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However if full, it might be best to keep looking as you don’t want to risk being towed.īoondocking doesn’t have to mean parking in a questionable parking lot. Many major hotels won’t mind assuming their parking lot is already pretty empty.
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As a result, it’s not uncommon to see cars parked at trailheads overnight.īoondocking in a hotel/motel parking lot is always going to be a gamble. Lots of trails are used for overnight backpacking trips. Always check with the visitor center you plan to stay at before committing to boondocking there. Visitor centers often remain unoccupied during nighttime hours and may even have access to running water and bathrooms. Traffic can be noisy, but some rest areas in more rural locations can feel pretty similar to campgrounds! You’ll be close to a restroom and right off the road. Be sure to let someone know where you’re at though as there is usually very little supervision here. Many truck stops and rest areas are totally fine with RVers and Van campers staying overnight. There’s actually an app that will help you find a Walmart where boondocking is allowed!
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Walmarts are tightening their policies around boondocking, however, so check with the specific location before assuming it’s allowed.
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You’re highly visible and most parking lots are monitored by security. Boondocking here allows you to stock up on supplies while parking for free! Those looking for Boondocking can stay up to 24 hours at a time in any Walmart parking lot.
#BOONDOCKING FREE#
If you’re in town and need to find free camping quickly, here’s some other popular options: If you’re out in the wilderness, finding a spot to safely boondock is simply picking somewhere remote like BLM land. There are a ton of different locations where you are legally allowed to stay overnight. There’s a variety of factors to consider when deciding if a location is safe for boondocking.Ĭhoose a Spot Where Overnight Parking is Allowed It’s normal to feel a little hesitant when boondocking, especially when you start. If you plan on boondocking often, think about investing in external batteries that are charged, a composting toilet, a freshwater tank, and solar panels. Anyone can boondock whether they are car camping or boondocking in a Class A RV.
#BOONDOCKING FOR FREE#
If you are on a tight schedule and just need a spot to crash for the night, parking in a free lot overnight is a handy way to save you time and money.ĭepending on why and how you’re looking to boondock, there are a variety of options for free and cheap camping.īoondocking is a general camping term but is more common in the RV, van life, and Overlanding communities as they tend to have the supplies and storage to boondock properly. You free yourself from the reservation process and fees but lose the luxury of a developed campground.īoondocking is also a handy way to just park and sleep. In certain respects, boondocking is a simpler form of camping. There’s a wide range of camping available under the term “Boondocking.” It can range from setting up camp in the backcountry, to parking at a Walmart. It takes a little know-how and practice before you really get the most of our boondocking.īoondocking: The Complete Guide to Free Camping (Almost) AnywhereĮvery day, campers and travelers choose to escape the crowds of campgrounds for some off-grid exploring. You can’t just park anywhere and call it boondocking, though. These features will show you public lands where you can camp for free whether or not you have service or wifi!
#BOONDOCKING OFFLINE#
For last-minute camping, you can use The Dyrt PRO‘s Offline Maps and Map Layers to find free camping near you. No hookups, no site assignments, probably no neighbors, no problem.
#BOONDOCKING PRO#
Buy a year of PRO here for just $35.99 if you always want to be able to find an established campground from your vehicle.įor those who want to forgo the campground, boondocking is a way to keep camping cheap and easy. The term is most popular in the RV and Camper Van community.įor those who always want to be able to find a campground, we built The Dyrt PRO, which is an annual $35.99 membership that gives you PRO Camping Discounts at hundreds of campgrounds, PRO Gear Discounts, PRO In-App Campground Search even when you lose service, and PRO In-App Downloadable maps. Their trucker hats are the perfect addition to your next boondocking trip.īoondocking is more than a funny word: it’s a totally rad way to hit the road! Essentially, “boondocking” is when you utilize free camping without amenities or hookups. This article is brought to you by Banner & Oak, a company with deep expertise in headwear.
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