RV Camping and Boondocking on BLM Land in Southern California
Sometimes, your ideal RV vacation doesn’t involve a campground or an RV resort. Taking your motorhome or travel trailer off the beaten path and enjoying a little time in the wilderness allows you to completely unplug.
Both relaxing and rejuvenating, these trips are becoming more and more popular. Let’s find out more about getting off the grid through boondocking on BLM land.
What is Boondocking?
Have you ever taken your RV out and not used any hookups? Then technically, you’ve already gone boondocking!
Boondocking is essentially dry camping in your RV. You need to bring your own water, supply your own power, and deal with your own waste. Are you wondering why you would ever go RV camping without using the full amenities of your RV? There are a few reasons.
An overnight stay in a parking lot (usually of a retail business) is technically boondocking. Lots of you use these convenient stopping places on your way to other RV camping destinations.
Some campgrounds you want to visit don’t supply RV hookups. You can still park there, but your RV becomes more like an extremely comfortable tent. Most people don’t mind spending a few days dry camping if they can be in a location they love.
And then there are trips taken into the wilderness.
RV camping without designated spots, without neighbors, and without hookups. This is what most people are talking about when they go boondocking and it has an official name: dispersed camping. Immersing yourself in nature doesn’t usually come with a place to plug in.
Some of the best places for boondocking in Southern California are on BLM lands.
What are BLM Lands?
BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management. BLM is responsible for millions of acres of public land, most of it in the western states, and it is perfect for both full-amenity RV camping and boondocking.
BLM lands are incredibly diverse, including livestock grazing, timber harvesting, and energy resources. What we’re interested in are their vast tracts of recreational and conservation lands that are open to the public.
There are full-service campgrounds with hookups and fees on BLM land. They aren’t much different than standard private campgrounds though they may be less expensive.
We’re more interested today in the undeveloped, often remote areas where you can often boondock for free. Unlike campgrounds, you’ll be on your own. There are no paved spots, no neighbors to meet, and a lot of untamed nature.
Great BLM Land Destinations in Southern California
As you know, Southern California is filled with enormous cities. But don’t worry! There are plenty of boondocking opportunities outside of these urban cityscapes. You can find BLM land for remote boondocking in amazing locations near Joshua Tree National Park, at Afton Canyon, and in wilderness areas including Chimney Peak, Darwin Falls, and Bright Star.
Head over to the BLM and check out their RV camping land in California.
Preparing for Boondocking
Remote RV camping requires careful planning. The first thing you need to do is check out the area where you plan to camp. Make sure it’s accessible for your vehicle and that boondocking is allowed.
If you know any experienced boondockers, check with them before you head out. Ask questions about weather, safety, and cell phone capability.
Next, get your vehicle ready for dry camping. Empty your black and grey water tanks, and make sure your fresh water tank is clean and full. You may need to bring extra potable water depending on the length of your trip.
Fill your propane, check your generator and batteries, and make sure you have enough fuel for your vehicle. Check your on board generator, as well as your portable generator.
Find the nearest RV dump station.
Do some diligent RV maintenance. Check your seals, top off your fluids, check your tires. Do everything to make sure your vehicle is in great shape to avoid break-downs.
Many of your preparations will depend on how much you intend to use your RV systems. Some of you will use everything you have to make the experience as comfortable as possible. That means making sure you can make enough power to run your rig.
If you’re going to go all out and really rough it, bring everything you would need for tent camping, including ways to keep food cold, cook, and stay warm or cool.
Be sure to bring some leveling blocks for BLM land RV camping. You’ll probably be parked on uneven ground when you boondock and no one likes funhouse floors.
Boondocking Seasons
The best boondocking season is the one you prefer. Honestly, you can boondock in Southern California any time of year as long as you’re properly prepared. But to get the most from your boondocking experience, choose an area that is at its best during the season in which you’re traveling.
Most boondockers avoid extreme heat or cold since air conditioners and furnaces use too much power. In Southern California that means checking the weather before you leave home.
Areas at elevation can get very cold at night. And do you really want to be in the desert in August with no A/C? You’ll also want to avoid visiting during seasons when severe weather is common in the area you’ve chosen.
Find out when the plant life in the area is at its best. You’ll make the most of your boondocking experience by traveling when nature is putting on its best show.
Staying Safe While Boondocking
You can see that boondocking on BLM land is very different from pulling into a KOA campground or your favorite RV park. You’re likely to be very isolated and need to take some safety precautions.
Before you leave home, make a detailed itinerary and leave it with someone you trust. If you’re able to keep in regular contact via cell phone, do so. We know you want to get away, but don’t isolate yourself so much that you can’t get help if you need it. Consider a booster or antenna for your Wi-Fi and cell phone.
Learn about the area wildlife so you’re prepared for snakes, bears, mountain lions, or other animals.
Know how to avoid them and how to manage an unintentional encounter. Keep all of your food safely stored so you don’t unnecessarily attract wildlife.
Check the weather forecast. You should already be doing that for your enjoyment of your RV camping trip, but it’s also an important safety precaution. Know what types of severe weather arise in the location you’ve chosen and when they are likeliest to occur.
Bring a well-stocked first aid kit, and learn how to use everything in it. Accidents happen all the time. When you’re in the wilderness you’ll be taking care of the results by yourself. Also, be sure you have any regular medications you take and ordinary over-the-counter medicines for headaches or the dreaded vacation cold virus.
Be aware that it is legal to carry a gun on BLM land. We’re not suggesting that you have one, but you should be aware that others might. Target shooting is a common BLM land recreational activity.
To steer clear of target shooters, check your location. Some areas are off-limits to target shooting. Most of the time you’ll be in the wilds where there are few rules, so be aware of your surroundings and any other campers nearby.
Secure your coach or trailer at night or when you aren’t around. It isn’t likely that anyone will break in, but it’s always appropriate to secure your rig.
Bring on the Boondocking!
Boondocking on BLM lands is economical and fun. You can spend time in the wild, enjoy the peace and quiet, and have a truly amazing RV camping experience.
If you’re a brand new boondocker, try to find someone in your RV community with experience. They can help you prepare and give you pointers for the best spots in your area.
