When we first got on the road, it was to find adventure. That said, we quickly found that we needed some community while traveling the country. Once we found the tricks to seeking out that community, we found plenty of amazing friends to connect with. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say we have made more close friendships on the road than we ever did living in a sticks-and-bricks home.
This is likely because fellow RVers tend to have the same mindsets and interests as us. It could also be because they have more free time on their hands. Whatever the reason, we have so many amazing RV friends that I’m often overwhelmed by the number of caravaning and meetup invitations.
That said, finding those friends did involve learning how to find and connect with people while traveling. In this article, I’m going to share my top tips with you so you can have an amazing RV community that always has your back.
Why Friendships in the RV Community Matter
Why do you need community while on the road? Honestly, there are a lot of reasons why finding RV friends is important. There’s the obvious human need for connection, as well as the fact that community is good for your mental health.
That said, there is also a sort of safety in the community. You know that if you have a problem with your RV or vehicle, there will be someone who understands your situation and is there to help. I’ve also loved having a close-knit RV community because it means we always have travel buddies and we are always helping each other out with childcare, trips to the store, etc.
When you’re living a lifestyle that thrives on movement, friendships like these offer stability, comfort, and belonging that you might not be able to find otherwise.
Where RV Friendships Begin
We’ve made RV friends in all kinds of places over the years. That said, there are definitely some places that tend to offer more opportunities for connection than others. If you’re seeking out RV buddies, try looking in these spots.
Campgrounds and RV Parks
Obviously, campgrounds are the natural hub of RV social life. A lot of people spend a lot of time outdoors while camping, meaning it’s easy to step outside and find someone to chat with.
That said, if you need something to get the conversation started, you could attend a campground social event. These include things like potlucks, game nights, and hiking groups.
A simple wave or compliment can be the start of a conversation that leads to a long-term friendship, so get out there and start chatting!
Boondocking Spots
Of course, if you prefer off-grid camping, you may not be spending a lot of time in campgrounds. In this case, you might choose more popular boondocking spots purely for the opportunity to make social connections. This will likely mean putting together opportunities for connection on your own, but this is easy enough to do.
I love to host campfires, and we’ve had a lot of fun stargazing with fellow boondockers in the past. We also tend to share tools, water, and other resources, something that creates tight bonds very quickly.
Rallies and Conventions
One of the easiest ways to make quick connections on the road? Attend a rally. Our first RV friends were found at a Full-time Families rally. That said, other organizations like Escapees, FMCA, and Xscapers also host similar gatherings.
Some of these events bring in hundreds of RVers, meaning you’re sure to find someone you click with. I recommend going out of your way to attend an event or two if making friends is high on your list of priorities.
Online Communities
Believe it or not, a lot of my best RV friendships actually started online. I’ve met many people through Facebook RV groups and then met up with them in real life down the line. RV forums like iRV2 can also help travelers connect before even arriving at a destination.
I recommend that you hop on a few different groups and forums and start chatting. If you find someone you click with, plan to meet them at an event or for a field trip in a public place.
Volunteer Programs
Nothing builds friendships faster than working on a project together. This is why volunteering is such a great way to make friends. Programs like Workamping, Habitat for Humanity builds, and national park volunteering offer opportunities to work alongside other RVers and build those bonds that only working together can build.
How to Break the Ice
I’m not going to lie: I’m not a naturally outgoing person. I have a really hard time approaching strangers, and starting conversations can sometimes feel nearly impossible. That said, there are some tricks you can use to break the ice and make connecting a little more natural:
- Start with curiosity: Ask about their rig, solar setup, or travel plans. RVers love sharing tips and stories.
- Offer help: If you see someone struggling with backing in or setting up, offer a hand (respectfully).
- Share food or drinks: Nothing builds community faster than offering someone a cold drink on a hot day or sharing extra s’mores by the fire.
- Use humor: A lighthearted comment about campsite quirks or travel mishaps can open the door to laughter and conversation.
Remember that deep connections grow over time. You may not have a best friend at the end of your stay in a particular campground, but by keeping up with the people you met, you can grow your friendships, making them stronger each time you meet up.
Activities That Build Stronger Bonds
Okay, so you got up the gumption to approach someone and you’ve made a friendship you think could grow—what now? I recommend finding some activities to do together in order to build your connection. The options below are perfect for this.
Campfire Gatherings
The classic RV friendship builder. Invite your new buddies to bring a chair, a drink, or a story. Campfires create a relaxed environment for meaningful conversations.
Group Meals and Potlucks
Food is a universal connector. Organize a potluck where everyone brings a dish, or host a small dinner at your campsite.
Outdoor Adventures
Hiking, kayaking, biking, or sightseeing together builds camaraderie and shared memories, especially if problem-solving happens to be involved.
Skill Sharing
Teach each other something new—whether it’s how to maintain a generator, bake in an RV oven, or use a new app. These exchanges strengthen bonds and create mutual appreciation. As an added bonus, you might just get a new skill out of the deal!
Games and Hobbies
Cards, board games, or even setting up a projector for an outdoor movie night can turn casual acquaintances into friends.
The Etiquette of RV Friendships
Of course, you will want to make sure to respect boundaries. This can feel tricky when your new friend is right next door. The rules below have helped our family respect the boundaries of those we are camping near.
Respect Personal Space
Not everyone wants to socialize all the time. I’m among those who need a bit of time alone on occasion. If someone declines an invite, don’t take it personally.
Be Mindful of Noise
Loud neighbors that keep my kids awake at night drive me crazy. That said, it can be easy to get caught up in your own fun. Remember that loud music or late-night gatherings will likely annoy your RV neighbors, making them less likely to befriend you.
Offer, Don’t Impose
An offer to help is always nice, but sometimes people like to solve problems on their own. If you’re lending tools or giving advice, frame it as an offer—not a directive—in order to avoid stepping on toes.
Give Back
If someone helps you out, look for ways to return the favor. Everyone has their own unique skillset, and if everyone in the community shares their skills with one another, everyone will be stronger for it.
Staying Connected Beyond the Campground
The most difficult part of creating a strong community on the road is continuing friendships after you and your friends head separate ways. We have found many ways to stay in touch over the years. Here are some of the options that have worked best for us.
Exchange Contact Info
Obviously, you will want to swap phone numbers, emails, or connect on social media. I’ve found Facebook works really well for keeping up with where our friends are, as well as sending messages back and forth.
Share Travel Plans
We rarely leave our RV friends without making plans to meet up again sometime in the future. We share our travel plans with everyone in our circle and will often go out of our way to see friends. We’ve also attended rallies and events because we knew certain friends would be there.
Plan Online Fun
A quick text or funny meme can be nice, but sometimes a full hangout session is needed. Fortunately, the internet makes it possible to plan these even when we’re away from our friends. We’ve had game nights, virtual campfires, and movie nights with our friends, and our kids often enjoy video calls as well.
The Challenges of Building RV Friendships
Our road friendships are some of the best we’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. That said, they definitely do come with some unique challenges. Below are some of the things I find most challenging about main thing friendships while RVing full time:
- Goodbyes are frequent: We often have to part ways sooner than we’d like. It’s tough emotionally, especially for the kids.
- Different travel styles: I love boondocking, while many of my friends prefer full-hookup resorts. We have to compromise in order to ensure we get to spend time together.
- Privacy needs: I’ve found that many RVers value solitude more than socializing. Others want to socialize all the time. Communication is important in order to ensure you and your friends find a healthy balance.
- Schedules don’t always align: With everyone traveling at different paces, staying connected requires coordination. It can be frustrating when you want to do something different from your friends but also want to keep your community close. Flexibility is key here.
- Feast or famine: We have spent months on end traveling with our friends only to then turn around and spend a solid three months without any of our travel buddies. This can be difficult and is impossible to get around sometimes, but a bit of planning can help you avoid the worst of it.
Tips for Nurturing Lasting RV Friendships
Finally, I want to offer some of my best tips for maintaining RV friendships and helping them grow into something amazing:
- Be intentional: Don’t just wait for friendships to happen—seek them out. Attend gatherings, start conversations, and extend invitations.
- Be authentic: Be yourself. RV friendships thrive on honesty and shared values.
- Be generous: Share your resources, knowledge, and time when you can.
- Be flexible: Understand that RV life is unpredictable. Don’t be discouraged if plans fall through.
- Be proactive: Reach out first when you miss someone. A simple “thinking of you” goes a long way.
Fellow long-time RVer Barbara shared the following advice: “I have been able to maintain RV friendships with these tips:
- Make an effort to reach out to those people on purpose and regularly. Be it social media, zoom calls, or cell phone calls… reach out, stay in touch.
- Make an effort to meet up with those you care about, even if you have to drive 100 miles out of your way to see them. We call them 100 mile friends, going out of our way to maintain friendship and spend time with them.
- Plan to be in the same campgrounds with those you count as friends at least once a year.
- Make travel plans together. Bounce around the country in a caravan with your friends.
- Go to Fulltime Families events! Events, big and small, are great ways to connect and maintain friendships.”
Unlike traditional friendships that grow out of work, school, or neighborhood ties, RV friendships are built on shared adventures, problems solved as a team, similar sets of values, and a common lifestyle. They tend to form quickly and often under unique circumstances, and they thrive on mutual support. Because of this, RV friendships are something special—and in many cases, the best part of a full time RV journey.
Ready to experience an amazing RV community for yourself? Why not get out there and start making connections right away?
One thought on “Building Friendships in the RV Community”
Well, I generally get along with most fellow RV’ers. For me, there is a group of people in the industry that I don’t consider “community.” The RV park owners that have doubled the nightly cost of RV sites, too many of which are nothing to brag about. Corporations that have bought RV parks, then ripped up serviceable RV sites and installed pre-fab cabins, making RV sites even more expensive due to Supply & Demand. Traveling and staying almost anywhere has become much more expensive due to Corporate RV park owners.