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Old 07-11-2011, 11:53 AM   #1
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What's up with "boondocking"?

I'm a bit clueless on boondocking... Where do you find places to boon-dock camp? It sounds nice to have a place to yourself, and be away from it all. I just don't have a clue on finding a place... Is there a guide online? Do you know a farmer? I live in south central PA so there is quite a bit of land around but everywhere I know is a state park or private campground.

Any tips/suggestions for a boondocking newbie?

thx
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Old 07-11-2011, 12:01 PM   #2
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National Forests sometimes have on your own camping.
Much more opportunity out west than east.
I bet there is some kind of a guide.
Hopefully someone will post with a link.
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Old 07-11-2011, 08:05 PM   #3
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Do a Google search on Boondocking. You will be surprised what you find. There is a ton of info on it. Check out National Forests, B<M lands, and State Forests.
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Old 07-11-2011, 08:43 PM   #4
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And then there are the Walmart boondocking sites.
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Old 07-11-2011, 08:52 PM   #5
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Most of our "boondocking" is in National Forests and BLM land. We have found all of our spots by exploration. We will camp in a spot, sometimes a campground if it is an area new to us, and then drive around looking for spots we like better for the next trip. Just about every camping trip will have a little "exploration time" looking for potentially better sites. National Forests usually refer to such camping as "dispersed camping". Allegheny National Forest in PA has "dispersed camping":

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEH cDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNTlIMj AwMDAwMDA!/?recid=13370&actid=34&cid=FSE_003705&navid=1101300 00000000&ss=110919&ttype=activity&navtype=BROWSEBY SUBJECT&pnavid=110000000000000&position=BROWSEBYSU BJECT&pname=Bicycling+-+Dispersed+Camping







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Old 07-11-2011, 08:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
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And then there are the Walmart boondocking sites.


Boondocking 101: It is impossible to be "boondocking" if even one tire of the tow vehicle or trailer is on asphalt.
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Old 07-12-2011, 09:47 AM   #7
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toughest thing about boondocking is keeping the battery(s) topped up for night time or water pump etc etc.
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Old 07-12-2011, 11:08 AM   #8
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I have two Trojan SCS225 batteries in parallel. With conservative electric usage, they will last three to five days depending on climate and heater use. I have two Honda EU2000i generators with the parallel kit and auxillary fuel tank used with a Black & Decker 40-amp Smart Charger for electrical needs and recharging. Currently my length of stay is limited by the capacity of my black tank (and vacation time available). Once the black tank is full - its time to go!
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Old 07-12-2011, 11:32 AM   #9
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or atleast move to another spot lol
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Old 07-12-2011, 12:49 PM   #10
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Boondocking is what we have always done

Being new to owning a travel trailer hearing people talk about Boondocking seems odd to us because that is really all we have ever done. First tents, then a pop-up but always in an area where the only utility was a hand water pump, which sometimes was a few miles from where we camped.

But to answer your question, here in WV the national forests have campgrounds and they are boondocking sites. Some are close to other sites; maybe a dozen in one area but others you may be the only site for a half mile or mile. Many of the state parks here have sites that you can choose; electric, elec. and water or nothing.
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Old 07-15-2011, 12:54 AM   #11
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But to answer your question, here in WV the national forests have campgrounds and they are boondocking sites. Some are close to other sites; maybe a dozen in one area but others you may be the only site for a half mile or mile.
That's more consistent with dry camping, boondocking (dispersed) I believe is more of an unimproved site
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Old 07-15-2011, 03:50 AM   #12
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That's more consistent with dry camping, boondocking (dispersed) I believe is more of an unimproved site
Ok I see what you are saying, still learning terminology. In that case the national forests would be dry sites or at least where I have been because you can only camp at designated sites. I guess improved depends on what is considered improved. I am guessing some gravel and a picnic table makes it "improved"
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Old 07-16-2011, 06:05 PM   #13
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You could also be BOONDOCKING if you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, and NO JACK!! Randy
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Old 07-17-2011, 09:27 PM   #14
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It's a little sad to read this for me. There are many places in Canada where you can still easily boondock. Especially around me in northern Ontario. There is much land that is publically owned still and openly available. Logging opened up a lot of roads to lakes that would otherwise be unavailable.

A backroads map or GPS add on will take you places around here that very few people see, and the fishing is amazing at many of them
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Old 07-19-2011, 05:01 PM   #15
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Boondocking tips

The best way to learn how to boondock is to do it. Start with a night or two in a no-hook-up campground, where help and advice and probably a water faucet are available. Talk to other boondockers. Keep a log of what situations shortened your boondocking trips, such as running out of fresh water, gray water tank filling up. Then find ways to overcome them, i.e. carry extra jugs of fresh water, reduce your use of fresh water, etc.
The next step if finding boondocking campsites. Start with public lands administered by the BLM and National Forest Service, as well as Corps of Engineers, state fish and game refuges, state forests, etc.
For even more information, check out my ebooks: [I]Boondocking: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America's Public Landsand 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang for Your RV Lifestyle Buck.or go to my Healthy RV Lifestyle website for more RVing info. Happy travels.
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Old 07-19-2011, 05:13 PM   #16
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Land Between the Lakes (LBL) in Tennessee/Kentucky is a great place to boondock, dry camp or go the full hookup route.

Following the rules and with the proper permit there are many out of the way places to camp.

There are several Campgrounds within LBL.

I have hunted up there many times and have never felt crowded by people. Turkey, deer and ticks are another thing altogether.
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