There are not many places to boondock for free in the greater Boise, Idaho area. In fact, I couldn’t find any that offered free boondocking, relative safety and quiet, and usable Verizon 4G coverage. But I did find this place.
Located in Meridian, along a dead end street (corner of N. Vicenza Way & W. Milano Dr), behind a Walmart, is a place where very few people go, and where no one seems to care about you staying there. We stayed here for 7 nights and was never approached by parking or law enforcement. In fact, there were a few tucks that parked overnight here too.
This place is in the middle of a suburb, in a predominantly Mormon neighborhood.
During the day, there were occasional cars that drove down Vicenza Way but paid no attention to us.
In fact, we often rolled out our awning and left our doors and windows open, and still no one bothered us. Eventually, I unhooked the trailer so that we could drive our pickup truck around town to make appointments and go out dining. Again, no one seemed to care about our trailer being there for a full week. We often ran our generator to keep the air conditioner running.
The Walmart being within walking distance made it really convenient to get supplies. In fact, their shopping carts don’t lock when you push them outside of their parking lot. As a result, we could fill up a cart with supplies, push it out to our trailer, and then return the cart.
Verizon 4G came in excellent (5/5 bars).
If parking here, I recommend parking on the east side of the Vicenza Way, so that you don’t block access to the dirt road. There are about 1 to 2 cars a day that attempt using this dirt road. Make sure you only park at the very end of Vicenza Way, right up again the dead end barrier. The rest of Vicenza Way has a bike lane and it’s illegal to block that lane.
The only nearby sewer dump station is at the Meridian Waste Water Plant, located along Ten Mile Rd, about a half-mile away. They actually have set aside a dump just for RV use, however they do not offer potable water.
Looks like you guys are learning the ropes quickly. Where are you aimed from there? I’ll be leaving this Mesa Verde country Monday, bound for Dutch John area at Flaming Gorge… there’s a meadow just west of there that makes a good camp… and Far Country to fill my soul.
Brian, we’re currently in the Sawtooth National Forest in central Idaho, but leaving this Wednesday for northern Utah, and and then Grand Junction area after. Then it will be Denver, Cheyenne, and Rapid City. Not exactly sure on the timeline. Would love to hook up with you.
I’ll be to flaming gorge west of Dutch John for a week or better late the day after tomorrow. Maybe along your track.
You forgot to mention the FREE RV dump 1 mile South on 10 Mile Rd at the wastewater treatment plant. As dumps go, it’s a really good, clean, well maintained facility.
I arrived in Boise in early July. So far I find it pretty easy here as long as you keep moving. The Cracker barrel has RV parking slots and allows overnight. Just next door is McGraths Fish house with excellent WiFi reception in the rear lot. Some shade trees there. I’ve spent days between there, Costco’s and the Walmart just around the corner. Walmart, Cracker barrel by night. The other places by day. I’m in a 14 ft Cargo trailer I converted into a camper so I’m equipt. I tow it with a Ford Expedition. If I need to drop the trailer to scout or whatever. I go to Lowes, but just about any lot is doable for an afternoon. Out of the Walmarts around the Two on Overland are ok for the night. The one Steve as talking about is next door to Lowes. Then I go out to the one North of there for a night and so on. The Walmart on State rd. has a great parking lot in the rear of the building w/ trees a wall so actually pretty private but for the few locals who use it as an entrance. I just use it in the day…I already did the lower 48. Sawtooth included. So I’m in no rush to leave Boise. I came back to Idaho because I favor it over all the NW and Western states and could easily locate here.