OFF GRID CAMPING: NO CAMPGROUND, NO PROBLEM

If your campsite is booked, it may be time to think about off grid camping

Reasons to get an off grid camper: campsites are busy!

It’s getting to be that time of year when everyone plans their summer adventures and campsites start to get booked up for the busy weekends. Chances are you’ve had a destination in mind and the perfect weekend picked out, but all the campgrounds are full for miles around. What if you could skip all the crowded campgrounds and guarantee yourself a dispersed camping spot anywhere there’s public lands?

Boreas Campers are built with the goal of making dispersed public land camping more accessible and comfortable than ever. The idea of having all the amenities a campground offers without obnoxious, loud neighbors is becoming more appealing to the avid camper. Let’s take a look at what exactly dispersed camping is and how Boreas Campers can maximize your ability to enjoy the off grid camping lifestyle.

Reasons to get an off grid camper: being in nature is more relaxing

Dispersed camping offers a taste of wilderness living that campgrounds simply can't match. Sometimes referred to as boondocking or wild camping, it involves setting up camp outside of designated campgrounds.

Reasons to get an off grid camper: ability to find the perfect spot

Unlike traditional campgrounds, dispersed camping allows you to choose your own secluded spot, usually on public lands such as national forests or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas. Instead of adhering to designated campsites and crowded spaces, you have the flexibility to choose a location that speaks to your soul. Whether it's by a serene mountain lake, within a dense forest, or atop a scenic plateau, the choice is yours.

Types of off grid camping

As you might imagine there are quite a few different levels of dispersed camping. It ranges all the way from simple tent camping up to million-dollar luxury off-road expedition vehicles. Boreas Campers aims to be the perfect balance between the two by having the capability to handle rough terrain while providing as many creature comforts as possible on its small frame. Amenities like heated and insulated sleep spaces, memory foam mattresses, full kitchens, running hot and cold water, and air conditioning can all be possible with a Boreas Camper in the backcountry. Our larger hybrid model, the EOS-12, even has a full bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers.

Going to the bathroom while off grid camping

Speaking of bathrooms, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s rarely a designated public restroom in the wilderness. While this might be a hangup for a lot of people looking into off grid camping, the pros largely outweigh the cons when it comes to doing your business in the backcountry. Our smaller model XTs and ATs do not have a bathroom in the camper, however there are many products made to solve this exact problem. There are a plethora of portable dry flush, composting, and cassette toilets you can pack along with you that are relatively inexpensive. For some a shovel and some toilet paper will suffice most of the time. The best part about all those options is you don’t have to endure the smell of campground vault toilets or unsanitary porta potties. You can do your business in peace and then get back to enjoying your camp spot.

When it comes to using the bathroom and disposing of your trash in the wilderness, with great freedom comes great responsibility. Without a public restroom or trashcans available, you must come to the wilderness prepared to pack out both your waste and your trash. Dispersed camping emphasizes the Leave No Trace principles. Campers are encouraged to minimize their impact on the environment by practicing responsible waste disposal, respecting wildlife, and leaving the natural surroundings as untouched as possible.

Be prepared with an off grid camper

Dispersed camping also often requires a higher level of self-sufficiency. Campers need to come prepared with ample water, food, and necessary supplies, as amenities such as water hookups and restroom facilities are not readily available. Thankfully the Boreas Campers XT and EOS-12 come fully equipped to help you be as self-sufficient as possible. Both models have ample freshwater storage, places to put your dry food, and fridges/freezers to keep your perishable foods fresh for days without ice. All of your appliances run on replenishable power from efficient lithium batteries and roof top solar panels which effortlessly capture free energy from the sun.

Preparing and packing for self-sufficiency may seem like a pain at first but it actually becomes part of the fun when heading out into the wilderness. The self-reliance adds an element of adventure to the experience knowing that you came prepared to handle anything that nature throws your way.

Choose your experience and activities

Embarking on a dispersed camping adventure involves more than just coming prepared and choosing a scenic location. It's about deciding the type of experience you crave. A lot of times dispersed camping will put you closer to trailheads for hiking and biking trails. Instead of having to drive to alpine lakes and streams to fish you can sling some casts footsteps away from your campsite. Peep the fall leaves from the comfort of your camping area and skip the traffic from day-trippers. Whatever your outdoor adventures entail it’s likely that going the dispersed route will save you time going to and from your excursions and allow you to enjoy your outdoor activities longer than if you had to drive all the way back to the campgrounds.

How to find an off grid campsite

For those that are worried about being able to find an off grid campsite there’s plenty of resources like websites, apps, and government offices to help you find great camping spots. TheDyrt is one of the most widely known campsite finding websites and for good reason. It’s one of the few resources that allows you to book a campsite at a traditional campground and also give you options for dispersed campsites in nearby national forest of BLM. Dispersed sites are clearly mapped out and usually come with a few user reviews to give you an idea of what the campsite offers.

If you’re a bit more adventurous you can use the U.S. National Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map to find national forest boundaries and accessible roads within those boundaries. The Bureau of Land Management has a nearly identical interactive map called the BLM Recreational Opportunities Map which will also show road access, camping opportunities, hiking trails, and a whole lot more. In either case you’ll be able to find out where public land and public roads are in relation to your goal destination.

Lastly, and our favorite resource for finding campsites, is the government field offices of both the national forest and BLM. Using your favorite map app on your phone you can search for Forest Service or BLM field offices nearby to where you want to camp and either call them or stop by in person to get expert knowledge on a prospective spot. Regardless of how you feel about government entities, these people live and work in these forests every day and know the land and the trails very intimately. They will have the most up to date info on access, road closures, and spots that are off the beaten path which you won’t easily find on TheDyrt or through online maps.

The off grid camping lifestyle

Dispersed camping is more than just a style of camping, it's a lifestyle that reconnects us with the raw, untamed beauty of the great outdoors. As you venture into the wilderness, guided by the spirit of exploration and respect for nature, dispersed camping becomes a gateway to rediscovering the simplicity, serenity, and boundless wonder that Mother Nature has to offer. Camping in a campground can give you a small taste of that feeling, but nothing will inspire adventure more than being under the stars, enjoying a campfire with no one else around to spoil your fun.

Perks of campgrounds

Now this isn’t to say that campgrounds don’t have their perks. They do offer designated sites with amenities like fire pit rings, picnic tables, and sometimes even electrical hookups. Every once in a while it is nice to meet fellow campers and pick up some insider tips on places to go or discover someone’s secret camp recipes. The good news is that Boreas Campers are built to handle both scenarios. With standard electrical hookups like traditional RVs, campers can also enjoy a night off from the adventures of dispersed camping and enjoy the creature comforts of being back in civilization.

Choose the perfect adventure with Boreas Campers

The point is, with a Boreas Camper, you have the option to take off to the wilderness if you show up late and find your planned campground to be full. Others with traditional RVs aren’t so lucky and may just have to camp in less desirable spots close to highways and where paved roads allow them to travel. In a Boreas Camper you can have the confidence of knowing no matter where your destination is, there’s nothing stopping you from finding that perfect campsite any time of year.

Consider your preferences, desired level of solitude, and the type of adventure you seek as you embark on your next camping journey. There’s no feeling like the freedom to roam and experience the beauty of the great outdoors. With a Boreas Campers XT, AT, or EOS-12 your camping options are nearly limitless and you can spend your valuable time enjoying nature without the worry of ever having to book a campsite.

Boreas Campers Models