If you’re looking into boondocking, I’m going to assume you’re already comfortable with car camping. If you’re looking to make the jump from “I never go outside” straight to “I love getting off the grid and sleeping in my car,” you’re not going to have a good time. I promise you that. Start with car camping, and then come back here and we’ll get you started on boondocking.
If you’re already a car camping – or backpacking – pro and you’re looking to take the leap into boondocking, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started.
What is Boondocking?
There’s a lot of argument about what exactly boondocking is. Some people say it’s only boondocking if you’re completely off the grid. Others argue it’s any time you’re sleeping in your car. Is there a right answer? Eh, maybe.
For the purposes of this explainer, boondocking is synonymous with primitive camping. It’s just you and your vehicle. You’re camping on free land with absolutely no amenities. Urban camping is a separate pursuit that we can talk about another time.
Who is Boondocking for?
Anyone who wants to connect with nature more and enjoy a simpler camping experience. You might see those boondockers on YouTube who have clearly spent thousands of dollars on gear and upgrades to their vehicle and build-out. You don’t need to do that.
Boondocking is simple and democratizing. All you really need is food, water, first aid, and the willingness to dig a call hole when you need to use the bathroom. Other than that, everything is up to your preference.
How to Start Boondocking
Choose a Location Close to Home
Boondocking is lots of fun, but it’s also more work than regular car camping. You don’t have any amenities, and, if you’re traveling alone, you don’t have any help. For your inaugural run, you want to keep as close to home as possible.
Not everyone has access to public land nearby, but most people do. The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Army Corps of Engineers all operate federal land that is fair game for free camping. Look up a map of federal land near you and find the closest spot. There are also several popular apps, like The Dyrt, that can help you find free camping nearby.
Whatever you choose, make sure you’re familiar with the regulations of the land you’re camping on and that you’ve double-checked that you’re on public property instead of private. Usually, that’s obvious, but sometimes the boundaries can be unclear.
Wait for Good Weather
You don’t want to start out boondocking when it’s storming outside. One, it’ll make it a whole lot harder. Two, do you really want to be stuck in your vehicle or tent for hours because it’s pouring outside?
Your best bet is to wait for a cool, dry day where the daytime temperatures are below 80 degrees and nighttime temperatures stay above 40. Extreme heat and extreme cold will make your experience more difficult, and it’s just not a great way to try out boondocking.
Gather the Right Gear
You’ll want all the standard camping gear, of course. Pack your sleeping bag, tent (if you aren’t sleeping in your car), food, water, and first aid.
Beyond that, though, you want to make sure you have all your necessary vehicle gear too. Make sure you’ve got a spare tire, jack, and tire inflator. If you get a flat in the middle of nowhere, it’s gonna be a really expensive tow. This is another reason you want to stay close to home when you’re starting.
Make sure you start with a full tank of gas. If you need to get into the car to stay warm overnight, you don’t want to be low on fuel. Having a jump box is also a great option if you accidentally drain the car battery.
Before leaving, make sure you have:
- Freeze-dried meals (and an extra meal or two)
- Water (at least half a gallon per person per day)
- Water filter
- Fire starting equipment
- A cooler (if you’re not using freeze-dried meals)
- A chair and table
- A shovel to dig cat holes (when nature calls)
- Toilet paper, wipes, etc.
- First aid kit and any medication you take
- Lighting
- A portable charger
- Extra layers
- A lighter (Bic lighters are always reliable)
- A fully-charged phone
Start with an Overnight
You really don’t want to be gone for multiple nights on your first boondocking trip. You’re better off leaving too early and having a great time than staying too long and being miserable. Boondocking is an exciting experience, but you don’t want first-time mistakes to cause you never to go back.
A nearby overnight trip is the best choice you can make when starting out.
Go with Friends if Possible
Not only is boondocking with friends more fun, it’s also safer. This is especially true if your friends are more experienced than you are. Even if you’re all first-timers, having several friends together increases the likelihood that you have all the gear you need (because you’ll forget something).
Get Started Early in the Day
Aim to get to your campsite at least a couple of hours before sunset. That way, even if you take a wrong turn or something goes wrong, you have plenty of wiggle room to get to your campsite and set up while it’s still light.
The Whole Thing Will be a Learning Experience
Something will go wrong. You’ll forget something. You’ll wish you’d thought to bring something. It’s just part of learning the craft of boondocking. As long as you know that going in and are ready to make the best of it, you’ll have a great time and want to head back out there again and again.
Enjoy the adventure!
