The freedom of a motorhome shines a little less in the height of summer: full stopover areas, packed campsites, crowded coastlines, heat and stopover restrictions at their peak. If you can only travel in peak season (like so many people with fixed holiday dates), not all is lost. With the right strategy you can still enjoy it. Here are the tricks for surviving summer camper life.
Plan more than usual
In the low season you can improvise; in August, not so much. Book ahead for the campsites or stopover areas in the busiest spots (coast, famous places), especially if you're heading to a specific destination. Improvising along the coast in August can leave you without a spot.
Dodge the crowds
- Steer clear of the hotspots: instead of the famous coastline, choose inland areas, mountains or less touristy spots. In August, the green north, the mountain ranges or the quieter interior tend to be calmer (and cooler).
- Get up early: beaches, monuments and trails, first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrive.
- Weekdays for the most popular spots; avoid weekends and the big getaway rushes.
Your great ally: autonomy
This is the camper's key advantage. The more autonomy you have (power and water), the less you depend on stopover areas and campsites that are full in August. A good setup lets you stay overnight (where permitted) in quieter spots without needing a plug socket, right when facilities are at their busiest. Autonomy is freedom, and in peak season it shows twice as much (use the calculator).
Be more considerate than ever
In summer, pressure on destinations is at its highest, and inconsiderate behaviour (camping where you shouldn't, emptying wastewater, noise) multiplies and leads to bans. Be especially respectful: use official areas, don't camp where only parking is allowed, and look after the places you visit. Everyone's image depends on it (see sustainable camping).
In summary
Travelling in peak season calls for more planning and strategy: book ahead, dodge the tourist hotspots (inland, mountains, the north), get up early, and lean on your autonomy so you don't depend on overloaded facilities. The step to take today: if you're travelling in August, rethink your destination towards less crowded, cooler areas, book what's essential and make the most of your autonomy to find quiet spots; you'll enjoy it far more.