Articles

Get Off the Grid!

By Garrett Finney \

Get Off the Grid!

TAXA’s habitats were designed to be used anywhere at all but especially off the grid. What does that mean you ask?

On Grid…

… means your Habitat is attached to someone else’s infrastructure – the big three are electrical power, potable water and waste water handling (black water and gray water). Some might include a hardwired internet connection and phone service as well. The ‘someone else’ I refer to may be at your own house or parked in a friend’s driveway; at almost all private campgrounds and some State Parks. Some of the benefits of being on grid are unlimited water supply (usually with an unlimited hot shower close by), unlimited power supply (for that AC!), and the ability to fill and empty water tanks before heading off to a more remote site!

Check the descriptions online or in guidebooks for words like “full” or “partial” hookups!

Full hookups = electrical supply, potable water and waste water drainage

Partial hookups = electrical supply and potable water.

Partial Grid…

… means your Habitat needs to be slightly more self-sufficient relative to one or more of the big three. Many private campgrounds have sites with partial hookups or full hookups. You pay a less for the partial hookups and also this guarantees you are further away from the big rigs that require full hookups (and block the view). Almost all partial hookup sites have power and potable water at each campsite. You can recharge all your batteries. You can run an AC. You can use all the water you want (but you need to be aware you may be filling your grey water tank!). All partial hookup sites have dump stations where you can empty the gray water tanks and empty your portable toilet.

Off Grid…

… means your habitat is self sufficient. It means you have to plan on how you get all the electrical, water, and waste supply you need (your Habitat is pre-planned for your planning!). If you are somewhere for just a night or two this takes very little planning. If you are gone for longer than that, it takes a bit more forethought.

There are many many organized campgrounds and camping areas that are off grid. These range from State and National Park campgrounds, ‘dispersed’ or ‘distributed’ camping areas, campsites to be found on services like Hipcamp or Dyrt, and true wilderness. Some of these are ‘organized’ – meaning they have designated campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and usually there is a pit toilet nearby. Almost all campgrounds in State and National Parks will have some source of potable water close by. They may require reservations (or be first come first served and require waking up early in the morning). They may be quite rough and remote, but TAXA habitats are built to take your further down that dirt road!

Don’t forget to practice Leave No Trace principles while adventuring!

Off Grid with Woolly Bear in Canyonlands National Park, UT.
Off Grid with Woolly Bear in Canyonlands National Park, UT.