It’s a fantastic way of life, exploring the United States using an RV with your Adventure Pet! But how in the name of Davy Jone’s locker do we find housing options with a pet? Today I am going to answer that lovely question as an adjunct to last week’s post about Short Term Pet Friendly Housing. Last week I provided info related to housing without a camper, but did discuss some tips related to camper life; so please check it out for more info!
Resources Tips and Training
First, I want to provide you with a handy dandy tool also linked in last week’s post- a downloadable word document with a GREAT graph to help with comparing housing situations. There are so many platforms we can successfully use to find RV-friendly housing; it can be confusing! This organizing tool lists all of the different platforms to keep communications with each potential living situation straight, as well as keep track of contact info, locations, dog friendly perks, and of course; cost.
Most campgrounds are family friendly and pet friendly, however a lot of hosts have had bad experiences with pets on their property, and as a result have many rules, to prevent maladaptive pet behaviors. A great way to promote your pet, and help with housing is by making a puppy resume!
I know, a resume for your dog sounds crazy, but often times this is a huge help for landlords to understand your pet. You can share any quirks and how they’re managed, promote training classes, education, skills and show proof that you are a responsible adventure pup owner. It’s helpful to always request Airbnb reviewers leave info about your pet to encourage understanding that you have a well behaved adventure pup.
Here is a copy of Chloe’s Resume, as an example for you all. If you want to add more to your resume, photos, behavior quirks, and training plans are also great to have listed, in addition to what I have on Chloe’s. She has her physical description, personality, references, vet records and training/education. Anything that shows you are a responsible dog mom or dad, and that your dog will be an asset to the community, instead of a detriment.
Reference letters, training class certificates and medical records or doggy health insurance all show proof of responsible pet ownership and helps campgrounds or private property hosts be more receptive to allowing pets to stay there. Another great strategy to promote your pet is by simply walking around a campground with your dog and allowing management to meet your pet.
Ways to Find Housing
Now, let’s get to the good stuff- strategies to find the best place to park your camper for a short term. My personal preference is to park somewhere for 2 weeks- a month, and find the best option within that time frame while I am actually in the location I’ll be working. This does not work if you are south for the winter in states like California, Arizona, or Florida, because campgrounds fill up SO FAST, most of the time it is recommended to find a parking spot prior to accepting a contract. However, for folks like me who prefer Oregon or Maine in the winter- well, off seasons are the best AND you will pretty much always find a cheap spot to park your RV. Here’s how I do it!
All Stays Camp/RV
This is always the first place I look for a campground. This app and website is BOMB. It lists a ton of campgrounds, ranging from privately owned to located on national forests. You can seek reviews, find a number to call to inquire about availability, and pull it up on maps to determine if it’s close to the spot you will be working. It also says if it’s pet friendly, for tents/campers and what size is allowed; however I usually call to inquire as well because the information is not always up to date.
Chamber of Commerce
While some people use this as a last resort; I have started calling the chamber of commerce on every assignment. The chamber knows the BEST kept secrets within a community, especially when it comes to campgrounds. The community wants health care professionals there, helping them, and the chamber usually does all they can to support us. Often times communities have small campgrounds for maintenance or road workers; and these can also be perfect spots for healthcare professionals.
Google Search
Of course, many campgrounds are also available through google. I have found this to be one of the least effective options for finding campgrounds though; so I do not recommend relying on google to find you what you need, when you are traveling by RV. A lot of privately owned campgrounds are hard to find using a basic google search! Therefore, definitely check this out, but also use the other options discussed here.
Airbnb
What? Airbnb for RV parking? Yup- you heard me. This is absolutely an option. After putting in the town information and that you are looking to stay somewhere, you can choose filters. I always filter pet friendly options; and then scroll down to unique stays. If there are ‘campsites’ available, choose it! This way you filter out any regular homes, and can choose campsites exclusively. It is not available everywhere, but I found some great options in Portland, OR and in Sumter, SC using this strategy.
Hipcamp
I LOVE hipcamp. This is partially because I have become VERY spoiled in my travels thus far, finding private property listings for the last 3 contracts instead of campgrounds. I enjoy campgrounds, because the community is always so supportive, there are usually awesome amenities like laundry or wifi, and you get the good 30 amp hook ups, so you can use air conditioning or the high energy space heaters. On the other hand, I have fallen in love with staying on private properties as listed on hipcamp because they feel like home! Many places have electric hookups and water; as well as so much room to roam where you can listen to your music without worrying about close neighbors, work on projects, let your dog roam on a long leash or off leash. It is SO nice to have your own space, without neighbors that can see through your windows. So I love hipcamp, and staying on private property. It’s been amazing.
I Overlander
I Overlander is an app that lists both free and paid campgrounds. The perk is that anyone can add campsites they find to the app, so there are a TON more listed than what you would find using a google search. I often times use it to find free overnight parking, or to stay somewhere for a short term until I find a longer term situation. National Parks allow you to park for 14 days; however a lot of the campgrounds listed on I Overlander allow longer term stays as well.
FreeCampsites
This website, app, and facebook group is AWESOME for finding free overnight parking, and national forest land. We pay for it in our taxes, so why would we pay for it again? I defintely recommend looking at the reviews before towing your camper 5 miles down a dirt national forest road; and maybe walking in a ways to be sure you can turn around. However, I have found some incredible overnights, and 14 day sites using this website. If you’re up for the adventure, you can always hop around free campsites; if you want to try some boondocking and save on the campground fees! There is always the risk of finding excess garbage; but bring a trash bag, pick it up and just savor some free, private camping.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are an incredible resource for finding pet friendly housing. The 1st place to look is on Travel Nursing, the Gypsy Nurse. There are a ton of people who advertise their homes and who have availability all over the United States. Be sure to be polite and use the search bar at the top of the Facebook group page before you post. The second Facebook group to search is the Travel Therapy Gypsy Housing group, which is specific for traveling therapists.
Another way to use Facebook for pet friendly housing is to find whatever town or city you are going to on Facebook and search through their page. Has anyone looked for housing options this way in the past? Or, if you don’t even care- put together an adorable post of you and your pup, and you will have people lining up to house you. For example, if you are working in a small town Minnesota and you search Hardwick, Minnesota you can post asking for housing options on the Facebook group. In this scenario I was able to call the Chamber of Commerce who suggested a place in Hardwick, Minnesota which was in the exact middle of where I needed to be for work! It was so perfect. This is also probably it the best campground I have ever stayed at with to the sweetest people in the town wanting to be involved in my life.
Craigslist
Looking up, “RV Parking” on craigslist for whatever town you prefer is an excellent searching method. I found a great spot in Maine using this technique, with an outdoor toilet and beautiful tree cover! I know craigslist has a bad rep sometimes, but given how many awesome housing finds are available through craigslist, I definitely recommend checking it out for some private RV property listings.
Word of Mouth
I discussed this last week as well, but SO many people have property and would be open to allowing you to park on it! I always ask during interviews for work; but also consider asking co-workers, friends, or even looking at the local coffee shop or bar for places to park. Often times people will have their land available for hunting season for a small fee; and I bet they would allow traveling health care professionals to park short term! Never hesitate to ask around searching for housing opportunities; and keep your puppy resume available!
No matter how many trees I find on which to pee, how much grass I leap over in sheer glee, or waterfalls I play in with great company, I will always be,
Your adventure dog.
-barkingembarkers
I hope you all were able to gather excellent information to help you find dog friendly RV parking spots! If you like this post and wish to learn more about traveling with your pet, please subscribe, share and comment on social media! You all are barkingly wonderful and I wish you many happy tails.
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References
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/search-pet-friendly-housing-and-real-estate
How to Find a Pet-Friendly Apartment
How to Travel Safely in an RV with a Dog
Camping With Dogs: How to Prepare