Van Life in Bend, OR

Van Life in Bend, OR

A Guide to Van Life in Bend, OR

Why Bend is a Top Destination for Van Life

Bend, Oregon is one of the most popular van life destinations due to its combination of hiking, bike trails, free camping, skiing, rafting and mountains. It also home to the most breweries per square foot of any town, great coffee shops and a vibrant downtown.

Bend has become known as an outdoor enthusiasts dream as there is something for everyone at all times of the year.

Add in all the shopping and conveniences imaginably for those living van life and you will quickly see why there are hundreds of promaster, sprinter and transit vans roaming the streets.

What This Guide Includes

This is not an exhaustive list but a solo van lifers experience in Bend.  It has a personal twist to it that mixes van life essentials, hiking and the best that Bend has to offer for coffee, beer, burgers and hangouts.

Like all the location reviews on this site this review is geared mainly towards visiting van lifers. With that said it can also be utilized by RV’s, van lifers living full time in Bend, visitors looking to camp, and those visiting Bend in a more traditional way.

Van Life Coloring Book:

Inspired by Bend

 

Where is Bend?

Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon located just over 3 hours from Portland, less than 4 hours to the Oregon coast and 5 hours from Boise, Idaho.

Getting Around

The more you know about the main sections of Bend the more simple it to get a grip on where to spend your time.  Luckily the main highway makes access to the best parts of town really simple.

Interstate 97

This is the main highway that goes through Bend and serves as a divide between downtown and the commercial areas of Bend. I-97 North will take you all the way up into Washington State, past Smith Rock State Park. Going south will lead you past Crater Lake National Park and eventually into California.

The areas covered in this guide will focus mainly on the activities, food and camping right alongside this highway. When you get a feel for whats west and east of 97 you will have an easier time getting around the city.

East of 97

Home to Planet Fitness, Safeway and other commercial mainstays that will be part of a nomad’s daily routine. West of 97 is home to the neighborhoods with tons of activities, food trucks and breweries.

West of I-97

Southern Crossing and River West

The fun doesn’t stop in downtown as the breweries, food trucks and shopping hug the river providing a sprawling feeling to the area.

River West, on the opposite of Drake Park, provides access to top recommendations like 10 Barrel Brewing, The Lot, Victorian Cafe, Megaphone Coffee and El Sancho’s.

Southern Crossing is another area you will spend quite a bit of time in.  It is home to Riverbend Park; a popular tube launching point. It is home to the Deschutes Brewing Company along with the popular Old Mill Shopping District.

Downtown and Old Bend

Downtown Bend is a vibrant but small area that provides a great walking area to shopping, eating and drink.  It is also located within walking distance to the river and a short drive to all activities. Drake Park, one of the best areas for a picnic and river access, is also located in Old Bend a short walk from downtown.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

One of the most scenic roads you will find in your journey’s is sure to be the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. This beautiful road leads up to Mt Bachelor and the Three Sisters mountains. It has trails, snow parks and free camping on the way up. As you get to Mt Bachelor a whole new world opens up, depending on the season, to skiing, alpine lakes, and some of the best hiking you can find in Oregon.

Community in Bend

Reception from Locals

This has long been one of the most van life friendly towns you could find. Parking is ample in and around shopping centers and other vans are so common you normally won’t get a second look. With that said there is more and more resistance to visitors as you’ll find with the recent petition on closing the gate at Phil’s Trailhead. 

Other Van Lifers

As mentioned there is a huge van life community in Bend.  You will see other van lifers on hikes, at Planet Fitness, working at coffee shops, on the trails, and obviously camping in the National Forests. The majority of van lifers and nomads in Bend are very friendly and will strike up a conversation or even join for a campfire(not in fire season). The great thing about the Deschutes National Forest and Bend area is that there are so many options for camping. You can join others in a more crowded section to make friends or you can seek out solitude in more private locations.

The Best Free Campsites in Bend

Bend is a popular destination for all outdoor activities and one of the most popular is camping. Lucky for us there are not only plenty of paid options, but free camping options as well. In our experience the best free campsites in Bend are Phil’s Trailhead, the Sno-Parks on Cascade Lakes Byway, Badlands Rock and Harrington Loop Road Dispersed.

 

Phils Trailhead

The Dispersed Camping behind Phil’s Trailhead is one of my favorite free camping spots in the country. The vicinity to trails, Downtown, River West and Southern Crossing make this a perfect spot for a couple weeks at a time. The road into Phil’s, off of Skyliner, is easy to access to access and doesn’t require 4 wheel drive. The dirt roads can get slightly bumpy but all in all this is one of the easier forest service roads to access for all vehicle types.

The Big Dirt Lot

After you pass the bathrooms and parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead you will start down the dirt road where the campsites are.  On the right hand side you will see a big dirt parking lot that is open for camping.  This lot is usually filled with RV’s and larger vehicles soaking up the ample amounts of sun. This is a great spot if you get in later in the evening and don’t want to chance driving further down the Forest Road.  It is a big dirt lot though so you want find much shade or privacy.

Coordinates: 44.03055079130083, -121.38676979396632

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. This is perfect for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles.

Forest Service Road 4604

As you continue past the big dirt lot you will pass a right hand turn that leads to dispersed sites. In our experience these sites were all taken, but seemed like quality sites. Continue past this right hand turn until you are give the option to take a left or continue straight around the curve. Continue straight and you will start to see 4-5 sites on your left and right.  These were our favorite sites in this area and weren’t hard to come by for a month stay in June. July or August might be another story. If these sites are taken continue further down the road and there will be sites on both sides of the road. The road does get a little more narrow and rocky as you go further in but you will be fine without 4 wheel drive.

Coordinates: 44.04669, -121.38448

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. There are RV’s down this road, but the further you go the harder it is to turn around the more narrow the road gets. Our suggestion would be not to go past the first few sites after the left turn option.

Sno-Parks

Sno-Parks in Oregon offer free camping from May 1st to October 31st. The rest of the year a permit is required. The Sno-Parks in Bend are all paved parking areas that allow car camping for all types of vehicles. They are at higher elevations on the road heading up to Mt. Bachelor and provide a nice drop in temperature during the hotter months. The vicinity to trails, hiking and the mountains make these great choices for 2-3 days at a time. Our suggestion would be to spend your extended time closer to town and then short outings in the snow parks based on your activity. There are more than a few options available on the way up.

Coordinates: Check out Meissner Sno Park, Wanoga and Swampy Lake.

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Yes

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, these are paved parking lots.

Harrington Loop Road Dispersed

If you are looking for a spot with access to Bend but slightly out of town then this free camping are in Sisters, Oregon is a great choice.  Harrington Loop is just 20-25 minutes from downtown Bend and provides a great option for those coming into town from Mt. Hood.  We stopped and stayed here the first two nights before heading into Forest Road 4604 afterwards. This a big dirt loop with a ton of spots and fire pits. It was busy during the end of May but not so much were there wasn’t a spot available on a Thursday night.

Coordinates: 44.2506, -121.4967

Cell Service: Yes. Full bars of LTE from Verizon. Cell service heaven!

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, easy access for all types of vehicles.  This is a loop so no real turnaround issues.

Badlands Road Dispersed

Another site to stay, only 25 minutes, that provides convenient access to Bend. This is on land from the Bureau of Land Management and includes a big gravel lot for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles. There are also several smaller roads with access for vans and other vehicles.  This was only a one night stop but it provided great mountain views while we were there.

Coordinates: 43.9435, -121.0257

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars from Verizon.

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, the roads are dirt and gravel, so there is easy access for all types of vehicles. No turnaround issues as there is a big gravel lot for parking.

The Best Outdoor Activities in Bend

Bend is one of the best places for outdoor activity lovers in the world. Depending on the season you can choose from hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, rafting, camping and more.

During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Sno Parks in Oregon offer free overnight parking from May through October making the hikes and other activities that much more accessible.

Hiking and Rock Climbing

There is a whole section on our favorite hikes in Bend below. Needless to say there is an adventure for everyone.

While we haven’t ventured into rock climbing just yet this is available, at Smith Rock State Park, a short drive away. Monkey Face seems to be the most well known.

Mountain Biking and Cycling

We have to mention Phil’s Trailhead to start as it is located on the same road as our favorite dispersed camping site in Bend. You will see mountain bikers starting here early in the morning until later in the evening. For more trails and rides outside Phils take a look at this resource from the MTB Project.

If mountain biking isn’t your thing there are also plenty of cyclists throughout Bend. One of the more popular routes taken, a moderate 37 miles, is the Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Byway.

Rafting, Floating and Kayaking

The Deschutes River goes right through Bend and provides jumping off points, for the extremely popular floating among locals and tourists.

This popular river is also a favorite for kayaking and whitewater rafting. You can even take out stand up paddle boards.

To book any of these activities on the river you can visit Sun Country Tours who have been operating since 1978.

Snowshoeing and Winter Sports

Mt. Bachelor and Century Drive, the road leading up, provide a winter activity paradise.

The ride up to Bachelor has three Sno-Parks to choose from for those interested in snowshoeing. Options include Virginia Meissner, Swampy Lake, and Dutchman.

Mt. Bachelor Ski and Snowboard Resort, the 6th largest in the country, is the go to resort in the Pacific Northwest.

The Best Hikes in Bend for All Levels

As mentioned above Bend is a hikers paradise.  Depending on the time of year you can choose from alpine lakes, mountain summits, trail runs, waterfalls and more. During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Best Easy Hikes in Bend

1. Pilot Butte

Pilot Butte is an extinct volcano located in Bend, one of only 4 volcanoes located in the boundaries of a city, and is one of the most popular hikes you will find in the city. The short but rewarding hike will lead you to a view of the Cascades as well as the entire city of Bend.  Pilot is a great warmup hike when you get into town.

Distance: 1.8 Miles

Elevation Gain: 452 Feet

Peak Elevation: 4130 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Deschutes River South

Deschutes River South is one of the quintessential bend things to do in town. This isn’t so much of a hike as it is a walk around the Deschutes River. The hike loops around the Deschutes, crossing a bridge at the halfway point, and features a view of the river. Depending on the season you’ll see rafters and hikers on the river while sharing the trail with bikers.

Distance: 3.1 Miles

Elevation Gain: 137 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3685 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Very Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

All Trails

The Best Moderate Hikes in Bend

 

 

1. Misery Ridge and Summit Trail at Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park is a nice change in landscape from the mountains up near Cascade Lakes. It features more of a rocky desert feel and does not disappoint with its sweeping views.  From the top of Misery Ridge you can see the peaks of the Cascade Mountains in the area as well as the river below. This is one you do not want to miss while in the Bend area. Make sure to start this hike clockwise to get the incline of Misery Ridge out of the way while you are fresh. We did this hike counter clockwise originally and definitely regretted it at the end.  Also prepare during the late spring and summer for this to be a very hot hike. You are exposed nearly the entire time and it can get very hot out there. There is water available down by the river before starting the hike.

Distance: 6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1774 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3297 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 3 to 4.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Green Lakes Trail

Green Lakes was one of our favorite trails in all of Bend.  It’s located on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and takes you up past a beautiful river with small waterfalls as you go. The payoff at the end is a view of both South Sister and Broken Top Mountain with the two Green Lakes lakes below. This is usually the most popular hikes in the Deshcutes National Forest so be prepared in the warm months for a busy hike. It is a moderate 9 miles during the warm months, but becomes moderate to hard when there is snow on the ground.  We did this hike in the beginning of June, it was still packed with snow in most places, and the lakes were just starting to thaw out. Lucky for us we had the Green Lakes all to ourselves after 9 miles through the snow. Be prepared to wear spikes during the spring and fall while snowshoes are a must when the snow starts again.

Distance: 9 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1187

Peak Elevation: 6571

How Long Will It Take: 3.5-5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources: Green Lakes Trail Official Site

 AllTrails

3. Tumalo Falls Via Tumalo Creek

Another one of the most popular hikes in Bend is to Tumalo Falls. The main attraction here is the water fall but the views and walk through nature is what really makes this one a must do. Tumalo can get a little touristy as there is a bathroom and parking lot right at the falls area. You will obviously want to move past here as soon as you can and also get to the lot early to avoid parking issues. The well maintained hike is best done counterclockwise and is also shared with mountain bikers.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 583 Feet

Peak Elevation: 5099 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2.5-4 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

4. Tumalo Mountain

Tumalo Mountain was another snow hike for us! This turned a moderate hike into a hard one as the idea of a trail was a very loose one here. The views at the top of Tumalo are hard to beat though. On one side it feels like Mt. Bachelor is right on top of you and at the finish you get sweeping views of the Three Sisters and the valley below. This is one of the first hikes in the Cascade Lakes area to become doable and should be on every list of the best hikes in Bend.

Distance: 4 Miles

Elevation Gain: 779 Feet

Peak Elevation: 1423 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2 to 3.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

The Best Hard Hikes in Bend

1. South Sister

South Sister is a beast of a hike in the summertime without snow on the ground. In the non summer months it becomes one of the hardest day hikes in the area. We had the pleasure of doing this as a snow hike in early June with only micro-spikes available.  From start to finish this made for a sludge and a true test physically and mentally. The day we were on the trail there were 3 other groups spotted and most had snowshoes and poles to get them by.  If you decide to go in the winter make sure you are prepared with the minimum of spikes and poles and ideally snowshoes. You will be rewarded with views of lakes, Broken Top and obviously South Sister as shown above.

Distance: 11.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 4986 feet

Peak Elevation: 10,349 feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-10 hours based on level and season. Give yourself more than the average 8 hours if this it’s a snow hike.

Difficulty: Hard to Very Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Bend Glacier and No Name Lake

Another one of the most epic hikes in the Bend area. Bend Glacier and No Name isn’t nearly as hard as South Sister but will still provide a good challenge for most during the summer.  In the winter it becomes a test of wills as it becomes another tough snow sludge. Your reward during the summer are sweeping views of Mt. Bachelor and a beautiful view of No Name Lake to finish.  During the winter you still have epic views but the lake is likely frozen over and covered in snow. During our early June hike there was one other couple on the hike.  GPS is required if you want to find your way in the winter as there is no real trail in sight.

Distance: 13.3 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2687 Feet

Peak Elevation: 8220 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-9 Hours

Difficulty: Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

3. Mt. Bachelor Trail

The last on the list of mountain hikes in the Cascades Lake area is Mt. Bachelor.  Bachelor is the popular ski and snowboarding destination during the winter and a hiking destination during the summertime.  This trail doesn’t have the mileage of South Sister and Bend Glacier but the elevation gain is still significant in nearly half the distance.  This isn’t one you do in the snow but makes for a great warm weather challenge.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2742 Feet

Peak Elevation: 9070 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 4-5.5 Hours

Difficulty: Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

Van Life Resources in Bend

 

 

Showers/Gym

This comes down to your budget and preference of gym locations. We didn’t have to put much thought into this one as there is a Planet Fitness located in Bend.

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is a no brainer for van lifers in need of a workout and shower. For just over $20 you get access to any location in the country along with a guest pass for each visit. It doesn’t get much better than the ease of the Bend location. It is located in a commercial area with Back Porch Coffee Roasters and a laundromat within walking distance.

Dumping

Portable Toilets

If you are using a camping toilet or, gasp, water bottles and plastic bags then there are plenty of options.

The most accessible spots I found were at trailheads. Phil’s Trailhead, on the same road as one of the dispersed campsites listed above, was my go to spot. There are a couple of Restrooms attached to the parking lots and they are easily accessible during off hours.  This makes it easy to grab a restroom to yourself without too much attention called to your disposable.  Be aware that this is a popular mountain biking location and the parking lot will be busy or full from 9am-4pm.

Dumping for RV’s

If you are in an RV or rig there is a gas station in the Blockbuster parking lot that has dumping

The Best Coffee in Bend

The Pacific Northwest is known for its delicious roasts, Portland and Seattle aren’t far, and the town of Bend is no exception.

You have a number of options for coffee in Bend and you can’t go won’t go wrong with your morning or post adventure coffee. With that said the best places for coffee in Bend are Backporch Coffee Roasters, Megaphone Coffee, Lone Pine Coffee and Thump Coffee.

Lone Pine Coffee

Lone Pine was definitely a, best coffee in Bend, contender for us. Great spot to spend a day of work.

Thump Coffee

Thump’s downtown location was a once a week spot for us while in Bend. Good coffee and laid back vibe!

Backporch Coffee

My two favorite things to do in Bend were hike and go to coffee shops. Most of the days in coffee shops were here at Backporch Coffee. Specifically the location across from Planet Fitness. Some of the best coffee around combined with a clean atmosphere made for a great combination.  They also have a outdoor seating with a fire to heat things up on cold days.

Megaphone Coffee

Megaphone west was our preferred stop when we didn’t want to venture into downtown or east of I-97. It is attached to a brewery and has outdoor seating that is perfect post hike. The coffee is pretty great too.

The Best Spots for Wifi in Bend

Wifi is easy to come by in Bend. You have your choice of the usual spots like Starbucks in addition to the independent coffee shops like Lone Pine, Backporch, Thump and Megaphone. If coffee isn’t your thing the Deschutes Public Library is your best option.

Drake Park

The Deschutes River travels right through Bend and provides jumping off points for rafting and lounging.  Drake Park is one of the best spots to not only get on the water but also have a picnic or lie in the sun.  It is walking distance to downtown and right in the thick of things for food and beverage.  The only downside is the popularity and lack of parking.  Your best bet is to find a spot that runs parallel to the park when someone pulls out.  If you can get there earlier in the day, by 9am, you should have your choice of spots.

There is no wifi here but it is still one of our favorite spots to spend a lazy day in Bend.

Bend Library

Libraries on the road are no brainers for those looking for quality wifi and a quiet spot to do work. The Bend library has the added benefit of being a quick walk away from downtown.  If Backporch, Thump or Lone Pine are too busy then take it to go and sit inside.

Spoken Moto

Spoken Moto, powered by Megaphone Coffee, has hip motorcycle vibe to it.  It’s actually attached to a motorcycle repair store which gives it a very unique atmosphere.  This wasn’t a regular spot for us but definitely a fun one for a day.

The Best Spots for Beer and Food in Bend

Manzanita Grill

Manzanita may have been my favorite place to eat, not just in Bend, but in the entire first year I was on the road.  The tacos were among the best I had and the Nashville sliders were my favorite things I ate.  Did I mention the seasoned fries? Easily the best fries I had in van life. Pro tip: Get the fry sauce to go with it.

10 Barrel Brewery

10 Barrel is one of the most popular breweries in Bend and one of the easiest to find in stores around the Pacific Northwest. Add in food and a fun atmosphere and you have a top spot to hang out after a day of exploring. It has the added benefit of being a couple of miles from a great campsite at Phil’s Trailhead. 

Victorian Cafe

Another spot really close to Phil’s Trailhead is the Victorian Cafe which is my number one recommendation for breakfast.

Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes, taking the name of the local river, may be the most famous brewery in town. It is widely viewed as the one that put Bend on the map. They have the standard brewery fare and another fun spot to hang out.

El Sancho – Westside

Another great l spot on the way in to Phil’s Trailhead is El Sancho’s. They have a spacious outdoor patio to sit after you order food at the counter. Taco’s, bowls and margaritas are the highlights in a laid back environment.

The Lot

This is a collection of food trucks and carts that offers covered seating as well as entertainment during non covid times.  Burgz N Dogz was my go to spot here.  Make sure to go with tater tots over fries.

Ale Apothecary

The Apothecary is one of if not the most acclaimed microbreweries in Bend. It garners not just local but national recognition as well.  If you are a beer fan and in Bend then this is most likely your first stop.

Boneyard Beer

Boneyard is a subsidiary of Deschutes.

Groceries in Bend

I’m always a big fan of supporting local business on the road in van life, but groceries is usually where I stick to the big boys. Outside of an occasional farmers market stop, Bend is no different.

Whole Foods

We all should know what Whole Foods has to offer here.  This Whole Foods has the obvious benefits of an Amazon Locker pickup and is all the other positives and negatives to go with it.

This location like the Trader Joe’s on the list will take you a little bit more out of town than the Safeway or Albertsons.

Safeway/Albertsons

The more time I spend in van life the more I appreciate shopping at Safeway.  Outside of stops at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s for specific items Safeway is a safe bet for whatver you need.

If you’ve never been to a Safeway its more along the lines of your general big box grocery store.  It has all the basics at good prices and usually has a Starbucks inside. There is also an Albertsons in town that is comparable.

Trader Joes

Have you been to Trader Joe’s? Then you know what to expect here.  It’s about a 10 minute or so drive, in a commercial area, from the hustle of downtown. The location is in a shopping plaza near Best Buy, Starbucks and more.  Easy to park and get in and out of.

Nearby Attractions

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is just over 90 minutes from Bend and is highly recommended to visit for a 2-3 day trip. We stopped down at this National Park in June, while it was still quiet, before heading back up to the Bend area.  Crater Lake, another volcano, in the Cascade Range is home to some of the most blue water you will ever see. This blue water is actually more pure than the drinking water coming out of your faucet.

The main attraction here is the lake that was formed when the volcano collapsed into itself creating the crater.  The water is mainly runoff from the snow that accumulates each year.

The activities at Crater Lake aren’t as numerous as in the Bend area but it does provide plenty of hikes along the ridge. The photos we took, during our visit, received some of the most ooh and ahhs of any we’ve taken. You can even go down to the water during the summer season and take a swim in the beautiful blue water.

We have a full guide for Crater Lake with a mock itinerary and list of activities. Along with the epic photos mentioned earlier.

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Apps to Find the Perfect Free Campsite

Apps to Find the Perfect Free Campsite

The 4 Best Apps to Find Free Campsites

How to Find the Best Free Campsites

As a fellow van lifer I know how stressful it can be to not know where you are going to sleep that night. For most of us this is one of the main sources of anxiety when heading to a new location or if we are spending any amount of time in more populated areas.

While I’ve put together a list and map of my own favorite campsites, there are still many locations out there where we won’t know of a good place to spend the night.

That is where the magic of crowdsourcing comes in as there are quite a few van life apps and websites out there devoted specifically to free campsites and resources.  Thanks to my time on the road I’ve been able to go through some trial and error with each of the apps below to determine which works best for van lifers. The information below is what I wish I had when I started this nomad lifestyle.

The 4 Best Apps and Websites to Find

Free Campsites

There are 4 apps that I use in van life to find places to sleep at night. While there is a ton of crossover between the apps, each one of these has a different strength.

1. iOverlander
2. Campendium
3. AllStays
4. FreeCampsites.Net

iOverlander

iOverlander is by far the app I use most often when trying to find a free campsite.

Strengths

  • Free!
  • Combines BLM(Bureau of Land Management), Parking Lots(think Walmart) and stealth locations.
  • It excels in city or more populated locations where there aren’t designated free locations to park. In these locations van lifers often have to rely on more stealth sleeping recommendations and iOverlander has the most extensive recommendations and reviews in this area.
  • Works offline as you can quickly browse these sites around you without a connection. Pictures do require internet.
  • You can access the same information on the website as you do on the app.

Weaknesses

  • The filters are subpar. You aren’t able to filter by how many reviews there are, when the last review was or by ratings. Instead, you have to go pick and choose each location to see how many reviews there are and what the user says.
  • There is no way to quickly rate a location or campsite.
  • Many locations haven’t been updated in a while.  While there is a good community the locations aren’t updated or reviewed as often as other sites. This could be a result of not having a simple rating system installed.
  • The appearance isn’t exactly beautiful. You wouldn’t even know there were pictures on the mobile site without searching for them.

AllStays

AllStays is the app I’ll go to when I specifically want to find if a Walmart allows overnight camping or if there is a parking lot, Cabelas, or other business in the area that allows overnight parking.  It may be worth the one time $10 charge just for that use case scenario though I must admit I expected more when I made the purchase. I don’t actually need the app to find the campsite I want, but I do still use it for the ease of use when finding overnight stays.

Strengths

  • As mentioned, the one singular use case where I think AllStays is worth using is for finding Walmarts that allow overnight stays versus those that don’t. AllStays utilizes different icons to denote these two categories of Walmarts which makes it super easy when you are specifically looking to stay there.
  • The filter system in the app is great as you can filter by stores like Walmart, Cabelas, and Cracker Barrel for businesses while also having options for travel stops, Public lands, National Forests and Overnight Parking Lots. The options and logos here are some of the more well thought out of the apps.
  • Works offline as you can quickly browse these sites around you without a connection.
  • Convenient buttons for navigation, calling the business or location.  No copy and pasting locations into google maps on here.

Weaknesses

  • $9.99 one time charge.
  • The review system is virtually nonexistent. It is an upgrade from iOverlander in that you can leave a rating from 1 to 5 but you don’t often see these ratings. You also have to press another button to even see what reviews were left.
  • The location information is all strung together in one massive block of text with only commas and periods to separate.
  • There are advanced filters for seeing sites by reviews but they are hidden and not easily accessible when trying to find a place to sleep.
  • The appearance isn’t exactly beautiful. You wouldn’t even know there were pictures on the mobile site without searching for them.
  • While it excels in the specific case of finding businesses or parking lots, it struggles in finding stealth locations due to the lack of crowdsourcing.  It seems as though all places to sleep or inputted by the app makers and can’t be submitted by users. There is a button in one of the off the main page menus for this, but doesn’t seem to be used very often.
  • There is no option for using the same mobile interface on a desktop.

Campendium

AllStays for me fills the use case of finding Walmarts and other businesses. Campendium fills the opposite need of easily finding public lands and paid campgrounds around your destination. This is usually the first app I’ll check when I don’t know much about the location as it will point out the obvious locations to camp for free. Usually the search will end on Campendium if there aren’t any public lands available.

Strengths

  • Free!
  • The obvious place to start if you are looking for free campsites for van lifers. Most of the sites listed will also be RV friendly as well.
  • Campendium, in my opinion, has the best interface of all the apps and websites listed. It looks like it was created by professional web designers who took the user experience into account.
  • Both the website and app have similar interfaces making searching easy.
  • You can sort by distance, reviews and overall rating. This is huge when finding a safe and free campsite. It is so reassuring to pull the van into a campsite that has 20+ reviews and a 4 star rating.
  • The pictures are easily accessible on both the website and app so you can literally see where you are camping.
  • Rating and reviewing campsites is simple.

Weaknesses

  • There aren’t many options past public lands and paid established sites. If you are looking for any kind of stealth parking or turnouts you are out of luck. This is the reason why it isn’t the only app that’s recommended here.  If there were more stealthy locations available, this would be my main recommendation.

FreeCampsites.Net

There is no app for Free Campsites as it’s a basic website that is best accessed from a laptop or desktop. For the long time van lifers or nomads this was once a widely used resource. Over the years it has continued to take a backseat to more robust apps and websites like those above.

I’ve only included this site as a backup for the 3 listed above. It is a last resort and one I only used when I don’t find any other decent campsites in the apps above.

Strengths

  • Free!
  • The community contributed to website over the years which created quite a bit of data to use.
  • The advanced filters are robust. You can search by items like dirt, access and paved roads along with categories like RV parking, OHV and Tent Camping. There are even options to search for pet friendly locations and showers.
  • Free Campsites is also one of the go to resources for finding water sources and dump stations on the road.

Weaknesses

  • As mentioned, the user interface is pretty old and can use an update.
  • There is no mobile app to access from your phone or offline.

Ratings By Category

Each of these apps has their strengths and weaknesses to consider and a best use case for each. While I prefer the versatility of iOverlander your preference may differ based on need. Each van lifer, nomad, or rv has different needs and preferences. The reviews above and ratings below should give you an idea on where to start to find your perfect, or at least passable, free campsite.

iOverlander

  • Stealth Camping 100% 100%
  • Public Lands 80% 80%
  • Walmart/Businesses 80% 80%
  • Ease of Use 70% 70%
  • Water, Dumping, Amenities 70% 70%

AllStays

  • Stealth Camping 20% 20%
  • Public Lands 80% 80%
  • Walmart/Businesses 100% 100%
  • Ease of Use 80% 80%
  • Water, Dumping, Amenities 80% 80%

Campendium

  • Stealth Camping 0% 0%
  • Public Lands 90% 90%
  • Walmart/Businesses 0% 0%
  • Ease of Use 90% 90%
  • Water, Dumping, Amenities 90% 90%

FreeCampsites.Net

  • Stealth Camping 80% 80%
  • Public Lands 80% 80%
  • Walmart/Businesses 50% 50%
  • Ease of Use 55% 55%
  • Water, Dumping, Amenities 90% 90%

Other Useful Camping Contenders

The Dyrt

The Dyrt has a good interface and compares well with Campendium in most areas. It also comes with the same use case of mainly being used for established campgrounds.

I’ve heard people swear by this app over Campendium or others, but it never took hold for me.

Recreation.gov

This is the governments app and website where you can book camping trips at designated sites, permits, tickets and passes. If you plan to visit any National park, you will eventually need to download this app or visit the site.  As you would expect, from a well-funded source, the app and website are more polished than other van life or camping apps. On the other hand this is only for federal land and obviously won’t give you any stealth campsites or van life resources.

The Van Life App

An app specifically designed for van life! This is the app that I hope to one day use more than any other. Unfortunately, in its current form it doesn’t offer as much reliability for free campsites as the 4 websites mentioned above. The crowdsourcing isn’t there like it is in the other options above.

It does however offer quite a bit of potential with the social connection aspect of van life. Each user has a profile and can choose to share their location to connect with other van lifers or travelers. Combine this with an events calendar of upcoming meetups and there is plenty to like in this app going forward.

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Van Life in Sedona

A Guide to Van Life in Sedona, AZ

This is a guide and review of van life in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona for good reason is one of the most popular van life locations due to its combination of day hikes, free camping, scenic red rocks and an active town.

Sedona is a bustling tourism destination, and on its own is a must visit. It has hiking, vortexes, romantic resorts and restaurants to suit every taste. There is something for everyone here.

Add in all the conveniences imaginably for those living van life and you will quickly see why there are hundreds of promaster, sprinter and transit vans roaming the streets.

What To Expect From this Guide

This is not an exhaustive list but a solo van lifers experience in Sedona on multiple occasions.  It has a personal twist to it that mixes van life essentials, hiking, and the best that Sedona offers for coffee, burgers and hangouts.

Like all the location reviews on this site this review is geared mainly towards visiting van lifers. With that said it can also be utilized by RV’s, van lifers living full time in Sedona, visitors looking to camp, and those visiting Sedona in a more traditional way.

 

hiking cave in sedona arizona

Location & Getting Around

Location

Sedona is located just over 2 hours north of Phoenix and 45 Minutes below Flagstaff. It is also only 2 hours below the Grand Canyon and within weekend trips for Page, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Monument Valley. This make for a convenient destination for those looking to explore southern Arizona or take on the famed van life exploration through the Arizona and Utah border.

Getting Around

The more you know about the main sections of Sedona the more simple it to get a grip on where to spend your time.  Luckily its a small town with a couple main roads to make it easy to find camping, hikes and food.  

West Sedona

West Sedona is the commercial area of town and one you will drive through each time you head into Sedona from camping on Forest Road 525. 

Uptown

This is the main tourist area and is home to restaurants, shops and hotels.  There is a short main drag where you will see everyone walking around and living the tourist life. Uptown is a must stop for a dinner or walk around the shops.  After you do this once you’ll likely want to avoid this area moving forward. 

Village of Oak Creek

Oak Creek is a small quiet town that conveniently borders popular hikes like Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. It’s much quieter than what you will see in West Sedona or Uptown and is a good spot to do work at the local coffee shops.  For this van lifer it was the main reason for visiting as its home to the best coffee in the Sedona area.

map of sedona arizona

The image above is courtesy of Red Rock TV 16.

Points of Interest

Hillside Shopping Plaza

The Hillside Shopping Center also has some cool outdoor seating on the second level with sick views while you are working. There is a public wifi connection that has full strength here, but I could never seem to get it to connect. There might be an issue with the password or my wifi was just acting up. Either way you should have good cell service here for a hotspot, read a book, or hangout before you eat at Dellepiane Burger or the Javelina Cantina.

Hillside is located off of West Sedona on the way to Oak Creek Village.

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Tilaquepaque

This little shopping/restaurant area is cool to walk around has a few decent food places.

Tilaquepaque is located on Route 179 just between two roundabouts and around a half of mile to Hillside Plaza.

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Hillside Shopping Plaza.  There are tables and chairs on the second floor, above Javelina Cantina and Dellepiane Burger, that make for great spots for work days. 

Neighboring Towns

Cottonwood

Cottonwood is located 15 minutes from camping on Forest Road 525 and is a convenient alternative to your visits into Sedona. Cottonwood is a bigger town and is home to a Planet Fitness to shower at, Starbucks with ample outdoor seating, Walmart, and Home Depot all within 1 square mile.  It’s an ideal located to stock up on supplies, easy access to wifi, get in a workout, and the all important shower afterwards. Old Town Cottonwood also has a nice little strip of restaurants with a small town vibe. It’s worth spending a night here after a workout.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a short 45 minute drive north of Sedona on one of my favorite roads of van life.  It’s a twisty incline to get out of Sedona before an almost straight shot through wooded areas. Make sure to stay very aware while driving in the evening as the turns are sharp and this area is known for large elk. In my time on the road i’ve seen one elk crossing and another three hanging out on the side of the road. Scary sight when you see how large they are without much time to avoid them.

Flagstaff is a city in a higher elevated that is home to the largest peak in the state. They have a vibey/funky downtown area with ample coffee spots, shopping, and restaurants.  If you head through then Diablo Burger is a must stop for the best burger in the state and some of my favorite fries as well.

Flagstaff is also home to whatever kind of big box stores you will need and has its own van life community and options.

mountains of flagstaff arizona

The mountains of Flagstaff are only a short 45 minute drive from Sedona.

Community

Reception From Locals

This is one of the most van life friendly towns you will find. Parking is ample in and around shopping centers and other vans are so common you normally won’t get a second look. 

 

Other Van Lifers

As mentioned there is a huge van life community in Sedona.  You will see other van lifers on hikes, at Planet Fitness, working at Starbucks, on the trails, and obviously camping on Forest Road 525. The majority of van lifers and nomads in Sedona are very friendly and will strike up a conversation or even join for a campfire.  The great thing about the 525 is that there are so many options for camping. You can join others in a more crowded section to make friends or you can seek out solitude in more private locations.

Dumping and Walks of Shame

Posse Park 

If you are using a camping toilet or…gasp… water bottles and plastic bags to take care of your waste then this is a good option.

One of the most accessible spots I found for the walk of shame in Sedona was the Posse Park off of Soldiers Pass Road. There are a couple of Restrooms attached to the fields there and they usually aren’t too overcrowded. This makes it easy to grab a restroom to yourself without too much attention called to your disposable.

If you are in an RV or rig there are some options down toward Cottonwood but I can’t give you my experience in that area.

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Free Campsites

Forest Road 525

Forest Road 525 is Where Its at in Sedona. It isn’t your only option in town, but its hard to beat. 

There are so many options on this road for all types of vehicles.

For those less adventurous the first lot on the left can be used for quick access on and off, but you will have to deal with more noise from the highway along with ATV’s in the morning.

After the first lot the road turns into dirt, still easily accessible for all, where there are lots for rigs, vans, and all types of vehicles. On the left there seems to be a van life circle, with a fire pit in the middle, that seems to draw a new crew each week. My chosen spot was shortly after that with a turn out into a dirt area with numerous fire pits. I wouldn’t call this a lot as it doesn’t have a direct road into it. You have to slowly go over a little dirt pass to get onto it. Again any vehicle, including rigs, can access this area as well. During peak times of the year all of these lots and areas are packed. I stayed in the first lot my first time through Sedona as it was November and the 525 was jamming.

Further down the dirt road, around 5ish miles, there are numerous scenic spots that will also offer more privacy if you are able to snag one. These can also fill up pretty fast in peak times. The downside is that you do have to travel further down the dirt road which will add some extra time to your commute in and out of Sedona. While the roads are well maintained and accessible you will still have things flying around from time to time. This can be worth it to some as the views are that much better.

For access to the best spots you should look to arrive mid week and set up a tent, chair, or other indicator that the site is taken. This will save you from having to look for a new spot every time you come back at night or even being out of luck on the extremely busy weekends.

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Sedona Hikes

As mentioned Sedona is one of the meccas of day hikes and has hike for every level.  What makes hiking in Sedona so special is the vicinity of how close they all are to the center of town and also to the campsite. You have hundreds of hikes within a 30 minute radius that offer the versatility of views, rock formations, caves and desert trails.

There is a much more extensive guide to hiking in Sedona located here. The section below will give you the options an how to plan your Sedona hiking adventures. 

Easy

1. The Birthing Cave

2. Airport Loop Hike

3. Chapel of the Holy Cross

4. Bell Rock

5. Courthouse Butte

Moderate

1. Devil’s Bridge

2. Cathedral Rock

3. Soldiers Pass Cave

4. Boynton Canyon

5. Hangover Trail

Hard

1. Bear Mountain

2. Wilson Mountain

3. Sterling Pass

4. Capitol Butte

5. Schnebly Hill

Showers and Fitness

This comes down to your budget and preference of gym locations. Planet Fitness was my preferred option but this was with the understanding that I would be splitting some days in Cottonwood instead of Sedona.

Planet Fitness – Cottonwood

Planet is usually the go to for van lifers in need of a workout and shower. For just over $20 you get access to any location in the country along with a guest each visit.  It’s a no brainer for individuals and especially for couples traveling together.  I spent 20 years working in high end gyms so this drop off took some getting used to. They have everything you need though to get in a good workout.  Only the more advanced gym goers will miss the weights above 75 pound, the airdyne bike and versaclimber.  At the very least they have the hot showers that van lifers crave.

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Snap Fitness – Sedona or Cottonwood 

This is the fancier and much more expensive option.  They also don’t have nearly as many locations across the country to take advantage of. My experience with the Sedona location wasn’t great when I was inquiring about memberships. It was almost as if they were brushing me off because I wasn’t a local in spite of wanting to make that my home club.  

Navigate to Sedona Snap Fitness

Navigate to Cottonwood Snap Fitness

 

Sunset Locations

Hangover Trail

The Hangover Trail is going to make you earn your sunset as its a 5.8 mile out and back hike.  The view at sunset, as you can see above, as well worth it.  The trail itself isn’t tough and you can usually make it back with some light left. 

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Airport Mesa

The airport overlook has great views, though there are crowds, at the top across from the parking lot. You can pay $3 to park at the top and then access the overlook or the short trail down to the airport loop area.

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Airport Vortex

This Vortex is a good pairing with the Airport Loop Trail as it ends right by the vortex. If you park in the lot up top then there is a little trail that goes down to the trailhead. Make sure to take the loop clockwise for the best views.

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Cathedral Rock

Cathedral is one of “THE” hikes in Sedona and also a must see at sunset. It is a quick hike and the entire out and back can be done during golden hour.  The hardest part here is finding parking during the busy season. The fun part for those in van life though is the option to avoid the busy tourist season. 

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 Water Availability

Natural Spring on Route 89A

A short 15-20 minute drive gives you access to a free spring water source a few miles past the West Fork Hike. I’ve used this a few times to fill up my tanks, and have used it for drinking water as well as to shower.

This was the most convenient water source i’ve come across on the road. It right down the street from a couple of the more popular hikes on the Sedona list and is also on the way out of town towards Flagstaff.  This is a no brainer and the only source that I needed while in town.

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Wifi and Hangout Spots

Starbucks

Decent coffee and fast wifi. That’s why you stop at Starbucks in Sedona. The coffee guide above filled you in on your options here. I will reiterate though that if you are doing van life in Sedona and you need wifi you will most likely be spending some time at one of the two locations below. 

Navigate to Sedona Starbucks

Navigate to Cottonwood Starbucks

 

Sedona Library

Not a coffee fan? Trying to save some cash for other van life trips? Still need fast wifi? 

The Sedona Library is your best bet and won’t disappoint. It’s free and has fast wifi.  A van lifers dream.

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Posse Park

There isn’t technically wifi at Posse Park, but it does make for a great location to spend the day away from the town and campsite. As mentioned earlier it’s also a good spot for a walk of shame(without the shame). Bring a blanket and hang out on one of the many fields here.

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Hillside Plaza

At some point you will likely eat at one of the restaurants at Hillside so it makes sense to spend a day of work here as well.  There are couches to lounge on and views to go with it. There is a public Sedona wifi connection but I wasn’t able to access it while in town. 

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