Our truck camping friends David and Nancy gifted us an odd wrinkled-looking gizmo that turned out to be an amazing and very practical camping lantern ... Read More about Luci solar inflatable lantern review
Wilderness camping trips and gear
Boondocker Camping caters to those who prefer camping outside of developed campgrounds. If you are an off-road enthusiast who seeks the adventure of camping in the wilderness, then buckle up to read our camping tips and trips gained from our experience of various modes of camping since 1976. We share our outdoor adventures and stories of lessons learned to inform and inspire other boondockers to discover and explore the wild beauty of the western United States.
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Who’s behind Boondockers

Pres enjoys the challenge of driving back country trails. Janice combs through guidebooks and keeps tabs of us on the map while exploring back roads. She also enjoys writing and taking photos to post and share with you.
Both of us love to discover the history as well as the flora and fauna of each area we explore. Our favorite part of camping is simply relaxing outside beside a campfire to savor our wild surroundings.
Start Boondocking
★ Get tried and true guide books and camping gear we recommend on the Gear page.
★ Explore our favorite campsites category for boondock camping trips in the western U.S.A.
★ Favorite quotes are inserted into our posts to enjoy a chuckle or some inspiration.
★ Not sure what boondock or dispersed camping is? Check out what it’s all about. Other terms for this style of camping can be boondocking, dry camping and wild camping.
Gear Reviews

Portable BBQ grill review
Enhance your camp cooking with the simple art of grilling on this handy, portable Smokey Joe BBQ by Weber. Note there is no ash catcher. I like the ... Read More about Portable BBQ grill review

Camping Gift Ideas for Men
We've put together a list of our favorite gear for that special man in your life to enjoy on his next outdoor adventure. If your dad, brother, son, ... Read More about Camping Gift Ideas for Men
Ghost towns and gold mines

Manson Hideout in Death Valley photos before the fire
Tucked into a remote corner of the Goler Wash in Death Valley, is the Barker Ranch, infamous for once being a hideout for the notorious Manson gang in ... Read More about Manson Hideout in Death Valley photos before the fire

Ghost town at Inyo Mine
Ghost towns from the booms and busts of gold, silver, and assorted mineral mines are scattered all through Death Valley National Park. Lonely ruins ... Read More about Ghost town at Inyo Mine

Jail Canyon – miner’s cabin and gold mine in Death Valley
Jail Canyon is a worthy day trip as well as an interesting place to camp in the Panamint Range of Death Valley. The ghost town of Ballarat lies within ... Read More about Jail Canyon – miner’s cabin and gold mine in Death Valley
Latest from the Blog
Where to find and camp in colorful wildflowers
Wildflowers inspire me with their tenacious perseverance. Despite their fragile appearance, these flowers are tough! Wildflowers adapt themselves to periods of drought by banking seeds when rain is scarce. This year in California and the western states there has been an abundance of rain and snow which can trigger SUPER blooms! In February we already spied color in the Mojave…
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Trona Pinnacles
If you think the surreal sculptured spires of the Trona Pinnacles look like something right out of Star Trek – you’d be right because this “otherworldly” landscape is the actual site where numerous sci-fi movies were filmed. The Star Trek V Final Frontier movie used this intriguing spot as well as Planet of the Apes, Lost in Space, and Battlestar…
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How 5 main classes will better define your favorite ways to camp
Condensing recreational camping into 5 descriptive classes for a better definition of your favorite ways to camp. How to define boondocking and dispersed camping. Camping is a word that evokes the smell of a campfire while eating smores and playing like a wild child with mother nature. Types of camping can be anything from backpacking in the remote wilderness to…
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Scorpion queen
One of my most personal encounters with a scorpion was of all places at the checkout counter of a mini-mart/ gas station in Panamint Springs, California. Panamint Springs Resort is a remote oasis along the way into Death Valley’s western border. We fueled up our 4×4 truck there and I went in to pay for the exorbitantly priced gas. This…
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Proven best tips for how to find great campsites
Finding sweet spots to camp is SO worth a bit of your time researching to create unforgettable memories of adventure. Make campground reservations or already know where potential campsites lie to save you the headache and frustration of searching for hours at the end of a long day of travel. Plan ahead to give yourself enough time to arrive at…
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Manson Hideout in Death Valley photos before the fire
Tucked into a remote corner of the Goler Wash in Death Valley, is the Barker Ranch, infamous for once being a hideout for the notorious Manson gang in 1969. A favorite “shortcut” into Death Valley from the west side of the Panamint Range, is to go across Goler Wash. Access to this remote area is only by high clearance 4×4…
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Simple stargazing tools and tips for camping fun under the stars
Can you find true north using the stars? Get a free app to learn the names of constellations and stars and read our stargazing tips and gear ideas. Stargazing is a major perk of camping in the backcountry under the vivid night sky. Void of city light pollution the magical eye candy of the Milky Way is brilliant against a…
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