Cities

I'm checking them out
I got it figured out
———cities, talking heads

When we were doing our vanlife research, we found a lot of lifestyle vlogs about finding the best beach sites or boondocking in nature, but not many “how to stealth camp next to your favorite music venue” vlogs. This quick blog won’t replace a vlog on the topic (coming soon!), but we wanted to share how Peaches was the PERFECT stealth city vehicle.

We posted a request for YOUR questions about stealth city camping in an RV and thought we would answer them here:

What is stealth camping?

Stealth camping refers to camping in a remote or otherwise undetected location. Essentially, it's camping anywhere not explicitly designated for overnight camping.

An RV is big, right? How did you hide yourself in plain sight?

Our camper is 19 feet long and as wide as a UPS truck, delivery van, or U-Haul. This means it fits in most oversized parking spots, and based on its size, we didn’t look out of place alongside a row of parked cars. Our exterior is a dark blue, making us look like an unassuming delivery truck. The factory windows and window coverings block out most light, and while in the city, we keep the lights low to stay stealth. Less light = fewer eyeballs.

How did you go to the bathroom while stealth camping?

Unlike some of our vanlife friends, we have a fully contained wet bath, so we can use the toilet anytime without leaving the vehicle.

Why would you stealth camp instead of parking at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel?

Great question! Many folks opt for something more straightforward and like parking with other RVs. We prefer city parking when we want to experience a city up close. For example, if we’re attending a concert, we like to be close to the venue to minimize travel time and the time our dog is left alone in the RV. Or maybe there’s a restaurant we’re excited to try, and we’d like to have a few drinks. In that case, we park within walking distance of the restaurant or wine bar. Sometimes we visit friends in urban areas where hotels are ridiculously expensive, so we find street parking and stay for the cost of parking instead of spending $$$$ on a hotel.

What kinds of places did you find were best for city stealth camping?

There are a few ways to find great street parking. You can always check iOverlander to see what fellow travelers suggest, or park near other delivery vehicles in suitable areas. Scope out parking during the day and check for overnight parking rules. We had great experiences in 24-hour parking areas in Charleston along the water, in Washington, D.C. suburbs, in Marfa near delivery truck lanes, and at breweries and music venues with large parking areas. Always check in with the venue first. Friends of ours swear by airport parking lots for longer stays, as they often offer secure parking with reliable transit into the city. In Nashville, we parked near a corner lot with no driveways to block and used Uber to get to the music venues we visited that night. Easy peasy! Harvest Hosts is another great option for collaborative parking (see notes below).

My town doesn’t allow overnight camping on the street or at most businesses. How do you know where things are GTG (good to go)?

Honestly, if that’s the case, we would rule out parking in your town and move on. We tend to spend money locally and stay close to our camper. If the town isn’t traveler-friendly, we move on. Big cities, however, are often super welcoming to tourists. Sometimes talking to a hotel will lead to secure, walkable parking for the night (for a small fee, like $25). Parking on side streets, avoiding spots directly in front of homes, and being respectful can usually lead to a safe overnight stay.

A word on Harvest Hosts:

Not everyone wants to pay for a service or app for parking ideas and options, but we’re in a position where we can afford a membership. We typically stay with a Harvest Host when we’ve been boondocking or stealth camping for a while, so we don’t mind investing in the business we’re parked at. Some of our favorite Harvest Host experiences have been at farms and distilleries, but one of the most memorable was in Morgan City, where we stayed near an offshore oil rig docked partially on land. We were able to tour the rig for a small donation—definitely worth it! Here’s a video of another vanlifer who also enjoyed it: CLICK HERE.