Boondocking with a Campervan: Pros & Cons
Independent of campsites, restrooms, and restaurants. We'll tell you the pros and cons of boondocking with a campervan.
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- myvanture editorial team
Boondocking with a campervan means choosing new destinations spontaneously and skipping luxurious facilities and crowds. How free and flexible are these kinds of camping trips? If you're looking for information about boondocking, and could use some helpful tips and experiences, you've come to the right place. This blog post is all about boondocking and how to solve potential problems yourself.
Boondocking: Contents
- What is boondocking?
- Which campers are suitable for boondocking?
- Advantages of boondocking?
- Disadvantages of boondocking?
- Conclusion: Boondocking with a campervan
What does boondocking mean?
Boondocking means "independence, self-sufficiency." Boondocking is a form of camping where you don't rely on campsite facilities or a central supply of energy, food, and water for several days. Boondocking means sleeping in a tent, caravan, motorhome, or even in your car!
Which campers are suitable for boondocking?
The most important aspect of boondocking is that you can rely on your campervan or motorhome. Even if a technical problem arises due to incorrect use, you need to know your vehicle.
The fully equipped camper
With a motorhome – like the Grand California – you already have a fully equipped camping setup and can start your boondocking adventure right away. The built-in kitchen with a fridge, the bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower, etc., are especially suitable for people who don't want to bother with a portable toilet or solar shower. The built-in fresh and wastewater tanks are sufficient for most short trips with the motorhome. The gas-powered auxiliary heater not only warms the entire interior of the vehicle but also provides hot showers. Here, luxury vacation meets boondocking.
The not-fully equipped camper
The not-fully equipped camper, with a little more effort, is just as suitable for boondocking. If you want to travel with a campervan that doesn't have a bathroom or kitchenette, you can use a portable gas stove, cooler, and solar shower.
If your travel budget is a bit more generous, you can also afford a model like the California Coast. This campervan has a kitchen block with two gas burners and a built-in cooler.
Whether in a Multivan, Beach, or Coast – auxiliary heaters are installed in all California campervans, making low-budget camping trips – with a little more effort – a boondocking experience.
Advantages of boondocking?
Spontaneous & independent travel
You, your campervan, and the countless possibilities that lie before you. With a campervan or motorhome, you travel much more spontaneously and independently than with other types of vacations. Especially if your motorhome is perfectly equipped for boondocking, you can spontaneously drive to the sea or camp in the mountains for a few days. Independent of any sanitary facilities or campsites – that's what we call freedom on four wheels!
Lower pitch fees
You can enjoy a hot shower in your motorhome without having to stay at overpriced pitches or painstakingly search for a suitable campsite near you. If you save on campsite fees, you can afford nicer things – like a day at the spa.
Camping in nature
If you don't want to rely on campsites during your camping trip and prefer to boondock, there are helpful apps – like Park4Night and Schau aufs Land – for your smartphone. They show you pitches in nature. Make sure you read the comments and look at the pictures before choosing a pitch.
Authentic travel
With a bit of luck, you can (with the owner's permission) stay overnight in a farmer's field, at a winery, or right next to the beach. At the same time, you'll get in touch with local people and get to know your destinations much more authentically. Make sure you never leave trash or pollution behind when boondocking with your campervan. Even if you're boondocking in a country where wild camping is allowed, respect the environment!
Travel despite Corona
The Corona pandemic has significantly restricted camping. However, after the recent relaxations, many campsites are available again. Operators and campers must, however, adhere to strict health regulations. For example, the use of sanitary facilities at campsites is often prohibited or restricted.
This is one of the main advantages of camping with a motorhome or campervan. Even if sanitary facilities are only partially usable or campsites and restaurants have to close, you can boondock. Provided that it is still allowed to travel with a campervan.
Find out in good time what the Corona regulations would be in your destinations and at campsites to avoid unpleasant surprises:
On these websites, you will find current regulations and status reports for Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Current information from Austria:
Current information from Germany:
Federal Association of the Camping Industry in Germany e.V.
Current information from Switzerland:
Disadvantages of boondocking?
Organization & planning
Spontaneous and independent camping also requires some organization and planning. You should be able to find a few things – like pitches, supermarkets, sanitary facilities, hardware stores – if needed. Because on weeks-long trips where you've cooked and heated a lot, the gas bottle can run empty. You might even want to find a pitch with internet access and electricity.
Self-reliance
When boondocking with a campervan, you are often on your own. This requires thinking smart and being patient. Some problems can be easily identified and solved. Further down in the blog, you'll find the checklist where we go into more detail about technical issues.
Camping safety
Not all pitches are safe and suitable for solo camping trips. If you feel unsafe in a country or city, you should visit a campsite or read the reviews and comments of pitches very carefully. You can even find pitches with plenty of photos and comments on Google Maps.
Conclusion: Boondocking with a campervan
Camping is a great way to escape everyday life and enjoy nature. But if you're thinking about going out on your own, it's often hard to know what to plan, which camper is particularly suitable, and where to travel. If you plan ahead and know all the pros and cons, boondocking with a campervan will bring great joy. Enjoy the freedom on four wheels and appreciate independent travel with a campervan!
Questions about your trip? Just give us a call.
Whether it's choosing a camper, planning a route or booking — our team is happy to help. No bot, no hold music.