The term “boondocking” has not yet made it into Webster’s dictionary, but when it does it will be near the definition for “boondocks: remote, thinly settled rural area.” It makes sense then that the concept of “boondocking” involves finding remote, thinly settled rural areas to enjoy, often with an RV, campervan, or tent camping setup.

“Dispersed camping” is similarly defined by RVCamping.org as “camping outside developed campgrounds.” That could be anywhere from acres owned by a neighbor and used with permission to National Forest or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land.

Wherever you set up for the night, dispersed camping or boondocking also means you will be on your own when it comes to services like trash removal, bathroom facilities, food preparation, firewood, and more. Many sites designated by BLM do include a fire ring, but you’ll need your own wood, fire starting material, etc., and you’ll be responsible for removing any trace of your presence when you leave your site.