VanLife
OpenVan.campβ World of motorhomes — here

Report a problem

What is the problem?

OpenVan.camp Editorial · Last updated:

Boondocking

Lifestyle USA Canada

Dry camping, off-grid camping, dispersed camping, BLM camping, no-hookup camping

Boondocking is an American term for camping in an RV or van without any hookups (electricity, water, or sewer), typically on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or U.S. Forest Service.

The term is used primarily in North America. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands cover over 100 million hectares in the USA, where dispersed camping is generally permitted if the area is not closed, typically with a 14-day limit in any 28-day period; rules depend on the local field office. Boondockers rely on solar panels, water tanks and composting or cassette toilets. In Europe the equivalent practice is called wild camping or free camping.

FAQ

How long can you stay in one spot while boondocking?

On BLM lands in the USA — typically up to 14 days, after which you must move at least 40 km. In national forests the rules may differ. After 14 days you cannot return to the same spot for 28 days. Always check posted signs and rules for the specific BLM field office.

What equipment do you need for comfortable boondocking?

Minimum kit: 200+ W of solar panels, 100+ Ah LiFePO4 battery, 50–100 L fresh water tank, cassette or composting toilet. For winter: a diesel or gas heater running independently of shore power. A well-sized solar system lets you stay off-grid for weeks at a time.

Related terms

Van Life Glossary

Content is available under CC BY 4.0 license. Source: OpenVan.camp.

Install OpenVan.camp

Get quick access and offline reading.

Install on iOS

  1. 1 Tap Share in Safari.
  2. 2 Choose "Add to Home Screen".
  3. 3 Confirm by tapping Add.

Already installed

The app is already installed on this device.

Install from browser menu

Use your browser menu to install or add to home screen.

→ Glossary