4Runner Nomad

  • Rest Area Overnight Info & Rules by State

    Rest Area Overnight Info & Rules by State

    When planning an overnight stay at a rest area, it’s important to understand both the rules and the realities of the road. Most states allow some form of rest period, but outdoor setups like tents, tables, and slide-outs are almost always prohibited. These are rest stops, not campgrounds. Equally important is being prepared for…

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  • Dignity Monument: A Cultural Tribute

    Dignity Monument: A Cultural Tribute

    Interstate 90 runs past some of South Dakota’s best-known attractions. Near Chamberlain, it also passes a monument that is easy to visit but deserves more time than a quick photo or video at the rest area. Dignity of Earth and Sky stands on a bluff above the Missouri River at the Chamberlain Welcome Center.…

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  • The Reality of Full-Time Car Camping: More Than Just Adventure

    The Reality of Full-Time Car Camping: More Than Just Adventure

    The photos people see of full-time car camping are usually taken after the work is finished. By the time I am sitting beside the 4Runner with a mountain behind me, I have already found a place to camp, filled the gas tank, checked the weather and made sure I have enough water. The laundry…

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  • How to Evaluate a Campsite for Your Needs

    How to Evaluate a Campsite for Your Needs

    A campsite can look perfect in a photo and still be a terrible fit for the night I need to spend there. Scenery is only one part of how I evaluate a location. When your vehicle is also your living space, the campsite has to support more than recreation. It may also need to…

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