Overnight Camping

The Van Life
E OVERNIGHT CAMPING GUIDE
Guide
THE VAN LIFE OVERNIGHT CAMPING GUIDE
Welcome!
Welcome!
Are you currently living in a van or in a car but have no idea where to park?
Are you currently
Maybe living inabout
you’re worried a vanthat
or indreaded
a car butknock,
have no ideafeeling
or not where safe
to park?
whenMaybe
you
you’re
shut worried about that dreaded knock, or not feeling safe when you shut your eyes.
your eyes.
I totally
I totally getget
it. it.
When I first started living in a Prius in 2015 with my partner Tom, where to park
When I first started
and sleep for the living
night in a Prius
was in 2015
always a topwith my partner
concern. WouldTom,
we gowhere
to a to park and
campground
sleep
and for
paythethenight wasfee?
nightly always a top concern.
Or would Would
we stealth camp weongocity
to astreets?
campground
Whatand pay
about
the nightly
that fee? Or
beautiful restwould
stop we
thatstealth campthe
overlooks on Golden
city streets?
Gate What
Bridgeabout that
in San beautiful rest
Francisco?
stop that overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?
Every night, we asked ourselves the exact same question:
Every
Wherenight,
canwe
weasked
parkourselves
and sleepthe exact same question: Where can we park
safely?
and sleep safely?
In this guide, I’ll give you my best tips and tricks for finding safe places to park,
In both free and
this guide, paid.you
I’ll give In cities andtips
my best outand
of cities.
tricks for finding safe places to park, both free
and paid.this
I hope In cities
helpsand
youout of easier
rest cities. when sleeping in a vehicle. We know just how
nerve-wracking and strange it feels at first. But you’ll get used to it and it will
become second nature. You might even grow to love it, as we have. Someday, you
might even prefer it to sleeping in a house.
w w w. t h ew a y w a rd h o m e. c o m
THEeasier
I hope this helps you rest VAN LIFE
whenOVERNIGHT
sleeping inCAMPING
a vehicle.GUIDE
We know just how
nerve-wracking and strange it feels at first. But you’ll get used to it and it will become
Hi, I’m Kristin, founder of

second nature. You might even grow to love it, as we have. Someday, you might even
prefer it to sleeping in a house.
The Wayward Home!

Hi, I’m Kristin, founder of The Wayward Home!
Since 2015, I’ve lived in a Toyota Prius, Chevy Astro van, on a CT-41 ketch-rigged
Since 2015,
sailboat andI’ve
nowlived in aa Toyota
have Prius, Chevy
new Sprinter van. I Astro van, split
currently on a my
CT-41 ketch-rigged
time between the
sailboat and now have a new Sprinter van.
sailboat in Mexico and the van in the U.S. I currently split my time between the sailboat
in Mexico and the van in the U.S.
I started The Wayward Home as a place for you to learn about nomad life and to
bring fellow
I started The adventurers
Wayward Home together. When
as a place forIyou
lived
to in the about
learn Prius,nomad
I didn’tlifeeven
andknow
to bring
“van
fellowlife” was a thing
adventurers and often
together. When felt quite
I lived alone.
in the Prius,I hope you
I didn’t findknow
even community
“van life”and
was a
athing
newand often feltdream
American quite alone. I hope
with the you find
readers community
of The Wayward and a newAlso,
Home. American dream
feel free to
with the readers of The Wayward
join our Facebook community group here! Home. Also, feel free to join our Facebook community
group here!
My goal is to answer any questions you might have when it comes to nomadic
living. Remote work, internet & wifi options, boondocking tips and tricks and
choosing the right rig. If you have any questions, I’m just a short email away -
over at kristin@thewaywardhome.com. If it takes me a long time to respond, it
means I’m off-grid somewhere.
I look forward to e-meeting you and hope to inspire you to have some adventures
of your own!
What We Do:
Over the past 5-6 years, we’ve tried almost every type of camping there is. We’ve
stayed in campgrounds, stealth camped on city streets and boondocked in wild
and beautiful places.
At first, since we were living in the San Francisco Bay area, we mostly stealth
Overcamped,
the pastwhich meanswe’ve
5-6 years, camping
triedinalmost
placesevery
wheretype
you’re not necessarily
of camping supposed
there is. We’ve
to be. We slept on the street, in marina parking lots, in our storage unit
stayed in campgrounds, stealth camped on city streets and boondocked in wild and parking
lot, and
beautiful even at my work parking lot, back when I had a job as a journalist at KGO
places.
radio.
At first,
But since
now thatwe we’ve
were living
become in the San Francisco
nomadic, we preferBay area, we mostly
boondocking stealth
on federal landcamped,
and
which means
staying in camping in places
campgrounds where in
to sleeping you’re not
cities. necessarily
Cities are just supposed
a means totoanbe. We slept
end,
on the
andstreet, in marina
sometimes parkingiflots,
a necessity in our
you’re storage
going to workunitorparking
school. lot,
Whenandoneven
roadattrips,
my work
parking lot, back
we stop when
at rest I had
stops, trucka job as a
stops, journalistcampgrounds
WalMarts, at KGO radio.or go boondocking if
it’s convenient and near the highway.
But now that we’ve become nomadic, we prefer boondocking on federal land and
Our favorite apps are iOverlander and The Dyrt. iOverlander because it helps
staying in campgrounds to sleeping in cities. Cities are just a means to an end, and
us find boondocking spots. The Dyrt is great for finding nearby campgrounds,
sometimes a necessity if you’re going to work or school. When on road trips, we stop at
reading reviews, and sorting by amenities. Free Roam is another popular app to
rest stops, truck stops, WalMarts, campgrounds or go boondocking if it’s convenient and
find boondocking sites, but we haven’t used it extensively.
near the highway.
Usually, I love boondocking for awhile, until I feel too dirty, we run out of water or
the van gets dusty and grimy. Then, I love springing for a campsite where I can
park on the pavement, take a hot shower and use a huge picnic table for cooking.
Variety is the spice of life, and thus for van life as well.
Over time, you’ll also develop your signature camping style. Maybe you’ll
boondock only, or maybe you’ll learn to love campgrounds. Or maybe you’ll mix it
up, like I do. Here’s to exciting, beautiful and relaxing camping ahead!
Free, Legal Places

Free, Legal Places to Sleep in a Car
to Sleep in a Car
If stealth camping or sleeping on city streets makes you nervous, don’t worry!
If stealth camping or sleeping on city streets makes you nervous, don’t worry! There are
There are plenty of free, legal and safe places to park and sleep.
plenty of free, legal and safe places to park and sleep.
TruckStops
Truck Stops
Truck drivers often park their rigs in parking lots to sleep overnight when they
Truck drivers often park their rigs in parking lots to sleep overnight when they work long
work long hours. It’s an easy and safe place to find spots near the highway
hours. It’s an easy and safe place to find spots near the highway with security guards.
with security guards. We’ve stayed at many truck stops, but prefer the larger
We’ve stayed at many truck stops, but prefer the larger companies, like Flying J or Pilot.
companies, like Flying J or Pilot. We did stay in an independent truck stop in
We did stay in an independent truck stop in Gilroy that was pretty gross and dirty, with
Gilroy that was pretty gross and dirty, with people running generators and their
people running generators and their vehicles at night.
vehicles at night.
Truck
Truckstop
stopparking lots
parking areare
lots also often
also listed
often on websites
listed on websiteslike Rest AreaArea
like Rest Parking or or
Parking
Truckstops
Truckstopsofof
America,
America, and they
and willwill
they usually have
usually a list
have of what
a list trucktruck
of what stopsstops
allow allow
camping
campingovernight.
overnight.
Youcan
You cantake
takea ahot
hotshower
showerat at many
many truck
truck stops.
stops. We We
alsoalso
like like
thatthat
you you can wake
can wake up and
up and grab fresh coffee and use the restroom
grab fresh coffee and use the restroom in the morning.in the morning.
Keep in mind that a lot of semis do run their engines all night for heat or air
conditioning, so be sure to pick a parking spot accordingly.
Rest Areas
There are rest areas all across the country, but laws vary by state on how long
you can stay in a rest stop.
In California, you can stay at a rest stop for up to 8 hours. We had a favorite one
overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge where we’ve spent the night.
In South Dakota you aren’t allowed to spend the night at a rest stop and it’s
considered a petty crime.
Same goes for Minnesota: you are only allowed to spend 4 hours in rest
areas. Still, it’s a good place to get a little shut-eye before moving to your next
destination.
We recommend researching state laws before sleeping in your car overnight at a
rest stop.
Casinos
Some casinos allow you to sleep in your car overnight and even encourage it!
They hope people will come eat, drink and gamble inside the casino.
You can easily find casinos using CasinoCamper.com
Parking Lots at Certain Big Box Stores

Some stores love the business RVers and van lifers bring to the property, so allow
you to park your car and sleep for the night.
We highly recommend you call individual stores first to check their policy on
overnight camping. We have called several WalMarts that do not allow it, per
city ordinance. But we also slept in a flat, dark and very safe-feeling WalMart in
Bozeman, Montana with a bunch of other vans and RVs.
Here are a few places to try:
• Walmart • Sam’s Club
• Cabellas • Camping World
• Cracker Barrell • Bass Pro Shops
Federal Land
Federal land is a great place to find free, safe camping in your vehicle. Much of
the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management allows camping. There
are both free campgrounds and dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is when
you drive down dirt roads and find a pull-out where someone has previously
camped before. Try not to create your own campsite by crushing sensitive
plants. We always look for places where people have parked before, and one key
giveaway is a fire ring.
Sometimes, these federal lands have time limits, like 14-days of free camping.
Make sure you check local rules and regulations. There are many ways to find
free campsites, and here are a few of our favorites:
• iOverlander App (user-curated app that works offline. Campers post photos
and give reviews on particular campsites. You can click and easily navigate
to the campsite using GPS.)
• Motor Vehicle Use Maps (many federal lands have a Motor Vehicle Use
Map you can either download online or pick up a the ranger station. This
gives you a detailed map of forest service roads with icons that show you
where boondocking is allowed)
• Google Maps (When we get to a promising dirt road, we often use Google
Maps satellite view to find pullouts. This has worked very well in the past)
Other people have had great luck using Free Roam and Sekr, but we haven’t tried
those yet as iOverlander is so handy.
Please, please pack out your trash and properly dispose of human waste
following Leave no Trace principles (dig a 6-8” hole. Many boondocking sites are
being shut down due to human carelessness with garbage and waste.
TIP:
If you find a spot you just love, drop a pin on Google Maps and add
it to a List so you can find that spot in the future. We just started
doing this and wish we had been doing it for years!
Campgrounds, Subscriptions
Campgrounds, Subscriptions & Private Property
& Private Property
(Photo: A Harvest Hosts location in Oregon)
(photo: A Harvest Hosts location in Oregon)

While boondocking and camping for free is great, sometimes it’s equally
awesome to grab aand
While boondocking campsite
campingforforthe night.
free Campsites
is great, come
sometimes it’sin a range
equally of styles
awesome to
and types. There are state campgrounds, private campgrounds, RV parks and
grab a campsite for the night. Campsites come in a range of styles and types. There are
national parks, to name
state campgrounds, a few.
private campgrounds, RV parks and national parks, to name a few.
Then, there are services like Harvests Hosts, Boondockers Welcome and
Then, there are services like Harvests Hosts, Boondockers Welcome and Hipcamp.
Hipcamp.
really like
II really like using
using The
The Dyrt
Dyrtto tofind
findcampgrounds
campgroundsnear nearme.me.YouYoucan canfilter
filter by amenities
like showers,
amenities likewater, etc. Sometimes
showers, I’ll use the filter
water, etc. Sometimes I’ll when
use theI feel I really
filter whenneedI feela Ilong, hot
really
shower.
need The Dyrt
a long, Pro lets you
hot shower. Thedownload a giant
Dyrt Pro lets youcampground
download adatabase you can use
giant campground
offline (click
database youhere
canforuse
a FREE
offline90-Day
(click Trial). Thea app
here for FREE is also
90-Daytrying to expand
Trial). The app intois
boondocking
also trying toby giving into
expand you downloadable
boondocking by maps that you
giving show National Forests
downloadable mapsandthat BLM
land, but
show I haven’t
National found and
Forests it to BLM
be asland,
detailedbut as iOverlander.
I haven’t found it to be as detailed as
iOverlander.
Here are some tips on choosing a campground:

• State campgrounds tend to be cheaper than private campgrounds
• The KOA campgrounds we’ve stayed in don’t offer much privacy, but they
are typically fairly clean and well run, and have showers
• RV parks usually feature campsites that are very close together, and might
not accept different types of vehicles. Some don’t accept RVs over 10
years old
• Some private campgrounds can be REALLY run down
• I use a service called CampsitePhotos.com to look at photos of campsites
when I’m choosing a site online
• If it’s too late to book online, try calling the campground and asking about
availability before showing up
AND HERE ARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES AND APPS

TO CAMP ON PRIVATE PROPERTY:
Camping on private property is growing in popularity, and there are several
programs for this.
Harvest Hosts
Harvest Hosts allows van lifers and RVers to camp for free at gorgeous local
businesses, including wineries, breweries, museums, and other fabulous
entertainment and food options. The catch? Visitors do have to purchase
something from each vendor. However, since these places offer so many high-
quality products, campers will likely buy something no matter what.
Get 15% off a Harvest Hosts Membership.
Boondockers Welcome
Boondockers Welcome is an interesting program for self-contained campervans
and RVs. For a one-time yearly fee, a camper gets access to private property
across the United States. This can be driveways or large fields.
Participating homeowners are usually RVers themselves, and love opening their
driveways or fields for RV and van camping. People say they make lifelong friends
by using Boondockers Welcome.
Join Boondockers Welcome
HipCamp
Hipcamp is an online platform that allows people with private property to list it for
camping. You’ll find a huge mix of properties on there, from fancy campgrounds
to boondocking to cabins and yurts. We used Hipcamp recently to boondock on
private property near Palm Desert, California and would definitely used it again.
Search properties on Hipcamp.
Vanly App
Vanly is a really new app and service but I think it shows some promise. The
premise is that you rent someone’s driveway or land for the night. The app is so
new that there aren’t too many options on there yet, but we expect it to grow in
the future. We’ve seen peopel listing properties anywhere between $25-$50 per
night, depending on location and amenities.
See the Vanly app.
Stealth Camping in a City
Stealth Camping in a City
Depending on your life circumstances, sometimes stealth camping in a city is

necessary. We did this for years before we started traveling full-time in 2019.
Depending on your life circumstances, sometimes stealth camping in a city is
Stealth camping can be a little nerve-wracking, as you might get that dreaded
necessary. We did this for years before we started traveling full-time in 2019. Stealth
knock. However,
camping can be awe’ve never gotten kicked
little nerve-wracking, as youout of get
might anywhere, and I knock.
that dreaded think it’s
However,
because we’ve followed stealth camping best practices like arriving late
we’ve never gotten kicked out of anywhere, and I think it’s because we’ve followed and
leavingcamping
stealth early, being
best very quiet,like
practices and not going
arriving outside
late and ourearly,
leaving vehicle in the
being verymiddle of
quiet, and
the going
not night.outside our vehicle in the middle of the night.
If you find yourself needing to stealth camp, here is a list of places to try:
If you find yourself needing to stealth camp, here is a list of places to try:
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods
We’ve felt extra-nervous when overnight camping in neighborhoods, but if
We’ve
you’re felt
flatextra-nervous when
out of options, youovernight camping
can consider this.inBe
neighborhoods,
sure to pick abut if you’re flat out
middle-class
of options, you can consider this. Be sure to pick a middle-class neighborhood that has
neighborhood that has a lot of cars already parked on the street.
a lot of cars already parked on the street.
If you don’t see cars, beware. My sister’s homeowners’ association doesn’t allow
cars to park on some of the streets, so you’ll definitely stand out if you’re stealth
camping.
Again, arrive as late as you can and leave early, preferably before people leave for
work.
Finding Street Parking in an Urban Area

One stealth spot we really enjoyed was in front of our gym in San Francisco. This
was not a residential area, but a business district. At night, all those businesses
closed and the streets were dark.
We liked that our gym was open to 11pm, so we could run in there to brush our
teeth and go to the bathroom before going to sleep for the night. Plus, the added
activity of all the gym-goers meant our vehicle didn’t stand out.
Bars
We’ve heard from some people that you can get away with sleeping in your car
outside a bar. While we’ve never tried this ourselves, it could be worth exploring.
Just don’t drink and then pass out in your car. You could get a ticket!
Marinas
We’ve had a lot of success finding free camping in marinas. Plus, many marinas
have showers that are coin-operated and easy to access. You can find a nice
marina in many coastal cities. We’ve parked in marinas up and down the
West Coast.
This is another scenario where its good to pull in way after dark.
Hotel Parking Lots

It’s easy to blend in when stealth camping in hotel parking lots. While we haven’t
tried this ourselves, other van lifers report success with a stealth camping spot
at hotels. Often, if you pull in late, the staff won’t be walking around making sure
vehicles are legit.
Church Parking Lots

This is another scenario we haven’t tried ourselves, but that I’ve read about in
van life Facebook groups. Some churches even allow “homeless” people to spend
in the night in their church parking lots.
I’d say a good way to do this is to call ahead and find a church that will allow you
to stay there. Or do some Googling about the area first to see if you find find a
safe parking program.
Hospital Parking Structures

Not only does a hospital parking structure provide a safe place to stealth camp,
it’s also dry and somewhat protected from the elements.
Van lifers have given hospital parking lots mixed reviews. Some say security and
cameras are a problem, while others say they’ve enjoyed these parking lots and
have no problems.
Sometimes, you can pay to stay the night in a hospital parking structure, which
isn’t bad for a safe, dry place to sleep.
24-hour restaurants
If you have earplugs and don’t mind the noise of car doors opening and closing, a
24-hour restaurant parking lot is a great place to try stealth camping.
These restaurants are accustomed to all types of vehicles in their parking lots,
and most likely won’t be patrolling.
I saw in one van life group recently where a woman slept at a 24-hour Denny’s
and was just fine! We’ve slept for a few hours at a McDonalds, but haven’t spent
a full night before.
Apartment Buildings with Unassigned Parking

Many van lifers report success with stealth camping at apartment buildings.
Choose a parking complex that has plenty of visitor parking and not all assigned
spots.
Apartments will generally be fairly quiet and peaceful for stealth camping.
Industrial Parks
Industrial parks in a city are a great way to try stealth camping. Try to find a
parking lot that isn’t by any type of restaurant or bar. This works especially well if
you have a cargo van that looks like a work van. You’ll blend in with all the other
industrial vans in the area!
To learn more about stealth camping and camping in cities, check out these two
blog posts:
• Stealth Camping: The Ultimate Guide to Sleeping in a City
• Is it Illegal to Sleep in your Car? Everything You Need to Know
What’s Next?
I’m so happy you’re now part of The Wayward Home Community! Here are a
couple more steps you can take.
Subscribe to The Wayward Home Podcast!

On the podcast, we talk about everything that has to do with nomadic living, from
downsizing and remote work, to sustainability and foraging.
Listen now:
Listen on Listen on
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The Wayward Home Podcast in your app of choice.
Join Our Facebook Community Group!

Our Facebook group is a great way to meet and ask questions of fellow nomads.
We hope you join this community of like-minded people who crave freedom and
adventure over accumulating stuff.
Join The Wayward Home Facebook Group!

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Overnight Camping

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The Van Life

E OVERNIGHT CAMPING GUIDE

Hi, I’m Kristin, founder of

The Wayward Home!

Free, Legal Places

Parking Lots at Certain Big Box Stores

& Private Property

(Photo: A Harvest Hosts location in Oregon)

(photo: A Harvest Hosts location in Oregon)

Here are some tips on choosing a campground:

AND HERE ARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES AND APPS

Stealth Camping in a City

Depending on your life circumstances, sometimes stealth camping in a city is

Finding Street Parking in an Urban Area

Hotel Parking Lots

Church Parking Lots

Hospital Parking Structures

Apartment Buildings with Unassigned Parking

Subscribe to The Wayward Home Podcast!

Join Our Facebook Community Group!

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