Travelling in and around an RV can be extremely enjoyable. Resorts with full hookups provide great family entertainment and are popular with those who travel full-time and on weekends. But, camping are often expensive travelers may wish to stay in a place for the night periodically. These locations could include Walmart parking areas as well as rest stops, Harvest Host areas, scattered camping areas, national and state parks, and a lot more. But, all of these areas have one thing in common they need dry camping. That means campers won’t be able to access water, electricity and fresh water hookups or sewer hookups during the course the duration of their time.

What Does “Dry Campsite” Mean?

Dry camping sites have no hookups. No water is fresh. No power, electricity. And no sewer hookups.

When you camp in a dry area, you’re completely off the grid – all grids and totally dependent on the items you have brought with you. It could be using a tent or a pillow or a class-A luxury motorhome, or anything else in between.

When you’re at a dry campsite, you provide all of your own amenities.

What is the Difference Between Dry Camping and Boondocking?

Boondocking is also considered camping off the grid. However, there is a distinct difference (or it could be) between boondocking as well as dry camping.

Boondocking is camping that’s dry however dry camping doesn’t have to be boondocking.

Both terms refer to campsites that do not have hookups, but “boondocking” is a more specific term “boondocking” implies camping away from RV parks and developed campsites that have designated campsites. Dry camping can be found in a campground that is developed, with no connection to power, water and sewer… typically in a provincial, state and national park.

If we visit a campground with our motorhome and find ourselves in an area in the woods with no hookups, it’s dry camping. We’re at an established campground, in a designated campsite, but there aren’t any connections to power, water or sewer.

If we decide to stay in the southwest desert located in BLM (Bureau of Land Management) territory We’re boondocking. We’re still dry camping, but we’re boondocking due to the fact that we’re not in an established campsite and not in a designated camping area.

You do need to be able to tend to your own needs, whatever that means for you and the duration of your camping trip. You’ll need to carry enough water for the length of your stay (and you should have a way to bring extra water, in case of an emergency – water is SO important!), you’ll need to have a way to stay warm or cool, and you’ll need some way to have access to at least enough power to keep your cell phone charged up for safety. And of course, you’ll need food.

If you’re not used to camping with no hookups, a dry campsite can seem something of a challenge. With a few tips and preparation, you’ll become a master of dry camping within a matter of minutes. Follow these steps to ensure an enjoyable and smooth experience.

Conserve water.

This might seem like an unimportant concept. It’s not, but it’s among the most important aspects to consider when planning when it comes to camping dry. If you don’t have instant access to fresh water that can be replenished it, you’ll need to take control of your tanks so that you don’t run empty of water. Begin by determining the tank’s capacity. It could be printed on the tank or is in the specs list or in your RV’s user manual. Once you have figured out your tank’s capacity, you’ll be able to get an idea of the amount of water you need to deal with.

Make sure you get to a dry campsite with a fully stocked water tank. Make a plan, and don’t assume that your campsite has enough space for you to refill your water tank.

You’ll need to save water during your dry camping trip in the next step. It is possible in the end to remain more or less cautious in determining the capacity of your freshwater tank and the length of time you’ll stay at a dry campsite. Take showers quickly and think about shutting off the water between each step to conserve water. Rinse and wash dishes with the form of a small amount of water and make sure you don’t let the water run while you are brushing your teeth. These simple tips can keep your tank in good shape for longer.

In addition, keep an eye on your tank meters. They will notify you of the time when your tank is 3/4 full, halfway full, 1/4 full and empty. You can adjust your water consumption according to how much water you’ve used and how long you plan to spend camping before refilling the water.

Conserve grey tank capacity.

Grey water is a waste product from your shower and sinks. As much water as you use to shower, brush your teeth, hand washing, and do dishes, the quicker the grey water tank in your home will get full. The capacity of your grey tank is as crucial as conserving fresh water. It is possible to find your grey tank capacity in your RV’s manual and also. Be aware that the grey water tank you have is usually smaller than the freshwater tank.

Make sure you arrive at your camping site with your grey tank empty. It is possible to empty it at numerous travel and gas stations, including national parks, state parks, and private campsites (for the cost of a small amount). Sanidumps is an app that Sanidumps application can help you locate locations to empty your tanks before camping. Also, you’ll need to locate a place to dispose of your tanks before getting home or heading to where you’re going to go next.

Monitor your tank meters to keep track of your grey tank’s fill levels. It’s never a good idea to empty grey water, So be sure not to fill your tanks too full when camping dry. If your tanks are filling up faster than you anticipated, reduce your the amount of water, you use to ensure that you have enough tank capacity for during your time of stay.

Manage black tank capacity.

Controlling the black tank is the same as controlling your grey tank. The tank is primarily filled through toilet use and is usually smaller than the other RV tanks. You can use the same dump stations for both black and grey tanks. Make sure you arrive at your camping site with an empty black tank and monitor the tank’s capacity throughout your time there. Ensure you empty your tanks before returning home or when you store your RV.

Create power or electricity.

Power is one of the most challenging utilities to handle while camping. The batteries in your house store the power needed for your RV and can be recharged in various ways. Plugging into shore power and driving both charges your house batteries. If you only plan to stay dry for a single night, you might have enough energy stored to last you until you move to your next location. If you need to recharge your batteries when you are camping in the desert, there are a myriad of ways to do it.

Many motorhomes and toy hauliers are equipped with an onboard generator powered by gasoline. This will allow users to recharge their devices as well as batteries. If your RV doesn’t include generators, you can buy one and hook it up to the batteries. However, be mindful of generator use, as they can be very loud when operating. Remember to be considerate with generator usage since they are typically very loud while running. Ask permission from your host, and only run your generator during reasonable hours to avoid disturbing your neighbours.

If you are planning to go on a lot of outdoor camping, it could be a good idea to purchase a solar power kit. It can be put in place by experts or self-installed if you’ve had experience with electricity. The typical installation involves a substantial upfront investment. However, you’ll save cash over time if you regularly camp in dry conditions.

Manage trash disposal.

The final thing to think about is garbage. As you don’t be able to access a campground dumpster when camping in the dry, You will have to find a way to dispose of trash. Some gas stations permit customers to dispose of their trash. Also, some supermarkets will not be offended by throwing garbage bags when you purchase groceries.

Begin by taking shorter trips, increasing the distance slowly.

Dry camping can be some kind of learning curve. If you’re new to the idea method, you’ll want to begin by practising on short excursions. One night in a Walmart or a Harvest Host location may be ideal for starting out. You can prolong your trip to three or two nights while practising conserving water, grey and black tank capacity and power. The more you do it this, the easier it becomes. A lot of “professional” dry campers can survive for up to 10-14 days without refilling their water or having to empty their tanks. It might be longer than what you’d like to stay dry; however, with a bit of experience, you can easily last for three or four days.

Why We Love Dry Camping

We love nature. We enjoy cycling, hiking and kayaking. We enjoy listening to the peace and quiet of how the world is free of the bustle and noise.

We love the peace of our natural surroundings and the lack of constant distraction. And nothing beats a horizon-to-horizon night sky in the desert, sparkling with more stars than you’ve ever seen before because there aren’t any cities nearby.

Dry camping can be overwhelming and daunting if you’ve previously never attempted it. But, many are very happy to not have hookups in exchange for an opportunity to enjoy the night in beautiful Harvest Host locations, gorgeous scattered camping sites and even the occasional easy Walmart lot. It’s all about practice, and if you’ve had no experience with camping on your own, These tips are guaranteed to assist you in preparing for your first adventure. Shared experiences, money saved, and unforgettable memories will make you think about your next camping trip in dry conditions earlier rather than later.