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Quartzsite, Arizona: The World's Biggest Boondocking Gathering
Quartzsite, Arizona has a permanent population of about 3,500 people. In January, that number swells past a million. The reason: the Sonoran Desert surrounding this tiny town is some of the most accessible, most forgiving BLM land in America. The Long-Term Visitor Area (LTVA) The BLM operates several LTVAs around Quartzsite where you can camp for an entire season for $180 — less than the cost of four nights at a hookup campground. The La Posa LTVA is the most popular, with trash service and a
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Guides Water Management for Boondockers: How to Stretch 40 Gallons for a Week
Fresh water is the binding constraint for most boondockers. A 40-gallon tank sounds like a lot until you realize a standard shower uses 8–10 gallons. Here's how to make it last. The Navy Shower Get wet (30 seconds), turn off the water, soap up completely, rinse off (90 seconds). Total: 2 minutes, ~1.5 gallons. Compare that to a typical 8-minute shower at 8 gallons. If two people shower daily, that's a difference of 91 gallons per week. Dishes Without a Sink The three-bin method: one bin wi
Camping Spots Best Free Camping Near Moab, Utah: BLM Sites You Can Actually Find
Moab's campgrounds fill up months in advance and cost $30–45/night. The good news: you're surrounded by BLM land, and most of it allows free dispersed camping with no reservation required. Grandstaff Canyon / Morning Glory Arch Area About 4 miles north of Moab on Highway 128 along the Colorado River. Flat pull-outs along the river with stunning red rock views. No facilities, 14-day limit. Gets busy in spring — arrive on a weekday. GPS: 38.6241° N, 109.5432° W Sovereign Trail Area Northeas
Solar How to Size a Solar System for Your RV: A No-Math Guide
The number one question from new boondockers: how much solar do I need? Most answers involve spreadsheets. This one doesn't. Start With Your Battery Bank, Not Your Panels Solar panels refill your batteries. So the first question is: how much battery storage do you need? A simple rule of thumb: add up the amp-hours you use in a day and double it. That doubling gives you a 50% discharge buffer, which is important for battery longevity. Typical Daily Usage * Lights (LED) — 5–10Ah/day * Phon
Guides The Beginner's Guide to Boondocking: Camp Free on Public Land
Boondocking is the art of camping on public land for free — no electric hookups, no water connections, no sewer. Just you, your rig, and a few million acres of Bureau of Land Management and National Forest land. What is Boondocking? The term covers any dry camping away from developed campgrounds. Most boondockers camp on BLM land, National Forest dispersed sites, or state trust land. In most cases you can stay up to 14 days in one spot before moving on. What You Need Before You Go * Fresh
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