Boondocking Negatives: The Unspoken Truths Of Living On The Road

Written by Vince Wheeler

The Negatives Of Boondocking – My Personal Story

Boondocking could be amazing, but society as a whole has lost it’s respect for each other.  I’d like to say it was a small group that ruins it for others, but it’s not.  I found a small little spot by this beautiful lake. It was off a rural, yet busy road. Most of the land in this particular area is owned by the county. This little lot; maybe an acre or so just happens to be BLM land. With most BLM land, you have the right to camp on it for up to 14 days.

Now keep in mind, this lot was essentially undiscovered by anyone other than myself. I would leave my RV in storage and go boondock by this lake in my van. I assume because it was a van, most RVers never paid much attention.

Then covid hit and many RV parks closed down or stopped taking in travelers. This led to a situation were I told a friend about this location so he could  park for a week until Thousand Trails let him back in.

This was the beginning of the end for this “nice” boondocking location.

Once he parked there, ever other RVer saw this and they joined him. Within weeks,  there were as many as a dozen RVs (with all their other vehicles as well) all parked on this hill and along the road. It went from an  unknown boondocking spot to a litteral camp ground.

Even if the extra volume of traffic could have been managed, it just seems to be the universal rule with “boondockers” who park near metropolitan areas, they dump their tanks and trash outside their rigs. They cause the local community to perceive all boondockers as homeless degenerates. It causes this lifestyle to be viewed negatively by people who live near these areas. Those of us who are respectful and leave nothing behind, are lumped into the same group as the degenerates. You by default are viewed as a degenerate by many of the locals. This leads to cops being called and areas being closed to future boondockers.

This is ruining boondocking as an option in many areas. This degenerate mindset that dumps trash everywhere they go has led to many state parks and BLM land being shutdown. The areas are turned into trash pits. The only cities that will allow this to continue are the parts of towns they already surrendered to homeless camps and crime (ie. LA, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Portland, etc.). Essentially lawless areas that normal law abiding citizens wouldn’t want to boondock around.

This picture below was taken a few days ago on this lakeside BLM lot that was relatively clean prior to this mass of boondockers tossing their trash outside as they camp and dump their tanks.

How Safe Is Boondocking?

Boondocking is about as safe as actually living in house in the area you’re planning to stay within. If you pick a safe part of town, you’re likely to be safe. If you pull up in a shady part of down, don’t be surprised if you have shady things happen to you and your rig.

As a general rule, you shouldn’t leave your rig unattended for long periods of time. Drug addicts will see your stuff appearring unwatched and they will attempt to rob you. I had an RV door that was attempted to be pried open by a crowbar. Thankfully I had a lock inside the door that prevented it from opening unless opened from the inside. Had I not of had that, my rig would of been robbed. Worse, my pets would of been left to the mercy of the person doing the theft.

Besides that one problem, I haven’t had anything else happen in almost ten years on and off the road. I do choose areas that are remote and quiet. Busy cities with a lot of drug users will likely lead to problems.

If you are forced to stay in an area that’s shady, you have two choices: First, you could make “friends” with some of the other people around you. You must use judgement when choosing “friends”. Some drug users will be somewhat moral and not steal while others will use the knowledge you give them to rob you. Second option is to remain to yourself and be a mystery to those around you. This is a good option if you only plan to stay for the night and drive to another part of town the next morning. If you plan to stay for more than a day or two, making friends is your best bet. Use your own judgement and rely on your gut. Don’t second guess that “gut feeling”.

Ultimately you should trust your gut. If things seem off, move. The best thing about having an RV or trailer and truck is the fact you can fire up your rig and move anytime.

Is it safe to leave your trailer when Boondocking?

My Conclusions About The Negatives Of Boondocking

Don’t take my stance on this article as a reason to be fearful or scared to boondock. You just need to be smart and consider the risks of the area you’re within.

Boondocking is fun and offers a freedom that very few other ways of living can offer. You don’t have property taxes, a yard to maintain, or most of the other expenses associated with living in a sticks and bricks house. Being far away in the country offers a chance to escape the rat race and see stars. A sky filled with stars is a sight you can only see if you get away from cities and towns.

As you approach this lifestyle, try not to be the degenerates that ruin it for many of us. Try to help people see why this lifestyle is a good choice for many. The people you speak to are the same people  who decide to call the cops or not. They are the “Karens” who cause trouble for boondockers. Be part of the solution and not part of the problem. If you go on to public land and  spend time there, leave it at least as clean as you found it. If you brought it with you, take it with you when you leave. If you want to learn more about boondocking, here is an article that covers more topics, including the history of boondocking!