Van Life: Minimal Impact for a Minimalistic Lifestyle

We are seeing more people hitting the road and embracing the nomadic lifestyle in vans and other vehicles as well as people just going out on road trips for a vacation. Their travels most likely include scenic adventures and camping on public lands or outdoor spaces. In the digital world of social media, you do not have to look far to see millions of posts featuring picturesque landscapes in Utah and vans converted into mobile living spaces. On Instagram, there are over 13.5 million posts with the hashtag for “van life.” With visitation increasing across public lands, it is up to all of us to recreate responsibly and do what we can to minimize the impact on these beautiful outdoor spaces. 

For many van life adventurers, Leave No Trace principles are essential to their way of life on the road. We have created this guide to share key tips with adventurers for responsible recreation and help minimize the impact of this popular minimalistic lifestyle to public lands.

Van Plans 

Are your dreams for your epic road trip starting to fall into place and become a reality? Ensure your plans don’t fall through the cracks like your phone falling on the side of your car’s seat! Plan ahead, have a backup plan and learn about the land you are visiting before arriving.

Parking & Stay Limits

Depending on the lands that you are visiting, there may be local laws and regulations regarding van camping and parking. Some areas may have a time limit for how long you can camp on public lands and how far you must be from water resources. All public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Utah have a stay limit of 14 days. For more information, contact the local field office, visitor center and/or ranger station of the area you plan to visit. Visit our website for a list of Bureau of Land Management offices and visitor centers in Utah.

Travel Safety

Safety should always be a top priority on the road trip list. Before heading out, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to reach your next destination as well as how long you plan to be in the area. If there is an emergency, call 911. To report natural resource crimes like vandalism on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in Utah, please call the BLM Law Enforcement Dispatch tip line at 800-722-3998.

Safety Tips

Be aware of your surroundings and other visitors. Always be considerate of other visitors. Do not rely solely on cell phones for safety because you may not always have cell coverage in remote areas. Explore more safety tips on our website covering rivers, caves, fires, flash floods, summer heat, wildlife and much more: Know Before You Go - Safety Tips.

Camping & Minimizing Impacts

Camping in remote natural areas can offer stunning views and great recreation opportunities, but it also comes with a greater chance of damage to natural resources compared to camping in developed recreation sites. Maximize the fun on your next adventure and minimize your impact to public lands by following these tips: 

Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces 

• Travel and camp on durable surfaces. As you decide on where to park your vehicle for camping, consider the allowed uses for the land, any potential to disturb wildlife, and preventing travel damage to soil or habitats.
• Stay on designated routes to avoid creating new routes or campsites.
• Dispose of waste properly and take your trash with you if trash receptacles are full or unavailable. Keeping recreation sites clean helps them stay open, safe and enjoyable for future campers.

Camping Essentials & Best Practices

• When cooking meals, remember that reusable tools and lightweight efficient camp stoves have become essential equipment for minimum-impact camping. Stoves operate in almost any weather condition—and they Leave No Trace. Conserve water and be responsible near water resources.
• In remote areas, you may run out of water and be far away from places to get more - be prepared and plan ahead. Do not wash dishes or put soap/chemicals in water sources like rivers, lakes, streams, etc. To wash dishes or yourself, carry your water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and scatter strained dishwater. Use hot water and scrub dishes thoroughly (only use soap if necessary). Soap, even when it’s biodegradable, can affect the water quality of lakes and streams, so minimize its use.
• Use hand sanitizers to wash your hands, so you don’t have to worry about wastewater disposal.
• Properly dispose of wastewater away from your campsite and follow best practices at developed campgrounds as the wastewater can attract wildlife.  Respect and maintain a safe distance away from wildlife. Do not feed wildlife as it can damage their health and alter natural behaviors. Keep food and other items that may attract wildlife in wildlife-resistant containers.

When Nature Calls… Properly Dispose of Human Waste

Across public lands, there have been issues with human waste, dog waste and toilet paper not being disposed of properly. Properly disposing of human waste is important to avoid polluting water sources, minimizing the chances of spreading disease and maximizing the rate of decomposition. Help us keep public lands safe and healthy by properly packing out human/dog waste and toilet paper.

Portable Toilets

Portable toilets (also called “pack it out” toilet systems) should be an essential item of your camping kit to pack out human waste. Burning toilet paper is not recommended due to the risk of igniting a wildfire.

Proper Disposal of Human Waste

Check out our “When Nature Calls... Properly Dispose of Human Waste” page to learn more about properly disposing human waste and visit the Gotta Go Utah website for a great guide on the appropriate disposal methods for different areas. 

Campfires, Fire Restrictions & Preventing Wildfires

Abandoned campfires are still the leading cause of human-caused wildfires, but many wildland fires throughout Utah are sparked along our roadways. When considering where to park and drive your vehicle, never park or drive on dry grass or vegetation. Hot exhaust and mufflers can start fires that you won’t even see…until it is too late.

Campfire Safety & Fire Restrictions

The best place to build a fire is within an existing fire ring in a well-placed campsite. Keep the fire small and burning only for the time you are using it. Campfire safety and knowing the current fire restrictions are essential to preventing wildfires. Properly extinguish campfires using the “drown, stir and feel” method. If it is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. For more information on how you can do your part to prevent a wildland fire, visit: https://utahfiresense.org. Check local fire restrictions in Utah at: http://utahfireinfo.gov.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained by ensuring your brakes are not worn too thin that may cause metal-to-metal contact, nothing is dragging to the ground, and checking the proper tire pressure to avoid blowouts. Having your vehicle regularly inspected before your next trip to public lands will help you have a fun, safe outdoor adventure.

Create Content Responsibly

You have the opportunity to inspire responsible storytelling and recreation in the outdoors when creating content that highlights your van life adventures. As you research locations and create content, remember these tips: 

Responsible Storytelling

• Know Before You Go: Permits may be required and take time to process. Connect with land managers about permit requirements, weather and local guidelines.
• Plan and Prepare: The outdoors can be high risk with conditions that change quickly. Consider the terrain and arrange adequate transportation. Be ready with the right gear and be aware of drone "no fly zones." Bring plenty of water and safety equipment. 
• Respect Others: Avoid blocking trails, vistas or byways. Give space to people recreating or working. Think about how your presence impacts the space. Try to blend in with the landscape if possible. Be conscious of tagging or disclosing specific locations and consider the impact. Visit cultural and heritage sites with respect to help protect our shared heritage in Utah. 
• Make It Better: Inspire others to respect and nurture  outdoor spaces. Depict responsible recreation in action - and behind the scenes. 

Check out the Recreate Responsibly website for more content creator tips!

As you explore and enjoy public lands, please recreate responsibly.