Boondocking when Camping – 5 Reasons to Consider This for your Next Camping Trip

Camping season is almost here & we have been featuring a series all about ways to camp on a budget! We love camping with our families.  The smell of campfire, the first bite of your s’mores of the season, the excitement of the family pulling out of the drive for their first camping adventure of the year…so much to look forward to!

If you look forward to camping each and every year, you aren’t alone.  In fact, camping is actually becoming more and more popular for families to choose as their choices for their summer vacations.  Can you blame them?  Going camping is truly a unique experience that everyone should try at least one time in their life.  If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing all the joys that camping can bring, it’s important to also consider branching out and exploring how the added benefit of boondocking can actually enhance your camping experience even more.  Just when you thought that your camping adventures couldn’t get any better…you find out that there are awesome and unique benefits that come along with boondocking too.

If you’re new to boondocking, it typically refers to going RV camping without any hookups (water, electric or sewer). It is also called Dispersed camping (by the government agencies when you look up sites you can camp for free in your state) as well as Off the Grid camping, Dry Camping or Wild camping.

5 Reasons to Consider Boondocking when Camping

Boondocking literally gives you the possibility to be able to camp anywhere that you want.  Want to wake up next to the lake and watch the sunrise over the water?  Boondocking makes that possible.  If you are looking for a way to explore nature without any “rules” or “boundaries”, boondocking is going to be right up your alley. {Make sure to check out our free camping sites posts to make sure you are camping in an area that allows boondocking.}

 

There are no fees to pay when boondocking.  FREE camping? Absolutely.  Think of the amount of money that you could save on your camping adventures by sprinkling in a few boondocking stays here and there.  Depending on where you camp, fees can range from mid-$20’s (typically state parks) to upwards of $50 plus (private campgrounds) per night.  Those costs can add up quickly if you are wanting to camp for longer periods of time, so boondocking is a great way to save costs for a frugal family adventure.

Boondocking allows you complete quiet when camping. Imagine being at peace and one with nature and the stars. Have you ever camped at a campsite and had neighbors close by that were less than stellar?  We’ve all been there…trust me.  With boondocking, you are your own neighbor.  If you hear someone being loud and talking when you’re boondocking, it’s you!

With boondocking, reservations are a thing of the past.  Since there are “technically” no sites to book, you don’t have to worry about planning ahead.  The biggest aspect to consider with boondocking is that you want to find a place that you feel safe and comfortable in.  It’s important to do a bit of research to be educated on the area you plan on staying at, but as far as reserving?  Not necessary.

Boondocking is the epitome of camping freedom.  Unless you’ve done it, you won’t fully understand it until you can truly experience it.  The differences between that and camping at a site are drastic!  While you may not have anyone “watching” over you or taking over your spot as soon as you leave, the same rules of camping etiquette apply when boondocking.  Leave the area cleaner than you found it, make certain that you don’t even leave a trace of you being there!

Boondocking is becoming more and more popular in the camping community.  If you find that you are wanting to take your camping to the next level and give boondocking a try, start small  and try to find a few places close to your home to give it a go.

Once you get used to the “basics” of boondocking, you can then start to branch out more and take yourself on the road.  Keep in mind that safety should be considered as well when deciding where to park for the night, so always make certain that you feel comfortable and safe in whatever location you decide to park and camp in.

Resources for Free Camping Sites by State/Province:

• Free Camping in Idaho
• Free Camping in California
• Free Camping Sites in British Columbia
• Free Camping Sites in Montana
• $20 or Less Campgrounds in Washington & Oregon

Have fun exploring the awesome, “hidden” camping sites of the world and experience getting back to the basics of camping with boondocking!