Boondocking in Your RV

While many people who own RVs tend to take them to campgrounds, that isn’t all you can do with them. In fact, because of their large holding tanks, RVs can be used for boondocking, or dry camping, where you park the RV somewhere that doesn’t have any power or water hookups available. With a bit of preparation, you can take a successful RV boondocking trip. This is what you’ll need to keep in mind.

Look Up Local Regulations

It’s important to know the rules around dry camping wherever you intend to do it. Boondocking in general is legal, but there are some limits: you can’t camp on private land without permission from the landowner, for example. Also, you may need to move your RV after a period of time, typically two weeks. Some places may not permit overnight camping at all.

You should also bear in mind that there may be fire bans in place, particularly in wooded areas during the summer or during a drought. Try to use established fire pits instead, and only when permitted.

Leave No Trace

Wherever you camp, you need to follow the byline “leave no trace,” which means picking up all trash and not leaving any evidence of your stay in the area. In fact, you should pick up any trash or recycling you find, including things that aren’t yours, if you want to be a good land steward. Avoid depositing any fluids on the ground, too, whether it’s blackwater, greywater, or gasoline.

Bring Plenty of Power

You only need to fill up your freshwater tank to have water for your boondocking trip, but how do you provide power to your RV? A generator that uses propane is the standard option; some RVs can also run on propane. Be cautious while handling propane tanks and store them with care.

You could also install solar panels on top of your RV at a bit of an extra cost. This power is free and sustainable, so you may find it to be the most economical option over the long term.

Looking to buy a new RV in Utah? Stop by our dealership in Salt Lake City to take a look at our wide stock of new and used RVs for sale, including the latest Airstream® models. You can also discuss RV financing options with one of our sales team members. Airstream® of Utah proudly serves our Beehive State customers in Park City and Provo, UT, as your local family-owned and -operated RV dealership.