In Western countries, RV travel has increasingly become a unique way for people to pursue a freer lifestyle and get closer to nature. In recent years, more and more travelers are choosing to escape the crowded RV parks and campgrounds and instead head for quieter, more pristine natural settings.
This style of camping—completely independent from developed sites, water, power, or sewage connections—is known as boondocking. For beginners, boondocking may seem complex, but with the right preparation, it’s more than just a way to camp—it becomes a lifestyle, a return to simplicity, and a reconnection with the natural world.
Across the vast landscapes of North America, public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offer countless free, undeveloped camping locations. These are remote areas without hookups, water, or even designated campsites—essentially raw nature. But that’s exactly why they’re so appealing. Here, you can watch the sunrise over the mountaintops, stargaze under a light-pollution-free sky, or enjoy a lakeside sunset with no other camper in sight.
For those new to this form of travel, the first question is often: How do you find these boondocking spots? Fortunately, modern technology has made the process incredibly accessible. Several apps and websites, including Campendium, The Dyrt, and iOverlander, are designed specifically for RV travelers. These platforms not only provide GPS coordinates and directions to boondocking sites, but also include critical details such as road conditions, cell signal strength, maximum RV length, and crowd levels—often submitted by fellow travelers.
Once you’ve found a spot, the next challenge is how to live self-sufficiently without relying on external water, power, or waste disposal. Power is usually the most immediate concern. Most RVs come equipped with 12-volt house batteries, which can handle basic tasks like lighting and powering alarms. However, for extended stays, you'll need a reliable way to recharge those batteries—either through a generator or a solar power system.
Many seasoned boondockers invest in solar panels combined with lithium or AGM batteries, and a suitable inverter system, all tailored to their specific energy needs. Others prefer the convenience of a portable generator, which can recharge batteries and run appliances—though these come with the tradeoffs of fuel consumption and noise. Either way, maintaining your energy system is key. For instance, flooded lead-acid batteries require regular topping off with distilled water, while lithium batteries, though low-maintenance, must be kept above freezing temperatures during storage.
Next comes water conservation. Since your RV’s freshwater tank is your only supply for showers, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing dishes, every drop matters. Small habit changes can go a long way. Use a spray bottle with soapy water to clean dishes instead of filling the entire sink. Wipe off food debris before washing, and rinse with a trickle rather than a full stream. When showering, use the “navy shower” method—wet, turn off the water, lather, then rinse—to reduce water usage dramatically.
Drinking and cooking water can be brought along in separate bottled supplies, allowing you to reserve the RV’s fresh tank for hygiene purposes. Some boondockers also bring portable water filters to purify natural sources, especially in forested or mountain regions.
Equally important is wastewater management. Your RV has two tanks: one for gray water (from sinks and showers) and one for black water (from the toilet). These tanks must be monitored carefully to avoid overflow. Under no circumstances should black water be dumped on the ground—it’s a biohazard and illegal everywhere.
In some regions, and under strict conditions, gray water may be dispersed into the environment, but this must always be confirmed with local regulations. Most boondockers use apps like RV Dumps or rvcamping.com to locate legal and accessible dump stations.
Waste management doesn’t end with wastewater. Trash disposal can be surprisingly challenging when you're far from any urban infrastructure. All public lands operate under a strict “pack it in, pack it out” policy. This means all garbage—including that from composting or dry toilets—must leave with you.
If you tow a separate vehicle, it can be a convenient and secure place to store trash bags until you find a public dumpster. If not, you’ll need to store your garbage in animal-proof containers, preferably outside the living space. Keeping trash in smaller bags (like grocery-sized ones) makes it easier to discreetly dispose of while running errands, refueling, or sightseeing—without overwhelming any one trash bin.
Sometimes, the biggest surprise comes when the final road to your chosen campsite looks nothing like the photos online. Heavy rain, erosion, fallen trees, or unmaintained tracks can make access difficult or even dangerous. The golden rule is: always scout the road without your RV. If you're towing or have a towed vehicle, unhitch and take a drive to assess the situation. Look for hazards such as large ruts, washouts, or low-hanging branches. If the road is impassable, don't risk it—move on to a backup location. In fact, always plan for a Plan B or even Plan C, as campsites can be unexpectedly closed, crowded, or inaccessible.
Staying connected is another key consideration. While many embrace boondocking to escape modern distractions, having cell service remains essential for work, emergencies, or simply keeping in touch. Experienced digital nomads recommend having multiple carriers or hotspots, as signal strength varies dramatically across remote areas. Thankfully, many camping apps now include real-world cell coverage data submitted by users. Checking this in advance can save you from frustration—or worse, isolation in an emergency.
Regarding how long you can stay in one place, most public lands impose time limits. The BLM typically allows up to 14 days within a 28-day period in the same general area. The U.S. Forest Service generally permits 16 days, after which campers must move at least 5 miles away. These rules are strictly enforced, and violations can lead to fines or bans. Always check local regulations on signage or by contacting the land management office before setting up camp.
Choosing the boondocking lifestyle is, at its core, about freedom—but with that freedom comes responsibility. Each camper becomes their own utility provider, caretaker, and steward of the land. It’s not always convenient, but the rewards are immense. You’ll wake up to golden sunrises with nothing but birdsong as your alarm. You’ll sip coffee under an open sky, with no neighbor in sight. You’ll find moments of peace, solitude, and reflection that structured campgrounds simply can’t provide.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious beginner, boondocking offers more than just a different way to camp—it offers a different way to live. For many, it becomes addictive: the quiet, the autonomy, the direct connection to nature. And once you've tasted that freedom, crowded campgrounds might never quite feel the same again.