Most of us will take any excuse to go out into nature and enjoy the great outdoors. The peace and quiet, the breathtaking views, and the fresh air are all reasons enough to close our laptops, turn our cell phones off, and start packing for a long weekend camping trip. But people’s comfort levels in nature usually vary.
Some RVers can’t completely part ways with the amenities of home–like running water, electricity, and sewer hookups–while other RV campers are ready to ditch the luxuries in exchange for a secluded trip to the country’s top national parks.
If you want to get off the beaten path and are okay camping without certain amenities and commodities, dry camping is the way to go.
Key Takeaways
- Dry camping means camping without amenities like water or power hookups.
- You can dry camp on public lands, in designated campgrounds, or even on private property (when given express permission).
- When dry camping, always adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
- When planning your trip, ensure you have enough water and propane, as well as a plan for waste management
- Use solar power and conserve resources whenever possible to stay self-sufficient.
What is Dry Camping?
Dry camping, commonly referred to as “boondocking,” is when you camp in an RV without external water, sewer, or electrical hookups. Because you’re camping without hookups, dry camping is typically done on public lands away from developed campgrounds.
Here are some of the most common places that people dry camp:
- Bureau of Land Management land
- Army Engineering Corp land
- National and state parks
- National and state forests
- Public or private dry camping campgrounds
However, not all dry camping is in the wild. You can also dry camp on the side of the road, at truck stops, in parking lots, or in someone’s backyard. You’re technically dry camping as long as you’re camping in an RV without water and electrical hookups.
Finding Your Ideal Dry Camping Spot
As we said before, dry camping doesn’t mean you have to tow your RV to the middle of the wilderness and set it up. Instead, it simply means you live in your RV somewhere without shore power, external running water, or a sewer hookup. Whether that’s in a Walmart parking lot or Yellowstone National Park, it doesn’t matter.
Option #1: Public Land
The main draw to dry camping is that you can do it on public lands, such as national parks and forests. After all, these lands have some of the most gorgeous dispersed camping areas in the world.
It’s important to do some research before dry RV camping on public lands. Some wild camping areas, such as organized campgrounds and national parks, charge a fee or require a reservation. Others, however, operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into.
Option #2: Private Land
While public land is usually the final destination for dry campers, it’s common to spend a few nights on private land to get there. If you’re driving from Florida to Glacier National Park, for example, the journey will take a few days.
Rather than taking your chances at a truck stop, you can call ahead and ask to dry camp in the relative safety of a private parking lot, campground, or yard. Some businesses, including Walmart and Cracker Barrel, don’t even require call-aheads! However, because you can’t legally park your RV and set up camp wherever you jolly well please, it’s always best to call ahead and ask permission.
8 Dry Camping Tips You Should Know
Now that you understand dry camping (and where you can do it), let’s look at a few tips and tricks to ensure you make the most of your adventures!
Tip #1: Keep a Full Fresh Water Tank
Because you won’t have access to running water while dry camping, it’s essential that you fill your fresh water tank before you start your journey. You can then use water from the tank for showering, washing dishes, flushing the toilet, and more.
Tip #2: Travel With a Portable Water Container
It’s important to use the water in your freshwater tank sparingly. For tasks like washing the dishes, it’s best to fill a portable water container or bucket rather than using running water.
Tip #3: Invest in Portable Dump Tanks
It’s also great to have portable dump tanks while dry camping. That way, when your black and gray water tank fills up, you can simply dump the waste into the portable dump tank and take it to a nearby dump station.
This is important because most public and private lands don’t have dump stations, so you’ll need to use a portable tank or tow your RV to a nearby dump station whenever your tanks fill up.
Tip #4: Extra Propane Tanks
Most RVs are outfitted with propane appliances, including a stove, water heater, and furnace. To ensure you don’t run out of propane, it’s a good idea to take a few extra tanks with you. That way, you can stay clean, fed, and warm without worrying about rationing your propane.
Tip #5: Consider a Portable Generator
Most public dry camping areas allow campers to use generators to power their electrical appliances. If your RV doesn’t have a generator pre-installed, you should consider investing in a portable one.
Note: You may also be allowed to use generators on some private lands, but be sure to ask permission first.
Tip #6: Embracing Solar Energy for Climate Control
While propane and generators will allow you to use your appliances while dry camping, propane and fuel are expensive and damaging to the environment. If you want to save money (and the planet), consider installing solar panels on your RV.
Outfitting your RV with a solar setup will allow you to harness energy from the sun and use it as electricity.
While setting your rig up for solar can be pricy initially, the ongoing costs are minimal. You can power anything from your air conditioner to your lights, outlets, and electric heaters using solar energy.
Tip #7: Befriend Some Camping Companions
The beautiful thing about dry camping is that the boondocking community tends to look out for their own. That can be extremely important if you’re in a jam and need help with something. Whether y ou’re car camping, tent camping, or RVing, the friends you make dry camping tend to be friends for life!
Tip #8: Protect Your Belongings
Finally, it’s important that you protect your belongings while you’re dry camping. While your fellow dry campers are more likely to give you their belongings–rather than steal yours–you can never be too careful.
It’s especially important to be on your guard against theft since most dry camping trips are in the middle of nowhere, away from police assistance.
Final Thoughts
When you’ve wrapped up your dry camping excursion and are ready to store your RV for a season, choosing your storage location is important. Leaving your RV outside and exposed to the elements could lead to damage, interfering with future camping plans.
To find covered and enclosed RV storage, consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer vehicle storage marketplace. Here, you’ll find safe, affordable, and even climate-controlled RV storage near you.
The post A Guide to Dry Camping: What It is & Essential Tips appeared first on Neighbor Blog.