Staying clean on the road can be challenging if you don’t have a shower in your van. Many van lifers opt not to install a shower in their van to save space and instead look for public showers, lakes, or shower outdoors.
It’s not too difficult to find a shower if you know where to look. In addition to this list, you can also check the public shower directory to find free and paid public showers in your area.
Showers are a crucial element in many people’s daily routines, it’s sure to be shaken up in van life. Going days and days without showering is poor personal hygiene. “For most people, a shower every other day or even every third day is likely to be sufficient” according to VeryWellHealth.
Here are 13 ways to find a shower while living in a van:
1. Use a truck stop
Plain and simple, this is the easiest way to find consistent showers while on the road. They’re designed for people living life on the road.
You can expect truck stop facilities to be clean and regularly maintained. Along with a hot shower, you can stock up on snacks, drinks, coffee, or anything else you may need. There’s also WiFi to check your email or to work on anything else you may need to get done.
Here are a few truck stop companies that offer public showers. You can search their sites to look for locations that have public showers available:
2. Campground with a public shower facility
Campgrounds are a hot spot for finding public showers on a road trip. Many RV campgrounds cater to people that need a public shower facility. You can look out for KOA campgrounds that have locations all across the states. If you were already planning to stay in a campground, you can ask if the bathroom on-site features showers (many do).
3. Join a gym with multiple locations
While living in a van, joining a gym is a fantastic idea. You’ve got a consistent place to go to find showers, workout, and stay healthy. Be sure to choose a gym that has nationwide locations across the United States. This way you’ll never be without a place to shower no matter where you are.
There are a wide variety of cheap gyms out there such as:
You can also look for a local YMCA to get a day pass when going through a city.
4. River or lake
Not only is this a great spot for you, but also your canine companion. As many people travel with their dogs, bathing in rivers and lakes can knock out two birds with one stone.
It’s important NOT to use any soap, even biodegradable soap while washing yourself in nature. Soap is harmful when used in a lake and will hurt the animal and plant life.
Instead, use this body of water to rinse off any dirt, sweat, or other oils that build up. It’ll be nice and refreshing no doubt!
5. Find a waterfall to shower
The same rules apply here from bathing in a river or lake to not use soap. You can find waterfalls at the end of many hiking trails, or even off the side of the road. It’s another great way to rinse off the sweat from the day.
6. Use a solar shower
Solar showers are one of the most popular van life essentials by far. It’s affordable and environmentally friendly. All you need to do is hand it up in the sun, and in a few hours, you’ve warm water ready for a hot shower.
They don’t take up much space in your van and can be stored by rolling it up. Not to mention that they have a dual purpose to wash dishes or other outdoor gear. Here’s a great solar shower, biodegradable soap, and privacy tent:
7. Outdoor splash pads
Although splash pads are designed for kids, this can be a great spot to take a quick shower or rinse if you can find one.
8. Search for a hot spring
Hot spring resorts are a cool and unique spot to stop by on your travels. Most places also require that you shower before entering the mineral water to prevent any contamination. Many hot springs also offer campsites as a place to stay for the night.
9. State or National Park Shower
Aside from campgrounds (where some require a reservation), state and national parks are also a great place to find public showers. Many times these are available for use by the information centers for travelers to drop by.
10. Wipe down “shower”
Not the most glorious of shower options, but it can get the job done when you don’t have a water source. These biodegradable wipes are unscented, alcohol-free, pH balanced, hypoallergenic, have aloe vera and Vitamin E and can be left in the woods as they biodegrade naturally and decompose:
Wipes also serve a dual purpose to clean both you and cooking equipment.
11. Marina showers
Another way to find a public shower facility is to check at a boat marina. Many times they’re reserved for people with a code to get in who rent a space. In other cases, the bathroom door may be wide open for use. It never hurts to call and ask if they offer a public shower at a marina near you.
12. Beach showers
Not the most private option in the list, typically in full public view, public showers are readily available if you’re near a beach or cruising down a coastline.
Many are quite cold, but it’s still a shower nonetheless. You may even find some at large lakes or other natural swimming holes.
13. Get a day pass at a pool or hotel
Many hotels will offer day passes to use their pool. Most of the time these pools will feature a shower for use afterward to rinse off the chlorine. For a small fee, you can get access to a pool, hot tub, and a private shower facility.
This is quite common if the hotel is known for its pool, whether that be for waterslides or a food grill.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s not all that difficult to find a shower if you know the right places to look. Everybody needs a shower, especially in van life.
A few useful to shower accessories to have include:
Public showers are all around when on a road trip in your van. You don’t need to worry about installing a shower inside your van if you don’t want to. They take up a lot of valuable space and can collect moisture and mold. A solar shower, on the other hand, doesn’t take up much space and is easy to store. Although, it is more work to get out and use it in comparison.
Here’s a great YouTube video on the topic if you’re stuck in between: