Boondocking 101 - A Guide to Free Camping in Your RV

Just getting started with boondocking and free camping? Not sure of where to go, if you can get there, or what to expect from wild camping and cheap rv living? We cover everything from safety to etiquette (and all things between).

To learn more check out our primer guide:

Created by campers for campers, Campendium lists over twenty-eight thousand places to camp, from swanky RV parks to free camping and boondocking destinations, vetted by a team of full-time rvers and reviewed by over one hundred seventy thousand plus members. Our YouTube channel highlights the best places to camp and will change the way you find a place to call home for the night.

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Created by campers for campers, Campendium lists over twenty-eight thousand places to camp, from swanky RV parks to free camping and boondocking destinations, vetted by a team of full-time rvers and reviewed by over one hundred seventy thousand plus members. Our YouTube channel highlights the best places to camp and will change the way you find a place to call home for the night.

Campendium exists today thanks to support from the community. Whether you’re writing reviews, uploading photos, sharing on social media or making a donation, you’re the reason Campendium thrives!

#campendium #boondocking #freecamping

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[dawsonsld]

Regarding campfires, it's not only important to put it out (and run you hand through the ashes to make sure they are cold) when you depart for the next campsite. But put it out any time you leave it unattended. Forest fires have been started by campers who left their campfire burning while out hiking, fishing, or chasing after butterflies! I watched one video where a hiking couple camp upon a campsite devoid of humans where the fire was built between two close trees. It was roaring and eating up the trees when they happened to pass this camp. Fortunately, they were able to put it out and save the forest, themselves, and the stupid campers.

[prepperjonpnw]

At about 4:35-5:00 you talk about putting out the fire and it reminded me of something I learned from an octogenarian years ago. When boondocking in an area that doesn’t have water like streams and ponds or lakes to use for dousing the fire pit he has a pretty smart way of putting the fire out.
He uses water from his “grey” water tank to completely drown the fire pit. Since the “grey” water tank should only have drainage from the sinks and shower/tub which would be mainly water and a little soap it should be fine to use it for dousing the fire pit. He also pointed out that depending on how long you were there you potentially had anywhere from 5 gals up to the entire tank which could be 25, 30, 40, or even 50 gals. Definitely enough to drown the fire pit.
Cheers mate and happy trails

[RandisAdventures]

Nothing worse than people who pull up next to you and run their generator all day long! Great tips!

[BillSprague]

Having those black or blue puncture resistant gloves along is a good idea, if you’re going to pick up others’ trash. Just a thought from an old Civil Engineer.

[waynek]

One thing he did leave out when boondocking be aware of different hunting season throughout the year you don't want to tick off a hunter and always leash your dogs you don't want too loose your dog to a wild animal. Be safe

[cmabbott]

We have taken our TT on two longer trips away from home and because of the weather have had to stay in RV parks, instead of BLM. We found a good site outside of Bryce Canyon NP last year but it was a little muddy. I didn’t have a good feeling about staying there because our dog would have been a mess and I was afraid it would rain overnight and we would get stuck. So we moved on and got a partial hookup at a campground near the park. It probably would have been ok because the rain did not come overnight. My point is, trust your gut feeling—you’ll sleep better. 😊

[terrycheek]

My wife and I are new to boondocking. We are doing a cargo trailer to camper conversion. 2024 will be our kick-off year. We're familiar with camping but this will be a new world for us. As we get closer to retirement we hope to travel the country as a boondocker. Any insight will be appreciated.

[sandi]

That was a great impression of Smokey the bear!

[mobetravels]

Ohhhh, how I remember "water hours" (aka navy showers)... sometimes it was literally less than a gallon my friend! Great ideas you leave behind for those watching! Thank You.

[StillThinking]

You have me so hyped to do this. My family and I are planning on Rving/boon-docking starting next year and can't wait.

[timmccarthy]

Bundok a Philippine word meaning out in the jungle or forest the u.s. military could not say Bundok so they said boondocks just so ya know uss midway clark airbase

[DurgaDas]

Great video! I love the Boy Scouts Yes, I’m also an Eagle Scout,

[Thethriftpicker]

I love Campendium. Use it all the time. We’ve found some insane view points to stay at. 😍😍

[journeyfifty]

We use Campendium to plan most of our trips! Awesome job keep it up!

[ransombaggins]

Great stuff! Thanks from a new guy. I think that having an adequate first aid kit/medications and knowing how to use them would be important. Of course, I’m sure everyone here knows that already. :)

[andersonsoutdoors]

Since getting our pop up, we haven't done a lot of boondocking yet, but we have stayed at some campgrounds that had no hook ups. There are some challenges and things you have to think about for sure! Good tips here. Thanks y'all. Maybe we will hit up some remote spots with these tips in mind. See you out there!!!! AO

[HikaYaker]

Thank you for mentioning generators! They have ruined more camping trips for me than anything else?

[stClassRVadventures]

We LOVE using campendium it’s also how I find dump stations 💩

[WorstCowboyEver]

Having the right RV makes a world of difference. Example: we currently have a Salem 27DBK travel trailer with 30 gallon grey, black, and fresh. With two kids, we can boondock for like 3 or 4 days max. Now we are upgrading to a 5th wheel with a 60 grey, 60 black, and 115 fresh...massive difference. Also a built in generator. Do the research on the unit first 👌 also out west is way better than the eastcoast for boondocking

[karisorrenti]

Smokey the Bear quote was better than I could do.