Boondocking is very popular with a core group of RV’ers. It simply means overnight RV camping without electricity or sewer and water hookup. It’s sometimes called dry camping. This can include anything from camping at a remote Bureau of Land Management area to spending the night parked in a Walmart lot.

When staying in a parking lot, “professional” boondockers know never to set out lawn chairs or a barbecue at your location. (Which also means no sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows!) Boondockers try to make as little of an imprint as possible in exchange for a free night to park.

Where to Set up RV Camp

The majority of Walmarts and K-marts are open to boondockers. They usually have a specific location set aside for free overnight RV parking. While traveling around the United States for a year my husband and I would always talk to the manager and thank them.  Cracker Barrel and smaller casinos are also open to letting RVs park for free. The majority of Cabela’s stores invite RV’ers to well-lit parking with free overnight RV parking.

We’ve boondocked with Walmart and Cabela’s many times. It makes sense for travelers who’ve been driving all day and simply want a place to park for the night before setting out early the next morning. In return, we always make a point of buying something from the store as a way to say thanks. After all, what RV doesn’t need a supply of toilet paper and marshmallows?