Trip Planning 101: Making the Most of Your Adventure
Trip Planning 101: How to Plan Your Camping Trip with Ease
Road Trips, Staycations, vacations … it’s always exciting to get out of the house no matter what you do. But there’s something special about camping. Stepping away from the comforts of modern life has a way of realigning our souls with our place in nature. After spending some time living through the Coronavirus pandemic, you may find yourself itching to get out and travel. If you have never tried camping, it’s time! All four Wandervans locations (BOI, SLC, PDX, SPO/CDA) are close to many fantastic campsites surrounded by beautiful scenery. Though traveling through the airlines is not yet ideal, there are still a vast number of opportunities for you to explore and find some peace during these chaotic times.
When planning a camping trip, it helps to know what you are getting yourself into. While all camping can be fun and rejuvenating, not all camping is the same. To make sure that you are properly prepared, it’s important to understand that the Van Life is a little different from other forms of camping. If this is your first taste of the Van Life, you’re in for a treat! Tent camping will never be the same. For the seasoned travelers out there, Van Life may come more naturally, but for those of you who are just testing the waters, we have some tricks to the trade.
Planning your route
Before you embark on your journey, take into consideration that not all things will go according to plan. Maintaining a sense of spontaneity and flexibility will not only create more ease in your trip planning, but you will also be able to unmask your desire for adventure. You won’t be surprised to learn that there are plenty of resources to help you get where you want to go all while enjoying the ride. Following are a few great tools that we recommend you check out before you hit the road.
Roadtrippers: If you are one of those highly organized Type-A personalities then Roadtrippers is where it's at. Not only does this app give you the options of routing your trip or finding camping grounds, you can tailor your plans to fit your lifestyle. From recreational sites to food and culture, the customizable features allow you to get the most out of your trip. The unique content covers the wonderful “off the beaten path” places to visit and the unique database contains millions of the world’s most interesting locations. Roadtrippers helps people discover the world around them in an entirely new way by streamlining discovery, planning, booking and navigation into an engaging and intuitive process.
The Dyrt is as cool as it sounds. Having an app that can showcase it all is exactly what you need. With the option of exporting your route directly to google maps, you can get to where you want to be without any hassle. You even have the option to plan gas stops and estimate your fuel costs. That's not even the best part, The Dyrt offers a PRO version of their app. A pro membership will give you exclusive discounts on reservations and camping grounds as well as the ability to take the app offline. That means you don't have to worry about pesky cell services going in and out. With the pro membership you can also get exclusive discounts on camping gear so you won't have to worry about breaking the bank on “necessary” gear.
Use The Dyrt PRO for free
Need help finding the best campgrounds? As a gift for renting with us, we're giving you free access to 14 days of The Dyrt PRO. The Dyrt is the #1 camping app and largest campground directory with access to 1 million+ campsites, reviews, and tips. The Dyrt PRO gives you offline access to the app (no reception needed), discounts for campgrounds and gear, and their awesome trip planner. Just use the discount code wander14(Boise and SLC trips) or pnw14(Portland Trips) when checking out. link: https://thedyrt.com/get-pro
RV Trip Wizard: For the Frugal Freddies and Anxious Annies out there, RV Trip Wizard has your back. You can customize your route to avoid low clearances, steep grade hills, and overly windy roads. Not only is it simple to use, but it helps you budget your trip and have a better understanding of where you are putting your expenses. With your Wandervans campervan rental, you are given a certain number of miles a day to apply to your trip. With Trip Wizard you have the capability to set driving times and driving distances. Not to worry though, Wandervans offers a mileage pack or the option to pay for any overages on your miles. Just plan accordingly
While the major national parks and monuments are a must see, try not to get too caught up in them that you miss all the wonders and beauties of the hidden gems. Immerse yourself with the allure of nature while at Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. With dispersed camping areas, you are able to rid yourself of everyday stressors and savor the calming Oregon atmosphere.
If remaining secluded is not your style, visiting areas like Dead Horse Point in Utah gives you the option of being in populated areas or venturing away to a more exclusive space. With such a wide open range, opportunities to explore are endless. That's the beauty of travel.
Finding the perfect place to Camp
If you stumble upon your dream spot and find it hard to leave, you may just be in luck. With an enormous number of websites and apps, it can be frustrating finding the right spot to get some rest and relaxation. Fortunately, we managed to wrangle up some great sources to ease the stress of finding camping grounds.
Campendium and The Dyrt just happens to be two of the more popular and trusted apps to find overnight camping spots. It gives reviews and an abundance of information from visitors so you know exactly what to expect before you arrive at your campsite.
Like the sources above, Free Campsites is driven by former visitors and provides places for adventurers on a budget. Making sure you are informed about potential camping spots allows for you to find what best suits your needs. If your primary focus is recreational or national parks, then Recreation.gov is a great app to keep in mind. It provides great information about passes and permits, recreational activities, and even lodging in the areas you are visiting.
If you are up to meeting locals and making friends with some other adventure seekers, then Boondockers Welcome may be what you are looking for. Boondockers is a platform where hosts generously offer up their private land for campers to spend the night. It's simple, all you need to do is visit the site, find a host that fits your needs, then send them a stay request. Typically, travelers will stay overnight, and for some, they may take an extra day or two to unwind. Regardless of your length of stay, remember to show gratitude to your host by posting a review.
Whether you are a thrill seeking, down and dirty camper, or a humbled “glamper”, there is always a new place to discover and a comfy spot for you to lay your head to rest.
Remember the Basics
Planning is an important aspect of travel; from picking suitable attire, packing camping essentials, to budgeting and routing your trip. It’s easy to look over the smaller tidbits in your trip planning process when you are honed in on some of the major details. Having basic knowledge tucked in your back pocket will make your drive that much easier while cruising down the road to bliss. After all, it’s the little things in life.
Know the dimensions of your Wandervan. It’s important to take size into consideration when outlining your route for things like finding adequate gas stations or avoiding low hanging bridges, curvy roads, and tight squeezes. If you are needing tools to help navigate through these situations, Allstays and InRoute are suitable replacements for RV Trip Wizard.
It goes without saying that safety comes first. Make sure you double check that everything is in working order and have a good understanding of the proper routines to handle any situation if one were to arise. If you are in need of a service station Allstays can also give you recommendations in your area.
Weather apps can be your best friend when traveling. Nothing puts a damper on your day like bad weather, so take a quick peek at any weather app beforehand. Inclement weather such as rain, snow, or even wind can put a dent in your travel time. Always be sure to follow basic driving precautions. If need be, do not hesitate to take a break from driving for a bit. Know your limits.
Check out more info with our Camping Basics 101 blog.
Go make some memories
Now you know how to route your trip, find a place to set up camp, and find ways to mingle with others who share your love for the outdoors. However, with spikes in COVID cases, it may be more beneficial to stick to the road less traveled, and veer more towards the lesser known landmarks. Check for policy updates in the areas you are traveling through. Having respect and maintaining responsibility is key for times like these. Please always make sure to wear a mask when required to protect smaller communities.
With that being said, use this as a prime opportunity to spark some inspiration while getting comfortable in the great outdoors.
Be safe, stay healthy, and more importantly enjoy yourself.