Boondocking is a popular form of camping for many people, but what exactly does it mean? Well, it comes down to two things â how you are camping and where you are going to be camping.
First of all, boondocking consists of being totally detached from the world of electronics and modern amenities. Youâre not going to get things like water and electricity like you would generally get on a campsite. Itâs just you and nature, completely as one.
So, onto the where. Boondocking is when you camp on public land. This means that youâre not going to a specific campsite â youâre just setting up camp in random spots in the wilderness.
You have to find the right places to camp, and ensure that itâs legal to camp in these locations. It can be a very freeing way of camping.
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How do you do Boondocking?
Before you start boondocking, you should do your research first. Look into the locations where you can legally go boondocking, and plan a route from there.
You should also take some time to ensure that the weather conditions are good before you take your first boondocking trip. Itâs not the best idea to go boondocking for the very first time when the weather is cold or overly hot.
Make sure that you find a place where you can park overnight too. Places like Walmart parking lots or visitors centers are a good choice.Â
In addition to this, you will also need to ensure that you prepare before you go boondocking. Grab some food and any other supplies that you need for your trip.
The last thing you want is to be running out of supplies while you are boondocking. Then itâs just a matter of setting up camp!Â
What is the difference between dry camping and Boondocking?
Dry camping and boondocking are pretty much the same thing. If someone tells you that they are going boondocking, they may mean that they are actually going dry camping. The opposite is also true.
Dry camping is usually when you are camping far away from any utilities. It means that you donât have things like generators plugged into your vehicle. Boondocking tends to be when you are parking up much further away from developed areas, however.
Ultimately, the terms are used interchangeably, though boondocking is when you are relying on yourself for survival and you are completely one with nature.Â
Where is Boondocking legal?
Boondocking is totally legal, but you need to be careful. In some instances, it may not be legal to boondock in certain locations. You will usually find that the vast majority of legal boondocking locations are quite deep into nature.
There are also camping areas that are specifically designed for boondocking. Itâs often best to look for free public lands nearby when you are going boondocking.
For instance, you can boondock in places like national forests and certain designated campsites. You can look online to see some boondocking sites near you. It is often best to contact the local authorities if you are in doubt at all about whether a certain location is legal.
The local authorities will usually be able to advise you whether it is possible to park in a certain location. Otherwise, itâs best to do your research in advance and find some designated boondocking locations.
Where can I find Boondocking?
One of the most important things to do when boondocking is to find the right place to set up camp. This isnât always the easiest task when you havenât gone boondocking before.
With that in mind, you may be wondering how you can find boondocking spots for your next adventure. There are a few different ways that you can find boondocking.Â
The first thing that you can do is look at the U.S. Forest website. On this site, you will find free boondocking spots, or boondocking locations that you need to pay for.
All you need to do is go onto the website and look at the green box that states âFind a Forest or Grassland.â Then you can choose your state and find an appropriate boondocking spot.
You can also look on a website called Campendium. You can download the app on your phone! Here, you can find places where you can stay overnight and itâs very easy to use the site.
You will see a wide variety of different places where you can stay when you use this site. Itâs a very popular site among boondockers!Â
Want to free yourself from the clutches of technology? Well, you can find boondocking by going back to the basics. Simply ask the nearby park ranger where to go.
Theyâll have all of the most recent information at hand to help you to find your boondocking for the night. They can also inform you of the places that you need to avoid.
Is Boondocking Safe?
Thankfully, boondocking is perfectly safe! There are also some people that say itâs even safer than staying at places like RV parks. People feel that when they are boondocking, they are less likely to be the victims of crime.
People arenât likely to go out of their way to find a random RV in the middle of a forest to steal from.
Itâs very rare that people experience bear attacks and other things like that while they are out boondocking. The only reason why it would be an issue is if people are feeding the bears.Â
Of course, one thing is for certain. When you are boondocking, you need to be vigilant, just like you would be if you were visiting an RV park. This means taking all the necessary precautions for your safety. This will help to ensure that you have a safe, stress free experience.
Why is it called Boondocking?
Boondocking is actually derived from the term âboondocksâ. This is a translation from the Tagalog word known as âbundok,â which means mountain.
Itâs a term that has been in existence in the United States since the American war of 1899-1902. It has evolved into driving an RV or a motorhome into secluded areas, camping freely and without utilities.Â
When people think of boondocking, they are usually thinking about camping in remote areas, away from society in many cases. It is an activity enjoyed by adventurers who wish to experience the freedom of camping out on the road without the ties to modernity such as electricity and running water.
It has been around for a very long time, and there are many locations that you can boondock in throughout the United States. Many people choose to go boondocking in places like national parks or in forests.
Itâs a great way of experiencing nature and the world without having to worry about hooking a vehicle up to electricity, and itâs a fantastic alternative to camping in an RV park.