Dry Camping in an RV? 3 Tips for Beginners

What counts as dry camping?

Basically, dry camping simply means camping without hookups: no sewer, no electric, no water. That's it. You could dry camp in a full campground if you chose not to connect to the available hookups, or you could dry camp out in the middle of nowhere.

Boondocking is a bit more specific. It refers to dry camping outside a designated campground, usually on public land or in a remote area. The distinction matters to many RVers: all boondocking is dry camping, but not all dry camping is boondocking.

If you're trying to decide where to actually camp, whether that's boondocking on public land, staying at an RV resort, or something in between, we've also put together a full breakdown of camping types for full-time RVers.

For now, here's what beginners need to know to dry camp safely and comfortably.

Tip #1: Find a safe, legal place to dry camp

You can dry camp or boondock on private property (with permission!), on certain government-managed lands, or anywhere else you're legally allowed to park. (There is also a heated debate over whether staying in a parking lot counts as boondocking, but we’ll leave that argument alone here.) Most of the time, this option is low-cost or free, making it an ideal escape for those on a tight budget.

Public land is usually your best bet. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees huge amounts of land across the western US that's open to camping outside of designated state and national parks, most of it free, as long as you follow posted rules. The United States Forest Service (USFS) manages land open to dispersed camping, too, often with similar restrictions. Your state's Wildlife Management Areas or Water Management Land may offer additional options worth checking locally.

Retail parking lots work in a pinch, but treat them as a courtesy, not a right. Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabela's, Camping World, and Bass Pro Shops are commonly cited as RV-friendly for a single overnight stay, but none have a guaranteed, blanket corporate policy. It varies location to location, and can change without warning: a store that welcomed RVs last month might have new "no overnight parking" signs up today. Always call ahead and ask, don't just show up and assume.

If a location says yes, the Escapees RV Club's "Good Neighbor Policy" is worth following to the letter: stay one night only, don't set up camp (no chairs, awnings, grills, or slide-outs), skip the hydraulic jacks on asphalt, and leave the lot cleaner than you found it. These are the steps that keep these spots available for the next RVer. Wherever you land, respect posted stay limits, even if nobody's around to enforce them.

Tip #2: Take only photos, leave only footprints

Every camping location deserves the same courtesy: keep it healthy and pleasant for whoever comes after you. Don't collect firewood, rocks, shells, or anything else you find along the way.

Pack out everything you pack in. Trash, waste, and leftover firewood all leave with you, just like backpacking. If you have a campfire, make sure it's fully contained and completely extinguished before you go. Camping near water? Park at least 200 feet back, both for your own safety (flooding happens faster than you'd think) and for the ecosystem around it.

If you're far enough out to run into wildlife and lucky enough to see them, remember you're a guest in their space. Give animals plenty of room, respect their habitat, never approach or feed them, and make sure kids understand why these rules exist.

Tip #3: Be courteous

Part of the appeal of dry camping is getting away from the crowds, so give your neighbors room to enjoy that same distance. Observe quiet hours even if none are officially posted (generally, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. is a safe bet), and try to run your generator sparingly. Nobody came out here for the sound of somebody else's generator.

The same courtesy applies to waste. Never dump gray or black water tanks on the ground: it's smelly, draws bugs, and can contaminate the area. If you're dry camping for extended stretches, a larger black tank, a cassette toilet, or a portable macerator setup (to move waste into a separate dump tank) can make a real difference.

Trash goes into town with you, in a proper trash can, not left behind or burned. If you're somewhere with bears, bear-proof your bags and skip the fish- or garlic-heavy dinners that might draw unwanted company. Compostable scraps like fruit and vegetable peels are one of the few things safe to burn, but you shouldn’t burn plastic or styrofoam.

Ready to try dry camping in an RV of your own?

Buying an RV is a big decision, whatever size you're considering or however you plan to use it. Our team at Transwest is here to help you find the right motorhome from top manufacturers for your first dry camping trip, or your fiftieth. Find a location near you, or browse our online inventory to get started.