Off-Grid Camping: Your Guide to Independent Campervan Travel!

No electricity, no water hookup, no facilities – you don't need much for a successful and authentic camping experience. We'll tell you what off-grid camping is all about and what equipment you need. Ready for your campervan adventure?

Off-grid camping means traveling independently and being able to do without campsites and crowds.

More and more campers prefer to be spontaneous and want to spend the night in their van or motorhome without relying on electricity, water, or sanitary facilities.

But if you want to be independent of sanitary facilities, electricity, and other resources, there are a few things you need to consider. You'll find out what they are in this post.

What does off-grid camping mean?

According to the dictionary, the word "autark" (off-grid) means being self-sufficient. So, off-grid camping means you can camp for several days without relying on external food, public toilets, or a central power source.

Off-grid camping, sometimes called "free camping" or "boondocking," includes camping in a tent, caravan, motorhome, or even sleeping in a car.

Contrary to popular belief, off-grid camping doesn't automatically mean wild camping. In most European countries, including Austria and Germany, this is not allowed.

Only in Scandinavia does the "Right to Roam" apply, meaning that while land may be privately owned, it must be accessible to everyone.

You can camp off-grid, for example, by asking a farmer if you can park your motorhome in their field.

Tip: With the Schau aufs Land app, you can also find pitches on regional farms.

In Austria and Germany, you are allowed to spend one night at most in your vehicle in a public car park. We've compiled these and other legal regulations regarding "wild camping" for you here.

However, before every trip, inform yourself about the regulations for "free camping" in the respective travel country and region.

How do you make your campervan off-grid?

Those who enjoy off-grid camping generally prefer to spend the night away from campsites and other people, as they find it more peaceful and quiet.

They are also often looking for adventure and forgo luxury to travel individually and flexibly, experiencing nature up close.

Nevertheless, even when camping off-grid, basic needs must, of course, be met.

1. Have enough gas on board

To cook, heat water for the shower, and activate the auxiliary heater, you must always have an adequate gas supply. To check the gas bottle level, you can shine a flashlight on the bottle, lift it slightly, or gently shake it.

If you have enough space, it's always a good idea to carry a spare gas bottle. For example, our Grand California has two gas bottles installed. You can switch to the other gas bottle with a flick of the wrist.

If you need to replace a bottle, find out in advance what type you need and which hardware stores sell them.

Are you traveling with a portable gas stove? Then you should also check the gas cartridge levels and, if necessary, take spare cartridges with you.

2. Ensure power supply

The power supply in our campervans is handled by the second, built-in leisure battery. While driving and when the vehicle is stationary, you can use the 12V power to charge small devices like smartphones.

If you want to use your hairdryer or charge your laptop, you'll need an external 230V power supply. For this, you'll need extension cables and adapters. In the myvanture vans, these are included in the standard accessory box.

But you don't always need to connect to a power outlet. With solar panels, you can use solar energy to recharge the leisure battery. The solar system can either be permanently installed on the camper or a foldable solar panel can be used.

We recommend spare batteries for flashlights and solar fairy lights for romantic evenings, as well as a power bank.

3. Water supply for off-grid camping

Our California Coast and Grand California campervans each have a water tank for fresh water and wastewater.

There are a few things you should consider regarding the fresh water supply and the water pump – especially when winter camping.

If you turn on the tap to wash your hands or shower and the fresh water tank is empty, the water pump will suck up air instead of water and could be damaged or broken. Protect the water pump by ensuring the tank is filled.

If temperatures drop below freezing, it's important to know that the frost control activates. To prevent the water pipes from freezing, this control opens the lines.

Regularly check the fill level indicators on the camping display so you know when fresh water needs to be refilled or wastewater should be drained. Please ensure that wastewater is only drained at designated disposal points.

To avoid having to drive to a disposal station too quickly, you should definitely use water sparingly in the camper. The less water consumed, the slower the wastewater tank fills up.

It can also be helpful to bring an additional water canister.

Personal hygiene is easy with built-in showers or outdoor showers. Alternatives include a "cat wash" with a washcloth or bathing in a lake (please only use biodegradable shampoo).

For hygiene reasons, we do not recommend using the fresh water in the tank as drinking water. Instead, you can use canisters or glass bottles and refill them with fresh water repeatedly.

Plastic canisters don't have to be wasteful. In an emergency, a 5-liter canister can also serve as a shower or a bin.

4. Toilet

With your own camping toilet in the motorhome or campervan, you are not dependent on a campsite or sanitary facilities.

The camping industry offers many different mobile toilets. But the built-in toilet proves particularly useful when traveling with family or in bad weather.

Who voluntarily searches for a suitable bush in stormy weather? It's better to have a bathroom built directly into the camper.

Please note that the contents of the toilet cassette may only be emptied at designated disposal stations.

5. Food supply for off-grid camping

Planning a longer trip and want to camp off-grid? Remember to pack food that won't spoil quickly.

If you're tired of only eating non-perishable foods like pasta when camping and want to keep your food fresh longer, you should invest in a cooler.

Many models can be easily connected to the 12V leisure battery, with compressor coolers being more powerful but also more expensive. Alternatively, a thermoelectric cooler is sufficient.

A fully equipped motorhome is also a great help when it comes to cooking and cooling food. With modern furnishings including a kitchen block with a gas hob and refrigerator, you can prepare fresh meals every day.

6. Set up internet access

For many people, the internet is an important part of their independence today. There are many practical solutions for getting online. These include smartphone hotspots, mobile routers, and internet sticks that can be connected directly to a computer.

The prerequisite is always a suitable tariff and, of course, reception. The latter can be an obstacle, especially when camping in the wilderness.

How long can you camp off-grid?

How long you can camp off-grid ultimately depends on your caravan or campervan model and how much water and electricity it can store, and when the wastewater tank and toilet cassette are full.

Depending on how many people are traveling in a camper, this will happen sooner or later.

Two people in a camper can comfortably spend 4-5 days without relying on a campsite. Before starting your trip, make sure you have enough drinking water, the gas tanks are full, and the wastewater tank is empty to avoid inconvenience far from civilization.

Buy enough food before you leave so you can cater for yourself anywhere and don't have to rely on driving to the next town.

Also, remember to charge the battery before you leave, as you probably won't have a chance to recharge it while camping. If you're camping without a power hookup, you should either limit your electricity consumption or occasionally use your vehicle to charge the battery.

You can save electricity by not running the heater continuously and not always using lights. To keep warm without turning up the heater, you can also use blankets or a sleeping bag.

Solar lamps are also a good idea. You can place them in the sun during the day and turn them on at night to conserve your camper's battery.

Where can you camp off-grid?

While wild camping is prohibited in many countries, if you plan ahead and research the federal state or region beforehand, you can certainly find places where you can legally spend the night amidst beautiful nature.

For example, there are designated wild camping sites and natural campsites in the Spessart and Altmühltal regions.

Even if some people do it, you should never wild camp without permission, because if you get caught, the fines can be expensive – especially if the parking spot is in a nature reserve or on private land.

You can read about which countries in Europe allow wild camping regularly here.

For all other countries: You are allowed to free camp in car parks – this includes, for example, hiking car parks – if no sign explicitly indicates a prohibition.

The conditions are: You may only stay one night and must leave the place clean. Try not to make noise and don't spread out your belongings as you would at a conventional campsite with a table and chairs.

Using the Park4Night app, you can find many such pitch options, including descriptions and reviews.

Another excellent way to spend the night away from crowded campsites are the spots from Schau aufs Land. Here you can find and easily book pitches on a regional farm.

Here you stay on private properties with friendly hosts, usually in the middle of nature, such as at the edge of a forest, in a vineyard, or on a beautiful meadow next to alpacas.

Conclusion: Off-grid camping

We want to bring more people into nature. If you want to camp off-grid and travel independently, a few tips can make all the difference. Off-grid camping is perfect for anyone who prefers neither crowds nor luxurious facilities. It's also an ideal way to enjoy time in nature without stress.