In my latest video I talk about how to find overnight Park-ups in your campervan or motorhome. There are several ways that I find parksup. You can watch the video above or read on. So just a bit of background info Just under 3 years ago I converted a Peugeot partner into a micro camper, I designed and did all the work myself you can see videos of the full build HERE as well as a tour filmed 2 years ago HERE, since then have made minor changes including fitting a diesel heater I mainly go away for a few days for photography, so having a small camper is perfect I’m sharing my experience of having a micro camper,
The first one is park4night, you can get this as an app for both android and ios and also available through web browser. The app will let you search an area or your current location and show the park ups around you. Each one will have photos and reviews uploaded by the public, so this can give you an idea of how the parkup is at night for example ie maybe boy racers etc, or even if the ground is level.
Park4night is my first go to app, the only problem with this is that nearly everyone uses this app, so at busy time ie weekends, school & bank holidays you may pull up and there will be no space, there are other apps like search for sites, thought this one is a subscription, you do get a free trial, though for me personaly for the UK I found the sites the same s park4night, you can pay a subscription for park4night, though this mainly allow offline use, which in certain places where there is no mobile signal can be useful.
The next app to use is Google maps, the 1st way to use this app is when ypu are planning your trip have a look around the are you want to stay on Google maps, ND if you see a litlle side road use then the satellite view , to make sure dead end etc then you can even use the street view function, to then make sure no barriers etc you maybe even able to read any signs that are up.
So now if you have tried the apps and have luck, the one way I find the best places is looking as driving. So say you have planned a break around going some historic places, so it is a good idea on the way to the place just look for quiet side roads , pull ins etc, and make a mental note of these. Then Google maps comes in again, as you can use that to check if maybe more suitable.
The main thing when staying at a park up make sure that you are not on private property, also make sure you won’t be blocking any roads or access to sya farmers fields etc.
The Knock
Now you may have found the perfect place have settled own for the evening or even in the middle of the night you may get a knock on your camper from either the police or the land owner, This is where first you should first remain calm, and if told to move on and is safe to do so, then this maybe best, though if you do explain that you would not cause any problems and not make a mess and and you will go early you maybe OK and they may let you stay. So far personally thuis hasn’t happened to me.
One good tip and is always best practice is the parkup you have decided on is to arrivelate and leave early, this way you may not get noticed by anyone around. And as I have said above make sure you leave no trace you was there, ie don’t litter etc.
Hope these tips have been useful, if you have any advice yourself for others please leave a comment below or on the YouTube video at top of page. Also bit if you Ike this video and blog post you can follow me on here for more tips or see the trips I go on in my little camper or subscribe to the YouTube channel and getting more like and Subs gives me the incentive to do more.
