Boondocking 101
So you’ve decided to rent a camper van and get off the beaten path. Congrats! Dry camping, or boondocking, is a great way to experience nature and get away from the crowds for some solitude. Alma, our camper van is decked out for extended time off-grid with all the creature comforts of home.
There are a few things you should know before you head out, though. Here’s a quick guide to boondocking 101.
First, what is dry camping? Dry camping is camping without hookups for water, sewer, or electricity. This means you’ll need to be self-sufficient and bring everything you need with you.
You’ll need to have a good supply of water. A general rule of thumb is to bring at least one gallon per person, per day. Alma has your back, the Solis has 20 gallons of fresh water and 20 gallons of grey water (the water that drains down the sink). The toilet is a 5 gallon cassette, we generally treat it as our backup plan for when nature calls, if it can be avoided we prefer to not have to deal with finding dump facilities, but talk to me when its raining cats and dogs at 3am and I will change my tune.
Off-grid it’s always a good idea to stay mindful of your power usage. Alma has solar panels on the roof that do a pretty good job of keeping a charge (based on the weather), the battery will power lights, charge devices and keep the fridge going, (you won’t be able to run high-powered appliances like a hair dryer for too long, but thats what messy buns are for. The battery recharges when you drive, as long as you arent staying in one place for too many days without sun, you will have power.
When out away from the crowds you will have a greater chance of encountering wildlife. Go prepared! Bring an air horn as the first line of defense for bears or wildcats. Scaring them away is a best case scenario, but carry bear spray for a backup in case sound does not deter them. If you see wildlife, give them a wide berth, yield to their movements and whatever you do, don’t be the touron that tries to get up close for a photo opp.
And last, but DEFINITELY not least. The most important rule of boondocking is to be respectful of nature. This means disposing of waste properly and leaving no trace. You brought it? You pack it out. Stick to previously disturbed areas and avoid blazing a new path when one exists. Try to leave the land better than you found it, we always feel better when we pack out any trash we find left behind by careless shitheads.
