Off-Grid Camping with Your RV: Power, Water, and Comfort Tips

There’s something incredibly freeing about camping off-grid with your RV. No hook-ups, no neighbours, no check-in times. Just you, your wheels, and the open road.

Whether you call it wild camping, dry camping, or boondocking, off-grid RV camping means you’re camping without relying on campsite facilities—no electric hook-up, no water supply, and often no toilet block either.

It sounds a little intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it opens up a whole new world of peaceful, remote, and budget-friendly adventures.

After years of doing this in our own setup, here are the power, water, and comfort tips we’ve learned that make off-grid RV life easy and enjoyable.

What Is Off-Grid RV Camping?

Off-grid camping (also known as wild camping or boondocking) is when you camp away from developed campsites and don’t use any external power or water sources.

You rely entirely on what your RV carries—your leisure battery, fresh water tank, and what you bring with you. Some people do it for a night or two, others for weeks at a time.

1. Power: How to Keep the Lights On and Devices Charged

Without a hookup, your power comes from your RV leisure battery, solar panels, or a generator (if allowed).

Leisure Battery

Your battery will power lights, the water pump, and basic devices. But it has limits.
To make it last:

• Use LED lights (they use far less power)
• Switch off lights and appliances when not in use
• Only charge essentials—skip the hairdryer!

Solar Panels

If you want to camp off-grid regularly, solar panels are a game-changer. Even a 100W panel can keep your battery topped up on sunny days.

• Mount them on your roof or use a portable folding panel
• Pair with a solar charge controller to protect your battery
• Combine with a good leisure battery for multiple days of freedom

Generators

They’re loud and not always allowed, but a quiet inverter generator can be a useful backup for running appliances or charging batteries.

Always follow local rules—many wild camping areas don’t allow generators, especially overnight.

2. Water: Make Every Drop Count

Off-grid means no tap nearby, so your fresh water tank is your only supply. Here’s how to stretch it:

• Fill your tank fully before heading out
• Use a collapsible water carrier as backup
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes
• Use a washing-up bowl to reuse grey water for rinsing

For drinking water, we also carry refillable bottles and a gravity-fed water filter in case we need to top up from a stream (when it’s safe and allowed).

Don’t forget to empty your grey and black water tanks properly at a designated disposal point—leave no trace means no dumping in the wild.

3. Food and Cooking Off-Grid

Meal planning is key when you’re off-grid. You’ll want to cook using gas, as your microwave and electric hob won’t work without a hook-up.

Tips for off-grid cooking:

• Use a 2-burner gas stove or built-in cooker
• Cook outside whenever possible to avoid steam and heat build-up
• Bring non-perishable staples like pasta, rice, and tinned goods
• Pre-chop and prep meals before you leave home to save water and washing up

Our go-to meals? One-pot pasta, stir-fries, and foil-wrapped veggie parcels in the fire.

And don’t forget your gas bottle levels—you don’t want to run out halfway through your morning brew!

4. Toilets and Showers: Staying Clean Off the Grid

If your RV has a bathroom, great—you’ve got a big head start.
But you’ll still want to be water-wise.

Toilet Tips:

• Use biodegradable toilet chemicals
• Only flush when needed—every bit of water counts
• Empty your cassette toilet at the proper facilities (never in nature)

Shower Tips:

• Limit showers to 1–2 minutes
• Use eco-friendly shampoo and soap
• Baby wipes or sponge baths can stretch water on longer trips

Some off-grid campers bring a solar shower bag and hang it from a tree for a rinse-off outdoors. It’s surprisingly refreshing in summer!

5. Staying Comfortable Without Hookups

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you need to rough it. Here’s how to make things feel homely.

Lighting:

• Use solar-powered or rechargeable LED lanterns
• Add string lights for atmosphere (and to find your RV after dark!)

Heating and Cooling:

• Use a gas heater for chilly nights (make sure your van is ventilated)
• Open windows for cross-breeze and use 12V fans in summer
• Park in shade or position your awning to block the afternoon sun

Sleeping:

• Bring extra layers—even summer nights can get cool in the wild
• A quality sleeping bag or duvet makes all the difference
• Keep windows cracked slightly for ventilation overnight

6. Safety and Site Etiquette

Wild camping means you’re on your own—so it’s important to be prepared and respectful.

Safety tips:

• Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
• Bring a fully charged power bank or battery pack
• Keep a torch, first-aid kit, and extra food just in case
• Park on level ground, well away from soft shoulders or steep drops

Etiquette:

• Leave no trace—pack out everything, even tiny scraps
• Don’t block access tracks, gates, or paths
• Be discreet—no blaring music, no big campfires
• Respect any “no overnight parking” signs

In the UK, wild camping laws vary by country. Scotland allows more flexibility, while in England and Wales, wild camping without landowner permission is not usually permitted—so always do your research.

Final Thoughts: Off-Grid Camping Is Freedom—With a Bit of Prep

If you’ve never tried off-grid camping with your RV, start with a short trip close to home. Get to know your gear, test your limits, and build your confidence.

With the right power setup, water strategy, and a few comfort tricks, you’ll be amazed how peaceful and rewarding it feels to camp without connections—just you, your RV, and the view.

Once you try it, you might never want to go back to crowded campsites again.

Want help getting your RV off-grid ready? Keep exploring camplinq.com for more camping guides, checklists, and real-world gear reviews. From solar panels to water hacks, we’ve got everything you need to roam free—comfortably.