BoonDocking-2 Where to go?
If you are getting started in this Boon-docking thing, as in all
new things, make a test run. I recommend getting set up for a trip and
then going to a CG somewhere near your house. I am fortunate. Living at
Lake Tahoe, surrounded by National Forests and BLM land I can think of
at least 20 campgrounds within 5 Min to an hours drive from my driveway.
Our first time out we went to Topaz Lake, about 45 min from home. Spent
M-F and only had to come home 3 time to get things we either forgot or
did not think of.
Due to their nature, boondocking areas are not advertised or very well
known. Most of the info is passed on by word of mouth. That is one reason
I am happy to see the threads that talk about favorite places. Just to
get a little regional, how many of you drive up & down HWY 395 here
in E CA. Have you heard of or boondocked at an area known as "Dirty Socks"
east of Olancha?
There are a good many guide books on the market. I am a collector of
books and maps and have both for areas I will probably never see, but I
get a great amount of enjoyment out of reading and looking at them.
The usual guides such as Trailer Life & Woodalls RV Park & CG
guides are just that. They have a lot of info on RV parks and throw in
a few CGs and State & National Parks. Other guide books are better
for the Campground data, but none of them are complete and have a few other
glitches. For example one of my favorite places for fishing and camping
is along the Trinity Rver between Weaverville and Willow Creek . In that
stretch there are about 6 FS, BLM and city parks. In checking four different
books, none lists them all, and of the 6 campgrounds, one is never mentioned.
Another problem is how the campgrounds are listed. Another favorite of
mine is the USFS Cave Campground at Old Station, CA at the junction of
HWY 89 & 44. Tried looking it up in my books and none of them lists
Old Station. So I started thumbing thru the other CA towns and lo and behold,
Cave CG is listed under Burney, CA. Directions- NE 5 miles on 299 to SR89
& SE 23 miles. There are about 6 CG's along the creek from 5 miles
S of Old station to 5 miles N but they are all listed under Burney.
The best book I have found for Campgrounds is American PC United States
Public Campgrounds Recreational Vehicle Directory. To order call 1-800-717-FREE
(3733). Did cost 14.95 +S&H. It is amazing how many city and county
campgrounds there are that are either free or "donations accepted".
If you are a member of a fraternal organization such as the Elk, Moose
etc, you have access to parking all over the country. I know the Elks even
puts out a series of book, published by the Carmicheal, CA lodge on camping
with the Elks. Some Elks lodges have mini RV Parks, while others allow
parking in their parking lots. Retired military members have access to
FAMCAMPS on many Military Installations. Last but not least, get a good
collection of Forest Service and BLM maps. I just cannot pass a FS or BLM
office without stopping for a few maps.
Other books I have found to be of value are:
Camping with the Corps of Engineers
Don Wrights Guide to Free Campgrounds
Camping on a Shoestring (Western Edition). Also comes in an Eastern
Edition.
The above books were purchased at Camping World.
Other find the Truck stop guide to be of immense value.
Last but not least, talk to other RVers & find out where the "Hidden
jewels" are.