“Why is this so difficult?” I think to myself as I pull into yet another sub-division, with my camper in tow, to try and turn around. I’ve been driving around in circles for over an hour, wasting gas, getting more and more frustrated by the minute. I’m trying to find Camping World, which supposedly has a free public RV dump I can use to empty my overly full black tank. This is my maiden trip in the Casita, and I’m already second guessing what I’ve gotten myself into. The GPS feature in my phone is acting up and, while I know Camping World has to be nearby, I can’t find it for the life of me. I spot a small building that appears to be abandoned and pull into the parking lot to re-evaluate my situation. What I could really use is an app that would tell me if there are any RV dumps nearby. Well, turns out there is.

When you travel pretty much full-time, you quickly figure out that there are certain resources you really need that aren’t immediately apparent. Things such as a place to dump your black water tanks or fill up on fresh water, a place to park and sleep for a few hours, and a gas station big enough to accommodate your rig are considerations that the general public doesn’t have to think about, but you do. I was clueless when I first started traveling and found myself stuck and frustrated more than a few times, unable to locate the resources I needed. As I’ve traveled and learned, I have found a certain few apps to be almost indispensable for both trip planning and spontaneous needs. Following are a few apps that I’ve used and found to be valuable. Clicking the link takes you to the app’s website, and you’ll want to search for the app name in your app store to download onto a mobile device.

Apps for anyone who finds themselves on the road

Best for figuring out where to stop for food or gas:

iExit

Price: Free!

What I like about it: This app is really great for those times when you are just trying to get from point A to point B, as quickly and directly as possible. While it only works on interstates/major highways, it will tell you which amenities, including RV parks, fuel and fuel price, restaurants, parks, and other attractions are accessible on any given upcoming exit. I use this app practically every time I’m driving on the interstate.

 

Best for boondocking/free/tent camping:

I couldn’t pick just one, so here are my two favorites. I have found these two apps to be a goldmine of information about free camping, mostly on public lands. Whether you are car camping or traveling in a van or RV, you can find what you need with these apps. Bear in mind, free sites usually won’t have water/sewer/electric.

Campendium

Price: Free!

What I like about it: Campendium has a pretty large database of locations, including state parks, national forest and BLM land, and RV parks and campgrounds. While not all of the locations listed are free, you can click on any given location to find out the cost and amenities available. This app is the most extensive that I’ve found for finding vehicle-accessible camping.

Boondocking

Price: Free!

What I like about it: this app takes second place to Campendium simply because it doesn’t seem to have as large of a database. However, what I do like better about this app is that it only includes free campsites, so you don’t have to weed through all of the others.

Apps for folks traveling with an RV or Camper

Best for finding a spot to dump your tanks:

RV Dumps, by All Stays.

Price: $2.99 Worth it? Yes.

What I like about it: I used to use an app called “SaniDumps”, however it was glitchy and led me astray more than once (due to outdated or inaccurate info). After one such incident, I’d finally had enough and deleted the app. That left me in search of an alternative, and I found RV Dumps. This app does cost money, but so far it has been reliable. I boondock/dry camp frequently to save money, so being able to pinpoint the closest free dump site is invaluable.

Best for finding a parking lot or RV park to sleep in:

RV Parky

Price: Free!

What I like about it: While this app includes paid parks and campgrounds, it ALSO includes every business in an area that will let you park overnight in their lots for free. Walmart and Cracker Barrel are two pretty well known locations, but there are others as well. All of these will show up on a handy interactive map.

Apps for the outdoor adventurer

Best overall:

AllTrails

Price: Free! (But you have to pay for a premium membership to unlock all the features – I just use the free version).

What I like about it: I use this app what seems like every day. I use it for trip research, to find a nearby trail that I can hop on after work, and to read reviews of trails I’m unfamiliar with. AllTrails typically shows hiking, biking, and paddling trails in an area with elevation gain, distance, and difficulty level included. I frequently use it to look up photos of a particular hike I want to do and make sure it’s what I’m looking for. This is the most comprehensive and useful app I’ve found for finding areas to explore in the places I visit.

Best/most informative maps: 

GaiaGPS

Price: Free! (Offers in-app purchases for full app functionality)

What I like about it: Gaia has options for really detailed maps, but what I like most about this app is that it shows trails that other apps may not include. It has an option for recording your activity that will track several details, such as distance walked and elevation gained or lost. This app also highlights unusual or important landmarks. I have the free version, and the paid version has a lot more features that I’ve never used.

Best for the long-distance hiker:

Guthook’s Trail Guides

Price: Varies depending on trail and package. Worth it? Absolutely.

What I like about it: If you are hiking on one of America’s long trails, this is THE app to purchase. While full sets of guides can be expensive, individual sections are usually only a few dollars. This app provides so much information that once you have it you’ll wonder how you ever hiked without it, and you’ll wish it existed for every trail you hike in the future. It shows water sources, shelter and campsites, road crossing and vehicle access, views, important landmarks, etc. It includes distance to these features if you are on the trail. Best part? It maintains full functionality offline.

Best for State & National Park explorers:

PocketRanger

Price: Free!

What I like about it: PocketRanger provides aseries of apps for state and national parks, as well as state-specific hunting and fishing guides. I’ve used the PocketRanger State Park apps in Georgia and Florida to quickly find information about a park I’m planning to visit. The app includes details like facilities available, trails within the park, recreation opportunities like boating or horseback riding, etc. I find these apps easier to use and find information on than navigating a park’s website.

Best for finding a spot to go boating:

Go Paddling

Price: Free!

What I like about it: I haven’t used this app a whole lot since I only recently downloaded it. However, what little I have used it I’ve been impressed. The greatest thing about this app is its simplicity. You just open the app and it automatically detects your location and shows you all of the places nearby you can put in a boat.

There you have it.

This post was intended to introduce you to some apps and resources that you may not have known about. I’m finding new apps ALL the time that are sometimes useful, sometimes not all they are cracked up to be. I’d LOVE to hear about apps, specifically travel or hiking apps, that you swear by. Leave a note in the comments if you use one that I missed!