Boondocking in an RV: 9 Helpful Tips

Boondocking in an RV is one of the most fulfilling and authentic ways to camp in nature. Just picture driving your mobile abode to a beautiful and tranquil spot near a river, ocean, or mountain and fully immersing yourself in the wilderness. Imagine all the special memories you can create with your loved ones without the distractions of modern-day life.

As inspiring as it sounds, RV camping in the boondocks is quite a complex undertaking that needs lots of planning. Remember, you’ll be relying entirely on your RV for almost everything, so you’ll have to prepare adequately. Thankfully, we’ve rounded up some brilliant tips for dry camping like a pro. Read on to discover what we have in store!

First, What is Boondocking?

Also known as dry camping, dispersed camping or even primitive camping, boondocking is a style of camping that involves setting up camp in the middle of the wilderness where there are no electric, water or sewer hookups.

Boondocking may also mean parking your rig overnight in the parking lot of a commercial property or at a rest stop for free. But in this post, we will focus on camping in natural areas without amenities.

Most boondocking locations are national forests and grasslands, BLM lands, state lands and other public lands.

Here are the tips you need for a successful RV boondocking trip.

1. Research Your Destination

To boondock successfully, you’ll need to identify a suitable location. You need to know the landscape of the area you’re targeting, figure out whether RVs of your size can access the spot, and learn what the weather will be like when you plan to camp there.

Thankfully, there are plenty of RV boondocking apps and sites available to help you track down areas to dry camp anywhere in the U.S. These resources also have route details, reviews from other RVers, pictures, info on cell coverage, nearby water sources, restrictions — and even top camping activities in the area. These details will help you get a feel for the place and make better preparations.

2. Prepare Meals in Advance

Out in the wild, there’s no camp store to turn to when you run out of supplies. So, before you set off, create a grocery list based on the days you’ll be camping and the number of people accompanying you. Shop for those items at your local store, prepare ready-to-eat meals, or have all the ingredients set for instant cooking. Pre-wash vegetables and fruits, chop and marinate the meat and make your pancake batter.

In addition, prepare salads, and refrigerate what needs to stay cold. These RV boondocking tips will help preserve your water and propane, reduce the number of dirty utensils, and save lots of time. Cooking outside using an RV grill will also reduce the number of pots and pans you use and conserve power since you won’t need to cool the interior by running vent fans or the AC.

3. Stock Up on Essentials

Apart from food, there are boondocking necessities to pack. You’ll need to top off your fresh water tank and portable water containers, refill your propane tank and ensure your RV house batteries and power stations are fully charged. If you have a fuel generator on board, fill a couple of gas cans. Of course, you’ll also need to top off your camper’s gas tanks.

That’s not all: There are other basics you need to cover. Make sure your black and gray tanks are completely empty. And don’t forget to add personal care items, kitchen equipment, bedding, and proper clothing for the expected weather.

4. Conserve Water

How well you conserve water when dry camping determines how long you stay in the boonies. Most of the water use will be due to the kitchen sink, shower, and toilet. To save water in the kitchen, use disposable paper plates (biodegradable ones are available) and plastic utensils. Also, plan to use one pot or pan for heating pre-prepped food.

Conserve water in the shower by turning the water off while lathering up, going longer between showers, and installing a water-saving shower head.

To cut down on the amount of water you have to use for the toilet, you could collect gray water and use it to flush or you may want to read these tips for relieving yourself in the wilderness. Note that this might not be an option in some places, so follow the rules for the area where you are camping.

5. Know How Much Power You Need

The amount of power you need depends on how many items you want to run and the weather. To reduce your power usage, avoid camping at the height of summer or winter, as your RV’s AC or furnace will use lots of energy. Until you’re a pro, go boondocking in mild temperatures.

So, how do you power things like the water pump, lights, appliances, TV and devices? Get a large-capacity RV house battery, a generator, or a power station with a solar panel. Many long-term, off-grid enthusiasts prefer to invest in roof-mounted solar panels, an inverter and batteries to harvest free energy from the sun.

Related: What Size Generator Do I Need?

6. Know Your Tank and Power Limits

No matter how big your holding tanks are, you’ll need to carefully monitor and manage your gray and black water tanks. You can prevent your gray tank from filling up fast by catching sink water or taking baths in an outside shower station. Black tanks can be kept from filling up fast by using the vault toilets found in some boondocking spots or relieving yourself in nature.

Conservation also applies to your power setup since you can’t run your AC, microwave, fridge, and TV indefinitely. If it’s hot, use reflective and insulated shields over your windows, and if it’s chilly, dress warm and use an RV electric heater. It also helps to have torches, radios, and speakers that have independent solar panels.

7. Prepare for Emergencies

Every RVer should always be prepared for the unexpected. But for a boondocker, packing emergency supplies is critical since you won’t have neighbors to turn to when things take a wrong turn. Also, don’t assume you can always call for help, as the cell signal in many remote camping areas is spotty.

First and foremost, try to stay within cell range. To handle emergencies, pack a portable power bank to charge your cell phone, a first-aid kit, a weather radio, basic mechanic tools, a flashlight, a backup fuel source, a fire extinguisher, and traction mats. It’s also smart to pack extra snacks and water, purification tablets and a map.

8. Exercise Proper Boondocking Etiquette

Another boondocking RV tip that many people overlook is camping etiquette. This basically means being respectful of the environment and your fellow campers. Start by learning the leave no trace principles — an approach that will inspire you to leave the campsite better than you found it.

Some rules you need to observe include taking out the trash, heeding all regulations (including stay limits) camping in designated spots, cleaning up after your pets, and observing quiet hours. Additionally, don’t feed wildlife or wash items near bodies of water, and always leave natural objects as you find them.

9. Start Small, and You’ll Soon Be a Confident RV Boondocker

If you’ve decided you want to camp completely off-the-grid, there are plenty of RV boondocking tips out there. But the ones above will give you a good head start. The good news is you don’t have to dive headfirst into this lifestyle.

You can start small by going to a regular campground and staying for a few days without actually hooking up your rig. You can also practice self-reliance by dry camping in your driveway, which can sharpen your skills and make you more confident. When you’re finally ready to go boondocking, make sure you check to see if reservations are needed and arrive during daylight hours to help make setting up camp as easy as possible.

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