What About Showers?
Life on the road seems so fun! But how do you stay clean? Let’s talk about it!
If you are planning on talking to people other than fellow hikers, or even getting a job while you travel about, you’ll want to look presentable right? How can we maintain a sense of cleanliness without having a consistent place to shower and wash up? Well, there are actually a few options! From bathing the all natural way of taking a dip in a lake, waterfall, or river, to stopping at truck stops, or even having a portable shower with you; there are plenty of ways to keep feeling clean and smelling nice while on the road!
Showering outdoors? How is that clean?
I know it can seem like an alien concept, however much of the country is spotted with lakes and rivers with varying levels of cleanliness. Specifically in the Pacific Northwest there is a higher population of alpine lakes that are often quite clear! Just bring some environmentally friendly soap, some shower shoes, and a towel! Shoes are going to be the most important part of this though! Without them, no matter how clean you get, your feet will still be sandy!
Waterfalls are some of the best places to find an outdoor shower, along with a personal favorite of mine! Though they can be chilly, having the consistent running water over a hard rock surface is the epitome of a luxurious wilderness experience. The feeling of being miles away from civilization, immersed in a forest and surrounded by mountains, it will likely be the quietest and most relaxing shower you’ve ever taken.
Truck stops though? Are you sure?
I am! Truckers have to stay clean too right? Larger truck stop chains such as Loves, Flying J, TA, etc., are known for having clean showers that provide a private room, soap, and towels! Such places do tend to have wait times, along with a higher cost than some are prepared for. Depending on the region of the United States you are in, the price ranges from $7-17! Even with such costs however, many of them are worth it after being out in the desert or mountains for a few days. The private rooms are cleaned between each use, and a set of fresh towels is provided.
What about having my own shower?
Good question! This will depend almost entirely on how much space you have and what you decide to do with it! There are portable shower companies that make them to be used specifically by vanlifers! These come in a variety of different designs, from a short timed one that holds all of the water it uses in a bar on the side of the vehicle, to a pop up version that pops up and folds down with a curtain! The latter of which rely on you having a water storage system in your traveling home. If those don’t suit your fancy however, there is also the option to create your own! Not everyone wants to build a storage system, nor do they all have the space for it, such as myself, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult to shower while traveling! By carrying some environmentally friendly soap, some shower shoes, and a towel, staying clean can be easy!
Are those my only options?
Absolutely not! Another option would be to get a gym membership! Places such as Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and Anytime Fitness all offer plans for the intrepid traveler to be able to shower and have a nice workout no matter what part of the country they are in. These locations offer a monthly price for use at any of their locations and are often considered some of the best choices for someone looking to stay clean cheaply on the road!
Awesome! Thank you for talking about this with me! There are plenty of other facets about vanlife that I plan to cover, however if you have any ideas or questions of your own please leave a comment to let me know!
