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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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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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Why Paid Campgrounds Are Worth It for Car Camping
I do not look at paid campgrounds only as places to sleep. Sometimes I am paying for infrastructure. After enough time dispersed camping, traveling or living from a small vehicle, a developed campground can give me access to several things I need at the same time. That can make the campsite worth considerably more…
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Deciding How Long to Stay at a Campsite
The right length of stay depends on what you need from the campsite. One night may give you enough time to rest before continuing along a route. Another location may support your water, power, work and daily routines well enough for a week-long stay. Legal limits are important, but they only establish the maximum.…