{"id":13842,"date":"2019-06-01T19:28:05","date_gmt":"2019-06-02T02:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/?p=13842"},"modified":"2025-03-28T03:34:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T10:34:40","slug":"the-best-places-to-take-your-campervan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/buzz\/the-best-places-to-take-your-campervan\/","title":{"rendered":"The best places to take your campervan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Van Life destination awaits<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your bags are packed, you\u2019ve got your campervan all gassed up, you even have a 12-hour road trip playlist ready to go. The only thing left is picking a destination. But where do you go when you can technically go anywhere?<\/span><\/p>\n

The list of possible destinations is endless. A quick scroll through social media and you\u2019re as likely to find a photo of #vanlifers<\/a> enjoying the sunrise in France as you would of Van Lifers living it up in Australia\u2019s outback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With so many Van Life options to choose from, how do you decide where to go first?<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital tools for Van Lifers<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you already have a destination in mind, great! Or if you\u2019re still not sure where to go, that\u2019s great too! Either way, there are tools available to help you navigate, even if it\u2019s just pointing you to the next gas station.<\/span><\/p>\n

With everything going digital, it\u2019s not surprising that something as off-grid as the Van Life movement would have its own set of apps to help you find legal places to park your van, things to do, and even where to find WiFi (an important one, if you\u2019re working remotely from the road).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A great example of a quality Van Life app is<\/span> iOverlander<\/span><\/a>. From helping you find nearby restaurants and mechanics to compiling reviews on hostels and campgrounds from other Van Lifers, the app is a one-stop-shop for Van Lifers. This app has also become a way for Van Lifers to share their knowledge, tips, and tricks about living on the road. So if you\u2019re starting to zero in on your destination or chart your route, make sure to check out the app and see how it can help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The best places to park your campervan<\/span><\/h3>\n

At some point, you\u2019ll want to park to rest your weary, wanderlusting bones. Depending on your campervan, you might need to look for specific amenities like an electricity hookup or a place where you can access restrooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from the apps, take advantage of the active online Van Life community. There are tons of Facebook groups, blog posts, and even specialized groups like the<\/span> Britstops in the UK<\/span> dedicated to helping others live the Van Life.<\/span><\/p>\n

VISIT NATIONAL & STATE PARKS<\/span><\/h4>\n

National parks and state parks are probably one of the best destinations for campervans. Most have campsites located within the parks allowing<\/span> campervans and RVs<\/span><\/a>. Just make sure to check to see if there are any size restrictions on vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the Grand Canyon is on the top of your national parks bucket list, you\u2019re in luck. There are several campsites available, some with showers, running water, and RV hookups.<\/span> However, <\/span>like most national parks, reservations are usually needed.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re in an adventurous mood and you want to \u201crough it\u201d a bit, you may want to consider doing a bit of dispersed camping, which is<\/span> \u201ccamping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground<\/span><\/a>.\u201d These camping spots offer no amenities, except for the occasional fire pit. Keep in mind, however, if you <\/span>book your van on Turo<\/span>, you\u2019ll need to stick to paved roads and avoid offroading to keep with the Turo terms of service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More free parking options<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some call it boondocking, while others refer to it as independent parking or dry camping. Whatever name you use, it’s camping for free, with limited access to amenities, similar to dispersed camping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry camping or boondocking comes with some basic etiquette to observe:<\/span><\/p>\n