When we’re on the go – just motoring from Point A to Point B – we’re always on the lookout for a boondocking spot. Staying overnight in parking lots for free is a popular form of boondocking (*boondocking refers to RVers who camp overnight without power, water or sewer services).

The local campground might be full, far away or, more likely, we just need a cheap, quiet and safe place to pull over and sleep before we continue. You’ll find more info here on boondocking.

In our travels, we’ve found some remarkable campgrounds where we’ve parked our tires for a longer stay. We admit to a bias for public parks (national, state, provincial) rather than private campgrounds. We’re looking for secluded spots surrounded by nature and as far away from video arcades, satellite TV and mini-golf as possible. These are some of our favourites:

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida
Why we love it: The long park is a series of sand dunes stretching along the Gulf of Mexico just a few miles from busy Pensacola Beach. Being protected parkland, there are no high rises, no tacky t-shirt shops and no fast food joints. Just rolling dunes, beach and a nice stretch of wetlands with fantastic walking trails.

Silver Lake State Park, Vermont
Why we love it: Small and quiet and very dog friendly. It’s a short drive to the postcard-perfect town of Woodstock and a 10-minute walk from the campground to the Barnard General Store, where you can stock up on Vermont cheese, grab an ice cream and relax on the front porch.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
Why we love it: Who would have thought that right smack in the middle of Florida you’d find a wide swath of undeveloped park? Just on the edge of Gainesville, Payne’s Prairie has well secluded sites, and a network of hiking and biking trails that take you past wildlife from wild horses to alligators.

Bayou Segnette State Park, Louisiana
Why we love it: It’s just across the river from New Orleans, so you can get to the French Quarter in about 20 minutes. The sites are well spaced, you can have the pluses of NOLA without the downtown city craziness. And the on-site laundry facilities are free.

City of Rocks State Park, New Mexico
Why we love it: We were originally planning a quick drive through to look at the park’s balanced rock formations. About two minutes in we were smitten, changed plans and booked a site. The desert campground is about 45 minutes south of Silver City, the skies are incredibly dark (they host a nighttime astronomy program) and the setting – the rocks, open desert, mountains in the distance – is unbeatable.

Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Why we love it: What’s not to like? Another spot that was scheduled to be a quick visit but where we tossed the map out the window and booked a site. It’s an otherworldly, protected wilderness of impossibly balanced rocks and pinnacles with some of the darkest and starriest skies of our travels.

Lazydays KOA, Arizona
Why we love it: This KOA cracked our aversion to the large scale campgrounds aimed at RVers. The spotless property turned out to be a great base for exploring Tucson and the surrounding Sonoran Desert. It’s a popular winter campground for long-stay snowbirds. Loved the park’s lemon and grapefruit trees (guests are encouraged to pick the fruit).

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Why we love it: Visiting Mesa Verde on a day trip is spellbinding enough, but staying overnight atop the mesa notches up the experience tenfold. When the day visitors to the cliff dwelling ruins have cleared out, the park becomes quieter and more intimate. The deer come out to graze, the stars pop out overhead and there’s something magical about knowing it happened this same way for the Puebloan people who lived here a thousand years ago.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
Why we love it: One of the most remote and least-visited national parks in the lower 48 states, Chaco has it all (well, not quite – it’s a long drive to get gas, food and services). Ink-black nighttime skies, a small observatory and astronomy program, a high desert canyon landscape that appears largely untouched, and some of the most archaeologically-significant Puebloan ruins in the nation. Spiritual is the best word to describe Chaco.

Sugar Hollow Park, Virginia
Why we love it: It’s part of the city of Bristol, without ever feeling like you’re in the city. When we pulled in to register and asked about Internet connections, the elderly ranger turned pleasantly gruff and told us: “Wi-Fi, Hi-Fi. Nobody wants to go camping anymore!” Of course, it had a ring of truth. Hard to argue.

Coming soon!

FINDING IT

Gas Buddy gathers information from stations all across North America and then sorts it by region. The interactive gas price maps are great as prices vary as you cross state or provincial lines (and even from one county to the next). There’s a link on the site for free mobile apps.

AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report collects price info on a daily basis by U.S. state. The website has a very cool fuel cost calculator that allows you to plug in your trip start and finish points (drawback: it only uses major cities), the vehicle you are driving and – voila! – it calculates trip distance (in miles), gas (in U.S. gallons) and the estimated fuel costs based on the day’s prices at the pump.

In Quebec, it’s possible to track the prices of gas by region at the CAA-Quebec’s Gasoline Watch  website.

DOING THE MATH

The fast way is to take the price per gallon at the pumps in the U.S. and multiply by .26 = $/litre.

For example: $3.60/ U.S. gallon  X .26 = 94¢/litre
(in U.S. dollars, so this is the point where you’ll need to make the currency conversion).

Or, you can head to a conversion website, plug in the dollar amount on the pump and let the experts do the math.

Remember the number you come up with is in U.S. dollars, so to convert to Canadian dollars multiply the number you calculated by the current exchange rate.

PAYING AT THE PUMP

Across the U.S. it is standard to pay at the pump or pre-pay inside the station before pumping fuel. Many pumps ask for a U.S. zip code before they will authorize the use of a credit card.

For Canadians, try this trick. When asked for your “zip code” enter the three numbers that are a part of your postal code + 00 and you’ll be away to the races. For example, we use “71100.”

Here’s what we know about “boondocking”: you’re either boondocking kind of people or you’re not. For us, it works. It appeals (a lot) to our frugal style of travel and to the flexibility and map-out-the-window way we like to head down the road.

Boondocking is “dry” camping without hookups (no power, no water, no sewer) across a whole spectrum from overnighting in a Walmart parking lot to camping on Bureau of Land Management land in rural New Mexico (across the Southwest and on BLM land it’s widely referred to as “dispersed camping”). We love finding quiet spots and some of our best camping experiences have been boondocking. We are fans.

The pluses:

• Low cost (like . . . free).
• Can be quiet and remote (National Forests, BLM land).
• Can be well patrolled or have security on site (large store parking lots).
• Can be close to nature, with great views.
• Flexibility and freedom.

The drawbacks:

• Feeling of safety and security may be an issue.
• Choose the wrong spot and you may be awakened in the middle of the night and asked to leave.
• Not so comfortable without access to showers or toilets.

Boondocking basics:

• If it doesn’t feel safe, don’t stay.
• We can get by for several days just on the power of our back-up battery (mind you, we’re just running lights and the occasional water pump – no toasters or coffee makers here). It’s about moderation. We’re attracted to the minimalist lifestyle so boondocking is an easy sell.
• Some boondocking sites are best suited to temporary stops – for example, an overnight while you are in transit. The parking lots of stores and restaurants would fall into this category (Walmart, Cracker Barrel, etc.).
• Always, always, always head into the store/restaurant and ask for permission first. If boondocking is allowed (some city/county ordinances prohibit it) the staff will steer you toward a certain area of the parking lot to set up. Setting up awnings, BBQs, lawn chairs, etc. is frowned upon.
• We try to show some goodwill and fill with gas or buy groceries or a meal at the business.
• Parking lots can be . . . “well lit.” We’ve used black felt fabric to construct simple black-out curtains that do the trick perfectly.
• Pick a quiet spot that’s away from the transports or larger motorhomes that may run generators.
• Be respectful of the businesses that are generous enough to allow you to stay. Be respectful of your boondocking neighbours.

Our favourite boondocking choices:

• Camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is especially popular in Southwest states like Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. The BLM administers America’s public lands. These remote BLM sites, “away from developed recreation facilities,” are referred to as “dispersed camping.” Sites are usually undeveloped, and are often not signed as official campsites. Their website has a good interactive map so you can search for specific information by state.
• National Forest land. In many cases, boondocking is allowed on National Forest land in the U.S. within a certain distance of an established road. It’s important to minimize the impact of your RV on the land – use spots that have already been used as campsites, don’t cut vegetation and stay on authorized roadways. The U.S. Forest Service Travel Management Maps show sites you can use with details on “dispersed camping” and info on limits of stay.
• Cracker Barrel store/restaurants. Often at the exits of major U.S. interstate highways, the staff are always friendly and the parking lots quiet after closing. One of the things we love about Cracker Barrel is their unique Books on Audio program. Buy an audio book on CD at the full price, listen as you travel and – further down the road – when you are done you can return it to another Cracker Barrel and be refunded all but a very modest weekly rental fee ($3.49/week). The selection tops out at 200 different audio books including some from The New York Times Bestsellers list. Search the website for locations.
• We’ve had great success at Lowe’s home improvement centres. Especially love the store’s Internet signal that seems to cast a wide net over the expansive parking lot.
• Walmart parking lots seem to be the mainstay of urban boondockers. You’ll often find a cluster of motorhomes – and sometimes transport trucks – who have pulled in for the night. Some Walmarts give the green light to boondocking and others do not. You can map which is which at the website.

We admit that we’re obsessive about staying connected through email but lukewarm on cell phones (calls or texting). That’s just our bent. As a result, the information here is a “work in progress” and as we gather more information we’ll add to the page.

INTERNET & EMAIL

Many campgrounds now offer Wi-Fi signals, so staying connected is possible, even under the stars and in the Great Outdoors. It’s not a make-or-break deal for us but because we are often working from the road, it’s nice to be able to check email, send messages, do a little research, etc.

If the spot we’re staying does not have a signal we usually find a local coffee shop or library and dedicate a bit of time to checking in. We especially love the libraries as they often have a section of used books for sale – we often leave with a few additions to our on-board bookshelf.

While in transit we can find reliable, free Internet on the fly at:

• McDonald’s restaurants.
• Lowe’s home centres.
• Local libraries (because we can usually settle into a comfortable work space as well).

We know there are options out there that could turn our camper van into a mobile hotspot but we’re still in the investigation stage (high cost and cross-border versatility are issues). We’ll update this spot as we find more information about what works for Canadians travelling across country and south into the United States.

PHONE PLANS

We’re not really tethered to a glowing cell phone, so for us a comprehensive mobile phone plan (data, phone, text) has never been a priority. When we’re on the road we usually just . . . turn it off. And the sky has not fallen (yet).

Last time out we knew we’d be in some remote areas through Arizona and New Mexico, so we did a little research and signed up for a U.S. phone plan with our carrier, Bell Canada. The deal they offer fits our needs perfectly – 1000 local/long distance minutes and unlimited texts for 30 days for $30 with no roaming charges. They also offer text only and data plans. It makes sense to start with your own carrier – call and ask what comparable plans they offer.

On other trips we purchased a TracFone (available at stores in the U.S. including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc) – a prepaid cell phone with a pay-as-you-go plan. It worked just fine but we do prefer to travel with our own phone.

We’d never think of leaving Rigby behind. We like to joke that the camper van is essentially a large dog kennel. It gives her space to stretch and is a safe place for her while we might be out and about.

Taking a dog (or cat) along on travels is becoming popular for both families and especially for snowbirds who are heading south and west for long-stay holidays.

We’re firm believers in the philosophy that food, history and culture are intertwined. (What else could explain cracklin’ in rural Louisiana or jalapeño-infused margaritas in Arizona?)

So, when we are on the road we are always looking for the dishes that are local; those foods that bring us closer to the people and the landscape we are travelling through. We scour shelves at local grocery stores, hunt through farmers’ markets and ask a lot of questions. It’s a way to fill our stomachs and gain a little cultural wisdom along the way.

In the bites that follow, keep this edict from Luciano Pavarotti in mind:
One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.

We love camping. Travelling by camper van is the perfect marriage of workspace and vagabond lifestyle.

Explore this section for checklists, tips and a list of some of our favourite campgrounds (we’ll be adding to that list regularly).

Our stories and articles appear in Canadian magazines and online.

Spring and fall, we load the van – with everything from guitars to laptops – toss in a thick bundle of maps, several notebooks and roll down the road. We meet great people, gather wonderful story material and then write, write, write. Browse the links to some of our pieces in print:

BIG TRIP #1: ROOTS OF AMERICAN MUSIC: 9,000 km through the Southeast U.S.

• Road Tunes: A Six-Week Odyssey Following the Scenic Music Trails of the Southeast U.S., CAA Magazine. Road Tunes
• A Moment in Time, CAA website. A Moment in Time
• Great Music Trails of the American Southeast: The Journey Begins, Zoomer
• Travelling the Crooked Road Music Trail, Zoomer
• Walking, Strumming and Singing in the Footsteps of History, Zoomer
• New Orleans: Sensory Overload, Zoomer
• Great Music Trails: Bayou Cajun Country, Zoomer
• Great Music Trails: Louisiana’s Prairie, Zoomer
• Feeling the Blues in the Mississippi Delta, Zoomer
• Tennessee: Two Cities, Two Histories, Zoomer
• Kentucky: Where North and South Overlap, Zoomer
• Virginia’s Crooked Road is a journey through America’s musical roots, Canadian Traveller. Crooked Road
• Sunshine Bound, CAA website
• The Soundtrack to America, Canadian Traveller
• Soul Survivors, Doctor’s Review
• Music Cities, Dreamscapes  

BIG TRIP #2: TUNES, RUINS & STARS: 13,000 km across the American Southwest

• A Canadian’s Guide to Arizona, Canadian Traveller. 
• Flavours of the Southwest, Taste. Flavours of the Southwest
• A Grand Finale | Flagstaff, Arizona, CAA website. A Grand Finale | Flagstaff Arizona
• Where Ancient Cultures Thrive, Doctor’s Review
• The King Lives On, CAA website 
• The Mississippi Delta: Drawn by the Blues, Zoomer
• Elvis Was Here.PDF, Zoomer 
• Discovering Southern New Mexico, Zoomer
• Off the Beaten Path: Southeast Arizona, Zoomer
• True West: True Tucson, Zoomer 
• Eight Things You Didn’t Know About Phoenix, Zoomer
• Often Overlooked – Arizona’s Four Corners, Zoomer
• All About Albuquerque, Zoomer
• The Mystery of Chaco Canyon, Zoomer 
• Colorado Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde, Zoomer
• Exploring America’s Southwest, West of the City
• Food, Glorious US Food, Canadian Traveller
• Arizona – A Warm Welcome, A Canadian’s Guide to Arizona 
• Arizona – Hot in the City, A Canadian’s Guide to Arizona
• Arizona – Pick Your Own Desert, A Canadian’s Guide to Arizona
• Arizona – Living in the Lap of Luxury, A Canadian’s Guide to Arizona
• Centennial views, Doctor’s Review

BIG TRIP #3: HUGGING THE ATLANTIC COASTLINE; MUSIC INLAND: 7,064 km

• North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Zoomer
• Sunshine Bound, CAA website
• Outer Banks: Sky, Sea & Sand, Zoomer
• Pirates of the Carolinas, Doctor’s Review
• South Carolina’s Coastline Cities, Zoomer
• Beaufort and the Beautiful Sea Islands, Zoomer
• Strolling in Savannah, Zoomer
• The Soundtrack to America, Canadian Traveller
• Cumberland Island National Seashore, Zoomer
• Soul Survivors, Doctor’s Review
• Georgia on my mind: Athens, Macon & Augusta, Zoomer
• North Carolina’s Appalachia: Steeped in Music, Zoomer
• Our last loop: Virginia’s Crooked Road, Zoomer
• Eat Your Way to Florida, CAA  
• North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Canadian RVing

BIG TRIP #4: ROCK & ROLL: 10,950 km exploring western U.S. National Parks

• South Dakota’s Badlands Aren’t Bad At All, Zoomer
• The Enduring Legacy of Black Hills National Forest, Zoomer
• The Western Flair of Northern Wyoming, Zoomer
• The Hillsides and Grasslands of Yellowstone National Park, Zoomer
• Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Visiting Two Beautiful National Parks, Zoomer
• 3 Reasons Why Utah is a Road Tripper’s Dream, Zoomer
• The Scenic Soaks and Wildlife of Colorado, Zoomer
• A World of Rocks at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Zoomer
• A Holiday Trip to Seneca Falls, NY, CAA
• Colorado – Dreamscapes 2017, Dreamscapes
• Finding America’s Musical Roots in the Midwest, Zoomer

 MISCELLANEOUS

• Dairy queens, Doctor’s Review
• Vermont Cheese Trail, Taste
• Rediscover Freedom In an RV, 2015 Travel Guide to Canada
• Cozy Up To Canada’s Natural Side, 2015 Travel Guide to Canada
• Rediscover Freedom in an RV, Dreamscapes
• Road Tripping the Blues Across Mississippi, Canadian RVing
• The Natural Beauty of the Thousand Islands, Canadian RVing
• Campsites We Love, Southbound

• Exploring The Small-Town Charms of New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy, Zoomer

• One Perfect Week in PEI, Canadian RVing
• U.S. Civil Rights Trail , Canadian RVing
• Prince Edward Island: A Community Built Around Food, Zoomer
• Nibbling Along the Vermont Cheese Trail, Canadian RVing
• Florida wild landscapes, Canadian RVing

How to get started.

How to get moving.

How to keep “the wheels on the cart” while you’re travelling.

We’ve got advice on health insurance, filling the gas tank and staying connected while you’re away.

Also check out GoRVing.ca for lots of RV 101 information including a trip planning section, how to choose the right RV for your lifestyle and the basics of camping.