On the right, several people sitting in chairs in front of an RV and on the left, a green square with the words "What we're all about: a look at the Boondockers Welcome Community"

What We’re All About: A Look into the Boondockers Welcome Community

It’s true that Boondockers Welcome offers members overnight camping with no fees at over 3,200 host locations across North America. As nice of a perk as that is, however, it’s not the main reason to join — not by a long shot.

You see, Boondockers Welcome is a community, one that was created solely to connect hosts and RVers over their shared interest of the RV lifestyle. In today’s increasingly plugged-in world, those seemingly simple concepts — community and connection — are things most of us make little time for, yet crave having.

So while technically, yes, Boondockers Welcome is a free alternative to traditional campgrounds, it is so much more than that. Our program continues to grow daily, welcoming new faces on both the host and camper sides. So, we thought now would be the perfect time to take a deep dive into our unique and humble beginnings!

Rooted in Hospitality

Back in 2012, mother-daughter duo Marianne Edwards and Anna Maste founded Boondockers Welcome. It started out as a community based on “couch-surfing” (except in this case, couches = driveways!), somewhat similar to Airbnb.

That concept of community is important. Boondockers Welcome filled a need and solved a problem that most people couldn’t necessarily identify, but knew was there. The platform connected RVers directly to hosts who own property with enough space for them to camp for a night or two, eliminating the need to stay at forgettable, impersonal, and overpriced campgrounds.

Importantly, Boondockers Welcome was never intended to become a “real” company. In fact, co-founder Maste said exactly that in an April 2022 podcast interview. Instead, it was supposed to be more of a hobby, a way for her to keep busy during maternity leave and share something with her RV enthusiast mother, Edwards.

The Boondockers Welcome Spirit

It didn’t take the duo long to realize they had created, albeit somewhat accidentally, something truly meaningful.

On the surface, the concept is simple: it’s easy for someone with a bit of land or even spare driveway space to allow folks passing through to spend a night or two.

Going a bit deeper, however, it’s far more than just a small act to both the hosts and campers. On the RVers’ side, having a safe, secure space to camp overnight is invaluable, especially these days when traditional campgrounds are jam-packed more often than not. Add to that the opportunity to connect one-on-one with an actual person (the host), and that particular trip is immediately elevated.

In the words of Marianne Edwards, “It’s so rewarding to have created such a positive thing together. Something that, according to feedback from users, adds value and joy to their lives – both when they’re traveling and while at home hosting others.”

The property owner and the camper become unique parts of one another’s story, even if their interaction is brief. It could be something as small as remembering a funny story, or the two may actually stay in touch. It’s not at all uncommon for RVers to go back to specific host locations year after year or even to meet up with their one-time hosts somewhere on the road, cultivating life-long friendships.

We would certainly consider that valuable and joyful!

An “Overwhelmingly Positive” Experience

We hear every day about how much people love Boondockers Welcome and the positive impact it has on people’s lives. This is probably one of our all-time favorite stories!

One couple who travels, who goes by the username costarica, told us, “One host even loaned us his Range Rover so we didn’t have to unhook our tow to go into town. Who does that???” They added, “We make it a point to travel with Boondockers Welcome locations in mind. Our experiences so far have been overwhelmingly positive.”

Really, who does do that??? We’ll tell you exactly who: the same type of person who graciously invites strangers to stay on their property. Boondockers Welcome hosts.

If experiencing this type of hospitality appeals to you and you enjoy meeting like-minded people and swapping stories about adventures from the road, Boondockers Welcome is the community for you.

Sign up for your membership today (which, yes, still includes fee-free camping — but that’s only the beginning)! Safe travels, and we’ll see you out there!

Related Posts

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Stan
    2nd July, 2023

    How do I know which sites have full hookups(haven’t joined yet)

  2. Jeff Zimmer
    3rd December, 2023

    If I buy a membership do I have to pay for each day I stay at a location? Th

  3. Jeff Zimmer
    3rd December, 2023

    If I buy a membership do I have to pay for each day I stay at a location? Thx

  4. Wsas
    29th December, 2023

    DissertationGuru https://dissertationguru.net/ deserves a standing ovation. They turned my dissertation nightmare into a success story. The team is not just about delivering; they’re about delivering excellence. The dedication they showed to my project was next level. I felt like I had a personal squad of academic warriors. If you’re in dissertation distress, hit up DissertationGuru. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

  5. AlexBrod
    15th January, 2024

    Hallo zusammen, meine Freundin hat bald Geburtstag, ich möchte ein unvergessliches Geschenk machen, nämlich einen tollen Blumenstrauß, wer weiß, wo man ihn am besten kaufen kann?

    1. Mark Arhipov
      15th January, 2024

      Was für eine aufregende Zeit, schauen Sie sich entweder den Online-Lieferservice oder die örtlichen Geschäfte an, die Hauptsache ist, frische Blumen zu finden, viel Glück

      1. Drevor Romit
        15th January, 2024

        Hallo! Blumen sind wirklich das perfekte Geschenk für einen geliebten Menschen. Sie zeigen nicht nur ihre äußere Schönheit und ihren Duft, sondern drücken auch Ihre Gefühle für die Person aus. Schauen Sie sich doch mal den MyGlobalFlowers an. Die örtlichen Geschäfte haben stets frische und wunderschöne Blumen, die Auswahl ist riesig. Sie werden sicherlich zufrieden sein.

  6. cricket id
    21st January, 2024

    To maximise the benefits of your Wi-Fi network, you must configure it. Next, log into your Linksys smart WiFi account using your default IP address and login credentials. You can visit your login page and make extra changes with the help of these login credentials. Visit our website at any moment for more assistance with the login procedure.

    1. Derek Stone
      22nd January, 2024

      Invested a substantial amount of time on https://hodl.fm/ and I’m officially captivated! The MetaVerse is mind-blowing, and NFTs are undoubtedly the future. Play-to-Earn (P2E) games are the next big thing, and I’m fully committed to leveling up and cashing in. The market for digital assets is buzzing, and hodl.fm is the epicenter of it all. The reviews don’t lie – it’s a reputable platform with excellent customer service. If you haven’t embraced the NFT wave yet, hodl.fm is about to convert you into a true crypto believer!

  7. Online cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    I your website are really amazing. if are you are interested in online cricket id please visit.

    Cricket Betting

  8. cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    Hey, your website looks great. If you’re interested in cricket, you can visit my website to play the game Win and Earn on a betting website.

    Cricket Betting

  9. Online cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    Greetings, your website looks great. If you’re interested in cricket, visit my website to play the game Win and Earn on a betting website.

    Online cricket id

  10. cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    Greetings, your website appears good. If you are interested in cricket, please visit my website to play the game Win and Earn on a betting website.

    Online cricket id

  11. Online cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    Dear, your website looks great. If you’re interested in cricket, visit my website to play the game Win and Earn on a betting website. Thanks for your interest.

    Best betting id

  12. cricket id
    23rd January, 2024

    Hey, your website looks great. If you’re interested in cricket, you can visit my website to play the game Win and Earn on a betting website.

    Best betting id

  13. dehradun taxi
    30th January, 2024

    Explore Dehradun with ease using our professional cab services. Reliable and comfortable, Dehradun Cab Services guarantee a hassle-free travel experience. Book now for a convenient and enjoyable journey. dehradun taxi

  14. cabs 24 hrs
    30th January, 2024

    Enjoy convenient and reliable cab services in Faridabad. From prompt pickups to comfortable rides, Faridabad Cab Services ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. Book your ride now

  15. faridabad cab
    30th January, 2024

    Discover Faridabad effortlessly with our premium taxi services. Reliable and punctual, Faridabad Taxi provides a smooth travel experience. Book now for a comfortable and convenient ride in the city.

  16. Derek Stone
    14th February, 2024

    The assistance from Capstone Project https://www.capstoneproject.net/ was instrumental in guiding me through the intricacies of my capstone project. Their team of seasoned writers offered invaluable advice and direction throughout the entire process, guaranteeing that my project adhered to the utmost standards. Thanks to their unwavering support, I was able to deliver a compelling project that received top-notch grades. I am deeply appreciative of their expertise and professionalism throughout this journey.

  17. Stylish blog
    12th March, 2024

    Great article! The insights shared here are truly eye-opening and provide a fresh perspective on the topic. Get the amazing outfits from our online shop. Black leather jackets for men

  18. Evelyn P. Reyes
    12th March, 2024

    Thankyou very much for sharing the best informative and amazing article. We are offering of some wondering outfits Finest leather jackets

  19. Hemani Fragrance
    15th March, 2024

    Spritz away odor and stay refreshed with women’s spray deodorant from Hemani Fragrance. Our convenient sprays offer quick and easy application, ensuring you stay confidently fresh throughout the day. Embrace the power of scent with Hemani Fragrance