OP here -- I am now sure that we can't boondock inside the parks, and I am aware that not all forest or Crown land would be suitable for boondocking. Nor would we want to boondock all the time. But here is the situation: we will be traveling in August, September, and early October -- at first, we were thinking about Alaska and the Yukon. But as I was reading about the route and looking at the pictures, I was especially drawn to the Northern Rockies, the Kootenays, and the Cariboos.
So we are thinking about places like Wells Gray, and Mt. Robson, and Cariboo Mountain. There are campgrounds, of course, but we really prefer the silence of boondocking out in the backwoods on a forest road.
My current plan is to buy as much Canadian mapping and GPS software as I can find. We will then head up north to the parks, stay in RV parks and campgrounds, and then (if possible) acquire local knowledge about boondocking. Note that although we have a trailer (which is not an ideal boondocking vehicle), it is a high clearance trailer, which should help on rougher dirt roads.
In a separate thread (not focused on boondocking), let's talk about which parks to visit! Thanks again for your input.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components) Our trips -- pix and text About our trailer
One of the *BIG* problems in August in that area is finding *any* last minute campsites. I remember entering Jasper from the western entrance to the park--there was not a single campsite available. I think there are about 4000 spots.
I hate to make reservations, but in August in that area it may be a necessary evil.
My current plan is to buy as much Canadian mapping and GPS software as I can find. We will then head up north to the parks, stay in RV parks and campgrounds, and then (if possible) acquire local knowledge about boondocking. Note that although we have a trailer (which is not an ideal boondocking vehicle), it is a high clearance trailer, which should help on rougher dirt roads.
Now, I don't have GPS and I don't plan to get it. For BC I'll get the Backroads series. Reason 1. I find that GPS keeps more up-to-date for urban areas than rural areas. 10 year old GPS can and do give you dead ends. Or roads that end in ditches.
& for me, I'd rather look at the print images and put the wider perspective into my mind the night before. That way I can prowl with fair bit of comfort.
Believe me, I've ridden with folks driving GPS and seen them be given some really weird directions.
I agree that the Mapbooks are more useful in BC than a road oriented GPS. There are roads in the Mapbooks that don't appear on the GPS (e.g. my TomTom). However I have used a handheld GPS along the Mapbooks. Even if a road is not on the GPS map, the track that it records can be matched up with a road in the book, making it easier to keep track of where I am. And if I do get lost, I can use the GPS to work my way back to a highway. It can also be useful when hiking.
A road oriented GPS can be useful even when it isn't being used to give me directions. Another caution - the Mapbooks aren't perfect either. I have misread them, and gotten lost a few times.
One test for your GPS maps - try to map a route to Clearwater Lake in Wells Gray PP. The last half of the road from the town of Clearwater is gravel, and might not appear on the GPS.
* This post was
edited 03/20/12 07:22pm by paulj *
September and early October can be very nice in British Columbia. Tourist traffic is very light compared to summer. However, some of the campgrounds (provincial park, and National Park) cease operation after the Labour Day weekend. Sometimes the provincial park campgrounds will be open, with no services, but are usually gated. You should be aware though that during this season (after Sept. 10 hunting season's opening day) in the East Kootenay's the forestry camping and forest roads can be as busy as summer. Not only do you have to contend with forestry operations, but it is hunting season. Last September we were camped in a favorite Forest Recreation site on a fishing trip and sitting in our chairs by the river when we observed a bull moose step out of the forest and cross the river. Quite a sight, but as he disappeared into the forest on the other side, we thought "Oh no, there were two hunter camps over there". Sure enough five minutes later, two shots, and our wildlife thrill was ruined. We also find that they tend to sight in their rifles while in camp too, so sometimes we wonder if they even think about whether anyone is in the area. In the East Kootenays, most good boondocking sites are occupied by Sept. 5-9 in anticipation of opening day. The national parks however, quiet down considerably after Labour Day. We find it is a good time to visit Banff and Jasper, and no hunters. I also recommend two good book series for forestry roads and camping. The Backroad Map Book series is good, though sometimes inaccuate, as roads do get deactivated. Also two books called "Camp Free in B. C."
sue.t wrote: The Backroads Mapbooks have a Backroad GPS Maps series that I highly recommend. Compatible with Garmin GPS units only.
Not quite, Sue. I have the Backroads Mapbook on DVD. Best $50 I've ever spent. It comes with multiple versions of the area of interest, in my case Vancouver Island. And It covers the same as the mapbooks themselves do. Of the different formats on the DVD, one format is for Google Earth, and it works as a Places link. You can set the transparency of the maps too (I have mine at full strength as I'm not interested in the sat images when using the mapbooks). And since Google Earth can take a GPS input, you can plot yourself directly on the map itself. Or, in my case, I have a program running in the background that plots my position, breadcrumb trail (variable length), and next waypoint into a KML file that Google Earth updates every 15 seconds, right on top of the map. Works like a charm!
The Backroads Mapbooks have a Backroad GPS Maps series that I highly recommend. Compatible with Garmin GPS units only.
Very good GPS maps, with much info & detail for backroad camping, fishing, hiking, etc. Far superior to using the book series only; especially if you like getting off the main roads. The book maps just aren't accurate enough due to their scale. All of the info in the books is included with the GPS mapping.
Note I don't trust their routing, which has too many anomolies. Best used in a handheld trail GPS such as the Garmin eTrex Vista or Legend. Far better than the alternative GPS mapping, which is TopoCanada; VERY out-of-date. Some features in TopoCanada disappeared decades ago but still show as POIs.
sue t.
Pictures from our manyRV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
Travelling with either the 25' fifth wheel or the 8' truck camper.
JImbob, great tip about the hunters -- that did not occur to me. And I should have clarified that my GPS, a Garmin etrex 20, is just a handheld topo map, not like a Nuvi -- I never use it for roads --mostly for hiking and mountain biking.
Another GPS option - Spot. This a GPS unit (system actually) that can report your position to friends, family, or even the world. Considering that many parts of BC don't have cell phone reception, that could be reassuring.
Online
Offline
