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In case you ask van lifers about their must-have van life apps or how they discover free campsites, they virtually at all times point out iOverlander.
After I first began van life again in 2016, discovering campsites was much more tough than it’s right this moment. Whereas there have been campsite finder apps, they weren’t almost as strong. Telephone service was additionally much more spotty. This meant you needed to do your analysis forward of time and rely extra on paper maps.
Luckily for van lifers, automobile campers, and highway trippers, the know-how has gotten so significantly better. Today, Ryan and I hardly ever make a plan for the place we’re going to camp.
The truth is, the flexibility to be spontaneous is likely one of the issues I really like most about van life. Most frequently, after wrapping up our day’s actions, I flip to the iOverlander app on my cellphone to see what our choices are for close by tenting. Whether or not we’re on the lookout for a longtime campground, casual campsite, or dispersed tenting, iOverlander is extraordinarily helpful for locating locations to camp on the fly.
Though iOverlander is extensively generally known as an app for locating free campsites, you can even discover different useful van life, tenting, and journey options like water hookups, laundromats, and showers.
This iOverlander overview consists of details about the app, tips on how to use it, and the professionals and cons. I hope you’ll be taught extra about how iOverlander works and the way it may also help you in your adventures!
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What’s an Overlander?
iOverlander defines overlanders as self-reliant vacationers in quest of distant locations. In overlanding, the purpose is to not attain a particular vacation spot; the aim of the journey is to benefit from the strategy of getting there.
An “overlander” might be described by the next:
Useful Tip
You don’t want 4×4 to make use of iOverlander
Though iOverlander was initially constructed for overlanders, you don’t want a 4×4 overlanding car to make use of the app or contemplate your self a conventional “overlander.” You is usually a customer to a brand new space fascinated by exploring choices for tenting or journey facilities.
What’s the iOverlander App & Web site?
iOverlander was began by two overlanders, Sam Christiansen and Jessica Mans. They noticed a necessity for compiling tenting places and different dependable sources for individuals touring and dwelling of their automobiles.
Slowly, the location remodeled right into a nonprofit challenge that’s now virtually totally operated by customers throughout the globe. This group volunteers their time, concepts, and GPS coordinates to assist different overlanders discover sources throughout their travels
iOverlander is extra than simply an app for locating free campsites, although. Listed below are a number of options that you could find on the iOverlander app and web site.
iOverlander app options
Today, virtually everybody within the nomadic group recommends downloading iOverlander as a solution to discover free campsites in addition to different facilities you want on the highway.
What You Can Discover on iOverlander
Under is an inventory of the kinds of campsites and facilities you will see on the iOverlander app. Distinct icons on the app mark these classes.
It’s essential to notice that iOverlander is a worldwide useful resource, so a number of the classes won’t really feel relevant to US journey. Nevertheless, for those who have been to highway journey all the way down to Baja, go to the Icefields Parkway in Canada, or drive the Pan-American Freeway all the way down to South America (my dream!), the vary of facilities within the app can be very helpful!
Established Campgrounds
Paid campgrounds vary from privately owned RV parks with a pool, laundry, and extra to designated websites in a Nationwide Park with no facilities.
Whereas I personally assume there are extra complete van life apps for paid established campsites, having these websites in iOverlander continues to be useful if there aren’t many free or accessible campsites, an space doesn’t really feel protected, or you’re on the lookout for a paid campground with facilities like a bathe.
Casual Campsites
These are on-advertised tenting spots connected to different companies or amenities. They’re locations the place tenting is permitted by the property proprietor corresponding to a Cracker Barrel, Walmart, or Love’s fuel station.
Wild Tenting
In any other case generally known as dispersed tenting, these are distant spots the place tenting is permitted on public lands, corresponding to BLM land and Nationwide Forest land.
They’re free and infrequently have facilities. This class is the primary motive why van lifers have a tendency to make use of and advocate the iOverlander app for touring in america. Try my detailed information on tips on how to discover free dispersed tenting for more information about tenting on public lands.
Resort/Hostel
Motels and hostels listed on the app are sometimes accessible with no reservation. The app forbids Airbnb and long-term condo leases.
Gas Station
Gas stations in distant areas (particularly in worldwide locations) the place providers are in any other case restricted.
Propane
Locations you’ll be able to refill your mounted propane tanks or bottles.
Mechanic and Components
Locations that supply mechanical providers or auto elements.
Water
Locations you’ll be able to refill your tanks with protected, potable ingesting water. Most locations listed on the app within the class are fuel stations with complementary water spigots if you buy gasoline or one thing inside. If I can’t discover any water fill stations on iOverlander, I flip to considered one of my different favourite apps for locating water and showers on the highway.
Quick-Time period Parking
Daytime or in a single day parking spots in crowded locations the place parking is tough. We used this function to search out parking in Banff the place parking for Sprinter Van-sized rigs is extraordinarily restricted.
Recycling & Eco-Pleasant Companies
In case you’ve been doing van life for some time, you know the way tough it may be to search out locations to drop off your cans and bottles. This class consists of listings for amenities with eco-friendly providers corresponding to recycling. If you wish to be extra eco-friendly on the highway, think about using these amenities in your travels.
Sanitation Dump Station
Locations the place it’s authorized to empty the bathroom or pee jug in your rig. Dump stations inside campgrounds are included on the app if they’re additionally accessible to non-campers.
Restaurant
Locations with exceptionally good (or dangerous) meals, costs, or places in distant areas.
Vacationer Attraction
Vital stops with detailed descriptions.
Procuring
Consists of high-quality grocery shops or these in distant areas. This class additionally options native handmade artisan items and markets. When BFT contributor Kaylin visited Sedona in her van, she seen there have been some Native American markets with hand-made objects marked on this class that she handed on the facet of the highway.
Monetary
Banks or ATMs in areas the place there are few. It additionally consists of locations to change cash in worldwide locations.
Wifi
These are companies that supply respectable wifi together with eating places and cafes. After I’m engaged on the highway and must add massive information to the web (or I simply wish to obtain some new Netflix reveals), I’ll use iOverlander to discover a place we are able to try this. See my information to Van Life Web for extra tips about getting wifi on the highway.
Medical
Spots the place overlanders can obtain medical consideration or care in distant or unusual areas. If you’re visiting a dispersed space close to a small city and have a medical emergency whereas tenting, this class may direct you to the closest medical middle (though if in case you have cellphone service, I’d in all probability go to Google first).
Pet Companies
Anyplace providing providers to pets, together with canine parks and veterinarians. On days when we’ve got lengthy drives with our two canine, we use the iOverlander app to search out close by canine parks and dog-friendly trails the place our canine can burn some vitality.
Laundromat
Locations the place overlanders can do their laundry.
Showers
Consists of places for each free and paid showers corresponding to recreation facilities, truck stops, and so on.
Border Customs and Immigration
Useful data for overlanders concerning border crossings, together with information that helps vacationers keep away from paying bribes.
Checkpoint
Everlasting police, army, or agricultural checkpoints with information about what to anticipate. Consists of useful data for overlanders to keep away from paying bribes.
Consulate/Embassy
Describes experiences at particular consulates and embassies.
Car Insurance coverage
Getting insurance coverage to your camper van might be difficult – particularly for those who’re touring overseas. iOverlander lists locations to get insurance coverage while you’re touring overseas.
Car Transport
Locations the place you’ll be able to ship your car (ex: going throughout the Panama Canal).
Car Storage
Places the place overlanders can retailer their automobiles for over per week.
Warnings
Warnings to non-public well being, security, or property, corresponding to muggings, thefts, or violent crimes.
This class additionally consists of main highway issues when the highway is impassable or delayed for 2 hours or extra.
Different
Locations that don’t slot in different classes however are of curiosity to overlanders.
Learn Extra
Gear Up For Tenting
Use iOverlander
You’ll be able to entry iOverlander through the web site or the free app. Each present a practical, user-friendly expertise, however I discover the cellphone app to be a lot simpler to make use of on the go than the web site.
The entire data in iOverlander is crowdsourced, that means the entire places within the app are uploaded by different customers.
You not solely have the flexibility to browse campsites and different facilities within the app, however you can even add new places or replace listings based mostly in your expertise.
This part walks you thru tips on how to create an account, browse places, apply filters, test into present locations, add new locations, and look at your check-in historical past.
Create an iOverlander account
To create an account, you have to to enter your e mail handle and select a password. You can even select to show your weblog/username for those who like (word that this might be seen to everybody on the app).
For instance, since BFT contributor Kaylin has a weblog and social media channels along with her husband underneath the title Roam With Much less, she likes to depart critiques for locations underneath this title on the iOverlander app.
You don’t want to create an account to make the most of the app. Nevertheless, I like to recommend creating an account for the advantages listed beneath.
iOverlander account advantages:
Browse places
You’ve a few completely different choices for looking places on iOverlander. You’ll be able to both:
- Browse by map
- Browse by checklist
I at all times use the “Map” view to browse the area I’m trying to camp in. While you click on on “Map,” iOverlander will present your present location and the entire locations customers have marked on the map round you.
To make use of the map, you’ll be able to zoom out and in by pinching your fingers collectively and aside.
Another choice on the primary menu is to browse places by clicking “Record.” This view will present you an inventory of close by locations customers have marked on the app in accordance with your present GPS location. On this view, additionally, you will have the ability to see the coordinates to your present location and your present altitude.
Apply filters
The default setting for iOverlander is to indicate all places in all classes on the app. To make the map really feel much less cluttered, you’ll wish to use the Filter function to solely show the classes you have an interest in.
On each the “Map” and “Record” view, you’ll be able to click on the blue “Filter” button within the high proper nook of the app. You’ll be able to click on the blue “None” button to show all of the classes off, then choose the one(s) you wish to see on the map or checklist.
I exploit this function when trying to find one thing particular, corresponding to free campsites in an space. On this case, I activate the filters for “Casual Campsite” and “Wild Tenting” and switch the opposite filters off.
Test into present locations
You’ll be able to assist hold the locations listed on iOverlander up-to-date for different vacationers by checking into places and leaving an outline or overview of your expertise there. If one thing doesn’t match the outline, you’ll be able to replace any particulars in regards to the spots as wanted.
For instance, if a list says the location has a hearth ring, however land managers have eliminated fireplace rings resulting from a hearth ban, you’ll be able to replace that information throughout your keep. Or if the highway is quite a bit rougher than the outline, it’s actually useful for future guests to know that so that they don’t enterprise down a highway they shouldn’t.
Understand that your overview might not present on the app instantly. Moderators might overview it earlier than publishing it on the database.
test into a spot
Useful Tip
Go away descriptions when you’ll be able to
Even when the main points of a spot haven’t modified, it’s useful for different customers for those who depart an outline of your expertise there. Since some spots aren’t reviewed for months (and even years) at a time, this enables different customers to see that somebody visited the spot not too long ago.
Add a brand new place
The entire spots in iOverlander are added by customers, which suggests you’ll be able to add new locations to the database in the event that they meet the factors for entry. The principle criterion is that each one spots within the iOverlander database are of curiosity to no less than one kind of overlander (i.e., overlanders touring with pets).
iOverlander location standards
I respect these guidelines as a result of it means I don’t have to fret about getting a knock from the police or pissing off any locals – each of which assist me sleep higher at evening.
New listings should comprise related and high quality data, and the contributor should additionally bodily go to the place earlier than itemizing it.
add a brand new place
View your check-in historical past
One of many advantages of checking into locations you go to on the iOverlander app is having the ability to view them in your check-in historical past. This function is useful while you wish to consult with locations that you’ve got beforehand visited.
For instance, one time I stayed at a tremendous spot close to Crater Lake that I discovered on iOverlander. By checking in, I can simply discover that spot once more subsequent time I’m in that space on the lookout for tenting.
From the primary menu, click on “Test-in historical past.” This view will present you an inventory of all of the earlier places you have got checked into on the app. They’re listed so as by date, with the newest locations you have got checked into listed first.
In case you click on on one of many places you have got beforehand checked into, you’ll be able to see the coordinates, altitude, description, and pictures you included. You’ll be able to edit these at any time.
Execs of iOverlander
Now that you know the way to make use of iOverlander, you could perceive why this app is so in style amongst vacationers!
On this part of the iOverlander overview, I spotlight my favourite options of the app.
1. It’s free
One of many greatest perks of utilizing iOverlander is that this app is free. There’s at the moment no paid choice for customers, so everybody enjoys all the advantages without charge.
Since iOverlander is a nonprofit challenge, there aren’t any commercials on the app or web site.
Though the creators have thought of including a paid choice for iOverlander sooner or later, they declare on the web site that they are going to at all times proceed to supply a free model of the app.
2. It’s simple to make use of
One other professional of iOverlander is that it’s simple to make use of. The app supplies an intuitive, simple person expertise.
Useful iOverlander components
3. It’s the greatest app for locating free campsites
Many iOverlander customers like myself use the app for the first objective of discovering free campsites.
iOverlander free campsite advantages
4. It’s handy to see accessible amenities in an space
Whereas discovering free campsites on iOverlander is handy, the app is greater than only a free tenting app.
As a part-time van lifer who usually wants different journey facilities corresponding to water, showers, and laundromats, I exploit iOverlander to see what different vacationers have really useful and skilled within the areas I go to.
As an alternative of spending time researching these facilities in Google, I can open iOverlander to see which facilities can be found in an space.
5. It’s accessible with out cell service
A last advantage of utilizing iOverlander is that you don’t want a cell sign to make use of the app or entry the places within the database. You solely want cell service to view the pictures of places.
This function is useful while you camp in dispersed areas with no cell service and must view the map or see your GPS coordinates.
There have been occasions after I’ve misplaced service on the best way to a campsite, making Google Maps unusable. Fortunately iOverlander labored, and I used to be nonetheless in a position to navigate our solution to a campsite.
Cons of iOverlander
Though the iOverlander app has the advantages of being free, simple to make use of, accessible with out cell service, and options campsites together with facilities for an space, there are some downsides.
This part of my iOverlander overview explores a few of its shortcomings.
1. Its data is just not at all times present
As a result of this app depends on knowledge from volunteer vacationers, a number of the data on locations listed is incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated.
Lack of particulars
After I seek for wild campsites, I usually discover locations missing an in depth, useful description. For instance, some contributors fail to incorporate data just like the accessibility of the highway to get to the campsite, what number of spots can be found, and if there may be cell service. It’s also laborious to inform what the campsite might be like when the contributor doesn’t embody pictures.
I’ve arrived on the campsites to search out that the spot is just not as described. Maybe the contributor said that the campsite features a fireplace ring or good cell service when it doesn’t. This discrepancy might be as a result of contributor offering inaccurate details about the spot, or there may be the chance that the campsite modified for the reason that contributor wrote the preliminary description.
No current critiques
One other downfall is that some places lack current critiques. There are spots with no person critiques in months and even years. It’s laborious to inform if the spots are nonetheless there or nonetheless have the facilities talked about.
For that motive, I have a tendency to choose spots with extra strong, current critiques and pictures. The draw back of that is the extra thorough the critiques, the busier and extra in style the spot tends to be.
2. It lacks some useful options
Though the app consists of useful options corresponding to the choice to filter classes and see an inventory of spots you have got visited in your check-in historical past, it additionally lacks some options that would profit the general person expertise.
No search bar
One lacking function is the flexibility to kind within the location of the place you’re touring right into a search bar.
For instance, if I wish to see spots round Phoenix, AZ, I would really like to have the ability to kind this location right into a search bar that takes me on to this space on the map. As an alternative, customers should go to the map view, zoom out of the map, navigate to Arizona, after which zoom into Phoenix to see the places listed there.
No filters for particular campground options
One other downfall is that there isn’t any solution to get essential data on campsites with out clicking on them individually.
As an example, there isn’t any solution to inform which campsites require 4×4 or which spots are big-rig pleasant. You’ll be able to solely discover this data by clicking on the placement and studying the descriptions.
It could prevent time to have particular tenting filters, particularly for wild tenting.
Additionally, some campsites nonetheless seem on the map even after customers mark them completely closed. There’s at the moment no solution to filter these out both.
Can’t save future campgrounds
A last function that iOverlander lacks is the flexibility to avoid wasting or mark spots you wish to hold observe of to go to sooner or later.
If I selected one function I’d like to see them add, that is it. Though you’ll be able to test into spots while you’re there and look at spots you have got beforehand visited, there may be at the moment no solution to save the campsites you propose to journey to.
After I seek for spots on iOverlander and discover a place I plan to go to, there isn’t any manner to reserve it. It’s inconvenient to attempt to refind spots on the map. I often screenshot the coordinates and outline of the spot to recollect it for my journey. This technique works, however I want I may mark or save spots immediately within the app.
3. It has an outdated interface
Though not a serious downfall, the iOverlander app has an outdated interface. The design of the app lacks a contemporary contact.
It appears to be like and feels just like the designers made it a very long time in the past. Because the app is a nonprofit challenge managed by volunteers, it looks like they might not have the funds, time, or capability to enhance it. Fortunately this doesn’t have an effect on the efficiency or performance of the app.
4. Fashionable campsites get busy
Among the well-known or most ceaselessly visited spots on the iOverlander app have grow to be overcrowded. Now that extra individuals know in regards to the iOverlander app and use it as their go-to supply for tenting, many vacationers are driving to the identical campsites, particularly in areas the place there aren’t many choices at no cost tenting.
Since everybody has entry to the identical free campsites, the spots which might be the most well-liked and extremely reviewed are sometimes already taken, particularly for those who present up after work on a Friday evening.
Utilizing iOverlander, there isn’t any solution to know forward of time if the campsite you take note of has already been taken, so you could take an opportunity for those who decide a well-liked tenting space that solely has a few spots.
You might danger having to discover a new spot on the final minute at midnight. This has occurred to Ryan and me many occasions, forcing us to maintain driving a lot later than we deliberate, and it’s taught us to not wait till the final minute – particularly on the weekends.
Useful Tip
Arrive early to in style campsites
Arriving early to in style iOverlander campsites is much more essential if in case you have an even bigger rig, like a big RV. We’ve all seen individuals arriving late to a tenting space solely to cram into another person’s spot once they can’t discover a spot of their very own. This makes the expertise uncomfortable for others who arrived early to snag a spot and is actually not nice camper etiquette.
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Have you ever tried the iOverlander app? What data would you add to this iOverlander overview? Inform me within the feedback!
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