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Truck Camper Forum _ Boon Docking _ BLM camping

Posted by: RV_Tech Mar 4 2017, 06:25 PM

Can someone give me the short version of camping on BLM land. Here in Tennessee it is a non-issue, but starting this summer we will be wandering for months and do everything we can to avoid commercial campgrounds.

We are having a hard time figuring out how this works. It looks like no reservations, so do you just go there and if you do is there someone in each campground who manages reservations?

Any light you are able to cast on this subject would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

Posted by: Freespool Mar 13 2017, 06:22 PM

Steve, have fun during your travels this summer. The desert here in CA is mostly all BLM controlled. When I rode motorcycles the entire desert was open to all. Through the years it has been my experience that most places are clearly marked.

Take a look at Ralph's article currently featured on the Truck Camper Magazine web site. Ralph has chosen his favorite 25 sites where he enjoys boon docking, most are located on the west side of the country.

Wish I could provide more specificity. These days I normally don't boon dock, campgrounds serve my needs and provide me with a little more access and security

Posted by: Backroad Joe Mar 18 2017, 01:17 PM

I generally don't associate BLM land with campgrounds. Although there are some I really avoid all campgrounds. On BLM land you can boondock most anywhere, simply pull off the road at a nice spot and camp. The same applies in National Forests with a few restrictions. BLM does have several LTVA's (Long Term Visitor Areas) in the Cslifornia/Arizona border zone. For a nominal fee you can have some amenities, but you also get thousands of snowbirds as neighbors.

To answer your specific question about campgrounds if there is any fee there would be some envelopes available and a strong box to deposit it into.

There is plenty of open space here in the Far West & Southwest and you'll have no problem figuring out where to stay and even less problem enjoying it.

Posted by: Nobody Mar 19 2017, 10:36 AM

I dunno anymore but in June 2007 we camped on BLM land near Sand Draw, WY for more'n a week. No amenities whatever 'cept the open land. We'd been on a forum & a member had decided to 'host' a small gathering of like-minded rifle afficionados near his 'old home place' at Sand Draw. We drove all the way from central Arkansas towing our little teardrop trailer that I'd build in 2006. The pic shows our camp set-up including the 'pop-up' hunting blind that we used for my wife's porta potti. We spent a week there with friends, prowling the area, shooting targets, exploring the old Bell Coal mine near our campsite, & a couple of miner community remnants. Nearest town was Riverton, WY, approx 20 miles away. We visited there for ice, supplies, & water if needed... Beautiful area but sorta desolate & definitely remote. Windy too.

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Powder Magazine at the old Bell Coal Mine (Circa early 20th Century)
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All that's left of the coal 'dump' for the rail cars at the old Bell Coal Mine
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Posted by: bryans71 coachman Oct 6 2017, 08:21 PM

I'm out west. Blm land is open to free camping. Some areas have time restrictions some fo not. Like you I camp for free when ever possible. Both on Blm and forest service land. Both have plenty of disperesed camping. I mainly camp and travel in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho. Many free camps. Free campsites.net is a good resource. As Blm and forest service web sites or offices. There always happy to help. Been full timing and free camping starting 2005. Enjoy!!!!

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