How to camp for free in national forests and live to tell the story.

I've been thinking about fringe-living and settling down, and what it means to do what we do. To carry on this not-quite-legitimate life. The "how" is easy - I tell you more of that than you ever cared to know. Sometimes, it's the "why" that catches in my throat.

But then, there's this.

From National Forest Service Land. Your land.

From a boondocking spot. Not your cow.

Maaaaw! We got company!
Quick! Run and get me a clean muumuu!

Jail Trail, Old Town Cottonwood

Riparian area along Verde River

Some teenaged boys were fishing here, arguing about who tangled the line. I felt like I was in 1954, but only in the good ways. 

The sky always looks grainy up close. Ask an astronaut.

I can tell you how to boondock here, if you're interested. No? Okay, no problem.

I need your input on an idea. I've been thinking of putting together some boondocking spots - that we have seen or used personally - that work well for summer camping. They would mesh, rather than overlap, with Marianne's excellent fall/winter/spring camping series. [← You should get these.] 

I'm thinking maps, coordinates, and pertinent information (phone/data signal? elevation?). If you're expecting sparkling travel narrative, you should pick up some Steinbeck.

The same information would still be free here within the blog, so is there any point? Would you ever pay for something you could dig up for free with a little effort? [← Who would do this?]

If you're thinking of venturing into National Forest Service land to boondock, you'll love the apps. It's not a centralized process, so some forests have them and some haven't them. Coconino and Prescott have them, Kaibab has apps for the Williams and Tusayan districts, but not yet the North Kaibab. You can tell exactly where you are in reference to permitted camping sites, and cell service is not required.

Pay no heed to my melancholy. The Sun hasn't shone through for hours.

~~~~~~~

Make our Amazon link your shopping bookmark!

Be My Guest boondocking coupon code. Lipid profile and glucose: vegan-style.

Last October we were vegetarian, but not vegan. About halfway in-between these two tests, we removed dairy and eggs from our diets; this represents about six months of a whole-foods vegan diet.



These numbers haven't been this good since I was a spring duckling. I expect them to get better.


GOODLUCKDUCKDISCBDW

I am not having a stroke, but this is a stroke of good luck straight from Marianne Edwards; it's 10% off whichever membership you choose in Boondockers Welcome - Be My Guest RV Parking. Remember, any membership you choose comes with the FREE New Mexico boondocking guide e-book that usually goes for $17.

Free gift with your membership

If you use this membership one time this year, it has paid for itself twice. And, the New Mexico guide stays with you forever. You know, digital forever.

If you decide that the membership isn't worth it to you after you join, just politely tell Marianne within 90 days and she'll refund your money.

I should disclaim here that I'll get a bit of your membership fee if you join through our link. You don't mind, right? It'll be like going to the pond and feeding the ducks.

The 10% discount code expires November 19, 2012!

More boondocking opportunities all over the US!

This is a quick quack to tell you about the latest boondocking resources flying right at you.

Marianne Edwards, author of the Frugal Shunpiker's Guides to RV Boondocking, has created an online community that unites boondockers and people who are offering free RV camping on their own property. It's called Boondockers Welcome - Be My Guest RV Parking.

Although founding memberships are sadly no longer available, she is making the paid subscriptions look pretty sweet. Sign up and you receive the Frugal Shunpiker's Guide to RV Boondocking in New Mexico FREE! I'm no poultry scientist, but I know that's a good deal.

I don't get any compensation for saying good things about this community. I've been a member since April, and I've seen membership soar. That means good places to overnight have soared, too. This website fills the gaps in hard-to-boondock areas, and a year's membership costs less than one night in a crowded, noisy campsite.

Hold on a little while, and I'll be able to give you a discount code that makes your final cost...uh, less! In the meantime, keep your wings dry.