Save Money by Boondocking

For those that are new to the RV lifestyle, the term boondocking may be unfamiliar.  It is sometimes referred to as dry camping, but simply means to park your RV in a location that has few or no amenities.  This can be done as a quick one or two night stop or something that is done in a more deliberate manner over a longer period of time.  The obvious advantage is that it is generally free or costs very little as compared to a full service campground. 

Often quick, overnight parking is something you do when you are on your way to someplace and require a stop in-between your destination.  You can find information on free (or for a small fee) RV parking with few or no amenities on the Internet or in RV magazines.  Examples of this type of accommodations are truck stops, malls, restaurants, casinos, and some rest areas.   Keep in mind that many of these spots are not places to bring out the awning, lawn chairs and other equipment to clutter up the lot. 

The other type of boondocking is when RVers make the decision to deliberately set up camp in an area that does not offer any services.  These are often beautiful, out of the way locations that are not within an organized park or facility.  To find such a location, you can contact a US National Park Service, National Forest Service, or a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office to see if they have suggestions.  Additionally, these agencies publish maps that are on the Internet.

There are also a couple of directory services and guidebooks that specialize in providing good boondocking locations or you can use detailed maps to find places.  It can be a fun alternative to staying in campgrounds but is challenging as you may need to learn how to conserve your water and energy resources. 

Sources:

http://roadslesstraveled.us/boondocking/

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