Boondocking-What's it mean to you?

[Greg A]

Boondocking doesn't live in Websters, but is a term kicked around here and in the RV community a good bit.

Loosely, seems to be used to mean "going off the grid" or without hookups. Maybe defined as not being in designated campsites, but out on BLM land? Is Wally overnite parking boondocking?
Generators, propane, solar seem to all come out of the closet when boondocking.
Is this really boondocking?
Are there different boondocking groups or clubs, like boondocking purists or sorta boondockers or redneck boondockers?
If one uses fossil fuels such as gas in Generators or propane to power refrigerators are they really "off the grid" and/or boondocking?
Is there a definition for boondocking or is everyones ideas different about what it is? Is it one word or two?

Sorry, I was sitting in my Scamp contemplating all the silicone jammed around my 25 year old AC and this just popped into my head.

I just found this What is boondocking

[Bonnie]

I will be 'dry camping' next year at several dulcimer festivals. Not exactly boondocking, but pretty close. Your description made me laugh out loud. Thanks

[Donna D.]

Boondocking? From the Helpful-Links: Boondocking!

[Greg A]

I will be 'dry camping' next year at several dulcimer festivals. Not exactly boondocking, but pretty close. Your description made me laugh out loud. Thanks

Well Bonnie, now you'll have me contemplating "dry camping" when I sit in my Scamp tonite and look at all the silicone caulk left behind by the po.

Donna's links also yield "dispersed camping" being associated with the term boondocking. Seems very complex this boondocking term...

[Frederick L. Simson]

Boondocking ... seems to be used to mean "going off the grid" or without hookups.

Generators, propane, solar seem to all come out of the closet when boondocking.
Is this really boondocking?

I think there are several different words which all are closely related, and mean the same thing. The roots of each term may originate from a different aspect of the practice, but the definitions are not precise, split-hairs, will-it-hold-up-in court, terms.

What is Boondocking may be better understood by also knowing what is NOT boondocking.
Therefore, I submit:

• Using your "House" battery
• Using your Propane Tank
• Using your "Fresh" water tank
• Using your Holding (Gray & Black) Tanks
• Using a TV antenna or Satellite dish

... all indicate "Boondocking" while

• Using a stationary 110 volt outlet
• Using your "City Water" connection
• Using a sewer connection
• Using Cable TV connection

...probably does not.

The key, Pinocchio, is in the attachments.

[Greg A]

What is Boondocking may be better understood by also knowing what is NOT boondocking.
Therefore, I submit:

• Using your "House" battery
• Using your Propane Tank
• Using your "Fresh" water tank
• Using your Holding (Gray & Black) Tanks
• Using a TV antenna or Satellite dish

... all indicate "Boondocking" while

• Using a stationary 110 volt outlet
• Using your "City Water" connection
• Using a sewer connection
• Using Cable TV connection

...probably does not.

The key, Pinocchio, is in the attachments.

So grasshopper, you would define boondocking as connection specific and not factor in location specific. Hmmmm, this could spark some lively debate....

[Frederick L. Simson]

So grasshopper, you would define boondocking as connection specific...

One subset of Boondocking is Stealth Camping... not necessarily "out in the boonies"...

fascinating... and logical.

[Ian-Vicki]

I'm with Greg on this one, though I'm not sure a satellite dish constitutes boondocking (or maybe even camping) but that's probably just me.
cheers
Ian

[CharlynnT]

Boondocking = Independence

Yes, we have an electrical cord to connect to Shore power, if it is available, but if not, we have batteries and propane-lamps and good old fire.

Yes, we have a food-grade hose if water is available, but if not, we have several 5-gallon jugs of potable water, one of which lives on our back bumper.

Yes, we have a black-water hose if sewer is available, but if not, we know how long our tank can go (10 days - 2 weeks) and will sani-dump upon our return.

If there is an outhouse/washroom and shower, great. If not, we are still okay.

If there is a picnic table and fire-ring, great. If not, we are still okay.

If there is a garbage bin available, great. If not, we are still okay.

If there is a store nearby, great. If not, we are still okay.

We mainly camp in the "if not" situation. If there are other services -- whoa! -- we are feeling all Luxurious and DeLuxe. And crowded.

[Chuck-H]

All great responses, but the one thing that makes boondocking the best is FRIENDS. Thanks to all of mine, Chuck

[Morgan]

Boondocking doesn't live in Websters, but is a term kicked around here and in the RV community a good bit.

[b]boondocks pl.n. Slang 1. Wild and dense brush; jungle. 2. Rural country; the backwoods. [< Tagalog bundok, mountain.]

The American Heritage College Dictionary Fourth Edition

[Greg A]

**Boondocking = Independence**

I like that definition a lot Charlynn.

Morgan's Heritage definition would lean it back more towards location rather than connection specific, and of course the connection definition would come back into play because there aren't many connections in those locations.

Frederick brings in some interesting stuff with the "stealth camping." Does one's location have to be backwoods to be boondocking? If stealth camping can be boondocking then Wally parking would be boondocking.

[Byron Kinnaman]

To me boondocking is camping with a trailer as close the backpacking experience as possible. Which means without.
without asphalt or concrete
without electricity except house battery
without light pollution
without people noise pollution
without picnic table
without toilet
without shower
without phone
without internet
without television
without music system
without radio

I'm sure there's more withouts.

[Greg A]

I do believe Byron you would be a "boondocking purist" if there is such a thing. I'm leaning towards your camp as well.

[Per Walthinsen]

I'll go with Charlynn's definition.

Most of our camping is probably in places where Byron would feel at peace. On the other hand we bought the trailer because we feel no inclination to feel uncomfortable or deprived. Been there, done that.

Monday I'm heading to a remote place along the John Day river where the lack of services or people would probably fit the "boondocking" scheme quite nicely. No cell phone, no satellite, no city lights, no noise.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I'll go with Charlynn's definition.
Most of our camping is probably in places where Byron would feel at peace. On the other hand we bought the trailer because we feel no inclination to feel uncomfortable or deprived. Been there, done that.
Monday I'm heading to a remote place along the John Day river where the lack of services or people would probably fit the "boondocking" scheme quite nicely. No cell phone, no satellite, no city lights, no noise.

I wanna go too.... But I gotta work..

[Brian B-P]

[b]boondocks pl.n. Slang 1. Wild and dense brush; jungle. 2. Rural country; the backwoods. [< Tagalog bundok, mountain.]
The American Heritage College Dictionary Fourth Edition

... and when you're out there, there are no services available, and thus boondocking implies going without external services, such as water, sewer, power, and communications. (Greg already made this point).

Dispersed camping is a term specific to the agency which runs the areas where it is allowed, and I believe it means outside of an organized campground... which implies, again, no services.

So what if you camp in a campground, or even a store parking lot, but without services? This leads to the term "dry camping", meaning without a water supply or sewer connection... and I suppose also without power. Thus, "dry" means "no power", which must confuse people the way an obviously wet wine is called "dry" if it has little sweetness.

I would go for just specifying the level of services (none, power only, water and power) for clarity, but I don't think we'll get rid of confusing use of "boondocking" and "dry camping".

I don't see how either "boondocking" or "dry camping" suggests the lack of a generator any more than it suggest a lack of propane or water tanks or a battery. Those are the kind of portable facilities that make an RV different from a truck or cargo trailer.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I don't see how either "boondocking" or "dry camping" suggests the lack of a generator any more than it suggest a lack of propane or water tanks or a battery. Those are the kind of portable facilities that make an RV different from a truck or cargo trailer.

Ooops I forgot one.

Without generator or one close by.

Thanks for reminding me.

[peterh]

I doubt we could go "boondocking" by Byron's definition with our Scamp 5er. It has a toilet. It has a shower (sort of). But, most of all, it has a queen-sized memory foam mattress with a comfy, thick quilted bedspread.

I think "Boondocking" and "Being in the Boondocks" might be different things. I'd say boondocking is anytime you're out camping you've only got what you take with you to live with and on, and I'm happily willing to concede Byron's No Generators rule. Being "In the Boondocks" would be when you can go hiking around your campsite and never see a place to hook up water or electricity.

My take.

--Peter

[Bigfoot Mike]

Define: Boondocking

Boondocking
No fresh water, electricity or sewer utilities while camping in an RV.

http://www.texasrvdirectory.com/terms.html