Nomad Campground Cost Comparator

The Nomad Campground Cost Comparator estimates monthly lodging cost for van lifers and RV nomads who split nights between three options: BLM/dispersed free camping (most of US west), RV parks with hookups ($30–80/night), and stealth urban parking (free, requires discretion). The mix profoundly affects total cost: a 100% RV park strategy costs $1,000–2,500/month, while a 70/30 free-to-paid mix runs $250–500/month. Calculator helps optimize the split based on budget and lifestyle preferences. BLM dispersed camping (Bureau of Land Management public lands) covers 245 million acres mostly in 12 western US states (NV, UT, WY, AZ, NM, ID, CO, MT, CA, OR, AK). 14-day stays allowed, must move 25 miles after that. No hookups but generally cell signal at popular spots. National Forest lands offer similar dispersed camping. Apps like FreeRoam, iOverlander, Campendium crowdsource specific GPS coordinates and reviews. East of the Mississippi, free camping is sparse — usually limited to Walmart overnight parking or Cracker Barrel lots. RV parks span quality tiers: budget Passport America affiliates ($25–40/night with discount card), mid-tier KOA/Good Sam ($45–70/night with member discounts), and resort parks ($75–150/night with amenities). Monthly stays at most parks drop nightly rate 30–50% — a $50/night park may charge $1,000/month. Locations near national parks command 30–50% premium. Pricing reflects regional cost of living: California coast vs Texas plains differ 2–3×. Stealth parking strategies include Walmart (most allow overnight, check store-by-store), Cracker Barrel, Cabela's/Bass Pro, truck stops (Pilot/Flying J), hospital parking, and 24-hour gym lots. Always patronize the business briefly to legitimize the stay. Stealth requires van that doesn't scream 'camper' — windows covered, low profile, no roof rack with kayaks. Stealth-built vans average $5–8k less than overland builds but trade comfort for urban access. Full-time nomads typically run a mix: stealth during city errands, BLM for outdoor recreation, RV parks for weekly hookups and laundry.

PrimeCalcPro provides professional-grade tools trusted by businesses and academics.

1. 1Step 1 — Estimate BLM/free dispersed nights per month (typically 10–20 for nomads in western US)
2. 2Step 2 — Estimate RV park nights per month (typically 5–15 for hookups, laundry, and ammenity access)
3. 3Step 3 — Estimate stealth/urban free nights per month (typically 0–10 depending on lifestyle)
4. 4Step 4 — Enter your typical RV park rate ($35 budget, $50 mid, $70 premium)
5. 5Step 5 — Calculator computes monthly cost = RV nights × RV rate (BLM and stealth are free)
6. 6Step 6 — Annualizes monthly cost × 12
7. 7Step 7 — Outputs total nights, average per-night cost, and recommended mix optimization

• !Assuming all BLM allows dispersed camping (some areas require permits or have day-use restrictions)
• !Overstaying the 14-day limit (rangers do enforce, especially popular spots like Sedona, Moab)
• !Stealth parking in clearly residential or 'no overnight' marked areas
• !Underestimating water and trash management at free sites (need 40+ gal capacity for week-long boondocking)
• !Picking RV parks based on cost alone without considering location convenience