Even as full-time travelers, we still forget things before heading out on the road. We always have music, but we don’t always remember to download podcasts, fresh playlists, or trail maps. Once you’re out of cell range, those oversights can be hard to rectify. Whether you’re going to Yellowstone or a backroad campsite, it’s worth planning ahead. Here are our go-to tips for preparing for those no-service journeys.
Download Offline Maps Before You Go
Use Google or Apple Maps to download offline maps. Save both your driving route and the area where you’ll be staying. Make sure you pin your campground or boondocking spot before you leave on your camping trip. Offline maps don’t give you as many functions as you get when you have cell service, but you can use it to get directions and search for places. You won’t be able to read reviews or view any photos, so it helps to take screenshots ahead of time.
Take Screenshots of Trails, Reviews, and Tips
If there are trails or sights you’re deciding between, grab a screenshot of any details you may need (such as trail length and difficulty). Even if there’s a visitor’s center for the area, I find that online reviews give a better sense of which trails will suit you.
Download Your Playlists, Podcasts and Audiobooks
Being music lovers, we always have some music downloaded, but we like to add a fresh playlist or two if we know we’ll be offline for a while. I can’t stand listening to the same songs on a loop all weekend long! You can even make a road trip playlist themed for the location you’ll be camping in if you’re into that kind of thing.
Podcasts and audiobooks break up a long drive and keep your mind occupied. They’re especially helpful if you’re driving alone. Last time we had a full driving day from Grant Teton to Colorado, I found myself wishing I had an educational podcast to listen to. I like to feel like I’m doing something productive during a long trip. It can also be fun to learn about the history of an area as you travel through it.
Emergency Contacts
Let someone know where you’re planning to camp, how long you’ll be there, and any hikes you have planned. Even if you’re not concerned about your own safety, someone else may become worried about you and go on a campaign to track you down. You don’t want your panicked parent calling everyone you know asking if they’ve heard from you, believe me!
Save Reservation Details Ahead of Time
More developed campgrounds keep your reservation info on file. Smaller campgrounds may rely on campers to check themselves in. Make sure you know your campsite number, as well as any instructions or gate codes needed for an after-hours arrival. You might find something amazing along the way that leads you to arriving late, so it’s always best to be prepared.
Predownload Trails Using AllTrails
Some hiking trails are hard to follow. In the desert, or at forks in the road, there may be no clear markers to guide you. We have an AllTrails subscription so that we can follow trail maps without cell service, and it has helped us get back on track numerous times. Be aware that AllTrails can really drain your phone battery in navigation mode. We always have a backup battery pack to charge our phones just in case. If your battery is getting low, you can toggle navigation on and off to occasionally make sure you’re on track.
Bring a Fully Charged Battery Pack
We actually have two INIU power banks, and we use them on the road all the time. It has a powerful battery with enough wattage to charge a laptop. The trade-off is it’s a little hefty at 16.7 ounces. If you need an option for hiking or to carry in your pocket, they have smaller and lighter versions. We also love this iPhone portable charger case, which charges your phone while you’re on the go. It adds 8 ounces to the weight of the phone, and has saved us on long days hiking and exploring cities by foot.
Pack Old-School Fun for Evenings
We love building a campfire and sitting outside at night while camping (when fire restrictions allow). Other times we want a little more entertainment to pass the evening hours. Bring a deck of cards, a good book, a journal, an adult coloring book, or games you can play by yourself, like Boggle.
Download Movies or Shows for Downtime
Sometimes on a cold or rainy night at the campsite, we just want to bundle up and watch something under the covers. Predownload a few options on your favorite streaming app in case of bad weather.
Walkie Talkies – Optional but Fun
We bought these walkie talkies for a caravan road trip we were doing down through Baja California, and they really came in handy. There was no cell service, so we used them to communicate between drivers about roadblocks, bathroom breaks, and cool things we saw on the drive. They can be fun if you’re camping in a group and want to bring back some childhood nostalgia.
For Extreme Cases in Remote Areas
For real emergency backup in remote areas, a satellite communicator like Garmin InReach lets you call or text for help without cell service. We don’t have one since we don’t do real backcountry hiking, and we camp close enough to roads and civilization. But if you are planning a remote hiking trip, it’s worth looking into.
Prepare, Relax, Enjoy
We’ve had our fair share of surprise no service moments, but having offline maps, a few playlists, and even a backup plan in place makes a huge difference. When you know you won’t be stuck without directions, music, or ways to pass the time, it’s easier to relax and enjoy the adventure. The less you have to worry about, the more you can focus on the fun parts of your camping road trip.
We are a soon-to-be-launched internet radio station meshing our love for music and travel
