Stealth

In the context of nomadic living, stealth is the ability to pass for an unoccupied, non-residential vehicle when needed, so that you can find a place to park and sleep in it with no one knowing. It's also known as stealth camping, urban camping, stealthing, and stealth parking. ("Stealth camping" may also refer to camping without a vehicle in a hidden location, such as a small tent obscured behind vegetation along a highway. In the context of this wiki, it is generally used interchangeably with "stealth parking".)

Advantages

• Free!
• You can often park very near other places you want or need to be, reducing travel costs and time.
• A stealthy vehicle may be less of a target for break-ins, since thieves won't know you have lots of valuables inside. See safety and security.

Disadvantages

• You need to be aware of legal or other reasons why you are not allowed to park or sleep in a given location.
• If you park somewhere where you are noticed or not wanted, you could get "The Knock" from police, property owners, or others.
• Parking locations generally won't have accessible amenities like those you'd find in a campground or hotel.
• There may be too much noise in some locations for sleeping
• Parking where you are not wanted gives a bad impression of nomads from property owners and others, and may increase calls for parking regulations.

Ignorable, not Invisible

Unless you go to great lengths to make your vehicle appear completely "normal" and unoccupied, some people will always be able to tell that you are either inside or that your vehicle is built for living in. Don't worry if you aren't "100% stealth", because the police, other nomads, and certain observant others will know your secret. What's truly important is that you are ignorable, not that you are invisible. Those who aren't paying close attention won't see you and those who are won't care and won't otherwise be bothered by your presence.

Do I have to be stealthy?

No! It all depends on how and where you need or want to park each night. If you prefer campgrounds, boondocking, or can stay in places where no one minds that an obvious camper is parked, stealth doesn't matter. In many cases it's a function of how often campers are seen in the area, and how often campers' occupants are troublesome; if your van is the only one they've seen parked there in months, and you're unobtrusive, people generally won't care.

If you have a luxury camper (but usually not something as big as a Class A motorhome), you may be able to park in many neighborhoods for a night. You won't be stealthy at all, but the cost of your vehicle signals to homeowners that you're unlikely to be a problem for them. Neighbors are frequently more wary of someone sleeping in their car ("oh no, a homeless person!") than they are of someone sleeping in a $200,000 campervan. Note that in some neighborhoods, HOA rules or city rules disallow street parking.

If you are very stealthy, such that no one ever even realizes you're there, that helps all nomads! The fewer residential vehicles that are noticed by the non-nomads, the less likely people are to call for regulations against residential vehicles.

Don't Ruin It

PLEASE stealth camp responsibly! The more people that have problems with nomads, the less happy everyone will be. Don't do anything that attracts attention to either yourself or your vehicle. People cannot object to your presence if they do not notice that you are there.

The Knock

If you get "The Knock" (which is very rare if you're doing vanlife right) and are asked to move:

1. Apologize - "Sorry, I didn't realize I couldn't park here."
2. Let them know you are moving - "I'll pack my things up and be on my way within a few minutes."
3. Leave - Move out of the area to another location.

  Learn more about preventing The Knock …

In most locations on public property, the police won't bother you IF you aren't parked in a No Parking zone or otherwise breaking the law, IF no one has called them to complain about your presence, and IF there haven't been recent problems with other nomads in that location.

Disclaimer This is not legal advice; it is presented for your information only and may be inaccurate in your jurisdiction. Consult your attorney as needed. See our disclaimer for details.

A cargo van is a great choice for stealth.

How to be stealthy

Vehicle choice

Stealth factor of different vehicle types:

• Stealthy (if unmodified or built to be stealthy) - Box trucks, step vans, cargo vans
• Possibly stealthy - Passenger vans, buses, minivans, cars, SUVs, pickup trucks with simple toppers, cargo trailers
• Not stealthy - Motorhomes, travel trailers, ambulances, skoolies, truck campers, vehicles without passthrough

Stealth factor of a given vehicle type varies based on where it is parked. A box truck is less visible in a business district than on a residential street. Large vehicles tend to be either very stealthy, or completely unstealthy, with very little middle ground. Most large vehicles (motorhomes, buses, ambulances, etc.) have zero stealth. They are very noticeable and their residential purpose is obvious. However, some (box trucks and step vans) can be extremely stealthy if a) external modifications are minimal and b) you are parked in commercial or industrial areas. Who would question yet another plain white box truck parked on a street behind a strip mall or near some warehouses?

For a high stealth factor (even from police or nosy neighbors), sleep in a vehicle that no one expects to be occupied by a human. For example, tow a boat you can sleep in, even if it's no longer usable as a boat, while your vehicle remains empty. Or under tonneau covers in the bed of a pickup truck. Or inside a horse trailer that looks unmodified from the outside.

Window panels

Window panels are a type of removable window coverings that some nomads use for their vehicles for the purpose of privacy, stealth, keeping cool on hot days by blocking sunlight, keeping warm by insulating against cold outside temperatures, and controlling light levels inside. Window panels can be purchased for some vehicles, especially those that are in common use as campers. Many nomads make their own panels.

Privacy curtains

Privacy curtains (or divider curtains) are placed just behind the front seats of your car or van to prevent people from seeing into your living space while parked. They are a more temporary, flexible, and removable option than a fixed bulkhead wall. The curtain can prevent light inside your vehicle from escaping at night, making you less noticeable, and provide some insulation.

Vehicle additions

• Make your vehicle forgettable: don't add signs, stickers, or unique features that will allow your vehicle to be remembered. Avoid unique vehicle paint, business logos (fake or real), and so on. See commercial vehicles for more information.
• Business names may make you vulnerable to theft if people believe that valuable tools, equipment, or products are inside. Business names may also mean you're legally treated as a commercial vehicle in some jurisdictions. See safety and security.
• Be careful not to have illegal markings or lights on your vehicle, such as "school bus", "police", or "ambulance".
• Windows and RV-style doors are a significant loss of stealth. If you have windows, make sure they are heavily tinted ("limo tint") and preferably completely blockable from the inside so that no light escapes. See window tint.
• If your windows do not have heavy tint, getting all black bedding will make you less noticeable if someone glances through your windows.
• Roof and wall mounted equipment are a big "tell" that your vehicle is residential: solar panels, vents, air conditioners, inlets and outlets for water, sewer, and electrical systems.
• Install a bulkhead or blackout curtain between van cab and living space to reduce or eliminate light leakage.
• Install rain guards on your windows so you can open them slightly for ventilation without the opening being visible.

Activity

• "Roll in late, roll out early." Get to your sleeping spot as late as possible, and leave as early as possible. This reduces the chance that people will see or notice you.
• Use the spot only for sleeping, not cooking or anything else. Do not spend time at your night spot during the day.
• If people might have seen you pull in to your spot, it may be helpful to stay in the driver's seat and play on your phone for a while; anyone who saw you arrive will assume you just stopped to text someone.
• Stay inside, keep all belongings inside, and try not to rock your vehicle by moving around inside.
• Keep noise inaudible outside the vehicle: stay quiet, close or block vents, insulate your vehicle.
• Enter and exit your vehicle through cab doors; not a back hatch or side doors. A vehicle with passthrough allows this.
• Idling your vehicle for climate control or electricity will call attention to you, especially in winter when exhaust plumes are visible, or if you have daytime running lamps, or if someone is close enough to hear your engine.
• If you have pets, especially dogs that may bark, they may reduce your stealth factor.
• Keep condensation from forming on your windows as much as possible, since it hints that the vehicle is occupied.
• If your vehicle suspension creaks a lot when you move in your parked vehicle, or if you snore very loudly when sleeping (especially if you have window vents or roof vents open), that may betray your presence in the vehicle.

Finding stealth parking spots

This section focuses on finding stealth parking spots. For more general tips, see the Finding parking page.

Where not to park

A no parking sign at a Walmart in Pennsylvania.

• Be careful about using spots recommended by others online (iOverlander, etc.) since these spots may be frequently occupied by nomads; even if your vehicle is perfectly stealthy, the fact that you are parked in that particular spot means you will be recognized by locals.
• Some places have specific rules and regulations against parking overnight or sleeping in your vehicle. See the parking regulations page for details.
• Avoid areas with schools, residences, etc., to avoid being noticed by residents. Be certain not to block driveways or ingress/egress of trucks.
• Watch for street signs with parking restrictions. Many are only in effect for certain hours of the day; note these times in your navigation app.
• Avoid parking where there are painted curbs, especially with red (fire lanes) and yellow paint. These colors generally indicate some level of parking restriction.
• In the winter in places where it snows, be aware of special restrictions during snow storms.
• In general, avoid "secret" parking spaces that are hidden behind commercial buildings. You may not be seen by many people, but the people who do see you are much more likely to ask you to move, and you are much more likely to be seen on a security camera.
• Additional places to avoid.

Where to park

• Rotate camping spots each night. If you are stealthing in a particular city, build a rotation of sleep spots to keep from overusing any. Rotating spots is the most essential component of stealth parking. See Staying in one place.
• For most vehicles in most cities, one of the best spots is public street parking adjacent to a small apartment building. Everyone would assume you are just an overnight guest of one of the apartment residents.
• If your vehicle looks like it could be a non-commercial vehicle (minivan, SUV, etc.), parking in lower-density areas works too, but try to park where each homeowner thinks you could be a visitor of a neighbor. In some neighborhoods, the residents know exactly which vehicles belong to which neighbors, so you will be noticed if you are visiting.
• If your vehicle looks like it could be a commercial vehicle, choose street parking near businesses, apartments, etc., and not near single family homes.
• In some neighborhoods, HOA rules or city rules disallow street parking entirely. Watch for signs.
• Park near 24-hour businesses, where it's common for vehicles to come and go all night. Or park between two such businesses so each owner thinks you are a patron of the other business. Or opt for free parking in business lots.
• Choose residential neighborhoods where street parking vehicles is common; these are generally lower-income neighborhoods.
• If your vehicle has unblocked windows, park under a street light. This light will overwhelm any light coming from inside the vehicle so it will be less noticeable.
• In parking lots, parking alone at the distant edges of the lot may raise suspicion. Customers generally park as close to the store as they can, so if you're alone at the far corner, people will be more likely to see you. Instead, park about closer to the front, but not so close that you're taking spots from customers. If there is an employee parking section, park next to (but not in) that section.

Scouting for parking spots

• Some cities have their local zoning maps available online. This can help you find medium density housing areas or industrial areas where overnight parking may be more welcome.
• Use satellite images from your favorite maps provider to find spots.
• If you find a promising spot while driving during the day, mark it in your navigation app so you can return that night or in the future.
• Consider doing late night delivery gig work (DoorHash, etc.) when you arrive in a new city. This way you can scout for great parking spots at night while getting paid to drive around.

Park safely

To avoid accidents you may want to avoid parking on near curves/hills where sightlines are limited, near bars where drunks will be navigating. You might want to park forward of other vehicles to avoid being the first in the chain to be hit. To avoid being blocked in you can park in the first or last legal slot in the row -- no one will be able to park close enough to hem you in. If your driver's side mirror folds in you might do so to avoid damage from close passes or vandals.

Rules while parked

• Check our Parking regulations page for local information.
• Note that in many places, even if your vehicle is legally parked, you cannot legally sleep, live, or camp in your vehicle.
• In some places, it is possible to get a DUI in a parked vehicle.
• Normal activities like using the toilet or bathing could be considered indecent exposure if witnessed by the public. Be discreet!

Vehicle modifications

Idea — License plate vent

Jeff Wagg created a vent behind his rear license plate to allow for ventilation while remaining stealthy. He covers the vent (from the inside) to prevent exhaust entry while driving.

Stealth gallery

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See more in the Stealth category. For image credits, open image and click More Details.

Resources

	Resource	Description
	Stealth Campers	"A community for stealth campers to share van build and vanlife advice!" - private Facebook group, 10k members
	Stealth camper van living	"Just a general anything goes 'within reason lol' group for any world wide camper owners who prefer to be stealth. Hopefully helpful advice, friendly banter and pics of your self built pride and joy :)" - private Facebook group, 22k members
	Urban camping podcast	A podcast miniseries discussing urban camping strategies.
	Stealth Prius	A single page describing a minimalist stealth setup for a Toyota Prius.
	Parking forum	A sub-forum of VanLivingForum.com
	Search forums and groups	Search van life discussion groups for "stealth"
	Search related sites	Search van life sites for "stealth"
	Search NomadLife.wiki	Search other pages on this wiki for "stealth"