Tips on Boondocking

[ali1257]

As Ron and I are getting ready to join the carnival some questions are running through my mind...boondocking some of the time.

Most of the time we will be parking right where the carnival parks and will have power for sure. We don't know about water - maybe at some of the places. We plan to access water/dumping at rest areas/camp grounds (knowing we will pay to dump/fill) at least every couple of weeks or so. We know we can go 10 days at full use without dumping. So what I am looking for are ideas on saving/using less water. I know we will be using a lot of paper plates to save on washing dishes. Any other ideas???

We know we will be having to go to laundromats in different towns...any suggestions on how to find them?

What other things should we be thinking about?

Thanks for any info/suggestions.

[Echo]

As to laundromats, whatever town your in you can google the city and state name and laundromats.

ie. blythe ca laundromats all in the same line. most anything you can find that way. Plus there will surely be workers at the fairgrounds that can tell you and of course the older hands who are older employees can tell you where to find a ton of things. They've already been on these circuits an will be a wealth of info for you.

They will also be able to tell you where the post offices are too. Once you get into the swing of things and get started on knowing who you are working with you will know who to go to for info.

[JoanE]

I waited too long to find a campground over the weekend and almost had to find a boondocking spot. Other than a Wal Mart (which was not to be found in this area), where have you boondocked? I got lucky with the last spot at a KOA but it was too late in the day to be still searching. I'll stop much earlier from now on. Actually I began looking much earlier but it was the holiday (warm) weekend, so everyone was camping and I passed about seven cgs that were full. Yeesh!

[Gentleladybear]

Do not put T paper in your toilet. It takes up a lot of room in the holding tank. You can throw the paper away easier than you can dump.

[longdog2]

Joan, some Cracker Barrels have RV parking spots and will let you stay overnight. Last summer I stopped to visit a friend in Indianpolis and there were no campgrounds anywhere on that side of town so I was going to boondock at Walmart but it was posted. I explained to my friend that when that happens, it is usually because the city has forced them to do so. She led me across the highway approximately 1/2 mile away to a Fred Mejers 24 hour grocery store. Nothing posted so I went inside and checked. Manager said no problem, park on the side of the lot and he would let security know to keep an eye out for me. I was right next to a fence with a park on the other side. Turns out that it was the county that was the problem with the Walmart. I also stayed one night in another town at a Sam's Club parking lot. They were not open all night but there were 5 other rigs parked along the side of the lot right along with me so I felt pretty safe.

[Liz]

I waited too long to find a campground over the weekend and almost had to find a boondocking spot. Other than a Wal Mart (which was not to be found in this area), where have you boondocked? I got lucky with the last spot at a KOA but it was too late in the day to be still searching. I'll stop much earlier from now on. Actually I began looking much earlier but it was the holiday (warm) weekend, so everyone was camping and I passed about seven cgs that were full. Yeesh!

If you are near a national forest (and sometimes state forests) there are places you can boondock. Or chances are the nf cgs will have space.
http://www.forestcamping.com/

[JoanE]

Liz, I was driving over the White Mtns and every single cg in the NP was full. Should have expected it as it was a beautiful holiday weekend. Short sighted planning on my part.

[Liz]

Liz, I was driving over the White Mtns and every single cg in the NP was full. Should have expected it as it was a beautiful holiday weekend. Short sighted planning on my part.

Leaf-peeping season, figures.

[bikerchic777]

I boondock a lot at Walmarts, but have also stayed at casinos and Cabellas. As a matter of fact, I am boondocking at a Walmart in NM tonight I am getting so I can't see spending the money to stay one night, while on the road. All of these places have lighted parking lots and security cameras and night security (not sure about Cabellas on the night security). I stayed at my Church in IA, too, and they let me plug in as long as I unplugged before Sunday, so nobody would say anything about it I wouldn't be surprised if other Churches along the way would let us stay overnight, as well. I am planning to join the Elk's when I get to AZ. I've been wanting to get back into volunteering and there are many opportunities there, as well as cheap camping at most lodges. They even have a book of the lodges for members and it lists the ones with camping. Ken uses them and I stayed at one with him in 29 Palms, CA, when we couldn't find an empty site in Joshua Tree National Park. They had electric and a dump station with water. Happy boondocking!

[Bethers]

Linda, I've stayed in several church parking lots, but not when they'll be having services that night or the next morning. I haven't asked for electric, but some would probably give it. They have let me fill water at some of them. I also have stayed on side streets by many city parks. A lot quieter than Walmart - and unless you advertise you're there, no one really knows. I also look in the atlases for the areas they have picnic tables. On side roads, if the area still exists, it is often a very nice little roadside and good for overnights. (Of course, in some states overnighting in them is fine, others not so fine). It seems to me in VT one night I stayed at one of the visitor center lots (have done that in many states also). Some of them even have free wifi which I'll use to not use up all my data allowance when uploading pics, etc.

And, the only time I try to know ahead of time where I'll be - are holidays and some weekends - doesn't mean I pay - just rarely travel on them so hunker down somewhere for them.

[bikerchic777]

Beth...Yes, all of those are good! The only reason I hooked up to electric at the Church is because the Seniors' Pastor insisted and it was our Church. I probably wouldn't, otherwise, unless I made a goodwill offering Being alone, I really feel safe at most Walmart lots. I sometimes need something from there, anyway, so saves me a stop!

[Anniepoo]

Ask!
Curse of modern life - people don't interact as a community any more. Any townie will know where the laundromat is, whether it has good machines, etc. - far better info than if you just checked online. If you're with the circus you're a minor celebrity - work it!

LIbraries - I've gone in, gotten a library card based on whatever address I happened to be at that morning, checked out books, and UPS'ed them back to the library when I was done.

Trucks - any place trucks are staying might be good for you too.

Groceries - I often pull into a grocery store lot, go in, buy makings for a meal, cook it on the spot, eat, and I'm gone with less food stuff in the RV