One of the things I love about having a campervan is that van life offers the ultimate mix of freedom, flexibility, and adventure. We get to wake up by the ocean one weekend, head to a Pride festival the next, or camp in the wilderness for some much-needed quiet. But while van life (and camping in general) is liberating, it also comes with unique considerations for queer travelers. Here are five van-life lessons that can help make your journey safer, more inclusive, and more joyful.
1. Safety First—Sleep Tight
When it comes to gay camping or boondocking, safety matters. Apps like iOverlander can help locate all sorts of spots to camp (or park) for the night, but they don’t always tell you if a spot feels queer-friendly. While campgrounds and RV parks like one of our favorites in Bend are often really friendly, as is true with any other kind of travel, pay attention to your surroundings and take simple safety precautions like locking doors.
Campers are generally a welcoming and friendly bunch, but if you get a bad vibe—trust it. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to move on, or if you’re at a campground alert a camp host (in my experience, camp hosts are among the most awesome folks and they have seen it all). Remember, your van is your home—you get to decide where you feel comfortable resting.
2. Find Your Community in the Wild
One of the best parts of LGBTQ camping is the community. Whether it’s through Facebook groups (check out Gay Camping Friends), Instagram, or meetups, queer nomads are connecting everywhere.
One of my favorite experiences has been a Gentlemen’s Camping Weekend in Central Oregon that a couple friends organized several years in a row. I’ve made great friends and reconnected with others. Sharing stories, sharing food, skinny dipping in an alpine creek, or sharing camping tips with people who understand the company is even more important than the destination.
3. Flexibility Is Your Superpower
Van life is about freedom—and we, like other LGBTQ travelers, often use that freedom to seek out inclusive spaces. While the northwest doesn’t have a lot of gay campgrounds, there are a few. Check out TRC (Triangle Recreation Camp) in Washington or Bamboo Acres in Oregon. And there are a couple conveniently located RV parks in Palm Springs too.
If something feels off, keep moving until you find a welcoming spot. On the flip side, if a Pride festival (like Bend Winter Pridefest) pops up, make a beeline and join the fun! Or, in our case, we’ve enjoyed doing an overnight in Hood River or Cascade Locks before heading to the beach at Rooster Rock the next morning. Van life makes it easy to pivot, and that flexibility ensures your journey is guided by joy instead of obligation.
4. Visibility Is Personal—Do What Feels Right
Some van-lifers proudly display rainbow flags or decals. We don’t … unless we’re with other gay folks or in a campground or park where we feel particularly comfortable, and then we roll out the awning and drape the pride flag.
As with anywhere, visibility can invite connection and celebration, while in others, we don’t feel like inviting unwelcome comments or worse. Whether you’re dancing at a gay camping event or driving through a conservative area, remember that how you present yourself on the road is your choice—and it’s always okay to prioritize your comfort and safety.
Beyond being a mode of transportation, our van is our sanctuary. We keep a Pride flag tucked inside and that bottle of wine on board has been an opportunity to engage with friendly campground neighbors. It’s all a great reminder that home is where you make it.
5. Make Your Van Your Home
To be fair, we’re pretty basic at home, and our van reflects this. Some folks have a dozen decorative pillows, themed curtains—the works. We have a set of sheets that match those at home, some plastic Walmart plates, and the extra set of IKEA silverware from when we moved in together. We brought even less when we rented a VW Vanagon in Maui for a week. You do you.
In all seriousness, it is the little things, though. Unlike a road trip in a car, it’s easy to bring an extra blanket and your favorite pillow (and pets). Or pour-over coffee packets (you know, for when you don’t have shore power for the drip coffeemaker). Or the inflatable T-Rex floaty and disco LED strobe to light up the trees for the disco camping party (yes, I have mounted a disco light on my GorillaPod and plugged it into a wireless power bank. See photos above).
And on inclement weather days, it’s awesome to snuggle inside and enjoy the comforts while binge-watching the shows you’ve downloaded.
✨ Final Thought:
Van life is about carving out freedom on your own terms. For LGBTQ travelers, that means balancing safety with visibility, connection with independence, and practicality with pride. Whether you’re heading to a gay camping trip, a Pride parade, or simply exploring the backroads, remember: your journey is valid, your presence matters, and your van (or camper) can carry you to places where you’re truly free.
Upper Left Traveler 