Last Saturday I wrote about finding dispersed campsites on the mostly desert land of the BLM in the western states. Today, I will look at finding dispersed campsites in National and State Forests. (To understand the terms and definitions “boondocking, dispersed campsites,” etc. as used here look at Part II of this article posted last Saturday).
Though the basics of finding a campsite in forest land are similar, in a forest you don’t often get as expansive a view of the road ahead to anticipate what you are getting into. So unless you are familiar with the area that you are entering or are following reliable information, I suggest taking these preliminary steps.
First, locate the area of the forest on an appropriate map or online, then locate the local–not regional–office that administers that forest, which will have rangers that will be personally familiar with their jurisdiction. It is important that you find this office before you get to the forest as frequently the office is located in the nearest town or city, which could be several miles away from the forest itself.
Also stop before you leave the last town and survey your stores. Is your water tank full, do you have some back up jugs of water, have you dumped, do you have enough milk, cheese, salad dressing, etc, did you empty your trash, filled your propane and fuel tank(s)?
Pick up a topo map of the forest (some state forests may not have topo maps) if you plan to stay longer than a day or two or plan to return in the future. The map (costing $4 to $8) will show in accurate detail all roads, designated campgrounds, mountains, lakes, rivers, and streams, and topographical details, and are indispensable if you plan to explore the forest by tow, toad, bicycle, or on foot. Next, pick up what literature you will need, including photocopies kept under the counter. Some of the busier and more organized offices will have a three-ring binder filled with informational sheets of which you can then request a copy. This information will include directions and descriptions of campgrounds, hiking trails, viewpoints, historic sites, recreational areas, etc.
Often, however, the counter personnel will not be rangers that actually patrol the area, but office help that often do not know about dispersed camping. If they do, you are in luck, but if not seek out a ranger. Ask about dispersed camping, including what type of camping you are looking for, ie: along a stream, a single site not near others, near a trail head (sometimes camping is allowable at the trail head), near a paved road, etc. A good ranger will know where these spots are and will be able to direct you there.
If that plan doesn’t pan out. Go to plan B.
PLAN B
Find a designated campground close to the area you would like to camp in. Sometimes, depending on the time of year, you might find a cozy little forest service campground with half a dozen spaces and no one else there. Take it. However, if you are not that fortunate (that’s the fun of exploring), pick a space in the campground to spend the first night then explore with your tow or toad along the forest service roads until you find the perfect spot. Then check levelness, for overhanging branches, firm surface that can support your rig, enough room to turn around, far enough off the access road to avoid road noise or dust.
If you see multiple sites or a lot of space that would accommodate many campers, you may want to look further for a smaller site. Larger ones may attract weekenders that come out to the forest to party, which is not where you want to be. Look around for other amenities that will make your camp enjoyable, like a stream boiling with trout that you can cast into from your campsite and can also use for a non-drinking water supply, the soothing going-to-sleep sound of a bubbling brook, birds flitting among the trees, and a meadow full of wildflowers and grazing elk just beyond your site. This is not a dream fantasy. These spots are out there.
On the return trip to pick up your rig, take the most direct route if you have been wandering, continuously checking for low hanging branches, poor road surface, rocks or other obstructions in the road that could damage your undersides, tight turns or steep hills. If all is acceptable, retrieve your rig and head into your newfound private campsite.
I know this may be hard, but try to take the time on the exploration part of finding a campsite to enjoy the forest and the site-finding process. Finding multiple sites and having to decide between them is part of the fun.
The hard part comes when you are forced to leave because one of your systems needs handling. If you ran out of water, you could drive to town (or the ranger office) and bring back a few jerry jugs of water. Never dump your holding tanks in the forest. That’s a No No. To last a little longer on your gray water holding tank—usually the limiting factor–buy a sun shower and shower outdoors (but not within 100 feet of a water source).
When you leave, walk your site and pick up trash—all of it—leaving your campsite with no evidence that you have been there. Have a great trip.
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John Lefcourte
Oops, an alternate meaning is: “silly, foolish or stupid” from Bugs Bunny calling Elmer Fudd a Nimrod. My apologies to you and my wife.
John Lefcourte
NoMoApt: A “nimrod” is a mighty hunter. (My wife misuses the term, too)
dave
“Let me ask this, How safe is boondocking? I have visions of deliverance in my head. Is it ok to leave the RV there while you go get supplies?”
Probably safer than in a designated campground. Someone intent on stealing or hurting anyone is not going to be driving back roads hoping to stumble across some poor unsuspecting soul out there all alone. They are going to cruise areas they know have people. Even then, criminals who have been caught preying on people campgrounds admit they target car campers, not RVers, because RVers carry weapons (Several surveys conducted over the years suggest about 50% of RV owners carry a weapon in their rig. Professional crooks know this).
The more likely event, but still rare, would be you are a victim of a theft of opportunity. Leave something of value outside your rig, in plain sight and unsecured (bicycle, generator, fishing gear, et al) and it is possible someone driving by sees an opportunity and makes a quick grab and run. So if leaving your rig for any length of time lock down, hide, or stow any temptables. I fasten my generator to my bumper with a bicycle cable lock (Kryptonite brand is tougher and heavier duty than the WalMart cheapies) out of sight of the road, and sometimes throw a camo tarp over them also (6’x6′ camo cloth from the local fabric store). With the tarp at least a a flash of bright color is not going to grab their eye as they drive by.
All in all, though, boondocking crime is quite rare. Most people are basically honest, especially fellow campers. There are numerous accounts of total strangers camped in a nearby site chasing off suspicious looking people nosing around an unoccupied RV. RVers do tend to look out for each other, even if they have never met.
Bob Difley
“How safe is boondocking?” Good question, Stefan. There are, of course, no guarantees that you are safe anywhere. So you play the odds. First, if you are a crook, intent on stealing, the boondocks are the last place you would look. There are not enough opportunities out there. These people will prowl the cities. Second, as for the few people that are out there in the boonies, they are there because they want solitude, and wouldn’t think of stealing that would bring authorities around questioning them. Third, yes, there are some strange people scattered about, like the gypsies that traveled around in small caravans living off the unaware. Once in a while you run across what looks like a modern day qypsy squatting nearby. Chances are you are still OK, but I would look for another place. There are plenty opf boondocking places that there would be no reason not to move on. As for leaving your vehicle while going for supplies, don’t leave computers or other valuable items lying within sight in your rig or a generator not safely chained. This is doubly true in populated areas. Lock your door, close some blinds so it is not easy to check out the inside. In 15 years of boondocking, I have never lost anything, or had any problems. I often went out for hikes lasting hours and to town for supplies and never locked my door (although I certainly wouldn’t recommend this). In some cases, you may have a neighbor close by that will keep an eye on your rig while you’re gone (don’t forget to reciprocate such favors). And always practice common sense. If you see evidence that the area is used by kids for partying, stay away. The threat of bodily harm is almost non-existent, unless you happen to stumble upon a pot farm deep in the national forest, but you’re not likely to do that. They are usually well hidden without easy access. The more you boondock, the more comfortable you get with it.
stefan
Let me ask this, How safe is boondocking? I have visions of deliverance in my head. Is it ok to leave the RV there while you go get supplies?
Just for your info, your website link does not work
Clark Cupery
This is the first time I ever have seen a blog..I’ll b reading these from now on. Am looking forward to camping in wisconsin when the weather permits.. Thanks for the info..Clarkc57
Sophia
Thanks for the tips Bob! My boyfriend’s mom will not be down with the “natural shower” but it will be great for my 2 children and niece that are coming along…it is camping after all! My boyfriend and I road tripped out west before and tent camped for almost 3 weeks. I think we only showered every four or five days…sounds a little gross but that is love, mmmmm? Any who, thanks for the great tips and I will definetely be doing more research as the summer creeps closer-we are so excited!
NoMoApt
Once again another dreamy “wouldn’t it be nice” piece. If you think paying up to $30 per night for a piece of tarmac to park on is boondocking, the be my guest. If you want to find a real boondocing spot then it takes a little more than checking with the Darn Park Rangers. in fact if you are somewhere patrolled by a Park Ranger.. you are in a National Park Duh!
Boondocoking is about being ALONE… somewhere QUIET… no geneerators from the nimrods in the 95ft Diesle pusher that blew $250k on a coach and have no idea what a solar panel is. No knocks on the door from Ding dong Rob Ranger with numbnut questions like “You are not displaying your pass correctly”
Urgh please.
Bob Difley
Sophia asks, “Do you have any other tips for a newbee?”
You will want to save the hassle of having to go to the campground 20 miles away too often. I suggest you carry extra water, either in collapsible bladders, plastic jugs, or 6-gallon jerry jugs. I would bet that your most limiting factor will be the filling up of the gray water tank. If you are all alone at your campsite, buy and use a sun shower, warming water in it from the lake, and not filling up your waste water tank. Some people save their dishwater to flush their toilet, also helping to stretch your waste water tank. Adjust your activity hours to include fewer during darkness when you have to use lights (running down your battery). Get up with the sun and go to sleep with the sun. Use battery operated reading lights instead of the RV lights to read. As you go along you will find your own ways to extend your time, but most of all make it fun, not a chore. Read the other blogging entries on this blog site and search Google for other boondocking sites and their tips. Have a great trip. Email me when you get back and let me know how it went.
Bob Difley
“Do you know of east coast Gboondocking sites. I live in Tennessee and would love to do this.”
Ed – I agree that is harder to find good boondocking sites in the east, there are fewer national forests and less forest land, however, it is not impossible. In Tennessee for instance, there is the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Kentucky border between US 27 and 127. There are two developed campgrounds, but in most Nat. Rec. areas, boondocking is permissible at least a certain distance away from developed campgrounds. Also, the Cherokee National Forest just east of Cleveland on the NC border has a couple dozen forest serviced campgrounds worth checking out and I think they are accessible “dispersed” (that’s a key word to remember) recreation or camping areas also. I suggest you look for forests (both national and state), wildlife refuges, and national recreation areas on your map, then search for their Web site on Google, then within the site search “camping” and “dispersed.” You may not find much on the site about dispersed camping, but you will find info. on their developed campsites which is a start. The best way to find the dispersed sites is to actually go to the area and find a helpful ranger or FS employee who can help you, or take your tow vehicle and explore while your rig sits in a developed site. Good luck.
Bob Difley
Dave, the retired forest service guy (see above) has made some excellent points. These forest service roads are not maintained like your local roads, and often it takes time as well as finding the money (which is always tight) to clear up and clean up forest service roads after winter storms wo they will be safe and passable by RV. And as Dave says, a helpful, informed, and understanding Ranger is worth finding and questioning before heading into the forest. Thanks, Dave for your terrific comment.
dave
Great summary.
A couple of additional hints.
Contrary to some of the horror stories you hear, most FS employees will happily share some of their favorite boondocking sites with the public and tell you some of the unknown hard-to-find little Edens in their local area.
Learn to read the forest road numbers. Each region of the Forest Service uses a slightly different method of numbering their roads, and the numbering system itself identifies what type of road it is and the type of vehicle the road was designed for. The local office should be able to tell you their local road numbering system. Sometimes, especially early in the season, a road listed as suitable for all vehicles may have stretch that is blocked by fallen trees or washouts, or is so rutted it is impassable. The road maintenance crew just may not have had a chance to get to that road yet (budget cuts, etc). Caution — not every road inside a National Forest is a Forest Service road. Private landowners can have access roads crossing public lands.
The western U.S. uses what is called the Public Lands Survey System, with townships, ranges, and sections, to describe locations. Small rectangular metal signs are often found in the forest attached to trees describing the location using this method. These are invaluable to finding your way around the forest and locating yourself on a forest visitors map. Many web sites describe how this location system works.
Ask if there is any logging in the area, and if so, what are the haul routes. Try avoid sharing a forest road with loaded log trucks coming the other way.
You may occasionally see what looks like a great boondocking spot — a streamside flat level pad just big enough for your rig, with a good access road, not far from a main road. This may be a watertruck fill site — designed so a watertruck can back up to the creek and suck up a load of water. If it looks developed and intentionally made, it is probably a fill site. Please don’t block these. You may be on the receiving end of an irate watertruck driver’s wrath.
32 years with Forest Service, now retired.
Ed Prigmore
Do you know of east coast boondocking sites. I live in Tennessee and would love to do this. Thanks,Ed
Sophia
Awewsome post!
We are doing just that this summer. We are renting an RV and heading to northern Wisconsin and staying at Lost Lake. It is primitive site within feet of a beautiful lake. We are staying at least 5 days at that spot. There is an RV campground about 20 miles or so away (where we plan to dump and fill up at b4) so if we get in a pinch, we’ ll know where to head too. Usually we tent camp, so this will be quite an adventure! Do you have nay other tips for a newbee?
Thanks again for your inspired post.
Sophia
Bob Difley
Chris – I always welcome your comments. Everyone has different experiences with boondocking and I encourage those comments as part of the discussion. I’ve found also that the closer you are to a city or town, the more likely you are to have company–often noisy. Finding that spot that is big enough for just one or two RVs is one of the challenges and a joy when you find it.
Chris
Hi Bob. Another interesting article. Boondocking is one of my favorite subjects. I hope I’m not posting too much, and that I am contributing some comments that are of value. Some more comments, in addition to my comments on your last post:
Generally the streams and lakes draw the party people, unless there’s a big surplus of available sites, or possibly if it’s mid-week. If you want real quiet and solitude, try going way back in the woods (or desert) on the roads that branch off from the main graded USFS or BLM roads, and find a fairly obscure site. (If your main objective is fishing, this may not be an option.) Preferably, the site should have been used before, but look like it hasn’t been used in the last few weeks, or have a lot of recent trash lying around. The wind in the leaves, the moonlight shining down through the trees, and the serenity of knowing there’s no one else around for miles; compensates for not having a “water feature”. We have one “secret” site like this that also has a very small stream (about a foot wide) that gurgles through it, unless it’s the dry season. But it’s too small for fishing.
As I stated before, some local ranger districts are friendlier to boondocking than others. Some of the less friendly ones will tell you there isn’t any place to go. As you say, if you talk to the ranger who is actually out in the field, and get a specific recommendation, you are probably legal. He may even check on you to make sure you’re OK.
Lil'Darlin1972
Great article Bob, thanks. I’ve often wondered how “boondocking” works and your blogs have been very informative.