Whether you’re looking to escape the crowds and camp in unspoiled nature, or a budget friendly option to camp for free, boondocking is a popular activity that’s on the rise as more and more people venture out to enjoy the outdoors.
From boondocking basics to logistics and supplies, this guide has it all.
Having traveled for over 6 months full-time on the road and counting, we've stayed in all kinds of campgrounds all over the USA and Canada. At first, boondocking was rather intimidating and there is a certain fear of being alone in the wilderness, especially when camping with children, but we've had some incredible experiences and memories from some very special places.
For those interested in exploring this more rugged method of camping, we’re sharing some of our tips, best resources and experiences to help get you started.
What Is Boondocking?
Boondocking is basically staying at a free and legal camp spot without amenities or hookups, and can be done in either an urban or wilderness setting. In an urban setting, boondocking is possible at some businesses such as Walmart parking lots, truck stops etc, or anywhere that allows legal overnight parking. In a wild setting, boondocking is usually done on public land such as Crown Land in Canada, or national forests and BLM land in the USA.
Wild Boondocking
Typically, there are rules associated with camping on public lands, such as limits on the number of consecutive nights you can camp (typically 14 nights on BLM land), restrictions on where you can camp (sometimes in designated spots or a certain distance from roadways), and fire bans at certain times of the year.
It’s always a good idea to do your research ahead of time, as most public lands have little to no cell reception. We’ve found it particularly helpful to call or visit Ranger Stations to get the most up to date information on regulations and conditions. The rangers are an excellent resource and can offer tips depending on your interests. In our case, they’ve pointed us towards many family-friendly hidden gems that we would have never found otherwise.
Urban Boondocking
We mostly enjoy wild boondocking and while we’re not too experienced with urban boondocking, there are occasions where you might need a place to hunker down for the night. Some of the more common businesses that allow overnight camping at some locations are Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Cabela’s, but you can also park for the night at casinos, truck stops, gas stations, and local businesses friendly to campers.
It’s important to set your expectations appropriately, as you likely won’t have the best night sleep next to a busy highway or bright parking lot. This is when having some sort of noise machine (iPhone app or ceiling fan) and black out curtains really come in clutch.
As with wild camping, it's always a good idea to call ahead to see if overnight camping is allowed, and when possible, as a courtesy, make a purchase from the business.
What Kind Of Rig Is Required?
There are so many options out there for you to be able to enjoy the outdoors comfortably and safely. Important to remember is that if you chose to boondock, you need to be prepared with enough water, food and fuel. As you won’t have access to amenities such as water or toilets it’s important that you educate yourself on the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) and that you dispose of waste properly.
If you’re in the process of designing your ideal rig, you should consider what you’ll be using it for, how long you plan to be off-grid and where you will be traveling to. Depending on your needs, you will most likely need sufficient storage for drinking and grey water, a solar system to charge devices and provide power for refrigeration etc., and some way to dispose of your waste such as a composting toilet.
If you plan to visit remote areas, be aware that many of these roads require 4x4 vehicles and that the conditions can be rough at best. At first, we were really disappointed that we couldn’t access many places with our bus for this reason, but with research and careful planning, there are plenty of great camp spots to enjoy the wilderness to fit every vehicle. Important is to be well prepared and plan out your supplies according to your expectations and needs.
How To Find Places to Boondock
We first learned about boondocking from a family we met at Badlands National Park. Growing up in Ontario, I’d always been used to staying in provincial parks and had no idea that boondocking even existed. When we had difficulty finding a campsite inside the national park, we couldn’t believe it when they told us that they had spend the night overlooking the rim just outside the borders of the park for free! They were kind enough to give us a forestry map of the region and we were blown away by all the possibilities.
We prefer to spend a combination of boondocking and camping at national parks and campgrounds so that we have access to facilities, showers, laundry and attractions. There are a few helpful apps that we consistently use to help us locate boondocking sites. It’s especially helpful to read the reviews to determine the road conditions and if we’re able to make it with our bus.
Top 5 Boondocking Apps
iOverlander
An app that shows user-added spots for a wide range of destinations, including camping spots, local businesses, libraries, service stations, water fill-ups, and dump stations.
FreeRoam
GasBuddy
Campendium
AltFuel
Tips For Beginners
It can be intimidating to camp in the woods, especially when there aren’t any other campers around. It has taken time for us to feel comfortable boondocking, and there are a few tips we would offer to those just starting out.
Leave no trace, and pick up after others if you can. Finding trash at a camp spot definitely detracts from the nature experience. If you plan to use the outdoor facilities, make sure you’ve read up on LNT best practices and always pack out your toilet paper.
Be respectful of wildlife, give them their space and never feed wild animals. Be sure to dispose of dish water and food scraps appropriately.
Know the limits of your rig and setup. We like to get out of the bus to walk the road ahead to scope out the conditions. We are especially cautious of large pot holes and low branches. You need to make sure that your vehicle has the proper clearance and with our bus, we often don’t want to risk things braking inside due to shaking or the exterior being damaged - it’s just not worth it. Another important note is that forest roads often don’t have places to turn around, so before you go down a road, make sure you know how you’ll get back out.
Get to your spot before dark. That was you can find the best place to park and it is easier to find a level spot and see potential obstacles like trees and rocks when it is light out. We also always feel safer and more comfortable when we arrive before dark, especially in areas we unfamiliar with.
Have a backup plan. Especially if you are heading to a spot that could be crowded, have a backup spot if plan A doesn’t work out.
Plan for the weather. Make sure you have the proper clothing, bedding and gear. If there is any chance of snow, be prepared to get out of your spot and clear snow from your vehicle. If you’re staying in the desert, be prepared for flash floods and extreme heat.
Boondocking is an incredible experience that brings you closer to nature and we hope this guide inspires you to try out for yourself! Feel free to share any questions or tips of your own in the comments.