5 Reasons Why Camping in a Van Is Just the Best
You can live in a van down by the river, and so much more.
Want to go camping but don't want to get wet, freeze to death, or be eaten by a bear or other large predator? If you said "yes" to one or all of the above and don't have room in your driveway for a travel trailer or a bus-sized RV, then camping in a van is definitely for you. Reasonably sized, (relatively) affordable, and definitelynottents, camper vans are roaring into fashion as go-to accessories for adventure seekers. (Cheap options exist, or feel free to spend judiciously for an fully kitted off-road camper that can take you anywhere—either way, we can help you pick!) To show you why, we've rounded up our favorite reasons to go camping in a van, "roughing it" while still on four wheels.
1. The World is Your Campground
Let's face it: A tent is acceptable if you're holed up at a designated campsite or hiking through a forest, but what if you're simply passing through town in the middle of an epic road trip? Chances are the local constabulary would take issue with you pitching a tent in the middle of the sidewalk, or even in a city park. And besides, remember all that stuff we said about moisture, temperature extremes, and bears?
Stop your camper van on a side street for a night, though, and you're not likely to raise an eyebrow. The same goes for locations like highway rest stops, a friend's driveway, or even the parking lot at Walmart, which actually offers additional services for campers seeking a safe place to sleep at certain stores. A van is far less attention-grabbing than a big-and-tall RV, not to mention much easier to park. This makes van camping one of the most versatile options for mobile accommodations, whether you're camping or on a long-haul road trip.
2. You're Safe From Wildlife and Weather
We were only half-joking about bears, although keeping food and trash away from wildlife is the responsibility of any camper. Still, having an enclosed space like a van to smother the smell of delicious, delicious garbage means you don't necessarily have to rig anything up in a tree. Nor will you worry about being dragged off into the night by anything ursine intrigued by that half-eaten power bar in your pocket.
Grim endings aside, sleeping in a van also guarantees you won't be swept away by any flash storms that happen to open up the heavens above your campsite. Nothing is worse than hiking in soaked socks the next morning, or waking up to discover that your sleeping bag now doubles as a wet noodle. A roof over your head guarantees better protection from the elements than any tent can provide.
