Written by BRITANY ROBINSON
Responsible van camping:
what you
need to know before hitting the road
Dusk time lapse of Champs-Élysées and its surroundings in Paris, France.
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
The secluded image of van camping has inspired waves of people to embrace “van life.” Some are moving into vans full-time, others are renting them for a road trip.
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
Every responsible camper should know and understand how to “leave no trace.” But when it comes to responsible van camping, there are some additional details to help you roam respectfully.
young couple sitting ontop of camper viewing landscape
100% GREE ENERGY
Educate yourself on the places where you’re camping
Mountain road trip aerial view
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
If you’re trying to escape the crowds, you might find yourself camping where there are no posted rules, no park rangers, and no one to explain the local ecosystem.
parked camper van
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
Visit the nearest ranger station, visitor center or public park where rangers can answer questions about wildlife, the local ecosystem, any necessary permits and the best places to park.
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
Read up on the nature of the place you’re visiting. You should know what type of wildlife might be present and the vulnerabilities of the area.
100% GREE ENERGY
Bring a paper map — you can pick them up at the local ranger station or nearby shops.
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
Hard-copy maps will give you an overview of where you are and where you’re headed, even when there isn’t cell service or your GPS runs out of power.
woman traveler lloking at map for directions
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
That way, you can stick to your route, camp on durable surfaces, and minimize your impact on the place you’re traveling through.
WHO OWNS THE SUBWAY?
When camping, try to park where someone has camped before, rather than create a new site.
Dusk time lapse of Champs-Élysées and its surroundings in Paris, France.