The Best Smartphone Apps for Van Living

Introduction

Whether planning a road trip, short holiday away in your camper, or preparing for a new, full-time life on the open road, there are now a large range of smartphone apps available that have been designed to make your life easier.

During our extended trip away touring Europe and Morocco with our children last year, living as a full-time travel family, we made use of several of these on a regular basis. This was usually to help us with locating new and interesting places to experience and stay.

I was sure that there must be more out there that we are unaware of, though, especially outside of Europe. We therefore reached out to some of our favourite global travel bloggers for their own recommendations. These have been compiled below, to bring you what I hope is an interesting and fresh selection of what are some of the best smartphone apps for campervan/motorhome/RV holidays or for full-time van living.

Global Van Living Apps

Google Maps

Recommended by us, here at Children of Wanderlust

As a suggestion, I’m sure this won’t surprise you or win any prizes for originality, but the Google Maps app is still worthy of a mention. The free app has grown in features over the years to develop into something that is just so incredibly useful, it has become almost impossible to ignore or not use (even for those who may have doubts about Google as a company or their data harvesting practices).

Not only does the app provide accurate global maps that can be zoomed to scale and displayed as either road, satellite or terrain maps, it is also a valuable resource for locating places of interest, restaurants, shops, useful services, or campsites. These features are often accompanied by useful user reviews, to help you to best select where to go.

Arguably the best feature of all for van living though, is the Navigation section of the app. This allows you to turn your phone into a fully functioning sat nav system, with turn by turn directions to guide you wherever you want to go (available in much of the world). Live traffic reports also help you to plan and adjust your route in real time, to avoid any congestion and get to your destination along the best possible route.

Whether you like it or not, you’ll find it difficult to find another app that can perform all of the functions that Google Maps manages, anywhere near as well. It’s a tough one to do without.

Maps.Me

Recommended by Bailey, from Destinationless Travel (https://destinationlesstravel.com/)

No matter where you experience van life, one thing is for sure, you’re going to need a great map app! Having a map on hand on your smartphone will ensure you don’t get lost as well as provide peace of mind for getting around.  

Maps.me is a popular app for travellers for a couple of reasons. First of all, the maps are downloadable which means they can be used easily later. You can download entire countries or regions quickly which ensures you are never stuck in a remote location, lost, without internet or data connection. That’s right, you can use this app without having any internet access at all! When you road trip in places like New Zealand, Patagonia, or anywhere remote for that matter, having this feature is very valuable. 

Second of all, many landmarks and useful amenities are included in this app that are often missed on other popular map apps like Google Maps. You see, Maps.Me allows users to submit points of interest which in turn help other travellers too. You can find secret attractions, trails, viewpoints, as well as useful things like ATMs marked on Maps.Me. You can also save your favourite destinations or add some of your own “hidden gems” to help others too.  

And the best part? Maps.Me is free to use! 

Wiki Camps

Recommended by Steph, from A Nomad’s Passport (https://www.anomadspassport.com/)

Wiki Camps is one of the most useful apps for van living or when planning a road trip. Being a user-based database in app-form, the Wiki Camps apps provide current information about campgrounds, free camping sites, day-use areas, public dumping points and water facilities. Additionally, there is information about points of interest, information centers and hostels.

All information about the locations is constantly updated and the review section allows one to find out if the location is suitable for one’s van. If there are any recent issues or changes to a location, you are sure to find out by reading the location’s review, so it is recommended not to skip them. Some stops even have photos attached to them.

The Wiki Camps app allows one to filter the locations so you can adjust everything according to your interests and your vehicle type. Due to an extensive ‘features and facilities’ section, it is also the perfect way to find not only a camping spot but one with amazing features such as a scenic environment, swimming opportunities or a good phone reception.

It is also possible to create favourite locations and to add them to a planner, which in turn allows you to calculate the total driving distance and expected fuel costs.

There are apps for five countries, which include many of the common van life countries: Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and the U.K. The individual apps cost a small amount of money, but it is money well spent. For people downloading the apps via European app stores, the apps tend to cost €2.29 each.

All Trails

Recommended by Bailey, from My Queenstown Diary (https://myqueenstowndiary.com/)

It’s no question that one of the best activities to do while you’re on the road is hiking. With your own wheels and nature at your fingertips, finding a few hiking trails is a must – and the best way to do that is with the All Trails app.  

All Trails is both a website and app used by avid hikers for finding trails, learning about them, and reading reviews. Hikes that are well off-the-beaten-path are often listed here, which makes finding a new and exciting hike in your area pretty easy! In fact, even in popular hiking destinations like the South Island of New Zealand, can you find relatively unexplored trails on this app! 

The recent reviews left by other hikers are super helpful for knowing what to expect on any trail. This is especially useful after a storm when trail maintenance could be in question.  

Other features on the All Trails app include making lists of hiking you want to do as well as hikes you’ve already done. You can record while you’re hiking that tells you the distance you hiked and then save the info directly on the app. The app also shows the current and upcoming weather on any trail and when connected with your location settings, displays hikes that are closest to your exact location – pretty neat! 

All Trails is free to use, however, there is a paid version that allows you to use more features such as downloading and using the map function offline. 

Geocaching

Recommended by Emma, from Our Wayfaring Life (https://ourwayfaringlife.com.au/)

For the traveller, Geocaching is the perfect outdoor activity. Perfect because it is fun, it takes you to interesting locations that are off the usual tourist path, is a great way of getting some exercise, and involves finding treasures called caches. Young, older, solo or travelling as a couple or family, Geocaching is something everyone can do. 

So what is Geocaching? It is the hunt for a hidden “cache” using GPS co-ordinates. A cache is simply a container which can vary from very small called a micro (size of your thumb nail), to much larger.

Each cache will have a log book for you to sign and many will also have treasures (objects) inside. Sometimes there will be a written story about why the objects are inside the cache. Others will be a random collection and may even allow you to take one or do a swap. The treasures are often things like shells, foreign coins, plastic figurines, stickers and other small items. Part of the fun after finding a cache is finding what is inside.

The Geocaching app works by having a world-wide map with the locations of all the registered geocaches. Simply select a geocache near you and select the navigate icon. Then follow the navigation and look for the cache.
Each Geocache’s listing will give you a description often saying something about why the particular site was selected. It may have a historical significance, be a beautiful spot or some other reason. The listing will also give information about the cache size, hints, level of difficulty and lets you log that you have found it.

It is possible to use the app and have lots of fun for free. There is also a paid version as well in app purchases costing from $7.72 to $49.99.

For more great apps for keeping you active when on the road, also take a look at this selection of some of the best health & fitness apps.

European Van Living Apps

Park4Night

Recommended by us, here at Children of Wanderlust

There are several apps out there that offer map-based listings for places to stay. In Europe at least, I think the best of the lot is the Park4Night app.

The app features a variety of places to stay in a campervan or motorhome, including campsites, official public or privately owned camper stops, farmstays, and unofficial wild camping (without services) locations. Each location includes details of the services that can be expected there, as well as user reviews and photos from other people who have stayed there. These features allow you to filter and narrow your search, so as to find the perfect place to stay.

As well as stopovers, the app also includes service points (for emptying and re-filling), and some other useful locations, such as laundry facilities.

Along with reviews, users of the app are also able to upload new locations as they find them, which are added following moderation. This ensures that the database of places to stay is always growing and evolving to stay up to date at all times.

During our extended trip away with our kids in our motorhome around Europe and Morocco last year, there was almost never a day that went by that we didn’t turn to the Park4Night app for inspiration for where to go next. Without it we would have definitely missed out on some really special and unexpected overnight locations, such as at the picture below on Portugal’s Algarve.

Best of all, the main functions of the app are free! Use of the app off-line and other additional options incur a cost of €1.99 a month, or €9.99 for a year.

Although we have never personally needed to use another app for finding places to stay, alternatives that perform a similar function and also come recommended are the Searchforsites and Campercontact apps.

France Passion

Recommended by Paul, from The Two That Do (https://www.thetwothatdo.com/)

Every van-lifer simply must be aware of the incredible France Passion scheme providing access to over 2,000 hosts throughout the country. For an annual fee of just €30, members are able to stop overnight for free at any of these locations. There are a huge selection of farms, vineyards and other food producers.

To help locate these stops, members receive a comprehensive guide book and access to the France Passion app. Both provide a brief summary of each stop, including details such as the host’s activity, site facilities, and directions in three languages.

France is one of the world’s most visited countries due its huge array of attractions, from coastal and mountain resorts popular with all ages, to of course its many gastronomic delights. Becoming a France Passion member allows self-sufficient travellers access to not just scenic, rural parts of the country, but also to first hand experience of these producers and their incredible produce.

Whatever your own preference you will be more than catered for – ciders in Normandy, the freshest seafood on the Cote d’Azur and Alsatian wines are just a selection of the produce within reach.

The France Passion app deserves to be an essential part of your vanlife. Should you find a stop full, or you just don’t like the look of it, bring up the app and scroll to the many others within the vicinity. The only issue you’ll have will be deciding which one to choose.

If you like the sound of France Passion, also check out their sister schemes in other countries around Europe and the rest of the world:

• United Kingdom – Britstops
• Spain – Espana Discovery
• Switzerland – Swiss Terroir
• Germany – Landvergnugen
• Sweden – Swede Stops
• Denmark – Pintrip
• U.S.A. – Harvest Hosts
• New Zealand – Okay2Stay

North American Van Living Apps

Allstays Camp and RV

Recommended by Agnes, from The Van Escape (https://thevanescape.com/)

An excellent app for people living in a van or travelling by van or RV in the U.S. and Canada, is the Allstays Camp and RV App. This App is perfect for planning your roadtrips. Using it saves time, stress and money. The App is available for iPhones, and there is also a desktop version.

Perhaps most importantly, it is possible to find and filter places and services with or without the internet.

The App shows over 30000 campings in the U.S. and Canada. It includes private campings, National & State Parks, National & State Forests, BLM areas, KOA, Good Sam, Escapees, Passport America, 1000 Trails, ROD, RPI, AOR, Coast to Coast, Elk, County/City Parks, Army Corps, Military famcamps.

What’s more, it includes Walmarts (with overnight parking reports), Casinos, Elk Lodges, Rest areas with and without amenities, Truck Stops.

For van lifers, there are also helpful stores (Propane Fills, Camping World, REI, Cabelas, Gander Mtn, Dicks, Bass Pro Shops) and RV related businesses (including dealers and service centers). You will find information about tunnel heights on the routes and any restrictions on the length of the RV.

How to use it? 

Navigating the application is very simple and intuitive. The information and maps are very detailed and up to date. You can zoom the map in/out, move the map, and choose from three map views: standard, hybrid, or satellite. Standard and advanced filters facilitate navigation and selection of information. It’s handy if you are looking for specific services in an area. If you are looking for a free dump facility, you tap “RV Dumps – Extra Places” to see if it’s available outside of campgrounds and truck stops. You can also search for free campgrounds in your area. 

Cost

The Allstays Camp and RV App costs only $9.99. 

Campendium

Recommended by Preethi, from Local Passport Family (https://www.localpassportfamily.com/)

Of all the apps out there that are helpful for van life, Campendium is one of the very best. Whether staying in RV parks, primitive campgrounds, or boondocking, it has all the locations available for your van or rig. Unsure what boondocking is? – check out What is Boondocking: RV Dry Camping Tips. The app also includes spots to dump and fill water if needed.

Campendium is one of the most accurate sources for location data, and allows you to click directly from the app into your favorite directions app using the GPS coordinates. It also provides info on Wifi and cellular service, which is crucial for anyone working while living in a van. The app provides info on laundry facilities, hookups, length limits, amenities, and more.

In addition to the facts and logistics about various van and RV spots, the app also encourages user reviews so potential visitors can read first-hand experiences from other travellers. This is especially useful while dry camping, as potential visitors can evaluate the remoteness of the area, if there are level spots, and any other potential perks and hazards. Do know that the app is not comprehensive – it generally won’t include suspect spots or ones that aren’t well-reviewed. Because of that, however, the sites that are included are generally very trustworthy.

While the app is free, there is a small annual fee to access certain features (like wireless/cellular coverage). Still, it’s a minor cost for tons of useful information. Be sure to download the app in advance so it is loaded and ready to go for anytime service is available to look up the next rest spot.

Gypsy Guide

Recommended by Jen, from The Go Family Adventure (www.thegofamilyadventure.com)

The Gypsy Guide app provides narrated driving tours through multiple locations (each downloaded separately). These tours work at the pace with which you drive and offer a professional guide giving the whole car history, factoids and suggestions on  points of interest. “It’s just like having a tour guide in your car” is their tagline  and nothing could be closer to the truth.

Each tour is filled with not be missed  sites, suggested side trips, and the best overlooks and photo opportunities.  These tours are appreciated by young and old and give the driver a way to stay  involved without missing anything. The app enhances what could be felt as a  long, boring drive by maintaining a healthy balance between keeping the  listeners engaged, but not irritated.

Locations available for download: 

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain National Park (5.99), Arches Canyonlands ($9.99),  Zion Bryce Canyon ($9.99), Black Hills Bad Lands ($9.99), Grand Canyon South ($5.99), Great  Smoky Mountains ($9.99), Maui ($9.99), Big Island Hawaii ($9.99), Kauai ($8.99), Oahu ($8.99),  

Going to the Sun Road of Glacier National Park ($4.99), Vermont RT100 ($5.99), Yosemite  ($5.99), Big Sur Highway ($9.99), Las Vegas ($9.99), Calgary to Banff, Miami Key West ($9.99),  Icefields Parkway ($6.99), Canadian Rockies (19.99), Great Ocean Road ($8.99), Waterton &  Alberta ($4.99), Drumheller ($3.99), Jasper National Park ($6.99), Vancouver Downtown ($3.99),  Vancouver Whistler ($3.99). 

The Gypsy Guide app can be used on iPhone/iPad (iOS 9.0 or later)

The tours work offline, using free GPS signal and location services, so no data  roaming, network, or WiFi is required while touring. Do keep an eye on battery drainage while the app is being used, though.

In Summary

While I fully subscribe to the view that time spent away in a camper provides the perfect opportunity to escape the constant screen-time of everyday life, there is no denying that this technology is now here to stay. To not therefore selectively make use of all that is now available, would seem to be a wasted opportunity. There has been an explosion in the range of smartphone apps for travel in recent years, and some of them really are incredibly helpful for travellers of all kinds.

During our own extended trip of van living in our motorhome with our children last year, we certainly made use of some of these apps. Others from this list, I must confess, I’d never heard of before, but will definitely be looking to use myself in the future.

Ultimately, there is no denying that these apps can really help to smooth out or enhance the experience of van living, particularly when it comes to locating new and interesting places to stop overnight when constantly on the move. They are clearly here to stay, so use them as a way of getting some screen-time for good and, once the world allows it again, get out there exploring. I know we can’t wait!

If you would like to contribute your own recommendation for this article, please get in touch.

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