Best van travel destinations in North America
Best van travel destinations in North America
Immense national park road corridors and coastal asphalt routes in North America
A national park circuit connecting red rock landscapes in the American Southwest anchors much of North America's van travel scene, while a vast road network further north offers an equally rewarding, considerably less crowded alternative.
The destinations on this list range from desert national park loops with reliable infrastructure and well-marked routes to longer routes covering genuinely vast distances between major stops. Both suit trips ranging from a week to a full month.
Booking park campsites well ahead during peak season matters considerably at the busiest national parks, where demand regularly outstrips capacity. Local rental companies typically include roadside assistance as standard. Most parks see significantly less traffic on weekdays. Packing plenty of water also remains essential given the dry desert conditions involved.
Lists by region
State/Prefecture in United States
California
Golden State of Endless Experiences
Highway 1 stretches about 656 miles and is the longest state route in California. The Big Sur section opened on 17 June 1937 after roughly 18 years of construction. Bixby Bridge spans a gorge with a 320 foot arch. The road also leads to Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
State/Prefecture in United States
Oregon
Diverse Landscapes and Outdoor Wonders
Governor Tom McCall signed the Beach Bill on 6 July 1967. It keeps the wet sand within sixteen vertical feet of the low tide line in public ownership. The law also recognises public easements up to the vegetation line. U.S. Route 101 passes the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area near Reedsport.
State/Prefecture in United States
Utah
Nature's dramatic red rock playground
Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion make up the Mighty Five national parks. Utah has the third most national parks of any state. In 2020 about 63.1 percent of its land was public and federally managed. Scenic Byway 12 runs about 123 miles.
Island in Canada
Vancouver Island
Untamed Beauty and Coastal Charm
Vehicles reach the island only by ferry, since no bridge or tunnel connects it to the mainland. It is about 456 kilometres long. Highway 19 runs from Nanaimo to Port Hardy. Highway 4 crosses to Tofino. Strathcona Provincial Park covers about 2,500 square kilometres and holds the Golden Hinde at 2,195 metres.
National Park in Canada
Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
Established in 1885, the park covers 6,641 square kilometres in the Canadian Rockies. The Icefields Parkway starts at Lake Louise and runs 230 kilometres north. Highway 1A, called the Bow Valley Parkway, offers a slower road between Banff and Lake Louise. UNESCO inscribed the park as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Region in Mexico
Baja California Sur
Desert meets ocean adventure land
Federal Highway 1 runs the length of the Baja peninsula. The state holds about 22 percent of Mexico's coastline, which totals 1,386 miles. Protected land covers 38.3 percent of its area, the largest share of any Mexican state. Loreto has the first permanent Jesuit mission in the state, founded in 1697.
State/Prefecture in United States
Alaska
Land of superlatives and adventure
Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway reaches 4,739 feet in the Brooks Range. The road runs 414 miles from Livengood to Deadhorse and opened to the public along its full length in 1994. Fuel is available at the Yukon River Bridge, Coldfoot and Deadhorse. Vans stop at the Arctic Circle wayside at mile 115.
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