Debra is a full-time RVer who has traveled coast to coast looking for the cutest bookstores and the perfect cup of chai. She and her husband enjoy creating community on the road by meeting up with friends or finding new ones enroute. They love sharing their adventures and making friends here at The Virtual Campground and sharing Barry’s great photography.
We love most finding a campsite that is off the grid, surrounded by trees or with great views and no neighbors within several yards or more. When we can find these boondock sites, we really feel like we are owning this RV life and doing it “right.” Anytime, I can take my morning tea outside with a view of trees, mountains or the red rocks of Sedona, I am a happy camper!
Plus, it is all free!
The one downside is finding sites where you know your rig can fit down the road and into that spot. For the most part, GPS cannot really share that information. Without someone who has gone before you, it is hard to find these great spots. Certain areas of the country have very limited free boondocking areas. You might be able to find a rest area or do Harvest Host for one night, but to find a spot open for a week or two can be difficult.
To help you out, I am sharing our favorite spots from our eight years on the road.
Our Top Three Boondocking Spots
1. Forest Road 525 (Off Highway 89A/State Route 89A Near Sedona, Arizona)
Coordinates: 34.86873460211391, -111.90372520009689
The first time we pulled into the dispersed camping area outside Sedona, we were awed. Red rock formations surrounded us, the sunsets were like a painting and sunrises created a beautiful glow on those rocks. It was utopian RVing!
This area became very popular, the Coconino National Forest set up rules to help maintain the area and reduce environmental impact. There are designated areas where you can boondock for 14 days maximum. The good news is that the area is still large and can accomodate campers from Class A to tents. There are three areas where you can camp:
- Surprise Campground: This area is close to the highway, very flat, but gets crowded so it can feel like a large dirt parking lot. This area even has portable toilets set up.It is a great spot to park while you check out the areas further in if you have a separate vehicle.
- Windmill Campground: Centrally located, flat, and generally easy to pull into, but more exposed to wind.
- Nolan / Greasy Spoon: Found several miles deeper down FR 525 and FR 525C. These are more removed, require higher ground clearance, and offer greater privacy and incredible sunset views.
Why we love it:
- Incredible red rock views
- Easy access to Sedona hiking and biking trails as well as area attractions
- Amazing stargazing
- We had great cell and Starlink service
Be mindful:
- The red dirt is a mess especially in wind
- If it rains, the road can get very slick and flooding is possible
- Pay attention to fire and weather restrictions with the National Forest
Raspberry Gulch Near Salida, Colorado
Coordinates: 38.705212270481425, -106.15878265673804
If you’ve followed our travels for a while, you know we love the Salida/Buena Vista area. We have visited multiple times! And one of the reasons is this boondocking area. We have been there with friends and alone. It has been awesome every time. Nestled in view of the Collegiate mountains, this spot offers cooler summer temperatures, beautiful forest surroundings, and easy access to mountain biking and hiking.
Why we love it:
- Mountain scenery
- Close to Salida. and Buena Vista breweries, fun, and friends
- Great access to outdoor recreation
- Good AT&T service, Starlink works but must be deliberate due to trees
Be mindful:
- Pay attention to fire and weather restrictions with the National Forest
- There are cows roaming freely in this area as well as wildlife so be mindful
And now that we have a smaller rig, I am looking forward to trying out a few other spots in the area. There is several designated boondocking areas north of BV nearer to Elephant Rock that we would love to try.
Outside Zion National Park, Utah
We spent some time at a campground in Hurricane then decided to try boondocking on the nearby BLM land. It was so wonderful. Views of the red rocks of Zion with no one near us. We enjoyed quiet evenings under the stars before going into the park. Being this close meant we could go in late and enjoy the afternoon with less crowds.
Sadly, as I researched to write this article, I read that boondocking at Hurricane Cliffs is being restricted due to the massive influx of visitors. While where we boondocked is not available, there were plenty of areas in this region. They were wide open spaces with no trees so easy to tell if you can fit. Just be sure to make sure of the current restrictions.
Why we love it:
- Close to Zion National Park entrance
- Stunning desert views
- Amazing night skies
- Great cell coverage and nothing to block Starlink for miles
Be mindful:
- Pay attention to fire and camping restrictions with the BLM St. George Region
- It is the desert so be aware of high heat during the day and prepare
What You Need for Successful Boondocking Camping
The good news is you don’t need much. This is camping at its more pure. Just be sure to be prepared.
Water
- Fill your fresh water tank before arriving
- Carry extra drinking water
- Take navy showers to conserve water – turn off the water while soaping and shampooing. And be quick!
- Use paper plates occasionally to reduce dishwashing but be sure to dispose of properly!
- If you use biodegradable dish soap, you can feel okay about tossing out your rinse water from the dishes. Just watch that food is not also being tossed out as you don’t want to attract animals or teach them to enjoy human food, even soggy human food.
Power
No electrical hookups means you better have an alternate option for power such as solar or a generator or something portable. Just watch where you park so sun hits your panels if that is your choice. Running your generator is usually not an issue since you don’t have neighbors but be aware if you do.
Waste Management
Before heading out:
- Empty black and gray tanks
- Know where nearby dump stations are located
- Have a plan before tanks become a problem
- DO NOT empty your tanks out in the wild. Remember Scouts where you were taught to leave the space better than you left it. And while no one might live nearby, we want to keep these areas for future use as well as for the wildlife!
Connectivity
Rarely can we truly go off the grid as we rely so much on our devices. As you saw above, most of the spots we have enjoyed were within cell service. This is not always a guarantee. Starlink can be handy when there is not heavy tree cover. We have also used cell boosters and our mobile hotspot.
Be Aware
Make sure to check on weather and any restrictions before entering BLM or National Forest land. It is particularly important to watch for any restrictions or warnings. Extreme winter weather or flooding risks can necessitate the closure of forest roads at different times of the year.
When you are enjoying being off the grid and having no neighbors, you are also isolated and might not hear any warning sirens or warnings. It is important to be very aware of your surroundings when boondocking.
Arrive Early
Boondocking is first come, first serve so the earlier in the day you arrive, the better. Besides, you will need the daylight to find that great spot. Those trees make it dark!
Arriving on a weekday often gives you better chances than the weekend warriors. And be aware of the maximum stay limits (usually 14 days, but occasionally 7)
MOST IMPORTANT – Leave No Trace
The future of boondocking depends on all of us. Anything you bring in, you should bring out! Trash, chairs, husbands, everything! In fact, take an extra trash bag and leave your site cleaner than you found it.
The Beauty of It All
RV parks and campgrounds can be beautiful. But there’s something special about parking amid the trees and hearing nothing but the wind, birds, or maybe a distant coyote. Boondocking is when I enjoy this lifestyle the best. Yes, I get tired of it and need a real shower after a couple weeks but I really enjoy the freedom too.
The freedom to wake up with a great view, to spend an evening under a dark sky full of stars, and to experience places that many travelers simply drive past.
And if you’re willing to trade a few conveniences for a lot more adventure, boondocking might just become one of your favorite ways to camp too. We would love to hear your experience and your favorite spots for boondocking. Let us know in comments below.
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