Boondocking: How And Where To Go Dispersed Camping

Cell Phone & TV Service

We spend most of our camping trips unplugging but on extended trips we like having the creature comforts of home. Currently, we are using the Starlink roaming plan to stay connected. It’s expensive (about $150/month with a startup cost of about $600) but we decided to invest because we needed it to be able to work from anywhere. It works great!

If you can’t justify the cost, you may want to try another option. Prior to our current setup we were using Hulu for TV with a Verizon unlimited data plan BUT if there is no cell phone signal, we were out of luck so we purchased a booster.

weBoost Drive X RV (471410) Cell Phone Signal Booster | U.S. Company | All U.S. Carriers – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint & More | FCC Approved

If there was a weak cell phone signal we were golden … we turned on our weBoost Cell Phone Signal Booster and were back in business for phone calls, internet service and TV streaming. But, there were times the booster still was not able to give us connectivity.

• NOTE: A signal booster can only boost a signal … it can’t create one that is not there. So you have to be in an area with some signal before a booster is a benefit to you.

Free Camping In USA

Boondocking is NOT legal everywhere so you need to know where boondocking is allowed. The good news is that there are tons of free camp sites in the United States and this post shows you how to find them including areas in National Forests, on BLM Land (Bureau of Land Management), US Army Corps of Engineers, State Owned Land, Wildlife Management Areas as well as links to books, apps and websites to find free camping!

Some of our favorite destinations include:

• Valley of the Gods
  • BLM land near Monument Valley, Utah with designated dispersed sites
• Mogollon Rim Camping
  • National Forest land near Happy Jack, Arizona with designated dispersed sites
• Sedona Area Camping
  • National Forest land near Sedona, Arizona with designated dispersed sites

National Forests

We live in Arizona and have an abundance of free camping areas located in several National Forests throughout the state. If you have never been boondocking in National Forests, you’ll see how easy it is in our post.

Some of our favorite destinations are in:

• Coconino National Forest, Arizona
• Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona
• Tonto National Forest, Arizona
• Inyo National Forest, California
• Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, California
• Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, Colorado

Best Camping Apps

We like to unplug when we are camping BUT we still use our phones in the wilderness because the best apps are not just for trip planning and navigation!

Our favorite apps that help us find and navigate to boondocking destinations:

• Campendium (this is our #1 favorite)
• iOverlander (this is our #2 favorite)
• The Dyrt (we only have the FREE version of this app so the boondocking information is limited)

Camping Without Fire

One of the most awesome things about boondocking is the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature in really remote areas. BUT, with that occasion comes the possibility of having fire restrictions placed on the area where you are camping. Did you ever try to grill a hamburger when you can’t start a campfire, light a grill or even strike a match? You can easily accommodate the rules with the tips in our post.

How To Charge Your Phone

Make sure you know how to charge phone while camping without electricity because when you are boondocking, your phone will run out of power faster than an ice cream cone melts in Phoenix in July!

DIY Portable Water Tank

Water when boondocking is one of the biggest challenges to camping out in the wild! We found solutions that work for us when it comes to where to get water and how to store it for our boondocking adventures.

• We built our own portable water container which is really simple to build and use.
• We have a VIDEO to show you how in our post.
• We also discuss issues related to gray and black water when boondocking.

Portable Solar Panels

The lack of power is another challenge when it comes to dispersed camping. We use portable solar panels to meet our needs. We started with smaller panels and as our boondocking trips became longer, we needed to increase production … so, we invested in panels that easily satisfy our increased demands. Check out our VIDEO and tips in our post.

How Much Solar Power Do I Need For My RV?

If you are thinking about the possibility of using solar power on your boondocking trips but are not sure if your demands can be met using solar, you can answer the question: How Much Solar Power Do I Need For My RV? This post includes a FREE printable RV Solar Calculator!

RV Batteries

Your ability to generate power with solar panels is only half the challenge when you are boondocking. You need to store that power until you are ready to use it so your RV batteries are a critical component to have the power you need while camping in remote areas. Our post is full of tips that you need to know for your wild camping trips.

Best Quiet Generators

If you are even thinking about using your AC when boondocking, you will either need an enormous bank of batteries to run your air conditioner using solar power … or … you will need to use a generator.

Personally, we like to camp in moderate weather so this is not an issue for us and we rarely even take our generator on our camping trips. But, we do have one and it meets our needs when we use it. We have a FREE calculator to determine what size generator you need in our post.

Security

People who have never done it before always wonder “Is boondocking safe?” The answer is … it depends. Most of the factors that contribute to how safe boondocking is, actually depend on you.

Don’t let the peacefulness of a remote camping area take you off guard when it comes to everyday safety and security. Personally, we actually feel more safe when we are camping in the wild than when we are camping in a crowded campground or RV park. This is a post we wrote about how we safeguard our family and gear during our camping trips.

Solar Products

Solar panels are not the only pieces of solar equipment that contribute to an enjoyable boondocking experience. Our post has cool gear for charging your personal electronic devices, lighting your campsite, taking a warm shower surrounded by the trees and even cooking while boondocking!

What Are Walk-Up Only Campsites

First come first serve camping sites are not always free and they are not always amenity-free … but sometimes they are so we’ve got information to help you understand what walk-up campsites are and how to find the best ones.

Camping Safety Tips For Families

No matter where families decide to camp … at a full-service campground or in the middle of a remote area without another human being or building in sight … safety is always a top priority.

BUT, because dispersed camping areas may be out of cell phone range and can also be miles away from emergency services, you need to take extra precautions to keep your family safe while boondocking. Our post has information to consider before your next trip.

Ultimate RV And Tent Camping Checklist

Boondocking is called wild camping for a reason … partially because you are out in the wild! These are trips you really need to pack for because the nearest grocery and hardware stores are not conveniently accessible. Use our FREE printable checklist as you pack for your dispersed camping experience.

RV Tool Kit Checklist

Many roads leading to the best boondocking locations are unpaved and can be a bit rough. In addition to a normal tool set, we carry a few extra items we consider to be necessary for our dispersed camping trips … not necessarily for the rough roads … but more for our own peace of minds. Our FREE printable RV tool kit checklist will help you determine which tools you need for your individual style of remote camping.

Fun Camping Signs To Mark Your Campsite

In the old classic, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy needed to find the Wizard of Oz who was hanging out in the Emerald City so he could help her get back home. But, Dorothy didn’t know how to find him so Glinda the Good Witch helped her by saying that she simply needed to follow the Yellow Brick Road.

We’re in similar situations when it comes to meeting friends when we are boondocking in a remote camp spot … we don’t know how to find them! So, when we decide a campground with numbered spots is not out in the wilderness enough, we’re faced with the question, “So where should we meet you?” And we create fun camping signs to lead the way!

Make your next trip stress-free with a little pre-planning. Get your copy of our FREE printable camping trip planner template!