Boondocking
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The term 'boondocking' can cover many things. What you're thinking of sounds like heading out to a national forest or such, finding a spot, and staying for as long as your supplies allow. That's a cool way to do it. It also applies to finding an out-of-the-way place on a side road and staying there for the night as you travel. Basically spending a night not at a campground, nor at a Walmart parking lot.
And yeah... for the multi-day stuff, I'd go with papa's commentary.
And yeah... for the multi-day stuff, I'd go with papa's commentary.
What he said
Yah, what he said....Although the book is usually the repair manual on my old 2 stroke bikesRide mtn bike, ride motorcycle, read book, ... It all fits in the van
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Boondocking/dispersed camping oh yeah!
Msnomer, my experiences in my old 1988 Toyota van have been sleeping at or near remote trailheads in the Olympic mountains of western Washington and occasionally by rivers and lakes in eastern Washington. The entertainment was seeing the sun rise with a cup of coffee in my hand and then heading out for a hike in the hills or a walk by the water after which a return to the van for dinner and a cold refreshing beverage but maybe the best part is not having to drive until you feel like it so you can take your time watching the weather and the wildlife.
Ofcourse there is always reading, meditating or sketching out plans for improving your van. Looking forward to doing it again next spring in my new Promaster even thinking about sleeping under the stars during the Perseid meteor shower next August at the wind farm near Ellensburg. But then I am somewhat of a misanthrope so I tend to avoid people most of the time.
Msnomer, my experiences in my old 1988 Toyota van have been sleeping at or near remote trailheads in the Olympic mountains of western Washington and occasionally by rivers and lakes in eastern Washington. The entertainment was seeing the sun rise with a cup of coffee in my hand and then heading out for a hike in the hills or a walk by the water after which a return to the van for dinner and a cold refreshing beverage but maybe the best part is not having to drive until you feel like it so you can take your time watching the weather and the wildlife.
Ofcourse there is always reading, meditating or sketching out plans for improving your van. Looking forward to doing it again next spring in my new Promaster even thinking about sleeping under the stars during the Perseid meteor shower next August at the wind farm near Ellensburg. But then I am somewhat of a misanthrope so I tend to avoid people most of the time.
Ahh. So this term "boondocking" has a broader meaning than I thought, and we've been doing it without knowing we were. :laugh: I thought there was a time element, not just that you're in the boonies. Duh. We tend to stay in a spot only long enough to hike what trails are available.
Dane, you might consider a slide-out for your bed so you can sleep under the stars in comfort. Much as I love the stars, I love that comfortable bed more.
Dane, you might consider a slide-out for your bed so you can sleep under the stars in comfort. Much as I love the stars, I love that comfortable bed more.
I personally think of boondocking as any overnighting in an unimproved site -- for me anything that is not a campground with hookups. I also include Walmarts (never stayed there), rest areas, parking lots, etc... in the definition. I do like the idea of overnighting in some isolated forest or a country road, but my wife would never go along with that.
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In the SW where i have just arrived, we call the same thing "Coyote Camping"- free remote camping on federal lands or wherever we end the day. Walmart camping fits in a different category for me -traveling to get somewhere and only need a spot to sleep. Boondocking or Coyote camping suggests a remote site with no services but interesting surroundings.
Our recent trip had one night of Walmart (couldn't find the FS road in deluge), one boondock, out of 20 nights, three nights with friends in their house, three in state parks ($24-Texa$ but had showers) and the rest in NFS or National Parks (Big Bend) all @ $7 per night (senior pass) and all but Big Ben with showers! Much more "camping" than usual for us.
Our recent trip had one night of Walmart (couldn't find the FS road in deluge), one boondock, out of 20 nights, three nights with friends in their house, three in state parks ($24-Texa$ but had showers) and the rest in NFS or National Parks (Big Bend) all @ $7 per night (senior pass) and all but Big Ben with showers! Much more "camping" than usual for us.
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When you live in the boondocks what do you call camping in civilization? Just wondering?>
Glad to see you made it back home!
Glad to see you made it back home!
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Who would want to stay with relatives?
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So True!!
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Great Idea MsNomer, I've always had a slide out for the gear under the bed but, never on the bed.
Thanks for the Idea!
Cheers, Dave
PS what most said about camping for free with no facilities
One thing I regret about the PM is that it has barn doors instead of lift up. Rented a minivan in NZ where the bed slid out under the lift door and we could look at the stars through the rear window. Had a tent that attached around bottom and sides.
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