How to Pick the Perfect Overnight Spot in Your Campervan

The right spot offers more than just a parking space. It gives you peace of mind, privacy, safety, and often a great view to wake up to. Whether you prefer off-grid wild camping or well-equipped campsites, this guide will walk you through everything you need to consider – and a few lesser-known tips that will help you sleep soundly, wherever your Spartan takes you.

1. Plan Ahead – But Be Flexible
It’s great to be spontaneous, but knowing roughly where you’ll spend the night is a game-changer. Apps like Park4Night, SearchForSites, and Campercontact offer thousands of reviewed campervan-friendly locations, from remote wild spots to fully-serviced campsites. You can filter by location, facilities, cost, and even scenic value.

But here’s the trick – always have a Plan A and a Plan B. Maybe your first choice is full. Maybe you don’t like the vibe when you arrive. Flexibility is your friend, and it’s easier to stay flexible when you’ve already identified a backup.

2. Aim to Arrive Before Sunset
This might be our most practical hint of all: get to your overnight location before it gets dark. You’ll have time to check the area, level your van, set up camp, and get comfortable before the light fades. It’s also a safety win – you’ll be able to see your surroundings, assess ground conditions, and get a feel for who (or what) might be nearby.

Setting up in daylight is far less stressful, especially if you’re wild camping or staying somewhere for the first time. You’ll also be more likely to get a good pitch, especially at popular campsites.

3. Safety First, Always
Wherever you stop, trust your instincts. If something feels off – move on. Safety is non-negotiable. Look for these green flags:

• Well-lit area (if urban)

• No signs of heavy traffic or nighttime activity

• No “No Overnight Parking” signs

• Clean and tidy surroundings

• Nearby vans or motorhomes (but not too crowded)

On the flip side, avoid stopping near remote lay-bys on busy roads, directly outside pubs or nightclubs, or in isolated forest car parks unless you’re very familiar with the area.

4. Wild Camping? Know the Rules
Wild camping in the UK is a bit of a grey area. While it’s widely accepted in Scotland, it’s often frowned upon (or restricted) in England and Wales unless you have landowner permission.

Our advice? If you’re going to wild camp:

• Arrive late, leave early

• Be discreet – no awnings, chairs, or laundry lines

• Leave no trace – always clean up and dispose of waste properly

• Don’t block gates, driveways, or paths

It’s a privilege, not a right – and it’s our responsibility as vanlifers to keep it respectful.

5. Prioritise Flat Ground
Sounds simple, but a level pitch = a better night’s sleep. If your head is downhill or your kettle keeps sliding across the hob, you’ll notice fast! Bring a small spirit level or use a smartphone app to check the tilt when you park.

Many campervan owners keep a pair of levelling ramps in the boot – easy to use and can turn an awkward spot into a comfy one in seconds.

6. Check Your Essentials
Before committing to a spot, ask yourself:

• Do I need toilet facilities nearby?

• Is there water access?

• Am I close enough to a shop if needed?

• Can I get a phone signal or data if I need it?

While some Spartan owners are fully self-sufficient with on-board water, toilets, and solar panels, others prefer a night or two at a site with full amenities. There’s no right or wrong – just what suits your needs.

7. Think About the Morning
Wherever you park, think ahead to how the next day will begin. Will you be woken by bin lorries at 6am? Will you need to reverse out through a tight gate? Is there a risk of getting boxed in by other campers?

Pick a spot that not only works at night, but sets you up for an easy, peaceful start to the day. Bonus tip – if you can wake up facing a view (sea, fields, mountains), you’re winning.

8. Campsites vs. Off-Grid: Which is Best?
It really depends on your style. At Spartan Campers, we love a mix of both. Campsites offer hot showers, electric hook-up, waste disposal and often laundry – perfect for longer trips. You’ll pay for the privilege, but it’s often worth it.

Off-grid camping, on the other hand, gives you that unbeatable sense of freedom and connection to nature. It’s just you, your van, and the wild. If your Spartan camper is fitted with solar, a fridge, and toilet facilities, you can stay comfortably off-grid for days. Just make sure to plan regular stops to refill water and empty waste tanks responsibly.

Spartan Family Spotlight
Liam and Katie, who’ve taken their Spartan all over the UK, shared this: “Our best nights have been wild ones – in Wales above a beach, or up in the Yorkshire Dales. We use the Park4Night app religiously and always check reviews. Arriving early makes all the difference too – it gives us time to settle in and soak up the view.”

Their secret? “If the spot doesn’t feel right, don’t stress – just move on. There’s always another one a few miles down the road.”