One of the best things in life, I find, is getting outdoors. Seeing and surrounding yourself with nature. It’s uplifting, energizing, and extremely peaceful. People are generally happier in nature and actively seek out the cottage lifestyle to get away from the busy buzz of the bright city lights.

Being surrounded by lakes, mountains, trees, wherever you are, I always feel the need to leave everything as it is while I spend my time outdoors. As traveling is such a passion, what better way to travel through nature than by unplugging and going completely off-grid? There are no distractions, you can soak in the stars and learn to truly appreciate your surroundings.

So, what are some tips and tricks to going Off the Grid, Boondocking, Off the Cord, Dry Camping, or a favorite of mine, Wild Camping (because camping in the wild… fun!)?

How to Take Yourself Off-Grid?

Electricity
Although it would be ideal to not have to use electricity at all, working from the road is often a reality, as are many of the niceties that come in an RV. I’ve found that solar is the best bet for generating electricity. Solar panels aren’t too finicky anymore and for those just starting out, there is a range of portable ones that will suit just fine. Also, switching to LED lights and energy-efficient appliances is a big help on the electricity drain.

Water
Drinking-Water: Clean drinking water is the most important necessity to have while traveling. Investing in a purifier can be a game-changer and provide easy access to clean water if you are uncertain about the quality.

Showering and Faucets: Switching to low flow faucets and using aerators are a big water saver. If you’re looking for something other than a cold shower, take a look at the variety of solar showers available and soak up some warmth at the same time!

Greywater: Greywater can fill up faster then you’re prepared for. Make sure to switch to biodegradable soaps and cleaners for everything you use. This makes reusing the water to water your plants or keep the dust down around the campsite easy as pie – just use a watering can. Remember that dumping your greywater and leaving a giant puddle behind is illegal, so reusing the water or investing in an evaporation pond is the way to go.

Blackwater: Dealing with blackwater can be a bit of a tough one. Converting your toilet to a composting one can be done and is an excellent option, check out this article on converting your toilet here.

Leave no Trace

By far the most important thing to keep in mind when going off-grid is to remember to leave no trace. That means, picking up and packing out everything that you bring with you. Your campsite should be left as if you weren’t even there. Many parks and wilderness areas are being destroyed by people simply not picking up after themselves. It’s such an easy thing to do and cutting back on trash can be easily accomplished by using reusable containers and eating fresh foods.

Have you tried RV’ing off-grid? If not, what are you waiting for? The best of the outdoors is waiting for you and camping locations are free. What more could you ask for!

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