A Guide to Van Life in Bend, OR

Why Bend is a Top Destination for Van Life

Bend, Oregon is one of the most popular van life destinations due to its combination of hiking, bike trails, free camping, skiing, rafting and mountains. It also home to the most breweries per square foot of any town, great coffee shops and a vibrant downtown.

Bend has become known as an outdoor enthusiasts dream as there is something for everyone at all times of the year.

Add in all the shopping and conveniences imaginably for those living van life and you will quickly see why there are hundreds of promaster, sprinter and transit vans roaming the streets.

What This Guide Includes

This is not an exhaustive list but a solo van lifers experience in Bend.  It has a personal twist to it that mixes van life essentials, hiking and the best that Bend has to offer for coffee, beer, burgers and hangouts.

Like all the location reviews on this site this review is geared mainly towards visiting van lifers. With that said it can also be utilized by RV’s, van lifers living full time in Bend, visitors looking to camp, and those visiting Bend in a more traditional way.

Van Life Coloring Book:

Inspired by Bend

 

Where is Bend?

Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon located just over 3 hours from Portland, less than 4 hours to the Oregon coast and 5 hours from Boise, Idaho.

Getting Around

The more you know about the main sections of Bend the more simple it to get a grip on where to spend your time.  Luckily the main highway makes access to the best parts of town really simple.

Interstate 97

This is the main highway that goes through Bend and serves as a divide between downtown and the commercial areas of Bend. I-97 North will take you all the way up into Washington State, past Smith Rock State Park. Going south will lead you past Crater Lake National Park and eventually into California.

The areas covered in this guide will focus mainly on the activities, food and camping right alongside this highway. When you get a feel for whats west and east of 97 you will have an easier time getting around the city.

East of 97

Home to Planet Fitness, Safeway and other commercial mainstays that will be part of a nomad’s daily routine. West of 97 is home to the neighborhoods with tons of activities, food trucks and breweries.

West of I-97

Southern Crossing and River West

The fun doesn’t stop in downtown as the breweries, food trucks and shopping hug the river providing a sprawling feeling to the area.

River West, on the opposite of Drake Park, provides access to top recommendations like 10 Barrel Brewing, The Lot, Victorian Cafe, Megaphone Coffee and El Sancho’s.

Southern Crossing is another area you will spend quite a bit of time in.  It is home to Riverbend Park; a popular tube launching point. It is home to the Deschutes Brewing Company along with the popular Old Mill Shopping District.

Downtown and Old Bend

Downtown Bend is a vibrant but small area that provides a great walking area to shopping, eating and drink.  It is also located within walking distance to the river and a short drive to all activities. Drake Park, one of the best areas for a picnic and river access, is also located in Old Bend a short walk from downtown.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

One of the most scenic roads you will find in your journey’s is sure to be the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. This beautiful road leads up to Mt Bachelor and the Three Sisters mountains. It has trails, snow parks and free camping on the way up. As you get to Mt Bachelor a whole new world opens up, depending on the season, to skiing, alpine lakes, and some of the best hiking you can find in Oregon.

Community in Bend

Reception from Locals

This has long been one of the most van life friendly towns you could find. Parking is ample in and around shopping centers and other vans are so common you normally won’t get a second look. With that said there is more and more resistance to visitors as you’ll find with the recent petition on closing the gate at Phil’s Trailhead. 

Other Van Lifers

As mentioned there is a huge van life community in Bend.  You will see other van lifers on hikes, at Planet Fitness, working at coffee shops, on the trails, and obviously camping in the National Forests. The majority of van lifers and nomads in Bend are very friendly and will strike up a conversation or even join for a campfire(not in fire season). The great thing about the Deschutes National Forest and Bend area is that there are so many options for camping. You can join others in a more crowded section to make friends or you can seek out solitude in more private locations.

The Best Free Campsites in Bend

Bend is a popular destination for all outdoor activities and one of the most popular is camping. Lucky for us there are not only plenty of paid options, but free camping options as well. In our experience the best free campsites in Bend are Phil’s Trailhead, the Sno-Parks on Cascade Lakes Byway, Badlands Rock and Harrington Loop Road Dispersed.

 

Phils Trailhead

The Dispersed Camping behind Phil’s Trailhead is one of my favorite free camping spots in the country. The vicinity to trails, Downtown, River West and Southern Crossing make this a perfect spot for a couple weeks at a time. The road into Phil’s, off of Skyliner, is easy to access to access and doesn’t require 4 wheel drive. The dirt roads can get slightly bumpy but all in all this is one of the easier forest service roads to access for all vehicle types.

The Big Dirt Lot

After you pass the bathrooms and parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead you will start down the dirt road where the campsites are.  On the right hand side you will see a big dirt parking lot that is open for camping.  This lot is usually filled with RV’s and larger vehicles soaking up the ample amounts of sun. This is a great spot if you get in later in the evening and don’t want to chance driving further down the Forest Road.  It is a big dirt lot though so you want find much shade or privacy.

Coordinates: 44.03055079130083, -121.38676979396632

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. This is perfect for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles.

Forest Service Road 4604

As you continue past the big dirt lot you will pass a right hand turn that leads to dispersed sites. In our experience these sites were all taken, but seemed like quality sites. Continue past this right hand turn until you are give the option to take a left or continue straight around the curve. Continue straight and you will start to see 4-5 sites on your left and right.  These were our favorite sites in this area and weren’t hard to come by for a month stay in June. July or August might be another story. If these sites are taken continue further down the road and there will be sites on both sides of the road. The road does get a little more narrow and rocky as you go further in but you will be fine without 4 wheel drive.

Coordinates: 44.04669, -121.38448

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. There are RV’s down this road, but the further you go the harder it is to turn around the more narrow the road gets. Our suggestion would be not to go past the first few sites after the left turn option.

Sno-Parks

Sno-Parks in Oregon offer free camping from May 1st to October 31st. The rest of the year a permit is required. The Sno-Parks in Bend are all paved parking areas that allow car camping for all types of vehicles. They are at higher elevations on the road heading up to Mt. Bachelor and provide a nice drop in temperature during the hotter months. The vicinity to trails, hiking and the mountains make these great choices for 2-3 days at a time. Our suggestion would be to spend your extended time closer to town and then short outings in the snow parks based on your activity. There are more than a few options available on the way up.

Coordinates: Check out Meissner Sno Park, Wanoga and Swampy Lake.

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Yes

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, these are paved parking lots.

Harrington Loop Road Dispersed

If you are looking for a spot with access to Bend but slightly out of town then this free camping are in Sisters, Oregon is a great choice.  Harrington Loop is just 20-25 minutes from downtown Bend and provides a great option for those coming into town from Mt. Hood.  We stopped and stayed here the first two nights before heading into Forest Road 4604 afterwards. This a big dirt loop with a ton of spots and fire pits. It was busy during the end of May but not so much were there wasn’t a spot available on a Thursday night.

Coordinates: 44.2506, -121.4967

Cell Service: Yes. Full bars of LTE from Verizon. Cell service heaven!

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, easy access for all types of vehicles.  This is a loop so no real turnaround issues.

Badlands Road Dispersed

Another site to stay, only 25 minutes, that provides convenient access to Bend. This is on land from the Bureau of Land Management and includes a big gravel lot for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles. There are also several smaller roads with access for vans and other vehicles.  This was only a one night stop but it provided great mountain views while we were there.

Coordinates: 43.9435, -121.0257

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars from Verizon.

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, the roads are dirt and gravel, so there is easy access for all types of vehicles. No turnaround issues as there is a big gravel lot for parking.

The Best Outdoor Activities in Bend

Bend is one of the best places for outdoor activity lovers in the world. Depending on the season you can choose from hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, rafting, camping and more.

During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Sno Parks in Oregon offer free overnight parking from May through October making the hikes and other activities that much more accessible.

Hiking and Rock Climbing

There is a whole section on our favorite hikes in Bend below. Needless to say there is an adventure for everyone.

While we haven’t ventured into rock climbing just yet this is available, at Smith Rock State Park, a short drive away. Monkey Face seems to be the most well known.

Mountain Biking and Cycling

We have to mention Phil’s Trailhead to start as it is located on the same road as our favorite dispersed camping site in Bend. You will see mountain bikers starting here early in the morning until later in the evening. For more trails and rides outside Phils take a look at this resource from the MTB Project.

If mountain biking isn’t your thing there are also plenty of cyclists throughout Bend. One of the more popular routes taken, a moderate 37 miles, is the Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Byway.

Rafting, Floating and Kayaking

The Deschutes River goes right through Bend and provides jumping off points, for the extremely popular floating among locals and tourists.

This popular river is also a favorite for kayaking and whitewater rafting. You can even take out stand up paddle boards.

To book any of these activities on the river you can visit Sun Country Tours who have been operating since 1978.

Snowshoeing and Winter Sports

Mt. Bachelor and Century Drive, the road leading up, provide a winter activity paradise.

The ride up to Bachelor has three Sno-Parks to choose from for those interested in snowshoeing. Options include Virginia Meissner, Swampy Lake, and Dutchman.

Mt. Bachelor Ski and Snowboard Resort, the 6th largest in the country, is the go to resort in the Pacific Northwest.

The Best Hikes in Bend for All Levels

As mentioned above Bend is a hikers paradise.  Depending on the time of year you can choose from alpine lakes, mountain summits, trail runs, waterfalls and more. During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Best Easy Hikes in Bend

1. Pilot Butte

Pilot Butte is an extinct volcano located in Bend, one of only 4 volcanoes located in the boundaries of a city, and is one of the most popular hikes you will find in the city. The short but rewarding hike will lead you to a view of the Cascades as well as the entire city of Bend.  Pilot is a great warmup hike when you get into town.

Distance: 1.8 Miles

Elevation Gain: 452 Feet

Peak Elevation: 4130 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Deschutes River South

Deschutes River South is one of the quintessential bend things to do in town. This isn’t so much of a hike as it is a walk around the Deschutes River. The hike loops around the Deschutes, crossing a bridge at the halfway point, and features a view of the river. Depending on the season you’ll see rafters and hikers on the river while sharing the trail with bikers.

Distance: 3.1 Miles

Elevation Gain: 137 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3685 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Very Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

All Trails

The Best Moderate Hikes in Bend

 

 

1. Misery Ridge and Summit Trail at Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park is a nice change in landscape from the mountains up near Cascade Lakes. It features more of a rocky desert feel and does not disappoint with its sweeping views.  From the top of Misery Ridge you can see the peaks of the Cascade Mountains in the area as well as the river below. This is one you do not want to miss while in the Bend area. Make sure to start this hike clockwise to get the incline of Misery Ridge out of the way while you are fresh. We did this hike counter clockwise originally and definitely regretted it at the end.  Also prepare during the late spring and summer for this to be a very hot hike. You are exposed nearly the entire time and it can get very hot out there. There is water available down by the river before starting the hike.

Distance: 6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1774 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3297 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 3 to 4.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Green Lakes Trail

Green Lakes was one of our favorite trails in all of Bend.  It’s located on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and takes you up past a beautiful river with small waterfalls as you go. The payoff at the end is a view of both South Sister and Broken Top Mountain with the two Green Lakes lakes below. This is usually the most popular hikes in the Deshcutes National Forest so be prepared in the warm months for a busy hike. It is a moderate 9 miles during the warm months, but becomes moderate to hard when there is snow on the ground.  We did this hike in the beginning of June, it was still packed with snow in most places, and the lakes were just starting to thaw out. Lucky for us we had the Green Lakes all to ourselves after 9 miles through the snow. Be prepared to wear spikes during the spring and fall while snowshoes are a must when the snow starts again.

Distance: 9 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1187

Peak Elevation: 6571

How Long Will It Take: 3.5-5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources: Green Lakes Trail Official Site

 AllTrails

3. Tumalo Falls Via Tumalo Creek

Another one of the most popular hikes in Bend is to Tumalo Falls. The main attraction here is the water fall but the views and walk through nature is what really makes this one a must do. Tumalo can get a little touristy as there is a bathroom and parking lot right at the falls area. You will obviously want to move past here as soon as you can and also get to the lot early to avoid parking issues. The well maintained hike is best done counterclockwise and is also shared with mountain bikers.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 583 Feet

Peak Elevation: 5099 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2.5-4 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

4. Tumalo Mountain

Tumalo Mountain was another snow hike for us! This turned a moderate hike into a hard one as the idea of a trail was a very loose one here. The views at the top of Tumalo are hard to beat though. On one side it feels like Mt. Bachelor is right on top of you and at the finish you get sweeping views of the Three Sisters and the valley below. This is one of the first hikes in the Cascade Lakes area to become doable and should be on every list of the best hikes in Bend.

Distance: 4 Miles

Elevation Gain: 779 Feet

Peak Elevation: 1423 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2 to 3.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

The Best Hard Hikes in Bend

1. South Sister

South Sister is a beast of a hike in the summertime without snow on the ground. In the non summer months it becomes one of the hardest day hikes in the area. We had the pleasure of doing this as a snow hike in early June with only micro-spikes available.  From start to finish this made for a sludge and a true test physically and mentally. The day we were on the trail there were 3 other groups spotted and most had snowshoes and poles to get them by.  If you decide to go in the winter make sure you are prepared with the minimum of spikes and poles and ideally snowshoes. You will be rewarded with views of lakes, Broken Top and obviously South Sister as shown above.

Distance: 11.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 4986 feet

Peak Elevation: 10,349 feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-10 hours based on level and season. Give yourself more than the average 8 hours if this it’s a snow hike.

Difficulty: Hard to Very Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Bend Glacier and No Name Lake

Another one of the most epic hikes in the Bend area. Bend Glacier and No Name isn’t nearly as hard as South Sister but will still provide a good challenge for most during the summer.  In the winter it becomes a test of wills as it becomes another tough snow sludge. Your reward during the summer are sweeping views of Mt. Bachelor and a beautiful view of No Name Lake to finish.  During the winter you still have epic views but the lake is likely frozen over and covered in snow. During our early June hike there was one other couple on the hike.  GPS is required if you want to find your way in the winter as there is no real trail in sight.

Distance: 13.3 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2687 Feet

Peak Elevation: 8220 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-9 Hours

Difficulty: Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

3. Mt. Bachelor Trail

The last on the list of mountain hikes in the Cascades Lake area is Mt. Bachelor.  Bachelor is the popular ski and snowboarding destination during the winter and a hiking destination during the summertime.  This trail doesn’t have the mileage of South Sister and Bend Glacier but the elevation gain is still significant in nearly half the distance.  This isn’t one you do in the snow but makes for a great warm weather challenge.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2742 Feet

Peak Elevation: 9070 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 4-5.5 Hours

Difficulty: Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

Van Life Resources in Bend

 

 

Showers/Gym

This comes down to your budget and preference of gym locations. We didn’t have to put much thought into this one as there is a Planet Fitness located in Bend.

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is a no brainer for van lifers in need of a workout and shower. For just over $20 you get access to any location in the country along with a guest pass for each visit. It doesn’t get much better than the ease of the Bend location. It is located in a commercial area with Back Porch Coffee Roasters and a laundromat within walking distance.

Dumping

Portable Toilets

If you are using a camping toilet or, gasp, water bottles and plastic bags then there are plenty of options.

The most accessible spots I found were at trailheads. Phil’s Trailhead, on the same road as one of the dispersed campsites listed above, was my go to spot. There are a couple of Restrooms attached to the parking lots and they are easily accessible during off hours.  This makes it easy to grab a restroom to yourself without too much attention called to your disposable.  Be aware that this is a popular mountain biking location and the parking lot will be busy or full from 9am-4pm.

Dumping for RV’s

If you are in an RV or rig there is a gas station in the Blockbuster parking lot that has dumping

The Best Coffee in Bend

The Pacific Northwest is known for its delicious roasts, Portland and Seattle aren’t far, and the town of Bend is no exception.

You have a number of options for coffee in Bend and you can’t go won’t go wrong with your morning or post adventure coffee. With that said the best places for coffee in Bend are Backporch Coffee Roasters, Megaphone Coffee, Lone Pine Coffee and Thump Coffee.

Lone Pine Coffee

Lone Pine was definitely a, best coffee in Bend, contender for us. Great spot to spend a day of work.

Thump Coffee

Thump’s downtown location was a once a week spot for us while in Bend. Good coffee and laid back vibe!

Backporch Coffee

My two favorite things to do in Bend were hike and go to coffee shops. Most of the days in coffee shops were here at Backporch Coffee. Specifically the location across from Planet Fitness. Some of the best coffee around combined with a clean atmosphere made for a great combination.  They also have a outdoor seating with a fire to heat things up on cold days.

Megaphone Coffee

Megaphone west was our preferred stop when we didn’t want to venture into downtown or east of I-97. It is attached to a brewery and has outdoor seating that is perfect post hike. The coffee is pretty great too.

The Best Spots for Wifi in Bend

Wifi is easy to come by in Bend. You have your choice of the usual spots like Starbucks in addition to the independent coffee shops like Lone Pine, Backporch, Thump and Megaphone. If coffee isn’t your thing the Deschutes Public Library is your best option.

Drake Park

The Deschutes River travels right through Bend and provides jumping off points for rafting and lounging.  Drake Park is one of the best spots to not only get on the water but also have a picnic or lie in the sun.  It is walking distance to downtown and right in the thick of things for food and beverage.  The only downside is the popularity and lack of parking.  Your best bet is to find a spot that runs parallel to the park when someone pulls out.  If you can get there earlier in the day, by 9am, you should have your choice of spots.

There is no wifi here but it is still one of our favorite spots to spend a lazy day in Bend.

Bend Library

Libraries on the road are no brainers for those looking for quality wifi and a quiet spot to do work. The Bend library has the added benefit of being a quick walk away from downtown.  If Backporch, Thump or Lone Pine are too busy then take it to go and sit inside.

Spoken Moto

Spoken Moto, powered by Megaphone Coffee, has hip motorcycle vibe to it.  It’s actually attached to a motorcycle repair store which gives it a very unique atmosphere.  This wasn’t a regular spot for us but definitely a fun one for a day.

The Best Spots for Beer and Food in Bend

Manzanita Grill

Manzanita may have been my favorite place to eat, not just in Bend, but in the entire first year I was on the road.  The tacos were among the best I had and the Nashville sliders were my favorite things I ate.  Did I mention the seasoned fries? Easily the best fries I had in van life. Pro tip: Get the fry sauce to go with it.

10 Barrel Brewery

10 Barrel is one of the most popular breweries in Bend and one of the easiest to find in stores around the Pacific Northwest. Add in food and a fun atmosphere and you have a top spot to hang out after a day of exploring. It has the added benefit of being a couple of miles from a great campsite at Phil’s Trailhead. 

Victorian Cafe

Another spot really close to Phil’s Trailhead is the Victorian Cafe which is my number one recommendation for breakfast.

Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes, taking the name of the local river, may be the most famous brewery in town. It is widely viewed as the one that put Bend on the map. They have the standard brewery fare and another fun spot to hang out.

El Sancho – Westside

Another great l spot on the way in to Phil’s Trailhead is El Sancho’s. They have a spacious outdoor patio to sit after you order food at the counter. Taco’s, bowls and margaritas are the highlights in a laid back environment.

The Lot

This is a collection of food trucks and carts that offers covered seating as well as entertainment during non covid times.  Burgz N Dogz was my go to spot here.  Make sure to go with tater tots over fries.

Ale Apothecary

The Apothecary is one of if not the most acclaimed microbreweries in Bend. It garners not just local but national recognition as well.  If you are a beer fan and in Bend then this is most likely your first stop.

Boneyard Beer

Boneyard is a subsidiary of Deschutes.

Groceries in Bend

I’m always a big fan of supporting local business on the road in van life, but groceries is usually where I stick to the big boys. Outside of an occasional farmers market stop, Bend is no different.

Whole Foods

We all should know what Whole Foods has to offer here.  This Whole Foods has the obvious benefits of an Amazon Locker pickup and is all the other positives and negatives to go with it.

This location like the Trader Joe’s on the list will take you a little bit more out of town than the Safeway or Albertsons.

Safeway/Albertsons

The more time I spend in van life the more I appreciate shopping at Safeway.  Outside of stops at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s for specific items Safeway is a safe bet for whatver you need.

If you’ve never been to a Safeway its more along the lines of your general big box grocery store.  It has all the basics at good prices and usually has a Starbucks inside. There is also an Albertsons in town that is comparable.

Trader Joes

Have you been to Trader Joe’s? Then you know what to expect here.  It’s about a 10 minute or so drive, in a commercial area, from the hustle of downtown. The location is in a shopping plaza near Best Buy, Starbucks and more.  Easy to park and get in and out of.

Nearby Attractions

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is just over 90 minutes from Bend and is highly recommended to visit for a 2-3 day trip. We stopped down at this National Park in June, while it was still quiet, before heading back up to the Bend area.  Crater Lake, another volcano, in the Cascade Range is home to some of the most blue water you will ever see. This blue water is actually more pure than the drinking water coming out of your faucet.

The main attraction here is the lake that was formed when the volcano collapsed into itself creating the crater.  The water is mainly runoff from the snow that accumulates each year.

The activities at Crater Lake aren’t as numerous as in the Bend area but it does provide plenty of hikes along the ridge. The photos we took, during our visit, received some of the most ooh and ahhs of any we’ve taken. You can even go down to the water during the summer season and take a swim in the beautiful blue water.

We have a full guide for Crater Lake with a mock itinerary and list of activities. Along with the epic photos mentioned earlier.

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This is a guide and review of van life in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona for good reason is one of the most popular van life locations due to its combination of day hikes, free camping, scenic red rocks and an active town. Sedona is a bustling tourism destination, and on its...

The Best Free Campsites in Mt. Hood

What You Need to Know About Free Campsites in Mt. Hood, Oregon   Is There Free Camping in Mt. Hood? Yes! Not only do you have the National Forest camping options but you also have free access to the Sno-Parks out of ski season. This was by far one of our favorite...

The Best Free Campsites at North Cascades National Park

Who Is this Guide For? This is for those of you looking to enjoy North Cascades National Park and be as close to the gorgeous turquoise water and epic hikes as possible.  It isn't for travelers who are passing through and want to stay for 10 days at a remote...

The Best Free Campsites at Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

What You Need to Know Who Is this Guide For? This post is for travelers looking to enjoy Acadia and be as close to the park, and Bar Harbor, as possible. It isn't for travelers who are passing through and want to stay for 10 days at a remote campsite in Wesley or...

The Best Free Campsites in Morro Bay, CA

What You Need to Know Is Car Camping Legal in Morro Bay? Unfortunately camping in your car, van, or RV is illegal on the streets of Morro Bay and carries with it a $250 fine. Like most popular towns and cities, on the California coast, Morro Bay sees quite a few...

The 9 Best Hikes in Bend Oregon for All Levels

The Best Hikes in Bend Bend is a hiker's paradise with trails for all levels. Depending on the time of year, you can choose from alpine lakes, mountain summits, trail runs, waterfalls, and more. As the snow melts in the spring, you can go on a snow hike up to the...

The 9 Best Free Campsites in Bend, Oregon

What You Need to Know Is It Legal to Camp in Your Car, Van or RV in Bend? Bend is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the United States. With that comes expensive lodging and busy paid campsites. With the exploding popularity, more and more...

Apps to Find the Perfect Free Campsite

How to Find the Best Free Campsites As a fellow van lifer I know how stressful it can be to not know where you are going to sleep that night. For most of us this is one of the main sources of anxiety when heading to a new location or if we are spending any amount of...

Van Life in Sedona

This is a guide and review of van life in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona for good reason is one of the most popular van life locations due to its combination of day hikes, free camping, scenic red rocks and an active town. Sedona is a bustling tourism destination, and on its...

The Best Free Campsites in Mt. Hood

What You Need to Know About Free Campsites in Mt. Hood, Oregon   Is There Free Camping in Mt. Hood? Yes! Not only do you have the National Forest camping options but you also have free access to the Sno-Parks out of ski season. This was by far one of our favorite...

The Best Free Campsites at North Cascades National Park

Who Is this Guide For? This is for those of you looking to enjoy North Cascades National Park and be as close to the gorgeous turquoise water and epic hikes as possible.  It isn't for travelers who are passing through and want to stay for 10 days at a remote...

The Best Free Campsites at Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

What You Need to Know Who Is this Guide For? This post is for travelers looking to enjoy Acadia and be as close to the park, and Bar Harbor, as possible. It isn't for travelers who are passing through and want to stay for 10 days at a remote campsite in Wesley or...

The Best Free Campsites in Morro Bay, CA

What You Need to Know Is Car Camping Legal in Morro Bay? Unfortunately camping in your car, van, or RV is illegal on the streets of Morro Bay and carries with it a $250 fine. Like most popular towns and cities, on the California coast, Morro Bay sees quite a few...

The 9 Best Hikes in Bend Oregon for All Levels

The Best Hikes in Bend Bend is a hiker's paradise with trails for all levels. Depending on the time of year, you can choose from alpine lakes, mountain summits, trail runs, waterfalls, and more. As the snow melts in the spring, you can go on a snow hike up to the...

The 9 Best Free Campsites in Bend, Oregon

What You Need to Know Is It Legal to Camp in Your Car, Van or RV in Bend? Bend is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the United States. With that comes expensive lodging and busy paid campsites. With the exploding popularity, more and more...

Apps to Find the Perfect Free Campsite

How to Find the Best Free Campsites As a fellow van lifer I know how stressful it can be to not know where you are going to sleep that night. For most of us this is one of the main sources of anxiety when heading to a new location or if we are spending any amount of...

Van Life in Sedona

This is a guide and review of van life in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona for good reason is one of the most popular van life locations due to its combination of day hikes, free camping, scenic red rocks and an active town. Sedona is a bustling tourism destination, and on its...

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