BOONDOCKING AND DRY CAMPING

Boondocking (or dry camping) is a style of camping where you skip the campground altogether. Instead, you set up camp deep in nature far from any road noise or other campers. Many people find this to be a pure form of camping. There are no hookups or amenities of a campsite. Just your RV and nature. This unique style of camping is an incredible time, but it does take some preparation. We created a guide to help you get ready for your boondocking trip. If you need any parts or maintenance before you head out, visit Jubilee RV Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia.

CHECK THE REGULATIONS

Boondocking is legal and encouraged. But there are regulations in place for the safety of campers and maintenance of nature’s jewels. There are limits on your camping location. Before you can camp on private land, you need the explicit permission of the landowner. Some places don’t allow overnight camping. Most public places limit the number of days you can stay, so be sure to check what your intended location’s limits are. If you break any of these restrictions, you can face a steep fine.

One restricted activity is building a fire. You cannot make one at all if there is a fire ban (common during the summer months when the wildfire risk is high). You cannot create a new fire pit. You can only use a fire pit that is already in place.

There are also restrictions for waste. Anyone not using a blackwater tank must bury their waste under six inches of dirt. Clear up any trash. Try to leave your site better than you found it.

If you plan on hunting, be mindful of your surroundings. You cannot fire a weapon near public areas, like a campsite or a road.

POWER YOUR RV

Some campers go fully off the grid. But most people want some power to light their rooms or run their kitchen appliances. Since you are not at a campsite, you won’t have access to a power grid. You’ll need to rely on solar energy, propane energy, or both. Solar lasts longer, but you won’t get much on cloudy days. Propane burns up faster but is a consistent energy source.

MAKE BOONDOCKING COMFORTABLE

Rugged camping does not need to mean uncomfortable camping. There are a few upgrades you can make to make boondocking better. Composting toilets are great for handling waste long-term. Plus they allow you to skip trying to find black water dump sites. A micro distiller filters water into pure drinkable water. Propane-fueled water heaters and fridges allow you to free up energy for other uses.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES

The farther away from other people you are, the more you need to prepare for an emergency. Always bring a first aid kit to handle minor medical emergencies. Pack a toolkit to handle any small fixes to your RV. Tell a friend or family member where you will be and for how long. In the event you need to be rescued, the safety crew will know where to start looking. Bring a radio to stay up-to-date in an emergency situation where there is no power. Pack signaling tools like flares to catch the attention of help. Get tools to start a fire in case your heating source goes out. Finally, you will want extra food and water in case you need to stay in one place longer than expected.

Need any maintenance or supplies before you start your journey? Stop by Jubilee RV Centre. We proudly serve those in Kamloops, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Prince George, British Columbia.