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The information provided in all "Your RV" pages are only suggestions and anecdotal stories.  The information in these pages is a generic peace of work and is meant only as a general guide, it should not be taken as absolute fact. The information provided in these pages can change at any given day.  Please read our RV Manual page for more information.

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Why Boondocking

One reason is economics. Those on a budget will enjoy the notion of being "rent free".

Another is a sense of independence -- "I can get along w/out any support from anyone".

Also sense of adventure: "I can live on my own"

Where to go to find the land? You already own a lot of it. Public lands embrace such huge resources as BLM. The general rule is if you can get your RV to it, and get 100 yards off the highway, you can stay there. This is especially true in the West. The key always is to ensure that the surface will support your particular RV. Consider too the impact of rain. You want to make sure you can get out as well as get it...

Other areas include snowpark parking, and fishing access sites. But be sure to park "out of the way", so you don't block others' access. When you're in a national park or recreation area, ask whether they have any "primitive camping" areas. When you travel, you'll meet other RVers -- many of whom are likley to have places you can park when you visit their home areas.

Picking a suitable place to dry camp has several aspects. Safety, convenience, location, permission possibilities and noise are important considerations. Safety is paramount in evreybody's minds and people do some things to make sure they pick a safe place based on their experience. You can choose to travel with three electronic devices that provide additional safety: a Cell Phone, a good Alarm System, and the new MayDay System.  The MayDay system is a GPS (Geo Positioning Satellite) based monitoring system that has a dedicated cell phone and can connect us to a real person monitoring our condition in the time it takes to make a call. It is activated if the alarm goes off, if we press the emergency button and when the coach batteries go down. Since they know exactly where you are they can immediately dispatch the proper service. The Alarm System sounds a siren and flashes lights if someone tries to break into the RV. It also allows people to sound the alarm from a key fob in the bedroom if they hear estrange noises outside. The siren and lights flashing will probably scare people with bad intent away from the RV.

Fresh Water

Always get it from an approved water source -- not Springs. Service stations and truck stops are good sources, but ALWAYS use your own hose. Don't use their hose -- you have no idea where their hose has been. If you're using a private campground, you've already paid for the hookups, so fill your tank while you're there.

Sewage

Never dump on the ground anywhere. It's illegal in almost every state. And it's certainly terrible manners as well. Many service stations out West have a disposal station for a fee. Flying J is particularly RV friendly. They'll have dump station and propane. Newer Flying J's have fuel plazas just for RVs -- but regrettably they're poorly designed and often too tight for big RVs -- so bigger rigs will want to fuel up with the trucks. Some chains are not RV friendly. Petro is one. Unfortunately some states are closing their dump stations. It's because RVers use bad manners. Always use a hose; and always hook up the hose to the dump station first, and then to your RV. 

Please read our USA Public RV Dump Sites page for more information.

Keeping the Batteries Charged

Make sure you have adequate size wiring connecting the chassis battery to the house battery. Trailer manufacturers often undersize the wires. 6 guage wire is needed. Never tow with the refrigerator on gas. It will stay cold for several hours anyway. 3 way refrigerators don't work too well. The best solution is to get an inverter of at least 1500 watts, and run the refrigerator on that source while you're running down the road. A generator is another obvious source, but the noise is clearly a disturbance -- so buy a quiet one and use it with care for your neighbors. Solar panels is another option. It converts sunlight to DC current. You'll need at least 8 guage wiring from the panel(s) to the battery bank. But using an inverter and solar still requires careful energy conservation. Watch for stray electric loads, like TV's turned off are not really "off"; the microwave clock is still running; the DSS system draws the same whether it's "on" or "off" (about 30 watts). Use fluorescent lighting only. Replace regular lighting with florescent. Use Sun Ray fixtures -- they work best. As a rule of thumb, you'll need two batteries per person -- at least. If you add batteries, use 00 size cable and use the shortest possible cable length needed. Which type battery works best?

Safety Issues

How do you feel safe out there by yourself? First, don't advertise who you are "the Jones from Milwaukee". Someone will knock on your door in the middle of the night calling out your name -- trying to make you think it's someone you know. Park in the light, not in a dark, concealed area where you could be victimized out of sight. 

Watch where you walk. In the desert there are too many things that stick or bite. Wear boots in the desert and watch your step. Carry water, and always go with a companion (buddy system). 

Your RV is extremely safe from intruders. It's safer than your house or apartment. It has only one door. And it opens OUT. Thus you can't kick it in like the door on your house which opens in. Statistically your much more likeley to be a victim in your house than in your RV. Moreover, there's little you have in there that someone can quickly take out and convert it to significant amounts of money. Robbers believe -- rightly or wrongly -- that all RVers carry guns.

A personal issue is guns. There are considerations to be weighed. If you're carrying a gun that is unloaded, your asking for trouble. In almost every state you can use deadly force to protect yourself from imminent serious danger of being killed or maimed. Never shoot a warning shot. Never shoot just to injure. Only if you're comfortable with all that should you have a gun in the RV.

Beyond guns, we do recommend full strength pepper spray, good up to about 20 feet. One brand has dye which will mark the attacker for a long time to come. It's not legal in all states. It's not legal in Canada for self defense against people; but it is legal for defense against bears!

Boondocking Etiquette

Some people found ourselves looking for a campground almost every night for the conveniences, safety, and TV hook up for the night. They use private, public, and membership campgrounds and about time to quit driving the are pouring over the directories to find a place to stop. Sometines they will dry camp or boondock on public land, truck stop, rest area or parking lot. 

Others have a Satellite Dish and a cell phone with email capability, and this group is boondocking anywhere and everywhere.  They don't like to disconnect their toad just to get parked at a site that might have soft ground, etc. This description fits many motorhomers today. It fits fewer travel trailer RVers. They are typical of many people that tour and don’t stay too long in any place. 

1. When visiting relatives normally you can park in their driveway, if there is room. If local regulation allows you can also park on the street in front of their house. A quick call to the local police station will tell you if this is legal. Otherwise find a campground that is close.
2. If you are miles from getting to a destination, look for the convenience of a large flat place that is close to the highway in a safe environment. Common sense is important when selecting a place to stop. Trust your intuition and drive on if the environment does not "feel" safe.
3. If you are on private property, ask permission.
4. If you are on public property, ask permission.
5. If you don’t know, ask permission.
6. Don’t camp, just park and get some rest.
7. Don’t make any extra noise.
8. Be quiet when getting started in the morning.
9. Don’t idle your diesel for 30 minutes because that’s not good for the engine anyway.
10. Limit the time you spend to times when the space is not needed by the business.
11. If you leave the RV while it is parked, leave a note with your cell phone number on it, so that owners or authorities can reach you if there is a problem.
12.  Don’t leave pets in the RV.

Parking Lots

1. Parking overnight in parking lots should be one of your first choices. WalMart, K-Mart, Costco, Grocery Stores, Cracker Barrel and other businesses allow overnight parking in their lots, which are generally not highly used after 8pm. First and foremost, always ask permission from the Manager of the appropriate business.  You can be on your way after a night in a quiet parking lot.
2. Many times you have been watched over by the night security guard which adds more safety to your stay.
3. In this type of parking never open the awnings, get the barbecue and chairs out or otherwise "camp".  Just park for a quiet sleep. 
4. Other businesses do not allow overnight parking, so look for signs and ask permission.
5. Smaller towns with local businesses are also receptive to use of their parking lot at night.  You can get permission from the local law enforcement to use one of the city’s parking lots and hence get added security.
6. On occasion you can use Church Parking Lots to spend the night. Especially on Saturday night.  Look for a church that has a 5pm vigil Mass, then ask the pastor to spend the night in his empty parking lot. Some of the times, they have even offered to let us plug into electricity. We have also parked at Elks halls, some even have hook ups, and other service/social club parking lots of course after getting permission.

When you do park in those spaces, make sure you're out of the way. Don't park behind the buildings, as trucks come in late at night and need space for turning. Don't pull out the grill, lawn chairs, etc. Usually keep slides in. (When you shop for your RV, be sure to get one which you can easily used when the slides are not extended) Ask the manager as you're checking out with your shopping cart whether you can stay in your self contained RV overnight.

Quartzsite is the quintessential example of public lands which are used for boondocking. At peak season it's the world's largest flea market, completely populated by RVs. It's 7 miles long by 2 miles wide. The main area has an annual entry permit; but beyond that designated area it's all free.

As a courtesy, remember the folks already out there boondocking are there for peace and quiet too. So when you move into an area where RVs are already parked, be sure to "keep your distance". Don't ever park closer than 100 feet to any other parked rig.

Rest Stops

Rest areas on major highways provide another way to get a free night sleep. RVs will park with the trucks.  Not all rest stops are good places to park over night. If you are near a big city where the crime rate is high or in a State that has a bad reputation then do not pick Rest Stops. Similarly, don't pick a Truck Stop if the area has a bad reputation. Both of these types of area are shared with over the road truckers and call for special etiquette. 

1. Always look for a way your RV can be tucked into a place that an 18 wheeler can’t get into. At truck stops like Flying J and Travel Centers of America TA Centers, there are usually areas designated for RVers. There you can also find restaurants with warm meals, mini market, maps, some even have modems for your computers.
2. At rest stops, always try to find a place that is legal but would be very hard for a truck to use. If two people are traveling together, they can take one long spot that would normally be used by one truck. 
3. Truck Stop and Rest Stops are choices that are extremely noisy especially in the summer if you want to leave the windows open. Running the generator to get air conditioned where there is already a lot of noise is OK.
4. Many times you have been watched over by the night security guard which adds more safety to your stay.
5. It is always better to park where there is more than one rig parking, because there is safety in numbers.
6. When others are parked with you, it is only common courtesy to keep the noise down like not running the generator until after 7am.

• Flying J National chain of fuel stops and travel plazas offers a respite from the highway, plus diesel refueling for the miles ahead. you can also find restaurants with warm meals, mini market, maps, some even have modems for your computers.
• Travel Centers of America TA Centers You can find gasoline and you can also find restaurants with warm meals, mini market, maps, some even have modems for your computers.
• The Truckers Friend The National Truck Stop Directory - a searchable source truck stop services, fuel, and parking information for truckers and RVers.
• Pilot Travel Centers Restaurants, restrooms, fuel and mini market.