13 Van Life Etiquette Rules Everyone Should Know

Although van life doesn’t come with a rule book, there are implied expectations around etiquette regarding van life do’s and don’ts. You may already follow these unwritten rules, while others might cause you to reconsider your actions and act differently moving forward. 

Whether you’ve been on the road for ten days or ten years, it’s important to brush up on etiquette to ensure you’re being a respectful van lifer. Let’s dive in!

1. Practice Spacial Awareness

When camping in a dispersed area with many spots, don’t park directly next to another van or RV. Other van lifers and campers want to have their own space and privacy. Unless there are no other spots left, you should avoid parking next to another camper.

2. Turn Off Bright Lights

Whether your campground neighbors are inside or outside their rigs, no one wants to be put in the blinding “spotlight” of your bright lights. Avoid shining lights into other rigs as this feels invasive to other campers. If possible, invest in red light headlamps which are better for night vision and less bothersome to others.

3. Avoid Knocking on Other Vans

Some van lifers are friendly and want to meet everyone! There’s nothing wrong with this, but there is a time and a place to interact with other van lifers. Once when I was asleep in a Home Depot parking lot, another van lifer knocked on my rig and woke me up! By the time I got to the door, he was already gone, so it must not have been important–but I was a little annoyed that he knocked on my van at night just to say hello.

4. Keep Your Dog Leashed

Unless you’re in an extremely remote campsite far away from other campers where it’s legal to have dogs off-leash, keep your dog on a leash at all times. I’ve had many loose dogs run into my campsite (and even inside my van) when their owners weren’t paying attention or couldn’t keep up with them. Even if your dog is friendly, this doesn’t give you the freedom to let your dog run wherever it pleases. Although I’m a dog lover, I own a timid dog who doesn’t enjoy other dogs unexpectedly running towards her. 

5. Control Your Noise

No one wants to camp near someone blasting loud music or running a generator 24/7. While you don’t have to be completely silent, you should keep noise levels low, especially in public places where others are camping around you. Consider playing music inside of your rig and running your generator in short increments only when you truly need it.

6. Follow Parking Regulations

Only park your van where it’s permitted. Every place you visit likely has different rules around overnight parking and camping. Research them, note any restrictions, and purchase necessary permits.

7. Dispose of Trash Properly

There’s no reason to leave your waste scattered in nature or inside a fire ring for the next camper to deal with. Many campgrounds have dumpsters for convenient disposal of your trash as you’re leaving. If you’re in a dispersed area, use designated dump stations and recycling facilities once you get back into town.

8. Follow LNT Principles

Respect Leave No Trace (LNT) principles at all times. By doing your part to clean up after yourself and leave spaces better than you find them, you’ll help protect natural areas and campsites for years to come. Don’t leave anything behind, including food waste, used toilet paper, or dog bags.

9. Practice Campfire Safety

Whenever you have a campfire, take safety precautions. Use existing fire rings and follow local fire regulations. Bring plenty of water to put out your campfire and ensure it’s completely extinguished before you go to bed or leave the site.

10. Offer Help When Needed

If you notice another van lifer might need a hand, offer to help. Whether they need directions, resources, or help with vehicle issues, it’s good etiquette to lend a hand, especially if you have the time and knowledge. You never know when you might need a favor from another van lifer someday!

11. Use Restrooms When Possible

If you can use a vault toilet or an established restroom, use it instead of going behind a tree or bush. It’s better for the environment and more sanitary than going outside. It’s also more polite and considerate of your neighbors camping nearby. 

12. Be Mindful of Water Usage

Most van lifers already don’t waste water since they can only carry a limited amount of water in their tank. Whether you live in a van or not, you should try to use the least amount of water possible, especially when staying in places with limited resources or drought conditions. Also, avoid polluting water sources with waste or soap by ensuring you’re at least 200 feet away.

13. Avoid Loitering in Public Places

When stealth camping or spending time in cities, avoid staying in public places for too long, especially in popular areas. If you’re just hanging out or working in your van and could be parked elsewhere, consider moving so others can use the parking spot.

The Golden Rule of Van Life

It’s important to consider how your actions affect the people around you, whether you live in a van or a home. The “golden rule” of van life is to treat others how you’d want to be treated. If you wouldn’t want to camp in a site littered with trash with neighbors playing loud music, shining bright lights, and letting their dogs run wherever they please… then why do this to someone else?

And even if you’re one of the few who claims they wouldn’t mind these things, it’s important to step outside your bubble and think of others before yourself. Whenever you’re in doubt, err on the side of caution. Let’s all do our part to create mutual respect and a comfortable, safe environment for all van lifers and campers!