How to feel comfortable and confident while glamping in the great outdoors!
My life changed for the better the first time I laid my eyes on the shiney Roadtrek E-Trek pulling into the driveway of my parent's house.
My mom jumped out from her new home on wheels high on adventure and with a renewed wanderlusting spirit. For the first few vanventure summers, we traveled place to place with a carefully curated list of RV and state parks and reservations. As two women traveling to remote areas of the United States, we felt like boondocking was an irrisponsible and "asking for trouble" kind of adventure that we wern't quite ready for.
Is boondocking safe? Can two women really throw all caution to the wind and camp out in the wild in their vehicle? These were the questions that kept us shackled to recreation.gov and the neverending reservation game.
I had never met anyone who had taken the plunge into the world of boondocking. I would see fantastic images of photographers who camped out in the thick of it and captured breathtaking scenes that were hidden to the RV park camper. As our third summer in the van drew near, we knew that we needed to embrace our adventurous spirit.
That's when we had a wild idea. What would happen if we made no plans? Not one flakey national park reservation, RV park deposit, or concrete KOA booking...
Can this really be the best way to travel? Is it even possible to have a sucessfull summer roadtrip out west without the coveted camping reservation that helps you to sleep soundly at night. We weren't sure, but we were willing to give it a shot.
The Beauty of Boondocking
Pick a place on the map and start heading that way! Boondocking gives you the rare experienc of having all... well most of the comforts of home while surrounded by the beauty of America's wilderness!
Know your surroundings and plan accordingly!
Thinking about a bit of offroad camping in the desert? Bring water! Found a camping spot online but are going off grid for the night? Download a map (maps.me is my personal fav.) and make sure to tell family or friends where you plan to camp and for how long before you lose service.
Group camping is safe camping!
Spot a few vans and offroad RVs in a field or on the side of a lake? That looks like a great place to start. By scouting out your first few boondocking locations based on the popularity of the off grid campsite, you take the fear out of the camping experience. You don't have to travel in a big group to feel the security that a group can offer. Just be sure to give your neighbors some privacy!
Be aware of local laws and regulations.
Some states like California, Wyoming, and Montana are boondocking hotspots that offer beautiful and affordable (sometimes even free) boondocking opportunities through the National Forrest Service and Bureau of Land Managment! Whereas states like Texas (where most land is privatly owned) offers little to no opportunity to safely boondock with your vehicle. A quick google search will reveal what the boondocking rules are for the area you are in. Apps such as The Dyrt and Campendium can help you find a free campsite in no time!
Be Agressive! Be Be Aggressive!
Well, keep calm... but always be prepared to defend yourself if need be! I picked up a tazer and whistle just to stay on the safe side. Lock your doors and trust your gut! If the situation feels wierd, then it probably is!
Be ready to skedaddle!
Before my mom and I settle in for the night, we bring in any camping gear outside of the van and be sure that, if need be, we can drive off at a moment's notice. We make it a practice to back in to any backcountry camping spots or make sure that the van can be manuvered out of the site easily. Keeping your driver's seat clear and the keys in an accessable place will ensure that you can flee if caught in a compromising situation!
Boondocking gives you all the rustic freedom of primitive camping with the luxury of glamping. So take a step out of your comfort zone and give boondocking a chance!
Happy Boondocking
