The Best Way to Find Water While Camping
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Water system in our campervan
When camping in the middle of nowhere it is important to have enough water for washing your hands, doing dishes, or to boil water if needed for cooking on a camp stove or for emergencies. Since we often camp without water hookups, I needed to have access to water easily.
In our van I have created a two jug system that pulls water from one jug, into the sink faucet and drains back into the second jug. To get the water to our sink faucet we use a foot pump system. This system has worked really good for us so far. This system isn’t perfect, but it serves the purpose for what we need it for.
Below you can see our two water jugs that we use to store water. I purchased them on Amazon for $18.99 each (the price on Amazon has gone up and the ones we use are currently unavailable, but these ones are comparable). I bought one extra jug so I can keep an extra supply of water on hand if needed. They are 6-gallon jugs as seen below.
I do not use any filtration system for our sink water. If we need water for cooking or drinking, we buy bottled water or fill empty gallon milk jugs with water from our home before we leave.
Foot pump system to get water
Below is the link for the foot pump (above picture) used to pump water from one jug into the sink faucet.
Foot pump was purchased on Amazon for $44.73. This helps pump water from one jug, into the sink, and then back into the second jug.
Flexible tubing purchased on Amazon for $13.80. These hoses go from the foot pump into the jugs. One of the hoses also goes to an outside port so we can hook up to outside water if needed.
*Prices have increased since purchasing these items in 2021.
Other kitchen items we use in our van
Flexible Camper drain seen below purchased on Amazon for $13.79 takes the water from the sink and drains into the second jug.
Different places you can access water
There is no guarantee that each of these places will have water available. Most of these locations will not charge for water but occasionally a place will charge such as an RV park. LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS IF YOU HAVE OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE ACCESSED WATER BEFORE.
~Gas Stations
~Truck Stops
~Local City Parks
~RV Park
~Trailheads
~Pharmacy such as Walgreens or CVS
~National Parks
~State Parks
~Visitor Centers
~Rest areas
~Beach
The below picture is taken at a gas station in Moab, Utah. This one was located next to the road.
Address: 299 S Main St, Moab
The below picture is taken at a gas station in central Florida. This water pump was right next to the gas pumps.
But what happens when we run low on water?
Well, you will need to find a spot where you can access more water.
Using the iOverlander app to find water
The video below shows me searching for water pumps on the iOverlander APP.
Once you open the APP you search for your location and zoom in
Once you zoom in, it will show you all water spigots in the area if there are any. It will be an orange circle with a water spigot in the middle
You can click on the orange circle and see what others have said about this location
Comments will include GPS coordinates and some will include a picture.
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When boondocking, it is easy to utilize the iOverlander app on your phone to locate nearby water locations. This app helps you keep a water supply on hand for daily use and for emergencies. Check it often as you are traveling and keep your water tanks full at all times. Download the app now.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Enjoy your journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer 💛
I am a girl who loves to travel and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US.
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