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How can I tell if this BLM property is OK to boondock?


youngfulltimers

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Can anyone let me know if it's OK for us to overnight camp here at Tortugas Mountain Recreation Area? We're already parked here for a short afternoon hike, and we'd rather stay here than Wal-Mart tonight, ideally.

 

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/las_cruces/tortugas_mountain.html

 

Any help would be great!

 

 

post-50888-0-58894800-1458590660_thumb.jpg

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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If you are talking about a parking area on the recreation area you linked to, my first reaction is that the webpage you linked to does not have a camping symbol on the panel at the right of the page. If you follow the links you will read "Dispersed Camping Sites

Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as "dispersed camping." These sites are widely dispersed, undeveloped, and are generally not signed as campsites." I would consider the picnic pavilion and parking area in your photo a developed recreation facility.

If you want the real answer call the Las Cruces BLM Office:

Contact Information

Las Cruces District Office
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, NM 88005-3370
575.525.4300

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That makes sense... We have never boondocked outside of Wal-Mart parking lots, and we were reallllly hoping to avoid one tonight. The view is much prettier here; however, we need to go grocery shopping, anyway.

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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So we called, and they said it's OK to park overnight here after all! We are the types to usually call anyway, so thanks for pointing us in the right direction!

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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Good that you called. Sometimes that's all it takes. Next time you might want to get the name/phone # of who you talked to just in case someone questions it. Also, parking overnight to get some rest could mean something different than using the word 'camping'. You won't get an O.K. all the time but like WalMart - it sometimes helps if you ask first. Have a good night!

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

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You would be amazed with what you can get away with by simply calling in for permission. Just recently I did an assident and the local rangers office was more than obliging to let me exceed the normal 14-day stay by another 20 days. It's a good idea to record who you spoke to and when in those situations. Other officials may be unaware of the special permission and not so obliging.

 

Generally.. an 8-12 hour stop over isn't much of a problem if you simply explain to any curious official that it was an unexpected stop while "in transit" and you felt the immediate need to rest. Not many will ticket/fine you for trying to be a safe driver.

 

Of course.. it's best to keep any outdoor gear inside so as more to appear as a "safety stop" vs. "camping" in a non-designated area.

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Good that you called. Sometimes that's all it takes. Next time you might want to get the name/phone # of who you talked to just in case someone questions it. Also, parking overnight to get some rest could mean something different than using the word 'camping'. You won't get an O.K. all the time but like WalMart - it sometimes helps if you ask first. Have a good night!

 

 

You would be amazed with what you can get away with by simply calling in for permission. Just recently I did an assident and the local rangers office was more than obliging to let me exceed the normal 14-day stay by another 20 days. It's a good idea to record who you spoke to and when in those situations. Other officials may be unaware of the special permission and not so obliging.

 

Generally.. an 8-12 hour stop over isn't much of a problem if you simply explain to any curious official that it was an unexpected stop while "in transit" and you felt the immediate need to rest. Not many will ticket/fine you for trying to be a safe driver.

 

Of course.. it's best to keep any outdoor gear inside so as more to appear as a "safety stop" vs. "camping" in a non-designated area.

 

Thanks for the recommendation about getting a name and number of the person we talked to. We really are just trying to stay overnight after a long hike around the adjacent mountain. We have tried to keep our prior boondocking stays (both @ Wal-Mart parking lots) to 12-15 hours—so arrive around 5-6 p.m. and out by 8-10 a.m. We also make a point to shop at Wal-Mart when we go, as it's easier to get out of their parking lots than most standard grocery stores. And those prices (but that produce...)!

 

There have been some tempting destinations around some of the Wal-Marts we've stayed at before. Any opinions on leaving your RV to go get a bite to eat/drink nearby when you're staying at a Wal-Mart that clearly encourages RV fulltimers?

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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There have been some tempting destinations around some of the Wal-Marts we've stayed at before. Any opinions on leaving your RV to go get a bite to eat/drink nearby when you're staying at a Wal-Mart that clearly encourages RV fulltimers?

 

I don't RON at Wal-Mart's, but if it's encouraged or you have permission I can't imagine it would be an issue to duck out somewhere for a few hours as long as you keep your stay to a 24-hour period.

 

Edit: I would probably close my blinds and possibly leave a light on just so passerby's can't see in to see if I am present or not.

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RON at Walmart in Carrizo Springs night before last. We are at Amistad National Recreation Area. The place is beautiful with table, shelter, pad etc and it costs $2/night (with senior pass and $4 without). It is dry-camping and beautiful. One other RV is here. It is on old US 277 (which disappears into the lake) and perhaps 300 m from new US 277) and we hear no traffic.

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Joe and Kimberley,

 

FWIW, I'm enjoying following some of the threads you are starting in your travels, and being avid boondockers by personal choice, looking forward to reading much on your boon docking experiences especially on NFS, BLM, Trust Lands, NRA etc. We are so like you in don't like Walmart for fresh produce but love to O/N for a few hours when in travel mode and do our other shopping there. Casinos have become our latest more go to source for a more relaxing rest over WM, again when just making up some travel time at the end of a busy day somewhere but wanting to move on somewhat, and of course we drop some bucks in their establishments in return for the welcome. However, as we are moving rapidly now towards FTing rather than the extended time trips we've been doing in the past, we would by choice being able to slow down our travels much more moving forwards ,stay in much more scenic and enjoyable locations.

 

FWIW, whilst we see many folks leave their RV's unhitched/unoccupied in Walmart car parks whilst going off to explore various things (sometimes all day and over several days especially if Stampede is on in Calgary for example), and seem to get away with it, we are far from comfortable about doing so personally. Again to each their own based on comfort level, but it's just how we feel. Some other dry camping locations where we are comfortable it's not going to come under a bylaw issue, then yes we have based on local advice.

 

Happy and safe travels to you both and Jordan.

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Best places to RON in Mexico are all night Pemex trucker stops. We RON'ed at Cordoba (between Vera Cruz and Puebla) and there was a uniformed guard with shotgun. I gave him a 50 peso ($3) tip and he said he would be checking every half hour. Everyone we know that travels extensively in Mexico uses the al-night Pemexes. The truckers are friendly and want nobody they don't know around their rigs. Nice thing is that they turn off their engines as soon as they are set up. We stayed outside of Escargega (right at west endof Yucatan) and the attendents told us to park so that we were lighted and they could see the door to our 5th wheel. We gave them 50 pesos.

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RON at Walmart in Carrizo Springs night before last. We are at Amistad National Recreation Area. The place is beautiful with table, shelter, pad etc and it costs $2/night (with senior pass and $4 without). It is dry-camping and beautiful. One other RV is here. It is on old US 277 (which disappears into the lake) and perhaps 300 m from new US 277) and we hear no traffic.

 

We did our first nat'l recreation area boondock stays this week, and we're now officially hooked! Campendium helped us find Indian Bread Rocks in eastern Arizona. We're even able to work this morning while still having that "remote" feeling.

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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Joe and Kimberley,

 

FWIW, I'm enjoying following some of the threads you are starting in your travels, and being avid boondockers by personal choice, looking forward to reading much on your boon docking experiences especially on NFS, BLM, Trust Lands, NRA etc. We are so like you in don't like Walmart for fresh produce but love to O/N for a few hours when in travel mode and do our other shopping there. Casinos have become our latest more go to source for a more relaxing rest over WM, again when just making up some travel time at the end of a busy day somewhere but wanting to move on somewhat, and of course we drop some bucks in their establishments in return for the welcome. However, as we are moving rapidly now towards FTing rather than the extended time trips we've been doing in the past, we would by choice being able to slow down our travels much more moving forwards ,stay in much more scenic and enjoyable locations.

 

FWIW, whilst we see many folks leave their RV's unhitched/unoccupied in Walmart car parks whilst going off to explore various things (sometimes all day and over several days especially if Stampede is on in Calgary for example), and seem to get away with it, we are far from comfortable about doing so personally. Again to each their own based on comfort level, but it's just how we feel. Some other dry camping locations where we are comfortable it's not going to come under a bylaw issue, then yes we have based on local advice.

 

Happy and safe travels to you both and Jordan.

 

Thank you so much for following us. Sorry for the delay in replying. We're still trying to figure out that work/life/RV blog balance, which I'm sure a lot of others can relate to. We're just starting to get our boondocking chops, and it's really addicting—both the cost savings and the locations where we end up. We hope to stay at a casino outside Tucson when we get there Sunday. You sound like you're ready to upgrade to fulltiming... you already know a lot more than we did when we started!

 

I also appreciate your perspective about leaving the Wal-Mart parking lot during your stay. I think your sentiment is probably consistent with most FTers, and I'm inclined to agree. That's why we haven't snuck away yet... should a parking lot be empty enough, we may still consider it, but we'll play that by ear.

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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we're now officially hooked!

 

Hooked after 1 week are ya? I hate to break it to you.. but it get's worse! Get a month or two waking up to quiet mornings and calm evenings with beautiful vistas all around you and you'll ruin yourself for CG camping any more. B) Congrats!! You're first milestone.

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Hooked after 1 week are ya? I hate to break it to you.. but it get's worse! Get a month or two waking up to quiet mornings and calm evenings with beautiful vistas all around you and you'll ruin yourself for CG camping any more. B) Congrats!! You're first milestone.

 

Can't wait to get to that point! Sounds cheaper and more rewarding!

YoungFulltimers.com is dedicated to informing non-retired RVers who live on the road. This news-focused online publication should appeal to fulltimers of all ages.

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Sounds cheaper and more rewarding!

 

Definitely more rewarding, IMO, but cheaper... it can be over time. Initially it can be fairly costly if you go solar, black totes (so you don't have to hitch up to dump), water bladders to extended your stays, possibly a portable generator, possibly satellite and/or internet gear and all the little stuff that goes along with it. Not all of that is necessary, but if you plan to boondock full time it sure does make life a whole lot more pleasant... and you DO eventually hit the break even point where you're actually saving money over CG's.

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