Lake in an old Army 6 x 6 hauling out stuck RVs. Free for the first extraction and quite a bit more if you do it again

Ha. There is a guy in Mammoth lakes that rolls around in a Suburban towing people out of the snow and helping install chains for tips. He has business cards all over town that just have a picture of his truck, with his name and his phone number.

[Dave0559]

We don't leave anything outside of our Motorcoach. We heard of stories of people used cable locks and went off for the day then came back and found that bolt cutters cut their cable and ran off with the property.