{"id":128416,"date":"2017-10-29T17:58:03","date_gmt":"2017-10-29T16:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T12:07:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T11:07:16","slug":"camping-usa-canada-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Tips for Camping in the USA and Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we set off on our three-month road trip through Canada and the USA, <strong>we had pretty naive ideas about what camping in the USA and Canada would actually look like.<\/strong> We imagined pulling into a campground every evening, lighting a fire, unfolding our camping chairs, and cooking a delicious dinner on our portable stove. How far that was from reality, we soon found out.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#How_Much_Do_Campgrounds_Cost_in_the_USA_and_Canada\" >How Much Do Campgrounds Cost in the USA and Canada<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Where_to_Camp_for_Free_in_the_USA_and_Canada\" >Where to Camp for Free in the USA and Canada<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Free_Camping_in_the_USA_Dispersed_Camping\" >Free Camping in the USA: Dispersed Camping<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Rest_Areas\" >Rest Areas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Supermarkets_%E2%80%93_Camping_in_the_USA\" >Supermarkets \u2013 Camping in the USA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Truck_Stops\" >Truck Stops<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Car_Parks_at_Multi-Day_Trailheads\" >Car Parks at Multi-Day Trailheads<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Gravel_Roads\" >Gravel Roads<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#How_to_Find_Free_Camping_Spots\" >How to Find Free Camping Spots<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#What_Never_to_Do\" >What Never to Do<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Where_to_Shower_for_Free_in_the_USA\" >Where to Shower for Free in the USA<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Paid_Showers_at_Campgrounds\" >Paid Showers at Campgrounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Laundromats\" >Laundromats<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Truck_Stops-2\" >Truck Stops<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#National_Parks_and_State_Parks_in_the_USA\" >National Parks and State Parks in the USA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Swimming_Pools\" >Swimming Pools<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Lakes_and_Rivers\" >Lakes and Rivers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#How_to_Stay_Sane_During_Long_Drives\" >How to Stay Sane During Long Drives<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Audiobooks\" >Audiobooks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Magazines\" >Magazines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Podcasts\" >Podcasts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Tips_and_Tricks_to_Save_Money_While_Travelling\" >Tips and Tricks to Save Money While Travelling<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#What_to_Pack\" >What to Pack<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Where_to_Find_Flights\" >Where to Find Flights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Car_Rental\" >Car Rental<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Booking_Accommodation\" >Booking Accommodation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Dont_Forget_Travel_Insurance\" >Don&#8217;t Forget Travel Insurance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_a_campsite\" >How far in advance should I book a campsite?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#How_much_do_campgrounds_cost_in_the_USA\" >How much do campgrounds cost in the USA?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Is_camping_in_the_USA_safe\" >Is camping in the USA safe?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/camping-usa-canada-tips\/#Is_camping_in_Canada_safe\" >Is camping in Canada safe?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Do_Campgrounds_Cost_in_the_USA_and_Canada\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_do_campgrounds_cost_in_the_USA_and_Canada\"><\/span>How Much Do Campgrounds Cost in the USA and Canada<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Paying $25\u2013$50 per night for a campground was financially unsustainable for us, so our evenings turned into a hunt for free places to sleep, cook, and find showers.<\/p>\n<p>Over those three months, we learned a lot about car camping, and today we want to share it with you. If you have anything to add, feel free to leave us a comment below.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/22278278_465308563862682_1567196109900611584_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/22278278_465308563862682_1567196109900611584_n-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"Camping in the USA and Canada\" class=\"wp-image-51009\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Camp_for_Free_in_the_USA_and_Canada\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_camp_for_free_in_the_USA_and_Canada\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><b>Where to Camp for Free in the USA and Canada<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes it was easy, other times it required a great deal of improvisation, and occasionally we had to bend the rules. Here&#8217;s a simple list of places where we often camped for free:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Free_Camping_in_the_USA_Dispersed_Camping\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Free_camping_in_the_USA_Dispersed_camping\"><\/span>Free Camping in the USA: <b>Dispersed Camping<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Our first choice was always to look for free campgrounds. On <a href=\"http:\/\/freecampsites.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">freecampsites.net<\/a> you can find campsites that usually don&#8217;t have toilets and rarely have picnic tables, but <strong>camping at these spots is completely FREE<\/strong>. It works on a first-come, first-served basis. Some are basically just a flattened patch of dirt, while others are fairly well-maintained camping spots. This is what&#8217;s known as wild camping in the USA, and it&#8217;s a fantastic budget option.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-image-51081\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/lukas_vareni_USA-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Cooking while camping in the USA\" class=\"wp-image-51081\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is how we cooked \u2014 basically wherever we could \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>These campsites are on &#8220;land that belongs to all Americans&#8221; \u2014 public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service \u2014 and they exist so you can enjoy nature without sharing a few square metres with dozens of other campers. The camping spots are often far apart, and sometimes you have to drive down very rough roads to reach them.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rest_Areas\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rest_Areas\"><\/span><b>Rest Areas<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/restarea03_0_0.jpg\" alt=\"Rest Areas\" class=\"wp-image-51049\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Along major highways, you&#8217;ll often find rest areas for truck drivers where you can stay for up to 8 hours.<\/strong> In Washington and Oregon, we slept at these very frequently because they have drinking water, toilets, picnic tables, and \u2014 most importantly \u2014 dark spots where streetlights won&#8217;t disturb your sleep.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supermarkets_%E2%80%93_Camping_in_the_USA\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supermarkets_camping_in_the_USA\"><\/span><b>Supermarkets<\/b> \u2013 Camping in the USA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/HowToBoondockAtWalmart-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51050\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>You can park overnight in most Walmart car parks. I&#8217;d recommend checking beforehand, or once you&#8217;re there, look around for motorhomes \u2014 RV campers use Walmarts extensively. You can also park overnight at other supermarket car parks, and most are listed on the aforementioned <a href=\"http:\/\/freecampsites.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">freecampsites.net<\/a>. The downside of this type of parking is the amount of lighting \u2014 if your car windows aren&#8217;t well blacked out, it won&#8217;t make for a pleasant night&#8217;s sleep.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truck_Stops\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truck_stops\"><\/span><b>Truck Stops<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A huge number of trucks travel across the USA, so many petrol stations are set up to cater to them. These truck stops have facilities for drivers, including showers. We occasionally slept in the car parks of these stations, but the noise from trucks and the bright lights don&#8217;t exactly make for a restful night.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Car_Parks_at_Multi-Day_Trailheads\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Car_parks_at_multi_day_trailheads\"><\/span><b>Car Parks at Multi-Day Trailheads<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Officially, you&#8217;re not allowed to do this, but when you&#8217;re desperate, it works. When we headed to Panorama Ridge Trail, we slept in the car right at the trailhead, where cars are parked overnight because people do this hike over several days. In cases like this, just park up, crawl into the back, and pretend you&#8217;re not there.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-51080\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20953199_1409851769130875_6911576738135109132_n.jpg\" alt=\"Bryce Canyon\" class=\"wp-image-51080\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A place where you could easily stay overnight \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gravel_Roads\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gravel_Roads\"><\/span><b>Gravel Roads<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We used this option mainly in Alaska and the less populated areas of British Columbia. The risk is that you might end up on private property, so it really depends on your common sense and the specific location.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-50848\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/APE6c9955_IMG_5215.jpg\" alt=\"Red Chiquita Dodge Grand Caravan\" class=\"wp-image-50848\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Parked right by the road on a rocky beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Find_Free_Camping_Spots\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_find_free_camping_spots\"><\/span><b>How to Find Free Camping Spots<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Finding a place to sleep in your car is often somewhere between an art and pure luck. Americans have special terms for this style of free camping: <strong>boondocking and freecamping are the most commonly used words<\/strong> we&#8217;d type into search engines.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Never_to_Do\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_never_to_do\"><\/span><b>What Never to Do<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t park in public park car parks in towns. It&#8217;s suspicious to be the only car somewhere.<\/strong> If a place clearly states &#8220;no overnight parking,&#8221; it&#8217;s more than likely they monitor it, and there&#8217;s nothing worse than being woken at 3 a.m. and told to move along. If you have no other option, choose a hotel car park rather than a residential area. Arrive late, leave early in the morning.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Shower_for_Free_in_the_USA\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_shower_for_free_in_the_USA\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><b>Where to Shower<\/b><\/span> for Free in the USA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The more days we went without a shower, the worse our mood got. It deteriorated with every mile driven, and many of our evenings and mornings were consumed by a desperate search for showers. In the last two weeks, we would have paid anything for a daily shower, and it was the first thing we&#8217;d check about any place we were heading to.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"246\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/shower-clipart-10-taking_shower.png\" alt=\"shower\" class=\"wp-image-51053\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Paid_Showers_at_Campgrounds\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Paid_showers_at_campgrounds\"><\/span><b>Paid Showers at Campgrounds<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many campgrounds will sell you just a shower. Prices vary widely \u2014 it could be $1 or $10. Sometimes they&#8217;re timed, sometimes unlimited. The bad news is that in very touristy areas of both Canada and the USA, campgrounds are either discontinuing shower-only access or significantly raising the prices.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Laundromats\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Laundromats\"><\/span><b>Laundromats<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We came across laundromats with showers mainly in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State. Whether coin-operated or pay-up-front, the price was usually around $3\u2013$6 and they were timed. We often managed to shower together, which you can&#8217;t do at campgrounds.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truck_Stops-2\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truck_stops_showers\"><\/span><b>Truck Stops<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The truck driver facilities mentioned earlier also have showers. However, if you&#8217;re not a truck driver, a shower will cost you $12. The good thing is that two people can shower together, and there&#8217;s no time limit.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Parks_and_State_Parks_in_the_USA\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_parks_and_state_parks_in_the_USA\"><\/span><b>National Parks and State Parks in the USA<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We discovered this rather late, but at most national parks you receive a newspaper that lists where you can shower. Even smaller state parks \u2014 and there are thousands of them \u2014 usually have showers, either free or coin-operated. Entry to state parks is typically around $10 per vehicle.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swimming_Pools\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swimming_pools\"><\/span><b>Swimming Pools<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Admission to a swimming pool can be cheaper than a shower at a campground. We took advantage of this in Oregon and California. For $3\u2013$6 we&#8217;d pay for pool entry and simply use the showers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1200-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking to Cathedral Lake \u2014 we practically ran it\" class=\"wp-image-50809\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lakes_and_Rivers\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lakes_and_rivers\"><\/span><b>Lakes and Rivers<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I&#8217;d recommend asking at visitor centres which lakes or rivers are best for swimming. We&#8217;re probably not the biggest lake people \u2014 we only swam in Lake Tahoe and then in Yosemite. The latter wasn&#8217;t exactly pleasant, as the water was about 13\u00b0C (55\u00b0F).<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-image-51083\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/koupani_donu-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Swimming in a lake\" class=\"wp-image-51083\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spots like these just beg you to take a dip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Stay_Sane_During_Long_Drives\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_stay_sane_during_long_drives\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><b>How to Stay Sane During Long Drives<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When we drove to Alaska, the journey took 38 hours, and we did it over 3 days without a proper stop. Over those 3 months, we spent 4\u201312 hours a day driving. The radio kept playing the same songs on repeat, and our playlists got old very quickly. To keep from going mad, we listened to all sorts of educational podcasts and audiobooks. Here&#8217;s a selection of the best things we listened to \u2014 just for inspiration.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Audiobooks\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Audiobooks\"><\/span>Audiobooks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alza.cz\/media\/steve-jobs-d454450.htm?IDP=8206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steve Jobs \u2013 Walter Isaacson<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alza.cz\/media\/svabi-d4615738.htm?IDP=8206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jo Nesb\u00f8<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Magazines\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Magazines\"><\/span>Magazines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/reportermagazin.cz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reporter Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Podcasts\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Podcasts\"><\/span>Podcasts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tim.blog\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tim Ferriss<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/okdork.com\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Noah Kagan Presents<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_and_Tricks_to_Save_Money_While_Travelling\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_and_tricks_to_save_money_while_travelling\"><\/span>Tips and Tricks to Save Money While Travelling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Pack\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_pack\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>What to Pack<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/vybaveni-na-cesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>packing guide for travellers<\/strong><\/a> to help you prepare. Choose the right travel backpack, browse our travel gear recommendations, and make sure you don&#8217;t leave anything important at home.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Find_Flights\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_find_flights\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Where to Find Flights<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Search for cheap flights on <strong><a title=\"Kiwi\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/kiwi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Kiwi<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 it&#8217;s our favourite flight search engine. Make sure to read our <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/how-find-cheap-flights-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>guide on finding cheap flights<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Car_Rental\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Car_rental\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Car Rental<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We regularly use the comparison site <strong><a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"RentalCars.com\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/rentalcars-com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">RentalCars.com<\/a><\/strong> to help us choose the best car rental provider.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Booking_Accommodation\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Booking_accommodation\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Booking Accommodation<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Booking.com\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/booking-com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Booking.com<\/a><\/strong> is our favourite hotel search engine. We always compare hotels with local apartments and rooms on Airbnb (<strong><a title=\"AirBNB\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/airbnb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">get a discount here<\/a><\/strong>). Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/find-cheap-accommodation-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>how we find cheap accommodation<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Forget_Travel_Insurance\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_forget_travel_insurance\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Don&#8217;t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Travel insurance<\/strong> is an absolute must. For shorter trips we go with <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Axa cestovn\u00ed poji\u0161t\u011bn\u00ed\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/axa-cestovni-pojisteni\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><strong>AXA<\/strong><\/a>, and for longer trips we use <strong><a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"True Traveller\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/true-traveller\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">True Traveller<\/a><\/strong>. Check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/nejlepsi-cestovni-pojisteni\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">comparison of travel insurance providers<\/a><\/strong> and pick the one that suits you best.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1686740040028\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_a_campsite\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_a_campsite\"><\/span>How far in advance should I book a campsite?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n<p>We didn&#8217;t make any reservations, but campgrounds near national parks were full. For popular locations, it&#8217;s advisable to book up to 6 months in advance \u2014 you can use sites like Reserve America to secure your spot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1686740053975\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_do_campgrounds_cost_in_the_USA\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_do_campgrounds_cost_in_the_USA\"><\/span>How much do campgrounds cost in the USA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n<p>Prices typically range from <strong>$40 to $50, and $60\u2013$100 during peak season in national parks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1686740228813\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_camping_in_the_USA_safe\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_camping_in_the_USA_safe\"><\/span>Is camping in the USA safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n<p>Yes, camping in the USA is safe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1686740258273\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_camping_in_Canada_safe\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_camping_in_Canada_safe\"><\/span>Is camping in Canada safe?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n<p>Camping in Canada is safe \u2014 Canada is one of the safest countries in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we set off on our three-month road trip through Canada and the USA, we had pretty naive ideas about what camping in the USA and Canada would look like. Here&#8217;s everything we learned about free camping, finding showers, and surviving long drives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":51080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"Camping in the USA &amp; Canada: 3 Essential Tips","rank_math_description":"Planning on camping in the USA or Canada? Discover our best tips for free camping, finding showers, and surviving long drives. Read our practical guide now!","rank_math_focus_keyword":"camping usa","rank_math_seo_score":""},"categories":[391,335,684],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-128416","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-canada","8":"category-travel-tips","9":"category-united-states-of-america-usa"},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/20953199_1409851769130875_6911576738135109132_n.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Lucie Kone\u010dn\u00e1","author_link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/author\/lucie-konecna\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128416"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130746,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128416\/revisions\/130746"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}