Free Solo Van Camping in Iowa!

[@horsetrainingresources]

Great vid! Just found your channel. I like your format and presentation. We are truck campers now after 40 years of camping with 5 kids in trailers and motorhomes. BTW - as a long-time deer hunter - that deer 'scrape' on the tree is a rub. A scrape is on the ground by front feet, usually under a tree branch where a buck will rub his rack/forehead on an overhanging branch, leaving a scent from the glands on his head. Keep up the great work and safe travels. Looking forward to going through your other vids!

[@vancamp402]

Appreciate the deer information. Truck camping has some great options. Definitely opens up some 4x4 options I can’t get to! Thanks for watching and let me know if any areas that are some of your favorites.

[@dustinc3211]

Pitched a tent and camped in this spot with my son a few weeks ago. I never would have known about it without your video. Thank you!

[@vancamp402]

That’s awesome! Thank you for letting me know! I’m glad you were able to get out. I may be in the Loess hills again soon! Incredible area

[@AmericaBound]

First time watching your channel, but for picking up the trash, you get a thumbs up and a subscribe from me. It’s up to us to pick up after the scumbags that don’t care about the forest so thank you.❤❤

[@vancamp402]

Really appreciate it! It drives me nuts that folks “crap in their own nest”.

[@audreyschneider7251]

Add me to clean up list. Always have a sack on me.

[@AnglerArchives]

This was a fun video! Haven't been to Loess Hill yet, but it's on my list! - An Eastern Iowan

[@vancamp402]

It’s definitely worth exploring! Thank you for watching!

[@DarrinOchsner]

Looks like a good trip! It’s nice to have options and not always need campground electricity. 👍

[@vancamp402]

Thanks Darrin. I’m hoping to hit some more off grid opportunities!

[@OverlandUnderground]

I appreciate you snuck in a “load and go”. 😂

[@vancamp402]

That term is used almost daily in the fire service! 🍻

[@msraposo69]

Remembering when Quady went.. I've been once. Great place to visit/camp at least a couple of times during the year ❤❤❤

[@vancamp402]

It is an incredible place. I’ll be getting out there again. If you have any spots you’d like to see, let me know.

[@wotnop]

Great video, thanks for sharing! You are just around the corner from Little Sioux Scout Ranch, lots of memories from there. Looking forward to your next adventure, I hope they include the mini bike 😅

[@vancamp402]

I’m missing the mini bike! I should have taken it on this one. It isn’t very fun when it’s cold out!

[@fotobd]

Great video as always. Beautiful hike for sure and love those red grasses! Glad you’re digging the hiking poles… initially bought mine like 30 years ago for snowshoeing but quickly learned to take on regular hikes too, especially the 14ers!

[@vancamp402]

The poles have been a game changer! Thank you for watching!

[@garygoldsmith9844]

My wife always tells me there are hills in Iowa, a snicker and I say right. Guess I was wrong. Great place! I agree with the hiking poles. I have Bozo the clown feet and they have saved me so many times from doing face plants. Maybe it's the season but are you Santa Clause? Thanks for the journey!

[@vancamp402]

Good ol Saint Nick! Those hiking poles have been a game changer for me. Maybe a Santa outfit in the next episode!

[@cindybracy9202]

Inspiring. Winter camping is awesome. This winter I hope to get out at least once a month in the cold Midwest!

[@vancamp402]

I agree! Definitely get out to camp. Really peaceful, it does get dark super early, so have something to do in the evenings. But it’s my favorite time of year

[@outofthehousecamping]

OH i am truck camping that ! ! ! thanks for the video and location, appreciate the locations info so much- keep that up!!! Did Waubonsie a few time and now headin furhter north now!!! (after the holidays) On top the buffs there looked incredible !!! Lookin' forward to the next !!!!! As always keep gettin "Out of the House" ! ! !

[@vancamp402]

Nice! It was a solid option! If I can get my heating situation dialed in, I’m looking to do a lot more off grid camping this winter. Let me know how the stealth camp in Omaha goes!

[@outofthehousecamping]

@@vancamp402 Yes, was in Council Bluffs /Omaha this weekend for a family deal at the Guard, and while there scouted that stealth spot, (oh yes Ill let ya know, excited bout that!!!). yes get the heat situation figured out, gettin chilly, but winter is some the best camping cuz get most of this wonderful outdoors your get all to yourself! Ill be out of the house this weekend !!!

[@vancamp402]

Awesome, winter is definitely my favorite season

[@justintedfordphotography]

You were in Little Sioux and River Sioux! Grandparents lived in Pisgah

[@vancamp402]

Isn’t that such a great area!!

[@justintedfordphotography]

@@vancamp402 I just stopped there tonight. Dropped off prints for a solo show in Denision.

[@cheffenoutside]

Ive been wanting to get out there so bad. Its on my list in the coming months. Dinner looked good! Excellent views and another great camp!

[@vancamp402]

Come on over! Thanks for watching. Do you have any solid camps in the works?

[@cheffenoutside]

@vancamp402 plotting on my next cold camp as we speak!

[@vancamp402]

Nice. Let me know if you want to do a collab. We could meet in between Des Moines and CB.

[@cheffenoutside]

@vancamp402 heck yeah! I know ill have one more before the end of the year and at least 2 camps for January. Ill reach out when i know my dates asap

[@chad4853]

Subbed! Carry on good sir.

[@vancamp402]

🙏Appreciate it!

[@stevearndt1120]

Did you go to the State Forest office in Pisgah for any information before you drove in.

[@vancamp402]

I don't think I did on this visit. I do show that in a couple of my other loess hills videos. It's a great resource. That map pamphlet they hand out has great maps.

[@shawnray5904]

1611 138th terrace. Is that correct because I’m not finding it on the phone map. I understand if you don’t remember. It’s been 7 months since this video came out.

[@vancamp402]

It’s on a 138th Trail. Just east of Little Sioux, Iowa. If you want to email me at [e-mail] I’ll send over a screenshot and the coordinates. Happy to help!

[@OverlandUnderground]

Is this a designated dispersed camping spot? I’m another firefighter close to retirement that needs a couple days of camping. 😂

[@vancamp402]

Yep! The Loess Hills State Forest allows vehicle camping in those parking lots. Stay safe out there, and get to retirement!

[@donnajean72]

We have a rooftop tent. Is this legal dispersed camping? I didn't realize there was anywhere to disperse camp in iowa.

[@vancamp402]

Yes! The Loess State Forest allows vehicle camping in most of their parking areas.

[@bradwatters996]

What kind of fan do you have in the van? You took it out to get the coffee maker.

[@vancamp402]

That guy is awesome. My wife got it for me on Amazon. I think you can find them under Jinlicte. It’s a battery powered fan

[@bradwatters996]

@@vancamp402 thanks. I have been wanting to get over to the west side of iowa for a while now and check it out. Thanks for the great content.

[@vancamp402]

Appreciate you watching!

[@jerryjohnson525]

I may have missed it in a previous video,but did you build out the van yourself?

[@vancamp402]

Yep! I bought it new as an empty cargo van. It took about 3-4 months to get it together. Definitely would change a few things, but it was my first build. Definitely learned a lot

[@jerryjohnson525]

@@vancamp402 nice....good build from what I can see

[@vancamp402]

Thanks! There is a lot trim type work that I would definitely do differently. I do have a van tour video in the archives

[@CihaPet]

4 hours west of me... Other than the cold, looks like fun...

[@vancamp402]

The cold keeps the bugs, and people away!

[@CihaPet]

@@vancamp402 Well, you wouldn't have to worry about me invading your space... LOL 😂

[@vancamp402]

🍻😂

[@BeardedSeabee82]

Nice vid

[@vancamp402]

Thanks! That was a great spot!

[@hansenontheroad6584]

Kind of like another Iowa staple Maid-Rite.

[@vancamp402]

Give it a shot

[@lancearp7389]

Crocks?

[@vancamp402]

Nope. Even better. Walmart brand fuzzy crocks. I’ll do an episode on them in the near future. Best camp shoe ever made

[@phantp78]

Dang with that white beard I could’ve mistaken you for Santa Claus 🎅🏻.

[@vancamp402]

I have heard that several times this year!

[@outdoorstudios2022]

Hello

[@vancamp402]

Hey!

[@southhillfarm2795]

I suspect lots of guys that retire from a profession like your do these camp out things to try to detoxify their minds after 25 years.

[@vancamp402]

It definitely helps! I think you might be right, lots of firefighters really enjoy hunting and fishing as well. It’s the quiet and calm that I enjoy!

[@johnnyreb8030]

Why do people video themselves eating and drinking? How bout a do do vid next?

[@vancamp402]

Those are great questions

[@johnnyreb8030]

@@vancamp402 Thanks for cutting the slurping part out

[@mrmoshpotato]

Great astrophotography as usual.

[@vancamp402]

🙏