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One of the most frustrating parts of planning for our future FT experience is trying to find information on where others have located satisfactory boondocking locations in the west.
I know about freecamping.com and the information is pretty good, but my guess is that people who have found 'just the right place' are holding back information because they think their found place might get inundated with Joe Schmo and all of his relatives....so the frustration goes on.
We are fully equiped to easily spend 14 days boondocking without moving, and could probably go longer if we were willing to conserve more.
So, anyone want to spill the beans? website, or just a location out west?
In the national forest campgrounds in the NM, AZ, Colorado area you are normally dry camping already. Most rangers will provide information on where the local boondocking (freecamping) locations are and make recommendations for you rig. The larger the rig the fewer the opportunities and many of these locations are primarily ATV areas or hunting areas. Also asking the locals at a ranch, farm, or other permenant business in the area is productive some times. Don't ask the seasonal workers in a vacation or resort area, they are likely new to the area. If you check with the long stays in a campground sometimes they can help. Bureau of Land Management offices are also helpful.
We usually boondock only after some research in the area and permission by the "owner" of the property.
Larry
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Larry and Jacki-belle Linley with Taiga our minature dachsund - 2011 34 ft Montana towed by a 2014 Silverado Durmax Allison 4x4.
Some of the research we have done says the Quartzite AZ area has a lot of boondocking and So. California We also know people that boondock in Mexico in the Baja peninsula where they wind surf.
There are lots of places to boondock. Within Escapees, there is a BOF called "Boondockers". They share a lot of information. The "Boomer" BOF also has a database started. Join Escapees, and then for a minimal charge you can join all the "Birds Of a Feather" that you desire. To learn the tricks of the trade, we would recomend the Escapee rallies in the fall and spring, LOW, and some of the Escapee forums. We know a couple that averaged $15 PER YEAR in camping costs for 8 years. They went coast to coast from Key West to Seattle. They also did not believe in using generators and traveled in a fifth wheel. They are an extreme to the people that we know that boondock a lot. We boondock on friend's farms, parking lots, RV rallies, some RV parks, National Parks, BLM ground, etc. The ability to boondock when needed is a comfortable feeling. When the power goes out in the park, we often don't know unless the air conditioner is running
We live in Twin Falls Idaho and know of quite a few places to dry camp between Ketchum (SunValley) and Stanley Idaho. By October however the night time temps can get down into the teens so you may want to try next summer. Here is what I would recommend you do. Just go north of Ketchum Idaho on highway 93 and look for National Forest Serive campgrounds which are usally inexpensive. Find a place to park for a couple of days then go exploring. There are many pull offs from Highway 93 to park for free and there is a dump station about 12-14 miles north of Ketchum Idaho. Be sure and go over Galena summitt and see some of the most beautiful country you will ever see. Explore the area within 25 miles of Stanley Idaho. Good luck and we hope to meet you on the road in a year or two.
Just spent the last 3 days in Sopilla camp ground (National Forest) above Mimbres in New Mexico. Not recommended for trailers by NF but there were about 30 in the campground including a motorhome, fifth wheels and a toy hauler along with several trailers several well over 30 feet long. So you just have to search for special boondocking campgrounds but they are there. A little bit out of the way and only vault toilets with no water, electricity or dump but perfect weather and beautiful hiking and scenery.
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Larry and Jacki-belle Linley with Taiga our minature dachsund - 2011 34 ft Montana towed by a 2014 Silverado Durmax Allison 4x4.
With a little research and some reading of some of the Dreamers blogs you should be able to find a wealth of places to boondock. Although we have not done much in the East we certainly have found a lot of great spots in the SW. It seems like once you get out and start doing you will bump into folks who will share their favourite spots with you.
