An Essential Boondocking List -Updated

I’ll admit, I’m a little intimidated with camping off the grid.

I’m just a little over a week away from my first boondocking experience. Four days with no creature comforts of the normal camping experience leaves me a bit uncomfortable. The big plus, is I am going to be with some seasoned campers. These ladies in our little Wisconsin camping group have done this enough to know how it’s done. I wanted to write a boondocking list of things you need.

Now I’m not a seasoned camper by any means. I have tent camped for years, usually going only a couple of times a season. But last year that changed. I did my first solo camp, then I joined Sisters On The Fly and camped with them for the first time. 

What exactly is boondocking?

Boondocking is camping without water, sewer, or electricity hookups. It’s also known as dry camping. It can also be referred to free or wild camping. 

Where we are going up in the north north woods of Wisconsin will be a social distancing paradise. A small lake, a small campground inside a national forest, and just the sounds of the crackling fire sounds like my idea of heaven after all the weirdness of 2020.

I’ve been busy getting myself and Beatrice, my little vintage camper, ready for the first camp-out of the season.

While I’m a girl who loves the creature comforts of a nice hot shower and indoor plumbing, I’m good with spending a few days without those things. When I started camping with Beatrice last summer, I was graduating from tent camping. In other words, I’m just fine with 4 sturdy walls, a bed off the ground, and a door I can lock. Would I want to spend weeks camping like this? Probably not. Four nights is just fine by me. 

Preparation is the key to a successful boondocking experience. Since this is my first time for more than one night, I had to consult some of my fellow camping friends for advice and a supply list.

I will definitely share a follow-up post with tips on what I would do differently and what went just fine. But these suggestions are sensible and a plus to have boondocking or not. 

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My essential boondocking list of items.

A portable generator

We bought this model last year for my overnight stay as a vendor at Cranfest in Warrens, Wisconsin. This took place in September, so the weather was cool at night.

It worked fabulous to keep my little ceramic heater going all night. This one can run for 7 hours for 50% load time and 4 hours at 100% load. This was pretty true as it would run out of gas early in the morning after running it all night. For camping, since it is summer, I will probably use it just to charge my devices. It will be good to have along anyway. Make sure you check for regulations on running a generator where you will be camping

Because it’s relatively quiet, this little generator it perfect for camping off the grid.

Update: I only used my generator once on my first trip. Just for a couple of hours to charge my Apple Watch. It only got down to the mid 60’s at night, so there was no reason to run my heater. I was still glad I had it along just in case and is portable enough that it takes up little room.

A propane and/or butane camp stove

I love cooking over the campfire as much as the next camper, but having a little propane stove is perfect for heating water for coffee early in the morning and cooking when you either don’t have enough time, or the weather conditions don’t allow for a campfire. I usually have my fire at night and cook my supper using my pie irons, and a one burner stove is my go to for breakfast.

This is my brand new stove that my hubby bought me for my birthday. I’m looking forward to using it. It uses both propane and butane which is a nice feature.

Update: I absolutely LOVED this stove!! I used it everyday either for cooking or to heat up water. Bonus since it came in it’s own carrying case. I used it inside my camper with the windows open, and on my camp kitchen outside. It’s lightweight and very easy. I didn’t even go through one canister of propane.

A battery operated shower

One thing I will not compromise on when I camp is showering. I have to get a daily shower in to feel good especially after a day of hiking and outdoor activity. I feel so much better if I crawl into a cozy bed at night clean.

Last year I purchased this battery operated rechargeable shower head on Amazon. I heated up a big kettle of water, poured it in a five gallon bucket, turned on the pump and dropped it in the bucket. You have to take the pump out of the water to turn it off (which you will want to do while soaping up). When you are done soaping up, turn it back on, and rinse off. You will want to be quick about it cause the shower head gives off a powerful spray so it goes through the water in your pail rather quickly.

There are quite a few different options when it comes to outdoor showers, but I tend to like this. What I plan on doing is filling up my bucket in the morning and putting it in the sun to sit all day. This way hopefully the water will be warn enough by the time I want to shower at night.

A note about showering and gray water: Whatever you do, do NOT pour any gray water into any body of water. For showering make sure you use an earth friendly product. It is suggested to pour gray water into a hole dug in the ground since the soil acts as a filter. Here is a list of shampoos that are earth friendly.

Update: This camp shower was the hit of the week! Once I showed all the ladies how easy it is to use, I know a few were going to purchase their own. All I did was pump some water from the well in the morning, and by late afternoon the water in my 5 gallon bucket was warm enough to be tolerable for my shower. Of course I could have easily heated water on my stove too. I used probably 3 gallons from that bucket.

A pop up privacy tent

I always carry along my pop up privacy tent. It tucks in nice beside my refrigerator and the built in cabinet. I use mine for showering and also keep my porta potty in it too. It’s great for changing also if you have multiple people camping with you.

Update: This privacy tent was the perfect companion for showering. This one does not have a floor in like some do. I just used a rubber mat that is used for standing and that worked great. This is the one that I use.

A camping toilet Porta Potty

You can go ultra simple here. I know a lot of campers use a Lug A Loo which basically is a five gallon bucket with a toilet seat. These are actually quite nice. You can buy the plastic liners for inside. I hear people use kitty litter, pellets, even diapers inside. I’ve also heard of people that make their own with a five gallon bucket and a pool noodle around the rim.

Whatever you choose, this is a must have for most campers. My little Beatrice does not have a bathroom, so I have a flushable porta potty that is small enough that I can stash underneath my back bench so it’s always available. It’s a bit more expensive option. To read more about my porta potty just click on the image.

Update: I did not use my porta potty at all. I was located right across from a pit toilet. Normally I dislike using these, but it was cleaned daily and I don’t think anyone else was using it.

Lighting

I have a variety of lighting options. I have a couple good old fashioned flashlights that I keep in my camper all the time. I also have two battery operated lanterns that I’ve had for years. They work great. A head lamp is a great “hands free” option when you are out walking at night.

On my list to add to my camping gear is these inflatable solar lights. I have friends that have bought them and love them. Have you tried them?

I also like my low voltage solar lights that I hang on my awning. They don’t give off much light, but they do the job when I am coming back to my campsite at night. Plus they look pretty cool and give Beatrice a special glow!!

I purchased my string of solar lights at Big Lots last year on clearance.

Update: After using my old D battery operated lanterns that are pretty old and don’t give off much light, I went right to Camping World.com this morning and ordered an inflatable solar light. One of the ladies had one on our trip and I was impressed at the level of light they give off. That’s enough of those big bulky dinosaurs that I have!

Portable heater

Depending on where and what time of the year you are boondocking, It might be a good idea to get yourself a little propane heater. Even in summer, the nights can get a little chilly in northern Wisconsin. It’s always good to prepare.

I just purchased this Mr. Heater propane heater a few weeks ago. My friend Amy suggested it and I take her recommendations seriously. She is a seasoned camper.

Update: As I said earlier, I had no need to use this heater on this trip, so i will be saving it for the next trip. I do trust Amy’s review of this little gem though and am looking forward to trying it out.

A battery operated rechargable fan

I really like having some air circulation at night when I’m sleeping. Having a little fan pointing in my direction is a must especially if it is hot out. Plus I just like the sound of a fan too. There are many fans out there, but I just purchased this one. It has 3 speeds and also has a light. An added bonus if you are into aromatherapy, you can add a few drops of your favorite scent to the foam disk and insert it in the back. A little zen in the woods!

Update: This handy fan/light came in handy. I didn’t leave the fan on all night, but would just run it to cool off while I read at night before lights out. It packs quite the wind power on high for being as small as what it it. And of course the light was way brighter that the previously mentioned “dinosaurs”

So that does it for my boondocking essentials list. You probably have more to add to this list, and there a tons of little things that you will want. These things are especially important for boondocking. My camper is not equipped with solar as many new campers are. In the future if I decide to go on the road camping more, I may need to consider solar. In out new renovation we are currently undertaking of the 1968 Pathfinder, we are planning on making it solar ready. You can follow along on our YouTube channel for more about the Pathfinder reno.