Ten Most Breathtaking Boondock RV Spots
Here are some photos and GPS coordinates some of my favorite boondock RV spots I have been fortunate to find since I got my Roadtrek six years ago, and particularly over the past three years that I have been fulltiming around the country. Because I have set my Roadtrek up so that I can camp pretty much any place the police won't run me off, I have found and stayed overnight in some really beautiful locations. Here are some for your consideration as you plan your own travels. Ignore the cat -she gets into every photo somehow.
Witless Bay, Newfoundland – 47.19213 N, 52.8448 W – This is the easternmost point on the North American landmass. Ireland is 1800 miles across the water – perhaps closer than your home back on the mainland. Those islands are puffin colonies. Newfoundland is a beautiful province, and they don't even have a word for boondocking – they just call it camping. Friendliest people you ever met.
Goosenecks State Park, Utah – 37.17073 N, 109.92380 W – the San Juan River cut entrenched meanders into the Colorado Plateau here. It's 1000 feet down to the river. The “state park” consists of a parking lot, water fountain, plaque, and bathroom. Just drive along the canyon rim (not too close, and watch for cracks in the ground – those are bad luck) and pick a spot. There's never anyone here.
Heceta Head, Oregon – 44.12601 N, 124.1262 W – a pullout across the cove from a posh lighthouse B&B. You have to make your own breakfast on our side of the cove, but it's $250 a night cheaper. It's at the top of a 400 foot cliff and waves pound its base all night long. The ocean here is breathtakingly beautiful. Oregon state law says you can park for 12 hours at any pullout not otherwise posted. We parked.
BLM Land South of Joshua Tree NP, California – 33.6701 N, 115.806 W – out in the Mojave Desert and away from the turistas in the park. You can sneak in for water and dumpsite access, though. Groceries are 15 miles away in Indio. Just hang out in the desert, enjoy the flora and fauna, and work on your tan. Keep your clothes on if there are any nearby campers, otherwise no rules.
Vista Point at Golden Gate Bridge, CA – 37.8324 N, 122.4795 W – I have stretched the 8 hour limit on parking in CA rest stops a bit here once or twice, but never been hassled. Watch huge cargo ships, listen to foghorns, give wedding parties dropping by for a great photo background good wishes, cook dinner, look across San Francisco Bay at the Giardelli factory. Nice break from all the rural isolation.
Government Springs, Big Bend NP, Texas – 29.3705, -103.295 – technically not boondocking, because it's dispersed camping ($5 for 14 days), but it's assigned spots – nobody can camp near you. Pick a campsite with clear horizons devoid of all human activity. Javelinas, the Milky Way, and no other company for two weeks. Paradise. There's a bear box to get into if you have unwelcome visitors 😉
Pistol River, Oregon – 42.2792 N, 124.4052 W – this is more of a five-mile stretch than a spot – Oregon law says you can park for 12 hours, so we had day spots and night spots, and stayed for two weeks. Water, groceries and a dumpsite in Gold Beach right up the road. Sea otters, deer, and giant seastacks of chert scraped off the Pacific Plate as it dove under the North American Plate. Beautiful sunsets.
Lupine Meadows, Mount Hood NF, Oregon – 45.3221 N, 121.6356 W – dispersed camping down a logging spur in a field of lupines, with Mount Hood peeking through the trees and mountain streams running nearby. Deer, gray jays, owls big enough to scare Fiona. This is a traditional native American berry picking area, so hands off the huckleberries, palefaces. Fourteen days can go by in a hurry out here.
Gamble Rogers State Recreational Area, Florida – 29.4374 N, 81.1062 W – this is DEFINITELY not a boondocking site – I was paying an exorbitant $15.54 a night with my FL senior discount, but hey, it's Christmas in Florida so I had to cheat a bit. Oceanside camping just north of Daytona – with hookups. Rapturous Yankees walking around in a daze. Sea turtles, shrimp boats, dolphins, … and tourists. I forgot the tourists.
Mineral Creek, San Juan NF near Silverton, CO – 37.81670 N, 107.72759 W – The tenth spot is dispersed camping along a creek 9600 feet up in the Colorado Rockies. Beautiful Engelmann spruce and other alpine trees, cool clear water, brilliant sunshine, and spectacular views of Kendall Mountain, elevation over 13,000 feet. It's so high we got snowed on for midsummer's eve, but 70ish during the day. Hummingbirds were our only visitors.
Want more? Go hit these ten and come back and then we'll talk. Chances are you won't be back for a long time.
Those look like some great spots, Skunk – can’t wait to take a look myself if I’m those neighborhoods. I have a favorite spot I’d like to recommend to you and your frequent readers. If you ever get a chance, be sure to check out Toroweap. It’s definitely worth the 60 mile drive down a dirt road. My wife and I are recently retired and, like you, were public servants involved in reducing the life choices available to Not-So-Friendly members of our society. Sure is nice to be out of that racket!
My wife & I are recently retired & want to purchase an rv for use about 3 months per year.
At the top of our bucket list is to drive from our home in Ontario across Canada to Vancouver then south on the Coast Highway to San Diego.
We would like to overnight at sites that best take advantage of the spectacular vistas & local attractions.
Other bucket list travels include the Grand Canyon, Black Hills, New England & Blue Ridge…natural settings more than cities.
I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the best type & size of rig for this type of use. We both like comfort but we don’t want to miss out on beautiful locations because we are too big.
Thanks kindly for any help you can provide.
When boondocking at dispersed campgrounds etc on wild or NLM lands do you ever wish you had a 4X4 with more clearance, etc (something like a Sportsmobile 4X4 maybe)? In other words how much does using a Roadtrek that’s more “highway-friendly” limit your “off-the-beaten-track” options?
richard, i really don’t have the urge to go anywhere i would need a 4wd, high clearance vehicle. such vehicles are great for trailering to an off-road location, but are usually suicidal to drive on the highway, especially at the weights we’re talking to. say “blowout” to a Sportsmobile owner unexpectedly, and watch them go deathly pale. i like my low center of gravity, since 99% of my driving is on paved roads.
How did I miss this when it was first published?!#?
Printing the entire article & comments now. Thanks, Campskunk!!
Judy… use the form at the top right to join the mailing list. You have to fill t out yourself,
Please add me to your mailing list. This article was very interesting. Thanks
One correction about “Hacata Head” in Oregon. It is Heceta Head and it is a state park. There are pullouts along the highway near Heceta Head Lighthouse where you can overnight for the 12 hours. But Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is the actual location. This Oregon State Park is awesome so be sure to spend the day there. Take a tour of the lighthouse and view the shorebirds. There is actually a beach for swimming (rare in Oregon). There are several hiking trails, a river and a huge parking lot for day visitors. Be sure to get a parking pass if you don’t have the Oregon Coast Pass. Then go find the viewpoint along the highway for the night.
thanks- fixed. i had hecata – at least i only missed one vowel. i can’t even spell it, much less pronounce it. i tend to stay out of the oregon state parks because all their camping costs a fair amount of money, and none that i found was on the ocean – it’s always behind the dunes. i spent a week at nehalem bay sp and i saw a lot more of my fellow campers than i did the ocean. as i boondock up and down the coast, i make sure i’m not boondocking within a state park – they don’t like that, and there’s plenty of good beach outside the parks. at heceta, i was south of the park and the lighthouse.
Many thanks ! I, also have set my RT up for boondocking with big batteries and inverter. How do like your solar panels?
Herb Korn
herb: the solar panels were the main thing i added – the inverter and battery are just to store and use the solar. in the summer, i don’t need to run my generator or drive at all to have all the power i need, and i need a lot with the TV and internet going 18 hours a day. if you already have the batteries and inverter, all you need are the panels and a charge controller or MPPT. check out my solar post for the basics: https://rvlifestyle-ider.wp1.sh/boondocking-basics-solar-panels/
Nice list! , been to a few of those spots. Agree with you on Newfoundland, gorgeous province. We explored the area in and around Gros Morne National Park, love the moose. Another great boondocking local is near Borrego Springs, California, many spots to choose from.
Oh sure, I am now going to have to get something good ready………..
Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing these wonderful spots and a huge thanks for including GPS-you rock ! You are the kind of person we love to share boondocking spots with-here’s hoping our paths cross someday.
I am humbled that you would share these jewels with us, Campskunk. And I promise not to run the gennie once you arrive ….. 😉 Thank you!!!
Great Post , Thanks for sharing!!!
Once again you’ve gotten me excited about retirement. Actually, more like can’t wait!
Me too!!! Last time I stayed in SF it was at the Hotel Monaco. Great accommodation near Union Square but love your view better. Thanks Campskunk…..love it all!
Thank you for all that you share! This has become my go to site every morning. Your great way of sharing knowledge starts my day off right.