How to Find Community as an Introverted Nomad / Vanlifer
Making friends as an adult is tough. And awkward. Throw in the fact that I’m a bit introverted, traveling full-time in my tiny retro camper with two cats. Suddenly, the difficulty level goes up. Everest-level, even.
I know, an introvert seeking community. I get it. But here’s the thing—we don’t hate socializing. We just prefer it in smaller, bite-sized increments before disappearing into hermit mode to recharge.
So, how do you find a community on the road when you don’t want to constantly force interactions? How do you meet people organically, at your own pace, and still feel like you belong somewhere?
I’ve been full-time on the road since 2021 and met some amazing people along the way. The best part? Van life means you keep circling back to the same folks. Paths cross, sometimes by accident, sometimes by intention.
If you’re wondering how to connect while still maintaining your introvert sanity, I got you. Here are a few ways I’ve found community on the road that actually work.
#1 VanLife Campgrounds
This might be a shameless plug, but Van Life Campgrounds (VLC) is the top way I’ve found community. And yeah—Maybe I’m also a camp host for them. But I wouldn’t be if I didn’t believe in what they’re doing.
Here’s the thing: The U.S. lacks a strong hostel culture for vanlifers. Unlike Europe or Southeast Asia, where you can find backpacker hubs that naturally foster community, the U.S. is scattered. You’ve got random RV and state parks, BLM land and the occasional festival, but nothing consistent.
That’s where VLC steps in.
Why VLC Works
They create designated community hubs for nomads.
You’re not just parking in a lonely lot—you’re in a space that encourages meeting others. Each VLC varies by location, but there’s always some form of communal space to hang out or co-work.
An onsite VLC camp host – like me – hosts 3 opt-in events a week. Usually something low key, like a fireside hang, games, yoga, crafts, hiking or hitting a farmer’s market.
You get the hostel experience but for van lifers, skoolies, overlanders and car campers.
You can still be an introvert, but with the option to join in when you want.
You get some of those sweet amenities we often sacrifice as vanlifers, like a bathroom, showers, outdoor kitchen and WiFi.
I found VLC on my second cross-country trip, at their Joshua Tree location. Right away, it felt different. I found myself around a table after being invited out, sharing van life experiences with others who just got it. No awkward RV park or campground encounters.
But the VLC community doesn’t only live onsite. It’s in their Discord channel. There you’ll find:
Location-based chatrooms for every VLC site. If something is happening onsite, it’s in the Discord!
General nomad discussions (from travel tips to van build advice).
Event planning channels for potlucks, hikes, caravans and road trip meetups based on different regions in the U.S.
An easy way to stay connected with friends you make at each VLC location.
If you’re new to finding your nomad crew, start with VLC. Think of it as the friendship cheat code.
#2 Social Media & Apps
Sure, social media can be a clusterfuck, but it’s also a goldmine for finding people who get this lifestyle.
Facebook Groups
Say what you want about Facebook, but it’s legit for van life networking. There are groups for:
Van life with pets (shoutout to my fellow cat people)
Vanlife by region (so you can find people near you, like this San Diego one)
Large-scale meetups like Descend on Bend or Skooliepalooza
But here’s the thing: There are also small, casual gatherings that pop up just because someone feels like hosting one. I’ve found some of my best travel friends through Facebook groups.
Meetup & Hiking Groups
I specifically look for hiking groups.
Why? Because hiking is the perfect introvert-friendly way to make connections. It’s low-pressure, and you can talk as much (or as little) as you want.
Meetup.com is great for this, but Facebook hiking groups work just as well.
CrossRoads App
This one is new, but it’s got serious potential.
CrossRoads is designed for nomads who want to keep in touch after meeting on the road.
Think about it: You meet someone cool at a random campsite. A week later, they’re three states away. You have no idea when or where you’ll see them again.
CrossRoads fixes this problem by letting you:
Share routes with friends so you can see when you’ll cross paths.
Keep track of your travel community without having to DM everyone constantly.
Find out when friends are nearby so you can meet up on the go.
If you’re not keen on blasting your location to strangers, no worries. You have complete control over who you share it with and the radius –city, county, or state. Folk can also create “beacons” for open-invite community events. Right now, CrossRoads is still in beta, but it’s already changing how people stay connected on the road.
Check out CrossRoads here. – Full disclosure, you need an invite code to get started. But they’re spreading fast, so just ask around (I bet you’ll find one on the VLC Discord)
#3 Co-Working Spaces & Digital Nomad Hubs
For those who work remotely, co-working spaces can be an underrated way to meet like-minded nomads. It’s social sans pressure —you’re there to work, not chat (but you still can if you want). Unlike coffee shops, they have reliable WiFi, plenty of outlets and a built-in community of digital nomads.
Top U.S. Co-Working Spaces for Van Lifers
Outsite (Multiple Locations) – Co-living + co-working in scenic spots like CA, CO, and HI.
The Salt Mine (Sacramento, CA) – Casual, remote-friendly space.
Cowork Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, CA) – Great work setup near outdoor adventures.
Kiln(Bozeman, MT) – Cozy workspace with mountain views.
The Guild (Austin, TX) – A hub for freelancers and digital nomads.
Green Spaces (Denver, CO) – Eco-conscious co-working with a strong community.
If you’re on a budget, libraries and community centers usually have free WiFi and quiet work spaces. Even if you don’t need a co-working space daily, dropping in can be an easy way to meet people.
#4 Skill-Sharing & Volunteering
A lot of nomads have cool skills—from photography to van-building hacks. Why I’ve seen professional tattoo artists and barbers working out of their rigs. Some gatherings naturally turn into knowledge exchanges, but there are also dedicated skill-sharing events where introverts can participate without the pressure of small talk.
Workaway & WWOOF offer volunteer opportunities with built-in community.
Conservation projects and festival work can be an easy way to meet like-minded people.
If you struggle with random socializing, it’s a good way to connect with purpose.
#5 Slow Travel: The Key to Organic Friendships
I refer to this one as being a ‘slowmad.’ And it’s my favorite way to travel.
If you’re always on the move, it’s hard to build lasting connections. But if you stay somewhere for a few weeks (or even months), you start seeing the same people again and again.
VLC is my top recommendation for this – obvs – but here are some other great slow travel hubs:
Quartzsite, AZ (winter nomad hotspot)
Baja California (huge van life presence in the winter)
Oregon Coast (great for summer stays)
When you slow down, community finds you.
The Wrap-Up: Find Your People, Your Way
Just because us introverts like our alone time, doesn’t mean we want to be isolated. And we don’t have to. It’s about finding the right spaces for organic connection.
For me, Van Life Campgrounds was the game-changer. It’s where I met people without forced conversation. Where I can sit by a fire, join a group dinner, or just be a fly on the wall until I feel like talking. It’s an introvert’s dream—community when you want it, solitude when you don’t.
Social media helps, but VLC is real life.
So if you’re looking for a way to meet fellow nomads without the awkward small talk, try a Van Life Campground. Trust me, you’ll see familiar faces again.
Because on the road, the best friendships are the ones that keep crossing paths.
