
The quickest way to get started is to find a popular boondocking site with plenty of YouTube videos and information about it. You can stick to the popular places where you know exactly what you're getting before you go, or you can get a little more adventurous to find the perfect spot.

This is where you can find a much wider variety of sites. Not every Walmart allows overnight parking, so be sure to research a little more into the one you'd like to stay at. Most people just do this on travel days when moving from one nature spot to the next. If you're in a van, you can probably stay in more places, but for RVers you're pretty much limited to Walmarts and a few other businesses like Cracker Barrel.

Boondocking in civilizationīoondocking in or near cities usually involves staying one night in a Walmart parking lot.

You don't have hookups, so you'll have to be self-sustainable, using propane, stored water, batteries and solar or a generator to charge those batteries. You get to choose whether you want to be surrounded by friends, or off on your own. You find a nice spot on public land that allows camping and stay for 1-2 weeks before moving on to another spot. No more paying $50 a night to be packed in like sardines in an RV park, it's just you and nature. Many people choose it not just because it's free, but because you have plentiful space around you, surrounded by nature. It's typically either in a parking lot (eg a Walmart) or pretty deep into nature on public lands. The basicsīoondocking is camping without amenities or hookups.

If there's anything that isn't clear, let us know in the comments at the bottom of this page. Note: This is a living document, we're always working to improve it. You've probably come across some incredible pictures from folks who are boondocking, or maybe you like the cost (Free!), and want to know how to get started.
