Stealth Camping Adventure in Yuma, Arizona

Author

Ark
April 29, 2025

What is Stealth Camping?

Stealth camping is the art of spending the night inside your vehicle, parked in a location where passersby are unlikely to suspect you’re sleeping inside. The goal is to blend in seamlessly, making your vehicle appear as if it belongs in the environment—whether it’s a busy urban street or a quiet suburban lot. For Nomad Brad, a seasoned stealth camper, this means finding the perfect spot where his rig, a customized van, doesn’t raise any eyebrows.

The Perfect Spot: A Triple Hotel Parking Lot

On a recent trip down Highway 8 in Yuma, Arizona, heading toward California, Brad stumbled upon one of his favorite stealth camping setups: a parking lot shared by three hotels—Four Points by Sheraton, Holiday Inn Express, and Candlewood Suites. This setup is ideal because it creates ambiguity. “Nobody knows what’s going on,” Brad chuckles. “Which hotel am I staying in? Could be this one, could be that one. Jokes on them—I brought my own hotel!”

The parking lot was a goldmine for stealth camping. With work trucks, an RV, and service vehicles scattered around, Brad’s van, wrapped in a commercial design, blended in perfectly. “It just looks like a work vehicle,” he explains, noting that businesses often park their rigs in hotel lots when working out of state. He carefully maneuvered into a median spot between two hotels, ensuring his van was flat and unobtrusive. “This looks really good,” he said, parking alongside a work truck and a bobcat trailer.

Setting Up for the Night

Once parked, Brad’s focus shifted to making his van a cozy, self-sufficient home for the night. His rig is equipped with a custom solar-powered electrical system, featuring 1200 watts of solar panels, a 3000-watt inverter charger, and two 12V 200 amp-hour batteries. This setup powers everything from his induction cooktop to his lights and internet hotspot, all running on free energy from the sun.

For ultimate stealth, Brad uses a pass-through from the cab to the living space, avoiding the need to step outside. This time, however, his e-bike in the passenger seat posed a challenge. “It’s gonna take a little finagling to wrap myself around the tire and sneak in the back,” he laughed, likening the maneuver to a “Mission Impossible” stunt. After some creative contortion, he made it into the living space, black t-shirt and all.

A Cozy Evening Inside

Inside, Brad transformed his van from “day mode” to “daybed mode.” The bed, which doubles as benches during the day, was pulled out into a lounging position—perfect for eating, working, or watching YouTube. “This is the most comfy spot,” he said, settling in for the evening.

Dinner was a highlight. Brad prepared a hearty beef roast using his electric induction cooktop and Instant Pot. The recipe was simple but delicious: a brazed roast, white sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and a can of cream of mushroom soup as the base, seasoned with a gourmet Herbs de Provence blend. “It’s pretty easy to turn a few simple ingredients into a delicious meal,” he noted. After 60 minutes in the Instant Pot, the result was a tender, creamy, and fragrant roast that filled the van with mouthwatering aromas.

While cooking, Brad connected to the internet using his Connect 10 mobile hotspot, a device with a digital SIM card compatible with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. “It selects the strongest signal, which is great when you’re on the road,” he explained, pulling up a YouTube video to watch while he worked.

Total Blackout: The Art of Staying Hidden

One of the keys to successful stealth camping is ensuring no light escapes the vehicle. Brad’s van is equipped with blackout curtains that make it impossible to tell someone’s inside, even with all the lights on. “Anybody walking by is going to have no idea there’s somebody living inside—unless they smell the delicious pot roast,” he joked.

A quick tour outside confirmed the setup’s effectiveness. From the parking lot, the van’s windows were completely dark, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. The lot itself was quiet, with minimal activity from the nearby hotels and the distant hum of the freeway. “Super chill spot for the evening,” Brad said, confident he’d have a safe, undisturbed night.

A Good Night’s Sleep and a Productive Morning

After dinner, Brad converted the van into “full bed mode,” revealing a comfortable full-size memory foam bed. “This is the life,” he said, settling in to watch YouTube on his TV. The night passed without incident, and by morning, the sun was peeking through the window, casting a warm glow over the parking lot.

The lot remained quiet, with only a few changes overnight—an RV had left, and a semi-truck had pulled in. Brad set up his workstation, powered by the Connect 10 hotspot, and got to work. “I’m about to hop online for a video conference, transfer some footage, and start making this video,” he said, ready to tackle the day.

Tips for Stealth Camping Success

Brad’s adventure offers valuable lessons for aspiring stealth campers:

  1. Choose a Strategic Location: Parking lots shared by multiple hotels are ideal because they create confusion about where you’re staying. Look for spots with other work vehicles or RVs to blend in.

  2. Blend In: A vehicle with a commercial wrap or a nondescript design is less likely to draw attention.

  3. Stay Discreet: Use blackout curtains and avoid stepping outside to maintain stealth.

  4. Be Self-Sufficient: A solar-powered system and portable appliances like an Instant Pot make it easy to live comfortably without relying on external resources.

  5. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt to challenges, like navigating around an e-bike in the cab.

Final Thoughts

Stealth camping is more than just a way to save money on accommodations—it’s a lifestyle that offers freedom, adventure, and the thrill of living off the grid. For Nomad Brad, parking in a Yuma hotel lot was just another night on the road, filled with good food, comfort, and the satisfaction of a successful stealth mission. “I hope you learned a little bit about stealth camping,” he said, signing off. “If you have the option, choose a triple hotel community parking lot—it’s probably a safe bet.”

So, the next time you’re on the road, keep an eye out for that perfect parking lot. With a little planning and a lot of stealth, you too can turn your vehicle into a cozy, mobile home for the night.

Peace out, and happy camping!

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