Accessible Camping for Everyone
First, let me clarify, this is van camping – not van living. We’ve come up with a way to travel safely and with minimal hassle during this strange season of global pandemic, but we have not moved into the minimalist comfort of an actual camper van. We just use our regular old Honda Odyssey. If you’re looking for tips on living in a van, check out Never Say Someday If you’re looking for a safe family getaway, read on!
Now, let’s talk camp!
I’m not huge on camping. I don’t like bugs, I have back problems, I have heat intolerance, I hate feeling dirty, and I travel with three kids who can’t help pitch a tent or load a cooler. So, when I say van camping for everyone, I really do mean everyone. Even Jaden, our four-year-old wheelchair user, was able to crawl around in the van without worrying about scraping up his knees. We didn’t have to worry about any of his equipment for set up, tear down, or finding a restroom.
The Idea
The idea is simple – pack everything you need into your minivan and get away. It’s like tent camping, but without the hassle of ever actually setting up camp. We didn’t bring a tent, or a cooler, or firewood, or any of the big space-takers. We just packed clothes, food, sleeping bags, and a toilet. This is quite possibly the easiest camping ever.
The Set Up
This can vary by family size, and by how much you want to put into your trip. You can actually convert the back of the van into a bed, but, again, we were going for easy and short term. We just took out the middle row (the middle is wider than the back). After we were stopped for the night, we’d take the bedding out of the trunk and put down the skinny seat seat, so I could sleep the whole length of the van, while my kids just stretched the length of the middle isle. Yep. That’s the only set up we did: taking out a row of seats. If you don’t have a wheelchair to store in the back, I would suggest folding two seats down at night, to widen the longer sleeping space. We comfortably fit three across – four was a bit snug. We recently realized that that I don’t actually need the whole length of the van, and one of the shorter kids can sleep at my head or feet to make more space across.
**Since this trip, we added bunks for a comfier fit! It only takes a few extra minutes of set up and tear down. Here’s our set-up.**
The Equipment
You can just hit the road with your clothes in a bag. We actually did that for our trial run. The down side of that is that things tend to expand while you travel, and it gets hard to keep things clean or organized.
Our upgrades for a smooth trip included:
A closet organizer
Not purchased – just borrowed from my son’s closet. We hung it on the ceiling handle in the front seat and used it to organize all of our food (coffee, cereal, breakfast bars, ramen, snacks, etc.). If you’re traveling with two adults, you can also hang it from a rear handle. The only downside to that is that it will cut into your sleeping space. We used the shoe-sized hanging organizer, but the bigger ones would work well for longer trips.
Sleeping bags
This was a game changer for us in both space and comfort. Bedding can be bulky, and it’s not made for the wide variety of temperatures you can encounter while camping. We love our Cascade Mountain Tech sleeping bags. They have built in pillows, they can handle the cold, and they pack up super small. They take up minimal space during the day, and the kids can set them up on their own.
Portable hotpot and quality thermos
On our trial run, we just didn’t do hot food. That’s fine short-term, but we wanted more… namely, coffee… for our longer trips. I got a 12v Roadpro hotpot for $15 on ebay. It takes close to 30 minutes to boil a full pot, but it’s convenient and easy to use. This opens the door for Ramen, EasyMac, and all types of dehydrated camping meals! Again, you can invest more for portable stoves, camp ovens, or refrigerators, but we went super simple – and loved it!
Our thermos/tumbler was brilliant for keeping coffee hot and water cold. Also, if you’re making a meal that requires more hot water than your hotpot can boil at once, you can hold it in the thermos and maintain temperature while you boil a second pot! Your welcome. We like our Cascade Mountain Tech tumbler because it’s big and it also has interchangeable lids for different uses.
Portable toilet
Some people just bring a shovel and toilet paper, but that would never fly with young kids or people with physical disabilities. We packed a foldable toilet because it’s easy on space, and it’s a sturdy seat for kids with physical limitations. You can also do the bucket with a seat, but that cuts into your limited space.
Window coverings
This isn’t a must, and we actually haven’t used them yet; but, the sun is bright, and I like sleep. I think if we kept it a little darker, maybe the kids would sleep longer. For now, I’m just putting a blanket over the front seats and the back window – mostly for privacy. The other windows have enough tint that people can’t see in… unless they’re really trying…
The Location
The world is yours! You’re in a minivan, not a big ol’ camper, so there’s really nowhere you can’t go.
That being said, we’re avoiding crowds. We went for the big green spaces with lots of nature and not lots of people! You can park overnight for free in U.S. National Forests, and we’ve encountered very few people along the way! You can pay to camp in most state parks, and there are campgrounds galore. These have the perk of added amenities, like bathrooms and picnic tables, but they also have more people. The next best to free that we’ve found is private camping. People with lots of property will rent out a far-off corner for pretty cheap.
If you need some inspiration, check out the PA Wilds, or the Finger Lakes National Forest!
Accessibility
Camping is tricky with mobility limitations. This was a great way to not have to worry about accessible restrooms or activities. We brought our own toilet, and we drove to accessible trails and activities. We didn’t have to navigate a campsite because everything was in the van. Jaden could safely crawl around in the van and get to everything he needed. This was a great option for our family!
The Details
Just a few nitty gritties you should know before you go.
Bathrooms
If you’re bringing your own toilet, just remember that you’re going to need somewhere to dispose of your toilet bag. We didn’t have any trouble finding dump sites, but it’s just something to keep in mind!
If you’re not staying at campsites, you can get a shower bag for bathing on the go. If showers are difficult, you can bring an inflatable kiddie pool for baths. Whatever you decide on, just remember to pack water containers since you won’t always have access to running water.
Food
Like any other trip, pack more snacks than you think you’ll need. Eating kids are happy kids. Granola bars and high protein snacks are great for doubling as breakfasts and easy snacks. We packed peanut butter and jelly for lunch sandwiches and meals we could make with just hot water for dinner.
Rest Stops
Ugh. These are tricky these days. We brought our own toilet, but there were still times on the road, or at the lake, or places where we couldn’t just pull a toilet out. Just like when leaving the house, always have the kids use the toilet before you go. You never know how long you’re going to go without finding an open toilet. When possible, look at your route ahead of time so you can utilize open facilities as needed. Don’t forget hand sanitizer or soap and water for any unexpected stops!
It Can Be That Simple!
This is really low-maintenance camping. There are dozens of ways you could glamp it up, but at least you know how little you need for a great, safe getaway. Feel free to message me with any questions while you’re planning your trip!