2021 campervan travel: 7 places to visit in a Voyager Van this year

Who knew the Florida Keys were so great for van travel? We’ll admit — we wouldn’t have thought of it as a campervan-friendly destination right off the bat, but we’re pleasantly surprised (and now eager to drive down). From sun-drenched shores 120 miles off the coast of mainland USA to steep, rocky cliffs just over the border in Canada, we’ve brought our best daydreams together to share our top places for campervan travel in 2021… and they’re truly all over the map.

 

You might not have checked off many of your travel bucket list destinations in 2020, but hey, at least you’ll have even more to look forward to this year. Check out these 7 places and join us in getting excited over all the possibilities:

 

Blue Ridge Parkway National Park, North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway

Photo credit: @mitchkmetz

Distance from Nashville: 4.5 hours

Recommended hike: Linville Falls

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

Undulating mountains covered in hues of emerald green and earthy blue make for a stunning sight during long drives. Dubbed “America’s favorite drive”, all 469 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway feature long-range vistas of the Appalachian Highlands — a glorious sight especially when the sun’s rays are beaming down through light cloud coverage. Picking a favorite hike here is a near impossible feat, but we’re quite keen on Linville Falls, one of the more famous waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don’t be surprised if you see a black bear along the way, just keep your picnic materials well-stowed…

 

Death Valley National Park, Nevada

Death Valley National Park

Photo credit: @yvettedewit

Distance from Phoenix: 7 hours

Recommended hike: Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch Loop

Best time to visit: Fall, Winter, Spring

The name is a bit intimidating; we know. Although the world’s highest temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded here, you’d be surprised how comfortable Death Valley is during the non-summer months. Taking the cake as the nation’s hottest, driest, and lowest national park — this landscape is absolutely unique — with salt flats, sand dunes, and plentiful trails shrouded in desert pine trees. Lace up your boots to hike through Golden Canyon, specifically Gower Gulch Loop: A popular trek through impressive red rock formations and golden sand dunes.

 

The Adirondack Mountains, New York

Photo credit: @h_ozturk

Distance from Nashville: 16 hours

Recommended hike: Mount Haystack

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

Verdant valleys, an endless array of lakes to paddle about, and top notch wineries are just a few key selling points for upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountain range. Take your pick between three noteworthy lake regions: Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid — all of which are surrounded by equally as charming towns. With 6 million acres of outdoor recreation (!!) you’ll never have to worry about being caught in a crowd or traffic. If you’re looking for a trekking challenge, look no further than Mount Haystack: a rocky ascent that’ll take you to the top of the 3rd tallest peak in the Adirondacks.

 

Glacier National Park, Montana

Photo credit: @tevintrinh

Distance from Minneapolis: 17 hours

Recommended hike: Grinnell Glacier trail

Best time to visit: Spring, summer, and fall

Strikingly blue glacial lakes backed by enormous snow-capped mountains make Glacier National Park one of the nation’s most ogled-over outdoor destinations. In between the towering peaks, you’ll find alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and pristine forests with over 700 miles of trails woven throughout the various landscapes. Breathtaking is an understatement when it comes to Grinnell Glacier trail: A fan favorite that winds through the mountains, leading you to untouched, rocky terrain that looks like it’s straight out of an adventure movie.

 

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario

Photo credit: @jaimedantas

Distance from Minneapolis: 7 hours

Recommended hike: Top of the Giant trail

Best time to visit: Summer and fall

Just a quick jaunt over the border of our neighbors to the north, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park makes for an easy Canadian getaway if you’re skipping town from Minneapolis. Sweeping sights of Lake Superior’s sparkling waters are downright captivating around the park — whether driving along Highway 587 or leisurely stopping at Thunder Bay Lookout. Treacherous looking cliffs assert themselves along Top of the Giant Trail, a famous trek that’ll bring you 1,000 feet right above where the lake mingles with the rocks. It’s not exactly for the faint of heart, but it’s certifiably epic.

 

For the adventurous: The Florida Keys

Photo credit: @sandbarproductions

Distance from Nashville: 14 hours

Recommended hike: Curry Hammock State Park trail

Best time to visit: Year-round

Any mention of the Florida Keys usually evokes thoughts of beachy resorts and palm-fringed timeshare vacation homes, but hear us out: It’s even better when it comes to campervan travel. Powdery-soft white sand shores and more seafood than you could possibly dream of are two enticing reasons to drive down, along with a host of incredible marine and wildlife attractions. Located 120 miles off the coast of mainland America, the Keys offer an experience unlike any other… the ability to drive to islands. Campsites are numerous, and you can get your steps in across the 1,000 acres of protected wilderness at Curry Hammock State Park.

 

Bonus for an entire trip: Highway 1, California

Photo credit: @stephenleo1982

Distance from Phoenix: 6 hours to the base of the route at Los Angeles

Recommended hike: Fern Canyon loop

Best time to visit: Year-round

If you’ve never heard of California’s Highway 1, we have some news for you: This dramatic coastal road is a major bucket list item with a mind-bogglingly diverse landscape experience, and is easily one of the best ways to spend summer 2021. From the arid deserts of SoCal to the enormous redwood trees up north, the drive encompasses the absolute best of the west coast. Stretching from Los Angeles to San Francisco, this 656-mile stretch is full of salty fresh air and plenty of roadside attractions. Between unparalleled nature, charming towns, and world-class cities — no experience is spared here. Be sure to check out our full guide to road tripping Highway 1 for the full scoop.

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2021-01-08T17:32:39+00:00

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