Boondocking... a new subheading in lifestyle?

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by Smokyroo

Glenn, I really dont know many places back east here where you can legally do what you do....

I have heard that about back east, that primitive camping areas are not as readily available as here in the southwest. As more people relocate here, it is becoming more difficult to find a spot to yourself, but still can be done.

The Forest Service does list dispersed camping areas in North Carolina, but interestingly enough, they include campgrounds:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEH cDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNTlIMj AwMDAwMDA!/?recid=48112&actid=34&cid=FSE_003705&navid=1101300 00000000&ss=110811&ttype=activity&pname=National+F orests+in+North+Carolina-+Camping+&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&pnavid=110000000 000000&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT

The dispersed camping for Apache/Sitgreaves National Forest here in Arizona simply says:

"You may camp outside of developed campgrounds anywhere on the Forest at no charge. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. No permits are required to camp in Wilderness areas."

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by camper_Lucy

...Go enjoy your first Boondock once you do you will not go back to the local KOA.

AMEN!!

That is the great thing about boondocking having its own section, people that didn't even realize you can do such a thing, might be so inclined to do so now and those of us that do can learn even more from each other.

[campnqueen]

Glenn - AWESOME photos and what a spot to park! I am sooooo jealous!!! Nice rig too!

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by campnqueen

Glenn - AWESOME photos and what a spot to park! I am sooooo jealous!!! Nice rig too!

Thank you. I do appreciate the compliments from everyone. I have always enjoyed camping and feel quite blessed to have my wonderful wife and two incredible children who also share the love of camping. It is a dream come true for us to have our camper and be able to enjoy these trips as a family. In the past I have been lapse in capturing the moments with photographs and when I have taken photographs I have usually been disappointed with them. I have recently tried to improve my photographic skills. I have come a long way, but still have much to learn. I am glad to be able to share them with you and do appreciate your compliments.

Happy camping everyone!

[billy bob]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

There is now a subforum in Lifestyles for "Boondocking".

I always considered boon-docking and dry camping the same, but I can understand bikendan's explanation. Usually when you are off the grid, it is somewhere like BLM or National Forest land. But then again, I camp on the Skyline Drive a lot, where the sites are paved, but no hookups, so that might be considered dry camping instead of boon-docking.

Chap as you know from RVpics I drove the Skyline drive 1st part of Oct-11
didn't see any campgrounds were did I miss them?
Billy Bob

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by billy bob

Chap as you know from RVpics I drove the Skyline drive 1st part of Oct-11
didn't see any campgrounds were did I miss them?
Billy Bob

Wow, I didn't realize that you were the same "Bill". The eagle avatar should have been a clue.

There are 4 campgrounds on the Skyline Drive:

Mathews Arm at milepost 22 with about 150 sites, some reserveable, others 1st come 1st served. I have never been to this campground. It is close to Front Royal in the northern district.

Big Meadows is at milepost 51 in the central district with about 200 sites. Big Meadows is usually the 1st to open in the spring, and the last to close in the fall. I thought all sites were were reservable during the main camping season, but the website show some 1st come 1st served. Many sites here have big trees, but very little in low vegetation to isolate 1 campsite from the next.

My camper at Big Meadows:
Big Meadows 001.jpg


Lewis Mtn at milepost 57 is a small campground with about 30 sites. This campground is not very "big rig" friendly, but I have seen some pretty good sized units in there. I think all sites are 1st come, 1st served.

Photo taken of a good sized rig at Lewis Mtn a couple of weeks ago:
IMG_4154.jpg


Loft Mtn at milepost 80 in the southern district is our favorite spot....the sites tend to be more private. There are about 160 sites there, with both reservable and 1st come, 1st served sites.

My avatar photo was taken at Loft Mtn.

As far as I know, there are no water or electric sites at any of the campgrounds.....other than the camp hosts. Water is usually found via spigots around the campgrounds. Generators are allowed certain times of the day, and several campgrounds have specific "no generator" areas if people are there for the quiet.

I think all campgrounds are only 1st come 1st served during the early and late season.

Lewis Mtn. does not have a dump station. The other 3 are probably within a mile or so of the campground. A little bit of a trek if you need to pull a blue tote there, but convenient dumping when you are leaving with a rig.

Here is a good place for campground information on the Drive: Shenandoah National Park - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service)

Hope this helps.

[Wildcat Chris]

Great thread with awesome pics! Thanks to all for sharing...

[xgeoman]

Glenn, I am in Prescott and considering a trip to the White Mtns and was wondering if you could elaborate on the interesting sounding boondock areas you found. The Forest road number and turnoff would be very helpful. Thanks, L.Dee

[rotorhead1250]

Love boondockin! We head up to northern New Mexico every chance we get. Gona be 4 days this weekend.