My Favorite Drive-Up Campsites

Last edited October 25, 2024

I’ve been living out of a car and exploring the world since May 2023. I’ve touched 43 states and 4 Canadian provinces, slept in countless neighborhoods, and tested my off-roading abilities and only got stuck twice. Nobody’s perfect ☺️.

I love my nomadic lifestyle, but I won’t over-glamorize it. The vast majority of my nights are spent stealth camping on quiet neighborhood backroads, in 24-hour parking lots, and at highway rest stops. I try to maintain a healthy work/nomad/life balance, so 4 to 5 nights a week I’m usually within a mile of a Planet Fitness (for showering) and a library (for working).

So then why do I live in a car? For the adventure that dances between the minutes I spend working. I’m chasing the remote campsites, the vistas, the wildlife, the meetups with friends, the solitude, the pictures, and the stories.

I’ve slept in some pretty incredible corners of the earth, and this is where I’m documenting the best ones.

Note: Readers should check local regulations before staying at any of these locations. I had no issues, but laws can change and I could’ve just been lucky.


United States of America*

Alabama – Alaska – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Delaware – Florida – Georgia – Hawaii – Idaho – Illinois – Indiana – Iowa – Kansas – Kentucky – Louisiana – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Missouri – MontanaNebraska – Nevada – New Hampshire – New Jersey – New Mexico – New York – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Oregon – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – South Dakota – Tennessee – Texas – Utah – Vermont – Virginia – Washington – West Virginia – Wisconsin – Wyoming

*Not every state has an entry. We’re working on it 🙂

International

Alberta, Canada


Colorado

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Idaho

Price: Free
Road Condition: Moderate

Maine

Price: Free (stealth)
Road Condition: Paved

Massachusetts

Price: Free
Road Condition: Paved

Montana

Price: Free
Road Condition: Rough

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Nebraska

Price: Free (stealth)
Road Condition: Paved

New York

Price: Free (stealth, got knock)
Road Condition: Paved

Price: Free, ~12 spots
Road Condition: Rough

Ohio

Price: Free (stealth)
Road Condition: Paved

South Dakota

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Utah

Price: ~15$
Road Condition: Mild

West Virginia

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Wyoming

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Price: Free
Road Condition: Mild

Alberta

Price: Free
Road Condition: Moderate


Thanks for reading to the end!

Cheers,

Chris

4 responses to “My Favorite Drive-Up Campsites”

  1. Hi Chris,

    Your travel history would be a formidable contender for an Olympic medal. Your dedication to expanding your knowledge through exploration is truly inspiring, and I’m sure you have an array of captivating stories to share. May your future adventures be just as thrilling and filled with even more adventures. Safe travels! 

    Cheers,

    Aunt Sally

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