The popularity of RVing, #Vanlife, and other rubber-tramp-traveling styles have grown substantially. Many once-secluded boondocking sites are becoming overrun, crowded, and may even shut down. With the absence of solitude, is it worth it to boondock anymore?
Before we start, let’s talk about what “boondocking” means. Boondocking is dry, dispersed camping without any form of hookups. It involves camping in a self-contained vehicle, such as an RV, campervan, skoolie, or a home on wheels on a free patch of land (usually BLM land).
How long can you stay parked on a patch of land without needing to leave for water, food, or other provisions? This depends on the size of your holding tanks, the efficiency of your off-grid power supply, and the amount of food you have. If you have large holding tanks or a composting toilet, keep showers to a minimum, and trickle-wash your dishes, you can boondock for up to two weeks comfortably.
Sadly, boondocking sites are getting shut down because of several reasons. Number one: overcrowding. Camping, RVing, and road-tripping have become more prevalent in recent years. Many people see it as an inexpensive way to travel that doesn’t involve being around many people.