The dream of van life often includes solitary sunsets and total freedom, but the reality is you’ll regularly share spaces with fellow travelers, locals, and wildlife. Navigating these shared areas with respect is key to preserving the van life community and keeping campsites open. Let’s explore the proper etiquette of a good neighbor on the road that helps everyone enjoy van life to the fullest.
1. Quiet Late Arrivals
Travel delays happen to anyone, but pulling into a campsite late at night requires extra consideration. Turn off your high beams and switch to parking lights if possible. Avoid idling your engine, slamming doors, or making unnecessary noise. Move quickly but quietly when leveling your van and settling in to respect the rest of others.
2. Respect the Buffer Zone
If a parking lot or dispersal area is empty, don’t park right next to the only other vehicle there. It feels intrusive and violates the unwritten rule of spacing.
Leave as much room as possible between you and the next rig. If space is limited, park in a way that maximizes privacy for both parties. Try not to face your door directly into their living space. If you must park close due to crowding, acknowledge it. A quick wave or a nod says, "I see you, and I'm not trying to be creepy."
3. Keep Noise Levels in Check
Sound travels surprisingly far in the wild, so it’s important to be mindful of your noise levels. Even normal conversation can seem loud to neighboring campers. If you’re playing music, keep it inside your vehicle or at a very low volume at your campsite, and remember that bass carries easily.
If you need to run a generator, only do so during designated hours or midday—never early in the morning or late at night. For a quieter alternative, consider using solar power.
4. Manage Your Artificial Light
People travel to remote places to enjoy the stars, not LED floodlights. Use window coverings at night to keep your light inside and maintain privacy. If you need to go outside, opt for a red light—it preserves night vision and is less disruptive than white beams.
Turn off porch lights when you sleep to avoid attracting bugs and disturbing others. If motion sensor lights keep going off, disable them to prevent constant triggers. Keep it dark and peaceful for everyone.
5. Follow Leave No Trace Principles
Leave every spot better than you found it. Pack out everything you bring, including organic waste like orange peels and pistachio shells, which take years to decompose and attract wildlife.
Before you leave, check your campsite for any small pieces of trash and pick them up. If you made a fire with the existing fire rings, let the wood burn completely to ash and make sure it's cold to prevent wildfires.
6. Handle Gray Water Responsibly
Dumping dishwater or shower water on the ground is unacceptable in many places. It carries food particles, soaps, and bacteria. This attracts animals and can contaminate local water sources. It also smells bad once it sits in the dirt.
Catch your gray water in a tank and dispose of it at a proper dump station. Some remote areas allow scattering gray water, but you must confirm local regulations first.
7. Read the Social Cues
The van community is generally friendly, but everyone has different reasons for being out there. Reading the vibe prevents awkward interactions.
A friendly wave serves as a perfect opener. If the other person waves back enthusiastically or walks over, they likely want to chat. If they offer a quick nod and return to their book, give them space. Respect boundaries and don’t walk through someone else's campsite to get to a trail or bathroom.
8. Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Traveling with pets can be a wonderful experience, but it comes with a few responsibilities. For the comfort and safety of everyone, it's best to keep your dog on a leash unless you're in a designated off-leash area with no one else around. Even the friendliest pets can unintentionally scare other people or wildlife. Please don't leave a barking dog unattended, and always pick up after them to keep the campsite clean for campers.
9. Navigate Urban Stealth Camping
The goal when sleeping in different cities is to fly under the radar by parking, sleeping, and leaving without anyone noticing you were there. Avoid setting up camp furniture on the sidewalk or cooking outside. Instead, stay inside your vehicle, arrive late, and leave early. It's also wise to move spots every night to avoid annoying residents.
Ventilation can be tricky in cities. While you want good airflow, leaving your doors open can invite bugs and unwanted attention. This is where the right equipment comes in. For example, a Promaster mosquito net lets you keep the sliding door open for a breeze while keeping pests out. It's a great way to stay comfortable without drawing too much attention.
10. Respect Public Resources
As a van lifer, you rely on public infrastructure like park bathrooms, water fill stations, and trash cans. Therefore, you should treat these resources with respect.
Don’t overfill park garbage cans with large trash bags; find a dumpster for bigger loads instead. When filling your water tank, be efficient, use your own hose, and clean up any spills. Losing access to these shared resources negatively impacts the entire community.
11. Be a Resource, Not a Burden
Good neighbors look out for each other. If you see someone struggling to back up into a spot, offer to guide them. If they’ve got a flat tire, lend them your compressor. Similarly, if you know a road ahead is washed out or a spot is full, pass that information along to save others the hassle.
Helping out builds community and a culture of give-and-take. Today, you might help someone jump-start their battery. Tomorrow, they might share their firewood with you.
Van life offers endless adventure, but preserving this lifestyle requires respect for the land and those who share it. Proper van life etiquette and being a good neighbor on the road help everyone enjoy beautiful spaces.
Your setup also plays a big role. High-quality gear, like durable screens from The Bug Wall, makes stealth camping and bug management easier, so you can focus on the view instead of the pests. Grab a screen today and make your next trip even more comfortable!
