The Vanlife community is all connected to one another by our shared lifestyle. So even if we aren’t gathered physically in one place or meeting face to face, we still can share a set of common values. These are the top 5 most important rules of Vanlife that ensure a respectful, happy, and prosperous community.
These rules are essential for fostering a good relationship amongst each other and also with our non-vandwelling friends.
The Vanlife community is somewhat at the mercy of how the general public perceives us. So if we have a bad reputation, then we will encounter more restrictions and hostility from the rest of the world.
And it is important that we work together to be good to each other, and to this earth. We should act in ways that help and support each other.
#1: Leave No Trace
The Leave No Trace principles are the golden rules of backcountry travel and are actually very applicable to Vanlife too. Leave No Trace has many facets, but the general idea is leaving such little impact that nobody could tell you were there. It’s this mentality that ensures everywhere you go is just as pristine, if not better for the next person.
Whether you are at an epic mountain campsite or a Walmart parking lot, don’t leave anything behind. All your trash and personal belongings need to be packed out or disposed of at a proper receptacle. Nobody likes to show up at a campsite to find it covered in garbage. So leave every place you park better than you found it.
Don’t drive where you shouldn’t. A van is a big vehicle that can do a lot of damage to a landscape and its plant life. So stick to established roads, trails, and campsites.
{Read: Beginners Guide To Wild Camping And Boondocking}
#2: Have A Plan For When Nature Calls
Disposing of human waste is definitely one of the primary challenges of Vanlife. Everyone should have a plan for their biological waste, even an unexpected 2 am “nature calls”.
Not everyone’s solution for human waste will be the same. Whether you have a fancy composting toilet, cassette toilet, or just use a bag and bucket. All solid waste should be disposed of properly. If you are in the wilderness, you can adhere to Leave No Trace guidelines for burying your waste.
But in more populated areas, you need to dispose of your waste through more formal means (i.e. dump stations, bathrooms, or trash). You can use Apps like iOverlander, or good ol’ Google maps to located RV dump stations.
{Read: How We Go The Bathroom In Our Campervan}
#3: Observe Parking Rules & Regulations
Be sure to follow all parking rules & regulations. There’s nothing subtle about a big campervan being parked where it’s not allowed. And it gives a bad reputation to our community when you are parked where you shouldn’t be. People will take notice, and that often results in stricter rules and less tolerance of vanlife overall.
Nothing sucks more than showing up to a new place, excited to explore the area, only to find out that the locals already have a negative view of vanlifers.
And similarly, don’t abuse the privilege of certain popular vanlife parking spots. For example, trailheads are a popular place that Vanlifers park overnight as if they are out on the trail. But when this method gets abused, enforcement becomes strict, signs go up, and suddenly just having a van parked there at any time results in harassment.
#4: Give Space To Your Neighbors
If you are camping out in the wilderness on forest roads or BLM land, give space to your neighbors. Many people who are camping out in the wilderness are there for solitude. So if you have the ability you should provide some space between you and your neighbors.
But don’t confuse this with not being friendly. By all means, you can and should be friendly towards your neighbors, but keep your unannounced visits during daylight hours. And read social clues from people whether they are looking for new friends or seem like they value their privacy.
#5: Don’t Give Vanlife A Bad Name
This broad rule can apply to almost anything. But it’s really important to not give vanlife a bad name.
Consider that the vanlife community is largely a nomadic community with little ties to any one physical place. Which is exactly why we are quite helpless in the face of legislative change. If a community decides that they are sick and tired of vanlifers in their town, they can easily vote or pass legislation against us. With little local representation and voting power, we are unlikely to be able to “fight” back.
{Read: How To Vote In Vanlife}
We have already begun to see this happen as vanlife becomes more popular. And sometimes with poorly behaved vanlifers, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Privileges that we used to enjoy may be stripped away, creating more trouble and resistance in our lives.
And even with well-behaved vanlifers, sometimes the sheer volume of vanlifers is creating a “tragedy of the commons” type of scenario. When it was just one van occasionally parked by the local park, locals wouldn’t mind. But if it becomes 5-10 vans parked there every night, now something’s got to give.
And once laws are passed, and “No” signs go up, we are going to have a tough time reversing the damage done. We face an uphill battle to reverse any laws or rules created against us. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a good reputation for the vanlife community.
Takeaway | The Top 5 Rules Of Vanlife
These Top 5 Rules of Vanlife are keys for respecting each other and the earth we roam. This post isn’t meant to be a finger-wagging exercise. Emily and I too, have occasionally been guilty of breaking a rule. But that’s why we aim to be the best representatives of Vanlife that we can. If we all work together we can maintain a happy and viable vanlife community for everyone.
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