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BOONDOCKING
True boondocking means being willing to put yourself into the middle of nowhere to enjoy the peace and serenity of the outdoor world without having to pay for months of RV Resort fees, surrounded by other campers that you may not have a lot of common interests with, but who live on your doorstep anyway.
Our most memorable experiences have been getting away from the mainstream crowds for a while and enjoying the peace and serenity of a deserted Wildlife Management Area (WMA), or a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) area that nobody seems to know about. We usually feel a bit smug when we make our best discoveries.
If you put your mind to it, it's amazing how many places you will discover are out there for you to enjoy:
Most States have WMAs. Some require camping permits, others don't allow camping at all. It is best to check each area that your are considering visiting to establish the rules. For example, the State of Virginia has numerous WMAs, most of which allow overnight camping, however, there are a few exceptions. The best way to ascertain the State rules for camping is to visit their website to download their information sheet: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/wmarecreation.pdf
Be warned!! Although you are assured many hours of peace and serenity in a WMA, there will be times when there are hunters in the area and there will be shots fired. If you think you will be offended by the hunting activities in certain areas, don't visit during a posted hunting season.
There are numerous options for BLM camping especially in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California and Nevada. Most experienced snowbirders will know that the BLM lands out west provide some pretty spectacular, but primitive camping areas in numerous locations. There are a few choices to be made when deciding on long-term visits to BLM areas. Most of the free camping areas allow 14 night stays in one location. The other option is to purchase a Long Term Visitor permit, (LTVA) which would allow campers to stay for up to seven months in the same location.
It is quite an experience to drive through these vast, barren locations to see the numerous RVs that have set up 'home' with back yards, decks and other luxuries that they like to have around them.
There are a number of LTVA areas that have free camping areas located very close to them. We usually stay at these locations.
Quartszite is an excellent example of the variety of camping options to either Primitive or Resort campers. There are vast areas of land available for the adventure minded folk who want to be camping amidst a cactus tree plantation. Plumosa Road is one of the better known options in that area. However, there are a number of campgrounds offering full hook-ups, close to the town center for visitors who want to enjoy the hussle and bussle of activities during the month of January. More about that later......
Our most memorable experiences have been getting away from the mainstream crowds for a while and enjoying the peace and serenity of a deserted Wildlife Management Area (WMA), or a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) area that nobody seems to know about. We usually feel a bit smug when we make our best discoveries.
If you put your mind to it, it's amazing how many places you will discover are out there for you to enjoy:
Most States have WMAs. Some require camping permits, others don't allow camping at all. It is best to check each area that your are considering visiting to establish the rules. For example, the State of Virginia has numerous WMAs, most of which allow overnight camping, however, there are a few exceptions. The best way to ascertain the State rules for camping is to visit their website to download their information sheet: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/wmarecreation.pdf
Be warned!! Although you are assured many hours of peace and serenity in a WMA, there will be times when there are hunters in the area and there will be shots fired. If you think you will be offended by the hunting activities in certain areas, don't visit during a posted hunting season.
There are numerous options for BLM camping especially in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California and Nevada. Most experienced snowbirders will know that the BLM lands out west provide some pretty spectacular, but primitive camping areas in numerous locations. There are a few choices to be made when deciding on long-term visits to BLM areas. Most of the free camping areas allow 14 night stays in one location. The other option is to purchase a Long Term Visitor permit, (LTVA) which would allow campers to stay for up to seven months in the same location.
It is quite an experience to drive through these vast, barren locations to see the numerous RVs that have set up 'home' with back yards, decks and other luxuries that they like to have around them.
There are a number of LTVA areas that have free camping areas located very close to them. We usually stay at these locations.
Quartszite is an excellent example of the variety of camping options to either Primitive or Resort campers. There are vast areas of land available for the adventure minded folk who want to be camping amidst a cactus tree plantation. Plumosa Road is one of the better known options in that area. However, there are a number of campgrounds offering full hook-ups, close to the town center for visitors who want to enjoy the hussle and bussle of activities during the month of January. More about that later......
OUR FAVORITE BOONDOCKING SPOTS
This list will change with each added year of trips that we do, but currently, our favorite places to languish in the great outdoors are:
QUARTZSITE - PLUMOSA ROAD, ARIZONA- Plenty of cactus patches to camp in and around and lots of space to either camp in large groups, especially in January when everybody who is anybody come to gather and share each others company. Or, like us, you could choose to get away from the masses and not see another camper within 200 feet of you. If you are against generator use, the second option would suit you best, because we have found that when campers get together, there is a cacophony of noises from the various heavy duty industrial generators. Apart from the annual January gathering, where visitors can go to the huge RV show that gets under way, the other advantage of being in Quartzsite is the wide range of places to stay, either in full hook-up campgrounds or a number attractive desert locations, apart from Plumosa Road.
HOLTVILLE HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - Although the hot springs are managed by the BLM LTVA administrators, where there is a large camping area for the six month permit holders, there is a vast area on the boundary to the LTVA camping area, where campers can choose a spot that is either very close to the hot springs, or you can choose to go quite a distance from where the traffic would be where you can be assured weeks of being truly away from it all. We liked this location, not only for the hot springs, but it is close to El Centro, which has enough supermarkets and stores to satisfy our purchasing needs.
HOT WELL DUNES, ARIZONA - We love coming back to this sand dune, desert location because of the very relaxing hot spring dipping pools that we use at least twice a day to refresh ourselves after being on the road for days on end. Visitors are allowed a two week stay at a time here, but you need to note that the area is invaded by numerous ATVers over weekends and holidays, so it is best to plan you visit around a week day arrival and if you want to stay the two weeks, just plan on keeping your head low through the noisy weekend activities that will definitely invade your space.
Be Aware!! Coming from the I-20, our Garmin GPS tells us to head straight up the road without making any turns. DO NOT DO THIS - follow the road signage to the Hotwell Dunes. It is 3 miles more, but the GPS directions will take you onto the road to hell and you will have a hard time getting back again.
This list will change with each added year of trips that we do, but currently, our favorite places to languish in the great outdoors are:
QUARTZSITE - PLUMOSA ROAD, ARIZONA- Plenty of cactus patches to camp in and around and lots of space to either camp in large groups, especially in January when everybody who is anybody come to gather and share each others company. Or, like us, you could choose to get away from the masses and not see another camper within 200 feet of you. If you are against generator use, the second option would suit you best, because we have found that when campers get together, there is a cacophony of noises from the various heavy duty industrial generators. Apart from the annual January gathering, where visitors can go to the huge RV show that gets under way, the other advantage of being in Quartzsite is the wide range of places to stay, either in full hook-up campgrounds or a number attractive desert locations, apart from Plumosa Road.
HOLTVILLE HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - Although the hot springs are managed by the BLM LTVA administrators, where there is a large camping area for the six month permit holders, there is a vast area on the boundary to the LTVA camping area, where campers can choose a spot that is either very close to the hot springs, or you can choose to go quite a distance from where the traffic would be where you can be assured weeks of being truly away from it all. We liked this location, not only for the hot springs, but it is close to El Centro, which has enough supermarkets and stores to satisfy our purchasing needs.
HOT WELL DUNES, ARIZONA - We love coming back to this sand dune, desert location because of the very relaxing hot spring dipping pools that we use at least twice a day to refresh ourselves after being on the road for days on end. Visitors are allowed a two week stay at a time here, but you need to note that the area is invaded by numerous ATVers over weekends and holidays, so it is best to plan you visit around a week day arrival and if you want to stay the two weeks, just plan on keeping your head low through the noisy weekend activities that will definitely invade your space.
Be Aware!! Coming from the I-20, our Garmin GPS tells us to head straight up the road without making any turns. DO NOT DO THIS - follow the road signage to the Hotwell Dunes. It is 3 miles more, but the GPS directions will take you onto the road to hell and you will have a hard time getting back again.
