RV Boondocking - Taking the Road Less Traveled

Travel RVing-Boondocking-Taking the Road Less Traveled
By Sandy St Germaine

Travel RVing has come to the conclusion that there are as many definitions and variations of boondocking as there are boondockers. Think "dry camping" or "free camping" covers the subject? Well, think again, my fellow RVers. Let's take a look at a few terms you may or may not have come across in your quest for the perfect "free" camping experience.

Boondocking (general) -- Simply means camping in your RV in an area with limited or no facilities.

Blacktop boondocking -- Free overnight parking in a parking lot such as Wal-Mart, Target, or at a truckstop. The parking lots are usually paved with black asphalt--hence the term blacktop boondocking or blacktop camping.

Dry Camping-- Usually used interchangeably with boondocking but is somewhat a misnomer. The RVs of today have on-board fresh water systems--ain't nothing dry about 'em.

Dispersed Camping-- the National Forest Service uses this term for camping anywhere in a National Forest outside of a designated campground. You know the Government, folks. They have their own names for everything.

Stealth Camping-- Seems to mean living undetected in any public place. It is the ability to camp for free any place, anytime you choose. Kinda' like hiding in full sight. It sometimes has another meaning--camping somewhere without the knowledge or permission of the property owner. Stealth camping started with the cyclists and backpackers crowds, and has been adopted by some RVers somewhere along the line. Don't know why any RVer would choose this method of camping with all the other options out there...but, mine is not to reason why.

Wild Camping-- Camping a night or two in a remote, unregulated location. Sounds a lot like boondocking with undomesticated animals (or maybe with a few 5 and 6 year old kids).

Guerilla Camping-- Don't know much about this one, folks. Must be related to the survivalists. Stealth camping with Rambo?

Coyote Camping-- Boondocking in the desert, with or without the presence of coyotes.

Whatever you call it, the boondocking RVer has to get cozy with camping without hook-ups. Learn to conserve your fresh water and electricity. If you are boondocking for a night or two, you probably won't tax your onboard systems too badly--but beyond that you will have to learn every trick in the Conservation 101 textbook to enjoy your experience. Research the internet for resources and information on boondocking.

Always leave your camping spot better than you found it. Clean up after yourselves and your pets, for Pete's sake. First Law of Boondocking: Leave No Trace! Follow boondocking protocols -- ask permission, not forgiveness, for camping privileges.

Boondocking will open up a whole new world for the RVer. Not only will it save you loads of cash, but you will be overcome with the natural beauty that awaits you when you take the road less traveled. Travel RVing suggests you get on that road and keep going. Don't stop until it feels perfect.

And, oh, almost forgot -- there's also Renegade Camping, Primitive Camping, and Wilderness Camping. Enough said.

Sandy St. Germaine has a website devoted to living the the RV lifestyle to the fullest. Please contact me at Travel RVing

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