Van Life Inspo: USA Edition

One of the first places that comes to mind when people think of van life is the USA. And for good reason! Offering some of the most stunning views and experiences on the planet, the possibility for van life adventure is virtually limitless. 

So get ready for some of the world’s most spectacular National Parks and trails, as we explore our top destinations for the ultimate van life inspo: USA edition. 

Yosemite National Park

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Summer days in Yosemite 🌅 . With everything currently happening in the world, I hope that everyone is doing well and following all the steps to stop the spread. With all the travel bans and social distancing, it hasn’t been easy, but there’s lots of good that can come out of it! Im excited to use this time to finish projects and edit some new photos! 🤙🏽 How are you guys passing the time ?

A post shared by Jake Guzman (@jguzmannn) on Mar 18, 2020 at 1:46pm PDT

Often hailed as one of the most impressive national parks across the entire US, Yosemite is a van lifer’s dream. 

Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. And as California is one of the most popular van life destinations in the world, spending time at Yosemite is likely top of many lists.

From stunning views virtually everywhere you turn to an abundance of wildlife, you can spend multiple days (or even weeks!) here without running out of places to explore. 

There’s plenty of hiking trails to enjoy, as well as climbing, swimming, and multiple camping options to suit many preferences. And with many of Yosemite’s rivers and lakes being pretty big, you can even give paddleboarding a try.

Sedona, Arizona

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#nofilter #vanlife #bohovans #ilovearizona #chilling @bohovans 🚌

A post shared by Sarina Gomez (@creatingsarinaconstance) on Feb 8, 2019 at 10:32am PST

Hailed for its stunning red rock mountains, Arizona’s Sedona is the ultimate hiking destination. There’s plenty of unique trails to explore and enjoy, as well as lots of biking opportunities too. And if you fancy taking a break from traditional van life, the main town of Sedona is home to a great choice of quirky cafes and restaurants. 

However, if you’re looking to take a total break from civilisation and have complete ‘me time’, Sedona may not be the best spot. It often gets super busy during peak season. But if you love nothing more than meeting fellow van dwellers and sharing stories amongst breath-taking views, Sedona is the place to be! 

Glacier National Park

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I spent the last few days in Glacier National Park with @lexielimitless. Being with someone who has literally traveled to every country in the world, it was cool to show her some places she hadn’t seen right here in the USA. Lots of inspiring conversations, some good laughs and plenty more adventures to come! #glaciernationalpark #hiking #montana #dodgingthecrowds #thefartheryouhikethelesspeopleyousee #getoutthere

A post shared by Travis Burke (@travisburkephotography) on Aug 8, 2019 at 6:17pm PDT

Home to hands-down some of the most beautiful views on the planet, Glacier National Park is in a league of its own. Situated within Montana’s Rocky Mountains, you’ll find a breathtaking array of valleys and glacier-topped peaks alongside the ever-photogenic Hidden Lake. 

And if you’re a fan of natural wildlife, you’re in for a treat! From grizzly bears to mountain goats, there’s plenty to see. But if you’re not a fan of the cold weather, Glacier National Park could be one to avoid during the winter months. Temperatures can get very, very cold. 

But provided you don’t mind the chill and have decent heating provisions in your van, you should be good to go. 

San Diego, California

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gooood morning from the van ! 🌞 🚐 i’ve been struggling trying to find a balance between being creative and making cool content, but also not contributing to the unhealthy side of instagram. 👎🏼 the side where we constantly compare ourselves to everyone’s perfectly staged photo that might only represent a few moments of their real life. i’ve been trying to keep it real on my instagram stories of what our actual day to day looks like, since all you would think i do from looking at my page is travel and have the best time of my life 100% of the time. although i’ve been living a pretty nomadic life for the past 4 years, it is NOWHERE near perfect. anyways, those are my thoughts for today. if anyone has suggestions on how i can be more transparent on this platform, or if you want to let me know what you’d like to see / read about our lifestyle, please let me know !! i hope everyone has an awesome day, remind yourself that not everything on instagram is real 😜 and appreciate the good moments throughout your day! k byeeeeeee ✌🏼 – – – – #vanlife #vanlifestories #transparency #realinstagram #reallife #vanbuild #vanlifesandiego #sandiego #vanlifediaries #vanlifemovement #vanlifeproject 💫

A post shared by a v e r y s p e n c e r (@avemarin_) on Nov 8, 2019 at 10:35am PST

Home to so many van lifers, San Diego is the ultimate city destination for nomads. You’re pretty much guaranteed to connect with likeminded people and make new friends during your time here, with plenty to see and do. So if you’re travelling solo and find yourself feeling a little intimidated when coming to a new place, San Diego will always feel welcoming and relaxed. 

From surfing to kayaking to exploring inner parts of the city, San Diego’s community spirit is truly difficult to beat. And if you frequently travel with your pooch, the entire area is super dog friendly – a definite bonus! 

Yellowstone National Park

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Spent the last few days with basically no service hanging out at Yellowstone and then Grand Teton. It totally surpassed my expectations and the drive down to Salt Lake City was probably my favorite drive of all time. We only left because I needed to catch up on laundry, showers, and work but I’m already thinking of going back before it gets too cold! I think Grand Teton has got to be my new favorite park. I could’ve stayed there for weeks. I’ve also been amazed at how well this girl does with traveling. She LOVES everyone and is almost always the start to every conversation I’ve had. Anyways, what’s your favorite national park?! I’m curious if I should go to any more before heading west to San Diego. 👌🏼 Oh! Also I’ve been getting some questions about the free campsites I stay at and I always put every single campsite on my website! So you can find any of them there whenever you need em. ❤️

A post shared by Sydney Ferbrache (@divineontheroad) on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:44am PDT

Spreading across Wyoming and across areas of Idaho and Montana too, Yellowstone National Park simply can’t be missed if touring the US in your van. 

You’ll find a huge expanse of stunning alpine rivers, forests, massive canyons and natural hot springs – complete with super impressive geysirs. The Grand Prismatic Spring is an absolute must-see! The third largest hot spring in the world, its huge size and stunning colours are simply breath-taking. 

Able to offer multiple days of exploration and gorgeous views no matter where you look, Yellowstone is certainly worthy of its stellar reputation. And if you don’t want to pay to stay at the specified camping grounds across the park, there’s plenty of free camping spots pretty near you can use to save money. 

So, if you’re planning an upcoming trip to the US as a true van lifer, you’ve now got some key destinations to add to your list. 

Now all that’s left to do is get your van fully kitted out with everything you need (including a portable fridge freezer!), and you’re ready to hit the road and enjoy some of the most awe-inspiring scenery you’ll ever see.