RV Boondocking and Free CampgroundsWhat is RV Boondocking?Boondocking is where you take your RV, motorhome, campervan or fifth wheel and park overnight without using any hook-ups. This enables you to find free campgrounds in many places including car-parks, wineries, national parks, truck parks, the side of the road, on a beach, next to a river and even peoples driveways. Boondocking is a great way to save huge amounts of money on camping fees.
Where Can I Find Free Campgrounds?Many Wal-Mart stores in the US will allow RV’s to stay over night in their car-parks.There is an organization that you can join for a nominal fee that lists pub car-parks in the UK that welcome motorhomes. Harvest hosts is a database that includes wineries and farms that host RV’s overnight. Harvest Host currently has 231 hosts all over the USA; with 150 wineries and 81 farms where you can stay free. You will have a good selection to choose from and there are new hosts being added all the time. They invite you to visit their vineyard or farm to stay overnight (no longer than 24hrs). There is no obligation to buy anything from the hosts but there are items of produce for sale that can vary from fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and of course wine. A small joining cost of $30 annually gives you access to the database. This includes:-
Harvest Host’s code of conduct gives you an idea of what is expected from you and your host. This also applies in other Boondocking areas and if people abide by this more places will become more available.
The Bureau of Land Management in the US also offers many places where you can camp for free. It is important to do a little research first and find out when you can park. Glen and Steve who have been traveling for over 12 years around the world and much of the time in a motorhome, when visiting a pub would ask if they can stay in the car park,they have never been refused permission.
Not all places welcome Boondocking and some local by-laws forbid it. However there are still many places that will welcome you and people have many stories to tell. You must remember these places are not campsites and usually only allow you to stay one night. You can’t set up as though it is a campsite and you must leave the site clean and tidy and take all your rubbish away with you. You need to be self-sufficient and to have everything you need, including water, bathroom and power. However these businesses are hoping that you might buy something from them although in general it’s not expected. Try Boondocking around the world! If you own a motorhome why not consider exchanging with someone else in another country. The UK, Europe or even Australia have organisations you can join for very low cost. Have a look at the vehicles people are willing to exchange. See Glen and Steve's story about exchanging their motorhome in Australia This UK motorhome website is very useful with thousands of members. You can find a list of people willing to exchange their RVs; the latest news on motorhoming around the UK, tips and advice, sales and insurance and loads more. UK motorhomes for exchange Here are two links for Boondocking in France and Italy. French Boondocking website - Wineries and Farms over 1600 host sites available ! Italian Boondocking website - Wineries and Farms more than 382 farms listed ! Leave RV Boondocking and Free Campgrounds and Return to Traveling in a Motorhome, RV or Campervan Leave RV Boondocking and Free Campgrounds and Return to Free Accommodation for World Travel Home Page |
