With camping gaining popularity in recent years, snagging a campsite can be incredibly difficult. This is forcing many to consider a unique camping style: stealth camping.
It can be a controversial camping option for you to consider, but also a great option in a bind. Let’s see if stealth camping is for you!
What Is Stealth Camping?
Stealth camping is a unique style of camping where campers usually camp in unconventional spots for a night. This typically involves motorized RVs and vans that make it easy to slip from the driver’s seat to the bedroom without exiting the vehicle. However, it can be any type of RV where the campers try to camp without being noticed.
Typical stealth camping spots are parking lots, the side of the road, or even truck stops. Stealth campers are looking for places where they won’t be bothering anyone or be bothered themselves.
This results in camping in places that may not have an official stance on whether overnight camping is legal or not. So it can be a gamble whether or not you’ll get a knock on your door in the middle of the night instructing you to move on to another spot.
Why Do People Like to Stealth Camp?
People love stealth camping for a variety of reasons. Some campers simply enjoy the freedom of camping in a new spot or even the challenge of finding a place to stay at the end of the day. However, there’s more to love about stealth camping than you might think.
Some stealth camping locations can provide a tremendous amount of privacy. Depending on where you’re parking for the night, your vehicle may go unnoticed and thus unbothered. Parking on a street or parking lot with limited traffic can provide more privacy than you might have in a crowded campground.
Wherever you’re camping, your safety is always a top priority. You can find some of the best stealth camping locations in safe neighborhoods that have very little crime.
Stealth camping can also be incredibly convenient. Some national parks and other popular locations prohibit overnight camping.
However, some stealth campers have blended in with other cars in crowded parking lots within the parks. This can allow you to get an early start exploring the park or hiking a trail. We don’t encourage breaking park rules, but you can easily find some legal and convenient locations to stealth camp for the night.
What Are the Downsides of Stealth Camping?
While stealth camping can be an adventurous way to camp, there are some downsides that you should consider as well. Finding a safe, private, and convenient camping location isn’t all that easy. Many who regularly enjoy this camping style find it difficult to find a place to stay for the night.
Another downside to stealth camping is that some of the locations can change with or without notice. It seems as of late that more and more communities and businesses are creating restrictions for where people can camp or park overnight.
Is Stealth Camping Illegal?
There’s no hard and fast rule regarding the legality of stealth camping. Cities and other municipalities set their own restrictions regarding when and where people can park.
This is to maintain a safe and appealing environment. This also discourages transient camps.
Some stealth campers will press their luck and camp in locations where they may blend in among other vehicles. Whether you get caught or not, camping in any area where overnight camping is prohibited is illegal.
You may get away with this a time or two, but eventually, you’ll gamble and lose. When that happens, someone could bang on your door and ask you to move. However, the worst-case scenario is that you could receive a fine, turning your free spot into an expensive campsite.
Where Are the Best Places to Stealth Camp?
When it comes to some of the best places to stealth camp, you want a place with plenty of light, easy access, and low noise. Some of the best places for stealth camping include big-box retailer parking lots, city streets, or even hotel parking lots.
Popular stealth camping locations include Walmart, Cabelas, and Cracker Barrel parking lots. Some experienced stealth campers have had great success with 24-hour businesses, street parking, and even bars or breweries. The more you can avoid attracting attention, the more likely you will have a successful stealth camping trip.
Tips for Stealth Camping
We want you to have a great stealth camping experience. So we’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind before setting off on your adventure. Let’s get started!
Find the Right Location
It may take a bit of effort to scout out the right spot. However, your safety and comfort are worth it. It seems the more you can practice stealth camping, the easier it becomes. You’ll learn the things to look for and the types of environments to avoid.
You want a place with plenty of light, other cars to help you blend in, and preferably where you don’t see any signs warning against overnight camping bans. Keep your stays as short as possible and keep moving to avoid overstaying your welcome or pushing your luck.
Keep It Quiet
You want to attract as little attention to yourself as possible. You don’t want to test out your vehicle’s stereo system while streaming your favorite action movie. You’re less likely to have issues if you avoid attracting attention. Many locations are likely to turn a blind eye to stealth camping as long as things are quiet.
Leave No Trace
One of the worst ways to create a scene or draw attention to your stealth camping is to leave trash and other items behind at the end of your stay. This is one of the biggest reasons cities and other authorities create restrictions for overnight camping.
When campers leave trash and other items behind, it creates a less than favorable environment for the community. Businesses have to run and don’t have time to clean up messes that have nothing to do with them. Taking advantage of the generosity of others won’t end well for campers and likely result in less available places to practice stealth camping.
Whether you’re looking to stealth camp while on a cross-country road trip or as a part of your full-time travel adventures, it can be a great camping option. Make sure you put in the effort to scout out a quality spot, and you’ll get a good night’s rest.
However, if you think you can just park anywhere and be fine, you’re going to have a disappointing night of sleep.
Do you think stealth camping is a good option for you?
If You Want the Latest Travel News, Join Our Mailing List
Don’t rely on biased RV industry news sources to keep you informed. Stick with Nomadic News. We publish articles and breaking stories that matter to you every weekday.
