Where to park, camp, shower etc

Etak · Sep 19, 2024

Hello,

My boyfriend and I will be heading on the road driving through South Dakota. We would appreciate any recommendations of places to camp and/or shower. I know winter is around the corner and it may be impossible to find a park with water access. We may even travel up to North Dakota to find our forever home. Thank you in advance.

I am new to the site. I’m traveling in a live in vehicle for the first time. My boy friend has done for several years. I’m worried of unpredictable challenges and the hurdles of what I take for granted living in a home.

eDJ_ · Sep 19, 2024

Welcome to the Van Living Forum Etak

You'll likely do just fine as hard winter isn't here yet. This time of year is a good time to take your first steps into nomad life.

Let me invite you to check out the link at the bottom where there is information
that may provide answers to questions you pose.

All the best !

maki2 · Sep 19, 2024

Unpredictable challenges are opportunities for a lot of personal growth. You will rise up to meet those challenges, do not doubt that about yourself. That is how you as a woman will grow your self reliance as well as your life and survival skills.

Living in a house came with its own challenges but you started doing it so early you never realized that there were challenges involved or even that you were trained from early childhood to deal with them. You are way more adaptable and capable than you think you are! Just think about how very young you were when you mastered your first complex tool using challenge of using a fork to hold a piece of food steady so you could cut it with a sharp knife without hurting yourself! That takes a lot of coordinated skill with tools!

bullfrog ! · Sep 19, 2024

Welcome! Number one reason for being a nomad is to follow mild weather as most of your living will be outdoors. Always be prepared to keep warm and stay flexible in your planning.

maki2 · Sep 20, 2024

There are many reasons why individuals choose to live in vehicles. But no matter what your motivation is,to adopt for at least a while, this lifestyle I hope you find a great deal of enjoyment from the many pleasures it can bring.

INTJohn · Sep 20, 2024

WanderingRose · Sep 20, 2024

Etak said:
I’m traveling in a live in vehicle for the first time. My boy friend has done for several years.

As to where to camp, park, shower, I would expect the boyfriend has some experience with this, but I suggest finding an app you are comfortable with to use as a resource.

I relied heavily on the AllStays app, which has established campgrounds of all sorts, as well as rest areas, truck stops, etc., for overnight parking and where you can get a shower.

In the next month or so, many campgrounds out west will be closing or closing facilities, and by the time winter sets in you will want to be heading south as the weather will not be hospitable for van living.

All the best on this new adventure, and have a great time.

rruff · Sep 20, 2024

Etak said:
My boyfriend and I will be heading on the road driving through South Dakota. We would appreciate any recommendations of places to camp and/or shower.

I've driven through SD a few times, but only camped in the Black Hills. It'll be getting cold there pretty soon I expect, and if you travel with the seasons it makes vagabonding so much easier. If you head further west and south there will be massive amounts of public land you can camp on for free. You'll want to be in the low SW deserts by Thanksgiving or so.

It's best to get used to bathing very simply. I heat up a small pan of water, pour a little vinegar in it, and use a scrubby cloth. I use a sunshower too, mostly for hair and doing dishes.

I used to get hot showers at junior colleges sometimes, but that option might be closed now due to over use...

I'm curious, why would you look for a "forever home" in ND?

Tony's Dream · Sep 20, 2024

I travel too. I actually traveled through the Dakotas in Late July. Lot of open spaces up there and felt very comfortable with where ever I stayed.

bukwessl · Sep 21, 2024

I lived in SD in Hermosa, a small town South of Rapid City and "East River" which is of course, East of the Missouri.
Weather fluctuates to extremes which is kinda fun until it isn't. Meaning the cold/ hot spells can be tough to endure.
Camping/ water is actually pretty easy if you are good talking to people. If they trust you, they will help you out. If not, move on politely.
It's an interesting way to travel, and makes it meaningful to have interaction with locals and learn what they are about. Plus where the good food is!
Good luck and enjoy.

maki2 · Sep 21, 2024

Just a guess on my part but…..Maybe they are heading to the Dakotas for some work at the beet harvesting? That is pretty widely known as a way for younger able bodied nomads to pick up some cash work. It was shown in the Movie Nomadland and on plenty of nomad YouTube video channels..

abnorm · Sep 21, 2024

North Country Ben is doing the Beet Harvest in Minnesota now...............

Earlier Minnesota had jobs for WILD RICE harvesters...........
And Tule Lake CA was looking for HORSE RADISH harvesters when we rolled thru town.

maki2 · Sep 21, 2024

abnorm said:
North Country Ben is doing the Beet Harvest in Minnesota now...............

Earlier Minnesota had jobs for WILD RICE harvesters...........
And Tule Lake CA was looking for HORSE RADISH harvesters when we rolled thru town.

I hope Ben has a driving job. That would suit him very nicely!

wayne49 · Sep 21, 2024

Trying to picture harvesting wild rice.

rruff · Sep 21, 2024

maki2 said:
Just a guess on my part but…..Maybe they are heading to the Dakotas for some work at the beet harvesting?

IMO it doesn't pay well enough for long enough to make it worth the drive... unless you are already there, have a bunch of people in one rig, etc....

Bluedogz · Sep 22, 2024

rruff said:
I used to get hot showers at junior colleges sometimes, but that option might be closed now due to over use...

How did THIS work?

rruff · Sep 22, 2024

Just walked in and showered at the gym. Apparently no one was tasked with guarding them....

I wash with very little water now (short hair helps!), and I'm fine getting clean wherever I'm parked. Simple and easy. Bathing wipes are helpful also for a less intensive cleaning.

bullfrog ! · Sep 22, 2024

rruff said:
Just walked in and showered at the gym. Apparently no one was tasked with guarding them....

I wash with very little water now (short hair helps!), and I'm fine getting clean wherever I'm parked. Simple and easy. Bathing wipes are helpful also for a less intensive cleaning.

lol!!! I took an 8:00 AM course and learned how to play badminton really well. It did come with a parking sticker as well! Lol!!!

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