Boondocking... a new subheading in lifestyle?

Smokyroo · 03-22-2011, 08:09 AM

Hi Yall:
I see so many new folks here that are new to camping, much less Rving and was wondering is there an interest to create a Boondocking specific section on this forum? I love spending time in our nation's national parks and national forests and perhaps a Boondocking section will give newbys a place to go to learn and some encouragement to get into the outside and the more seasoned among us to learn a trick or two along the way too.

Perhaps a section called Boondocking under lifestyles is appropriate? Now if it exists somewhere else on the forum, then I clearly missed it and my bad

.

**KyDan** · 03-23-2011, 07:11 AM

Look for it in a Forest River Forum near you very soon!

camper_Lucy · 03-23-2011, 07:19 AM

Thanks, Great idea and I look foward to it.

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 06:23 AM

Count me in!

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 06:29 AM

wfmdfm · 03-24-2011, 06:39 AM

THis is a great idea !!

I enjoyed those pictures you posted.

dimurrrw · 03-24-2011, 08:21 AM

Yes!

brentnrobin · 03-24-2011, 08:27 AM

Great Idea!!!

socref01 · 03-24-2011, 10:51 AM

Loved the pictures! Could you also share where they were taken? Don't if it means giving up secret spots or anything but I am just curious....looks like they should be in "Trailer life" etc.

**bikendan** · 03-24-2011, 01:02 PM

let's make sure that "boondocking" is defined differently from "dry camping".

as i understand, "dry camping" is simply not having hookups of any kind, at a developed campground.

whereas, "boondocking" is camping at undeveloped spots, such as national forests, deserts, BLM land and so on.

MtnGuy · 03-24-2011, 01:09 PM

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.

VTX Al · 03-24-2011, 03:42 PM

WalMart campers are also considered to be "Boondockers" . are they not ???

...VTX-AL

**bikendan** · 03-24-2011, 03:58 PM

IMHO, i don't consider Walmart parking lots as the "Boonies", for which boondocking comes from.

at best, it's a paved lot with no hookups, so i consider it "dry camping".

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTX Al

WalMart campers are also considered to be "Boondockers" . are they not ???

...VTX-AL

Although I have heard people use that phrase, it is completely inaccurate. Simply put, it is impossible to be "boondocking" if even one tire of your tow vehicle, trailer or motor coach is on asphalt.

Actually it isn't even boondocking if you can see asphalt. lol

Stopping overnite anywhere, whether at Walmart, a rest area or along the roadway, is "overnighting". RVing isn't as easy as it seems, along with everything else to learn, there is a whole new language.

**bikendan** · 03-24-2011, 04:14 PM

yes, Glenn, i agree about it being overnighting. not any different than it being at a truck stop or highway rest area.

many use the term "boondocking" for anything without having any hookups, when it's not an accurate term for what they're using it for.

that's why i would like a boondocking section to be used for what it really is.

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfmdfm

THis is a great idea !!

I enjoyed those pictures you posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by socref01

Loved the pictures! Could you also share where they were taken? Don't if it means giving up secret spots or anything but I am just curious....looks like they should be in "Trailer life" etc.

Thank you.

I don't mind sharing the info at all, but I don't have GPS coordinates or anything. I'll give you the areas, if you would like specifics I'll give directions if you like.

The first three photos in post #4 are in the same area. They are in the White Mountains of Arizona. They are dispersed camping in Apache National Forest, a few miles southeast of Big Lake.

This is Big Lake:

The first three photos in post #5 are on the Mogollon Rim of Arizona. They are dispersed camping in Sitgreaves National Forest, not too far from Woods Canyon Lake and Bear Canyon Lake.

This is Bear Canyon Lake:

The final picture in post #5, where we are camped under the large pine tree, is in the White Mountains of Arizona, Apache National Forest, about 4 miles south of Hannagan Meadow.

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

yes, Glenn, i agree about it being overnighting. not any different than it being at a truck stop or highway rest area.

many use the term "boondocking" for anything without having any hookups, when it's not an accurate term for what they're using it for.

that's why i would like a boondocking section to be used for what it really is.

Agreed,

If you are boondocking, then you are also dry camping, but if you are dry camping, you are not necessarily boondocking. Boondocking is a specific type of dry camping outside of established campgrounds.

socref01 · 03-24-2011, 09:42 PM

Wow! No, really! I think your pictures are fantastic! I find myself saying, "I want to go there!" Okay, if we scrap the end of April trip, and get several additional days off work....no wait, that won't work cause we used the extra days in June to go to Washington for birth of 2nd grandbaby. darn, I don't think we can swing it till maybe Fall....

Anyway, that's how good I think they are....Please feel free to share more.

socref01 · 03-24-2011, 09:44 PM

Oh,...what is dispersed camping??

Glenn5995 · 03-24-2011, 09:53 PM

"Dispersed camping" is the term the forest service uses for areas in National Forest land which is outside of established campgrounds, but in which camping is permitted. Just find a spot you like and set up camp!

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