Community Forums

Dargeljohn · 03-21-2019, 04:24 PM

Hello All
This is my first post and looking for some guidance on boondocking on public lands. Planning on retiring in a couple of years and going fulltime in a Super C. Been watching a lot of YouTube's on the boondocking and was wonderings how realistic is it to do fulltime? Thanks

twogypsies · 03-21-2019, 06:21 PM

Many people full-time and boondock. Things to consider are holding tank capacities and where to dump them properly. Also, power via a generator or solar panels & that includes proper batteries. It's all been worked out by others. Just ask and search this forum for lots of good information on those topics!

UTTransplant · 03-21-2019, 06:34 PM

There are some parts of the country where it is very possible to boondock full time, and other parts where it is almost impossible. For example, I know people who spend 6 months in Arizona on public land, but the summers are too brutal. They then move to somewhere much farther north to escape the heat. In the Midwest and anywhere east of the Mississippi public land is much less available. Are you open to the west and travel? Note that there are also campgrounds where month long stays cost only $250-350 a month plus electric.

profdan · 03-21-2019, 08:07 PM

We do a lot of boondocking (not full time) and we see a fair number of fulltimers. They tell us that it is ok but is not without its downsides -- you have to pull up stakes and go dump the tanks once a week, it's kind of cramped after a while, you often can't stay for more than 14 days in some areas, etc.

On the other hand, no lawn to mow, no house payment, more variety than living in a house, etc.

vsheetz · 03-21-2019, 08:40 PM

We dry camp much of the winter desert season in the southwest. Lots of areas in AZ and SoCal. We usually dry camp for a week or more, them move to another area. During the move we will duck into a inexpensive campground for a day or two. There we dump and fill tanks, take long showers, do laundry, etc.

RunningHard · 03-21-2019, 09:22 PM

Not a full timer by any means, but will be gone for a few months at a time. Don’t think we have stayed at a camp ground for years. We always dry camp, every 7-10 days we will dump and refill water. All our travels are West of Mississippi. I do realize that dry camping is a bit more difficult on East Coast. Enjoy!

Dargeljohn · 03-22-2019, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the replies.

This may be a dumb question, but I have no experience with Public Lands. Are there certain entrances you have to take for "Check In" or can you take any road, off the main road, into an area?

twogypsies · 03-22-2019, 01:17 PM

Boondocking on public lands takes a little research. You need some maps and also a visit to the nearby ranger station may help or look at the particular national forest online for information and to where the 'dispersed camping' as it is called, can be done. Some forests have regulations along with time limits. As far as driving on any forest road, yes you can. However, if you're unsure you may want to leave your RV behind while you scout out the road. Some are very rugged and many are well-maintained gravel ones. It's also recommended that you park the RV on a previously-used opening/campsite and not create your own by destroying vegetation. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Also, boondocking in the western states is much easier than the eastern.

Dargeljohn · 03-22-2019, 04:39 PM

Thanks

I have a lot to learn, but looking forward to the adventures!

profdan · 03-22-2019, 10:27 PM

There are no dumb questions! Don't be shy about asking.

Almost every national forest publishes "motor vehicle use maps" -- mvums. They can be downloaded. They usually show the forest roads on which boondocking is permitted.

Once you see a likely area, fly over it on Google Earth. The already-established boondocking sites should be visible. Mark those places.

Then, when you get to the area, spend a day cruising around, looking at the sites and choosing the one you want.

It's time consuming but fun!!

Dargeljohn · 03-23-2019, 12:31 PM

Motor vehicle use maps, I'll check them out. Thanks!

Dan McMartin · 03-31-2019, 10:11 PM

We boondock quite often and plan to spend most of the spring and summer boondocking in the mountain west.

It's not hard but you need a fair amount of battery capacity and solar. Well, need is a strong term but they make things much easier and more pleasant. There are solutions to dumping tanks and taking on fresh water that don't involve moving but it's a lot of work in our opinion. Easy enough to move every 10-14 days, dump, take on water, toss your trash, do laundry, etc. at an RV park, state park, etc.

As far as finding public land, if it doesn't say you can't camp there, you probably can. Don't look for big signs telling you it's okay. The best spots don't have signs. We still get a little nervous when we find a spot on public land and no one is there. We feel like someone will knock at 3 am and tell us we have to move but they never have and probably never will.

Dargeljohn · 04-02-2019, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan McMartin

We boondock quite often and plan to spend most of the spring and summer boondocking in the mountain west.

It's not hard but you need a fair amount of battery capacity and solar. Well, need is a strong term but they make things much easier and more pleasant. There are solutions to dumping tanks and taking on fresh water that don't involve moving but it's a lot of work in our opinion. Easy enough to move every 10-14 days, dump, take on water, toss your trash, do laundry, etc. at an RV park, state park, etc.

As far as finding public land, if it doesn't say you can't camp there, you probably can. Don't look for big signs telling you it's okay. The best spots don't have signs. We still get a little nervous when we find a spot on public land and no one is there. We feel like someone will knock at 3 am and tell us we have to move but they never have and probably never will.

I've studying the MVUM's, for different National Forests, to get familiar with the roads, dispersed camping and seasonal restrictions. Also looking at the same areas on Google Map.

What you said about signs, or lack of signs got me thinking. Looking at Google Maps, I can see gravel roads, heading off the pavement and they don't appear to be gated. And, these roads also appear to have pull-offs and loops for camping. Looking at these entrances, on Street View, some have signs, some don't. I am planning on towing a truck, but also have a mini bike in the truck bed. Thinking of using the bike, to scout out these roads for safe spots.

Dan McMartin · 04-02-2019, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dargeljohn

I've studying the MVUM's, for different National Forests, to get familiar with the roads, dispersed camping and seasonal restrictions. Also looking at the same areas on Google Map.

What you said about signs, or lack of signs got me thinking. Looking at Google Maps, I can see gravel roads, heading off the pavement and they don't appear to be gated. And, these roads also appear to have pull-offs and loops for camping. Looking at these entrances, on Street View, some have signs, some don't. I am planning on towing a truck, but also have a mini bike in the truck bed. Thinking of using the bike, to scout out these roads for safe spots.

Always a good idea to scout out a new spot. But again, we live in a country where We the People can do whatever we want unless theirs a specific law against it. The default condition is that public land is open to all lawful public uses. If there is no law, regulation or rule against camping (or hunting, fishing, drones flight, gold panning, camp fires, nude sunbathing, etc.), you can camp...period.

Now trying to find all those rules is another thing altogether. The BLM website, in particular, is a hot mess.