Tips for Overnight Camping in Van (Softcore Van Camping)

In 2018, I took the step into light van camping.  So, I googled the phrase “Softcore Van Camping” and what did I find?  A bunch of P*0*R*N.  Yeah, I guess they were doin’ it in a van (I didn’t watch – it’s just a guess!  I swear!!).  Funny enough, if I googled “Hardcore Van Camping”, there were loads of posts about people who live full time in a van, decked it all out, and usually have their own youtube channel.  Well folks, hardcore van camping is not for me, so I decided to coin the phrase “Softcore Van Camping”.  Softcore van camping is van camping part time, primarily for touring purposes, and with some creature comforts.  It’s not saving every penny by staying on BLM land and pooping in a hole I dug myself.  So, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the ABCs and 123s of Softcore Van Camping… Tips for Overnight Camping in Van, and maybe we can get the google page one to have a little more innocent content 😊

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Equipping Your Van

I am not handy at all, but it’s important to be comfortable as sometimes I will camp in the van for a week or more.  So, I recommend purchasing a comfortable mattress (a real one, not an inflatable), and setting the mattress on a platform off the floor will allow you to store stuff underneath and be more comfortable for sitting.  I designed and had my brother help me assemble a bed consisting of a sheet of plywood (Home Depot cut it to my 30 x 75 inch specifications), a 4×4, and three 2x4s to build a strength frame.  Then I bought this incredibly comfortable “narrow twin” memory foam mattress.  This is such a comfortable set up – for me the most important thing to be comfortable camping in a van.

Toilets

Some people have a toilet bucket with wood chips or kitty litter and freshener as a toilet, but with my small van, I just don’t want to take up this kind of space and be transporting human waste (yuck!)  This definitely falls into the definition of hardcore van camping.  On my camping, I will go a little out of my way, or even pay a little, to have the comfort of a real toilet – be it a flush toilet or pit toilet.  I do have a receptacle for emergencies, but I haven’t had to use it (yet).  I’m totally happy to pull off the side of the road if I have to, which was common on my trips to Ethiopia and Tibet.

Showers

A hardcore van camper will take baths in lakes and rivers.  Maybe they will have a $10 membership to Planet Fitness to use the showers there.  Or they have an inexpensive solar camp shower.  I had a more relaxing plan for my softcore van camping – purchasing a pass to a lovely local pool or a hot spring every two or three days.  This gave me a chance to have a shower, relax in a pool, then another shower and shampoo before setting off again.  My favorite was finding a lovely free campsite on a reservoir but going for a nice soak at Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs.  I was so relaxed and headed to the lake to watch the sunset and get a good sleep after the hot soak.

ABC = Always Be Charging

I promised you the 123s and ABCs of Softcore van camping, so I present to you the ABC = Always Be Charging.  It was a constant battle to keep my laptop, camera batteries, and phone charged.  Any chance you have to get power, do it.  I especially liked charging my camera battery in a wall socket while watching the films at the National Parks and Monuments, like Crater Lake.  I often charged my laptop at McDonalds (see my tip below).  If I start camping long term, I might buy this solar panel + lithium battery that can be charged by solar or regular plug in.

Staying Connected

Hardcore van campers spend loads on tech gear, solar generators, etc, but I’m not technically inclined.  But, I want to stay connected.  So, I find a library or café with wi-fi when needed.  The $1 any size coffee or soda at McDonalds is one of my favorite stops – enjoy a beverage, charge all my batteries, and use the free wi-fi

Finding a place to Camp

Some campgrounds are nearly as expensive as a hotel.  If traveling with a family or a big rig that needs hook-ups, this may be reasonable but for someone in a mini-van and need for little more than a pit toilet, I usually look for a free campground or a national site with a low fee.  I found some really great free campgrounds, including the one listed above near the hot springs or the free Sage Creek campground at Badlands National Park.  I found a secret free campsite less than a mile from Mount Rushmore, and had some amazing sunrises and sunsets while parked near fishing lakes in North and South Dakota.  If you’re daring enough, you might even try overnight camping at Walmart.

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   Eating

Food in a can was is my friend.  If I get access to a kitchen, like at a hostel, I will boil a dozen eggs to last a few days.  I round this out with protein bars, raw vegetables, fruit, and flax seeds.  Not an exciting diet but healthy.  Every once in awhile I will splurge for a restaurant meal.  I think eventually I will purchase a cheap propane stove for cooking.

Splurge for a hotel when you need to

My final tips for overnight camping in van – After camping in freezing temps or rain or extreme heat, don’t feel bad if you need to stay a night in a cozy motel room with heat or A/C, wifi and cable.  It happens to any Softcore Van Camper!

Stay Organized

One of my top tips for van camping is to keep everything in the same place. It’s so frustrating to have to worry that you’ve lost something or spend minutes or hours searching for misplaced items. One time I couldn’t find my wallet… I searched for half an hour with no luck. I sped back to the restaurant I had visited the night before but on the drive, I remembered one spot I hadn’t checked – a pocket in my backpack that’s rarely used. Well, it was there but I probably had a few new grey hairs. I try to keep all my kitchen stuff in one place, and all my toiletries, etc.

Stay Safe

While van camping is generally safe, you can’t always stop the bad things from happening. Check out this post on solo van camping safety – this post has tips for solo or non-solo campers alike.

Check Out Some of My Favorite Van Camping Trips and Destinations:

John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon

Driving all the way across Montana on Highway 2

Camping by the Salton Sea in California

What do you think of these tips for overnight camping in van?  Have you tried van camping?  Do you want to?  Leave your comments below!

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