Boon Docking Provides Traditional RV Camping Alternatives
If boon docking is not a familiar RV or camping term to you, it willnot be long until other RV camping enthusiasts introduce you to thistime honored RV camping tradition.
The art of boon docking is also referred to as dry camping or dispersedcamping and offers many campers the opportunity to enjoy the comfortsof their RV while still enjoying nature without the modernization oramenities that campgrounds offer.
Boon docking is also an alternative to one night stopovers at acampground while traveling from one destination to another and manyRVers find Wal-Mart parking lots and truck stops to be just thesolution. Places like Wal-Mart know the value of catering to thecamping community, as they provide a perfect place to stock up on RVcamping supplies and outdoor necessities while on the road.
Whether you are boon docking for convenience while heading toward yourcamping destination, or if you have chosen boon docking as the RVcamping experience you are seeking, there are certain boon docking tipsand camping protocol to follow.
The first is courtesy and common sense. If you are boon docking in aWal-Mart parking lot, it is not a good idea to pull out the lawn chairsand camping equipment and setup shop. Doing so will quickly ruin theboon docking option for others and sour the reputation of campers ingeneral.
Any overnight RV stay in public locales should be treated as aprivilege and not an entitlement. The same holds true for boon dockingin remote locations, always honor the environment and leave it pristinefor other campers who are to follow.
When RV camping without full hook-ups, there are other considerationsas well that will assist you in getting the most out of your boondocking camping adventure. Water and power utilization and conservationis always the foremost concern among dry campers. With a littleexperience and planning, RV campers can easily become accustomed toconserving both.
Water conservation while dry camping comes down to paying attention todetails. Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth; run waterslowly to conserve consumption; and capture water in the shower torecycle for rinsing and flushing. When you are waiting for the watertemperature to adjust for a shower, reclaim that water -- you will findmany other uses for it. And remember to always shower using the wet andrinse technique. There are many other water conservation optionsavailable for dry campers as well and the RV industry has a widevariety of electronics and accessories available.
Power and electrical needs follow the same laws of conservation andrequire paying attention to detail as well. Inverters, generators, andsolar panels are all options and in combination can extend power usagequite adequately. There are so many alternatives and they are dependentupon your existing RV configuration, so the ideal solution is planning.
Determine the type and amount of power that your TV, satellite dish,VCR, refrigerator, or microwave places on power consumption andcalculate the load requirements and how best to disburse them beforeventuring out.
Boon docking can be intimidating at first, but with advanced thoughtand planning it can provide tremendous pleasure beyond what RVers arelooking for in a traditional campground. And you are certainly notalone in the great outdoors when it comes to boon docking! A simpleGoogle query will yield other RV camping enthusiasts who share boondocking tips, routes, locations, and many other valuable pieces ofinformation that only the experienced boon docking camper would thinkof.
There is also a huge assortment of LTV (Long Term Visitor) Areas inCalifornia and Arizona, and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Informationavailable detailing designated wilderness areas, regulations, andamenities. Other experienced boon docking RV campers have put togetherhuge online lists of creative ways to boon dock, camping and boondocking forums, travel blogs and other valuable resources.
So if boon docking is in your future RV camping plans, you will findyou are in good company -- it's just that the company won't be sittingin the campground site five feet from yours!