Best Boondocking Destinations

The best boondocking destinations will stoke a little excitement and get you scheming on your next RV adventure.

The allure of adventure stirs within many of us. Once you have a taste for those wild and seemingly undiscovered places anything else can seem a bit underwhelming. That feeling of being purposefully lost and out of touch with the ‘real world’ is a liberating sensation that is truly hard to match. While some deep seated spots of wilderness are only accessible by foot, you can still knock on the door of real, rugged backcountry by other means not involving miles of trekking.

In RV language this pursuit of experiencing wild regions and getting away from it all fits into a friendly term we like to call boondocking. This word, for those not familiar, basically entails camping in an undeveloped, off the grid location with little to no amenities - only what you bring along onboard. Think of it as dry camping or wild camping. No hookups available; needed or wanted. Just you, your RV and the great outdoors. It’s an amazing way to experience some of the vast expanses of the country and is HIGHLY recommended if you’ve been sticking to scenic routes and campgrounds thus far in your RV life.

Here is a look at some of the best destinations across the country for boondocking. A stay at any of these locations and you’ll soon see why camping without modern amenities can turn into unforgettable escapades.

Canyonlands, Utah

With wild terrain and sherbet stained rock facades rising from the desert floor, the area around Canyonlands National Park in eastern Utah seems like a Martian landscape come to Earth. The park itself is great but there are many options to get lost in the surrounding areas that won’t cost you a dime and will be free of crowds. Numerous dirt roads creep in all directions in and around Moab with many catering to four-wheel drive and off road enthusiasts. There are plenty of roads to accommodate an RV with BLM land north of town offering up some great boondocking possibilities. Be sure to stock up on water in any season as this area of the country is often dusty and dry. Also bring a map and compass to discover unique slot canyons and sheep trails that are mostly unknown to google maps.

Related Read: Top Camping Gear, a Complete List

Cook’s Chasm, Oregon Coast

If you are an ocean lover and have never been to the Oregon coast, pack your bags now and read this later. It is a mystical and spectacular location with rock cliffs and tall trees scraping the sea and sky like a moat of a giant’s castle. Inspiration floats through the mist here and you might just feel like you’ve harnessed a few new magical powers after camping in the area. Cook’s Chasm is an ocean side cave and chasm carved into the stone by millions upon millions of waves crashing against the rocks over the ages. At high tide this spot boils and gurgles with each incoming wave and the varying rock features result in a series of water geysers, explosions and showers. It basically becomes nature’s water show in full effect. The nearest town is Yachats, where you can stock up on supplies before finding a secluded spot right off of Highway 101. South of town you enter into the Siuslaw National Forest where many boondocking spots can be found. Stick to the coast to really experience the majesty of this place, however.

Sedona, Arizona

This area of the country just south of the Grand Canyon is something special. Locals and new-agers claim there to be positive energies floating around in certain locations here know as vortices. The Native Americans of this region claim it to be the birthplace of mankind and some of the rock features and colors will have you wondering if that just might be the truth. Within the borders of the Coconino National Forest are many diverse camping options from forests to cliff overlooks to riverside lookouts. Surrounding Sedona are several state wilderness areas that you need to pay a small fee to drive into but are well worth the small expense. Red Rocks/Secret Mountain Wilderness Area has miles of hiking trails, plenty of camping and even ancient ruins to explore.

Big Bend, Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, right? My favorite truth to this old American adage is the stoic stars of west Texas. Look up at night in this part of the world and you are sure to get lost in the best kind of way. So vast and endless yet just past your reach, camping is recommended here for that experience alone. But there is more to Big Bend and it’s a worthy destination to put on your boondocking list. Big Bend National Park is one of the only National Parks to offer a small number of dispersed/primitive RV campsites for a small fee. It’s basically an invitation to boondock and should be taken advantage of. Scrub forest, dusty roads and sturdy buttes dot the landscape of the area. Located in southwest Texas near the Mexican border, camping is available anytime of the year, but Big Bend can be a nice snow bird destination as it heats up in the summer.

Witness Bay, Newfoundland, Canada

This spot is north of the border up in Canada but is an amazing location if you are up for taking the RV into a different country.

Related Read: Crossing the border into Canada

Witness Bay is the eastern most part of North America and is as close as you can get to Ireland without getting wet. The scenery up here is breathtaking whether you choose to set up camp by the shores of the Atlantic Ocean or stick a bit inland and enjoy one of the many nearby wilderness reserves. If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in Newfoundland in the offseason, you’ll be treated to serene seascapes that will make you reminisce on ages of old and get a feel for crisp, clean solitude. Canadians don’t really have a word for boondocking, they simply call it camping but regardless, they enjoy it. Visit in peak summer months or over a holiday and things can get crowded but with plenty of different camping options, anytime you can head north you’ll be in for a treat.