Current Thoughts on Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome
Dry camping networks like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome have revolutionized how RVers travel without paying traditional campground fees. Harvest Hosts allows self-contained RVs to stay overnight at farms, wineries, and museums, while Boondockers Welcome connects travelers with private residential hosts offering driveways or spare land.
While these programs offer incredible value and unique experiences, community discussions highlight a few evolving norms. Hosts expect you to be completely self-contained unless stated otherwise, and respecting arrival and departure windows is critical for maintaining good relationships within the network.
- Always support your Harvest Host by purchasing local goods, wine, or farm produce.
- Communicate your arrival time clearly and never outstay your welcome window.
- Ensure your rig meets the specific length and self-containment requirements of each host.
Navigating National Parks and Forest Overhead Clearance
One of the most stressful parts of venturing onto public lands in the back-country is managing overhead clearance. Low-hanging branches on national forest roads can easily catch roof-mounted air conditioners, solar panels, and rubber seals, resulting in costly damage far away from civilization.
Before turning down a narrow forest service road, always send a spotter ahead or check clearance heights on trusted mapping apps built for large vehicles. Tree growth changes rapidly between seasons, meaning a trail clear in the spring might be choked with heavy pine boughs by late summer.
- Know your exact rig height, including all roof accessories, and write it on a piece of tape on your dash.
- Walk the road on foot first if you suspect low branches or tight switchbacks.
- Never rely solely on standard GPS routing, as they frequently route high-profile vehicles under low bridges or tree canopies.
Finding and Respecting Public Lands
Scattering across Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS) land is the quintessential boondocking experience. However, growing popularity means these public lands face heavy usage and stricter regulations regarding stay limits and campfire permits.
Dispersed camping generally limits your stay to 14 days within a specific radius before you must pack up and move a significant distance away. Always practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, burying human waste properly if toilets aren't available, and avoiding fragile desert or alpine ecosystems.
Etiquette: Is It Rude to Smoke Outside Your Camper?
When camping in close quarters—whether on public lands with nearby neighbors or in a packed private RV park—campground etiquette becomes essential. A frequent point of debate in RV forums is whether it is rude to smoke outside your camper.
While outdoor spaces are technically open air, smoke travels easily on the wind and can quickly drift into neighboring campsites, open RV windows, or sensitive camping spaces where children are present. The golden rule is situational awareness: always check wind direction, ask your immediate neighbors if smoke bothers them, and properly dispose of all butts rather than tossing them on the ground.
- Pay close attention to wind direction before lighting up outside your rig.
- Never leave cigarette butts behind on public lands or in fire rings.
- Consider stepping completely away from shared common areas or densely packed rows.