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Looking to attend a van life gathering or meetup? In this post, you’ll find a list of van life meetups along with a regularly updated list of van life gatherings. Keep in mind that all the vanlife events are based in the United States and Mexico, listed in chronological order.
Unlike RV Shows, there is more focus on the community aspect of the lifestyle at these van life gatherings. While these events are sponsored with vendor areas, attendees will have access to educational workshops, social events, outdoor activities and more.
Van Life Gatherings 2025 Edition
January 29-February 3 Escapar a la Baja
Location: Faro Romaine, Casa La Bastilla, and the surrounding land of San Juan de la Costa – Baja California
Van life gatherings in 2025 will be kicking off in Baja. Hang out with fellow nomads and vanlifers in Baja California Sur at Escapar a la Baja. According to the event website, this event is a “a celebration of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and the Gulf of California bringing together paceños, choyeros, and explorers from around the world.”
Cost: $75 per person (early bird), $100 per person
Website: https://www.escaparalabaja.com/
February 6-10 Liftoff! A VanFest Experience
Location: Space Coast Daily Park – Melbourne, Florida
Next up is Liftoff! A VanFest experience in Florida. This five day vanlife event in Florida will have quite a range of vans and other types of recreational vehicles on display. Expect live music, food, workshops, van tours and much more!
Cost: $15 general admission, $145 camping with two adult general admission passes.
Website: https://vanfest.ticketspice.com/liftoff2025
March 7-10 Peace, Love & Vans Florida
Location: Withlacoochee River Park – Dade City, Florida
Join one of the most popular vanlife gathering in Florida at Peace Love & Vans at Withlacoochee River Park. Attendees can explore a 1960s-inspired van village featuring hundreds of vans, workshops, food trucks, a tropical-themed Tiki Bar, live music, yoga and so much more! Plus, we’ll be hosting a workshop on Sunday all about boondocking on public land—hope to see you there! Between events, attendees can enjoy scenic trails, biking, or the nearby river.
Cost: $15 day pass, $159-$259 weekend pass with camping, $10 pet pass
Website: https://www.peacelovevans.com/
March 8-9 TinyFest California
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds – Del Mar, California
TinyFest California will be taking place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The vision of TinyFest is to “create inspiring, educational gatherings that provide opportunities for meaningful connections to those who value relationships, experiences, sustainability, and the freedom to pursue their passions.” Attendees of this two day gathering can expect home tours, live music, and more.
Cost: $22.50 single day pass, $30 weekend pass
Website: https://www.tinyfest.events/
April 17-20 RendezVan Mt. Bachelor
Location: Mount Bachelor, Oregon
RendezVan is an annual van life gathering at Mt. Bachelor celebrating the community of RVers, campers, van-lifers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts, featuring a mix of skiing, riding, and mountain events alongside music, vendors, and activities. The festival is open to all, including day visitors and dogs.
Cost: Camping passes range from $299 to $849
Website: https://www.rendezvan.com/
April 26-27 RV Safety & Training Camp
Location: Private property – Culleoka, Tennessee
The weekend training class will include a mindset lecture, risk mitigation, vehicle defense, and pistol fundamentals with range work, marksmanship, and handling. This class is open to everyone.
In this year’s class, we will also be adding vehicle defense to the curriculum which will cover things like what to do if you’re in your camper during a violent encounter along with tips on how to park strategically and other useful information to help keep you safe on the road. During last year’s class, we had beginners along with very seasoned shooters and we all learned a lot.
The instructors for this class will be Jeff and Ashley Dooley who are both law enforcement professionals and Gunsite instructors. The class will be held on their private range and they are also going to allow a limited number of vans to dry camp on property (there are no facilities except for a porta-potti. All campers need to be self-contained). There is also a nice campground 15 minutes for those of you with larger rigs or looking to stay off-site and a couple hotels in the Columbus, TN area if you do not have a camper.
Cost: $500 per person (a limited number of dry camping spots will be available for small RVs. Spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Note: Class registration and payment is handled by Personal Responsibility and can be done through the link below. Once registered, if you’re interested in camping on-site, send us a message and we will get in touch.
Website: https://personalresponsibilityllc.com
May 1-4 Camp-Her Way
Location: Bell’s Reserve – Kingston Springs, Tennessee
Camper-Her Way is “an overland event for wild at heart women” hosted by Kelley Ferguson of Fernweh Guided Expeditions. This four day event outside of Nashville, Tennessee will include camping at Bell’s Reserve, catered meals, workshops, outdoor activities, live music, and more.
Cost: Vehicle & Driver $400, Additional Passengers $250
Website: https://fernwehguidedexpeditions.com/
May 10-11 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Ventura, California
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $5 day pass, $120-160 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
June 21-22 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Hood River, Oregon
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: free entrance, $10 parking pass, $90-200 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
July 26-27 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Buchanan Park Recreation Center – Evergreen, Colorado
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $5 day pass, $90 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
July 31-August 3 Rig & Reggae
Location: Waterfront Park – Port of Toledo, Oregon
Rigs & Reggae is a four day van life gathering at the Port of Toledo Waterfront Park celebrating adventure vans, overlanding rigs, and reggae music by the Oregon coast. Set along the Yaquina River, the festival features live music, riverside camping, and good vibes for the whole community.
Cost: $35-$40 day pass, $200-$300 camping pass
Website: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/whiskeyandreggaepnw/Rigs-and-Reggae
August 16-17 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Gallatin County Fairgrounds – Bozeman, Montana
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $5 day pass, $90-200 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
August 21-25 Escape to the Cape
Location: Cape Code Fairgrounds – East Falmouth, Massachusetts
Escape to the Cape is a brand new van life and nomadic celebration from the team at VanFest. Attendees can expect live music, workshops, vehicle tours, and activities.
Cost: $10 general admission, $85 tent camping spots, $160 van camping spots.
Website: https://anescapetothecape.com
September 6-7 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Enumclaw Fairgrounds – Enumclaw, Washington
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $5 day pass, $90-200 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
September 18-21 Van Wild Colorado
Location: Montrose, Colorado
“VanWILD is a three day immersive experience focusing on bringing together our amazing van community for a weekend of awesome outdoor action centered around USING your van!” Weekend activities include fly fishing, enduro moto rides, mountain biking, river surfing and more.
Cost: $500 general admission.
Website: https://vanwildcolorado.com/
September 20-21 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley, California
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $5 day pass, $90 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
October 4-5 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park – San Juan Capistrano, California
Adventure Van Expo is a series of two day van life gatherings throughout the U.S.
Cost: $15 day pass, $90 camping pass
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
October 30-November 3 Van-O-Ween
Location: Apache Junction, Arizona
Another new van life gathering from the team at VanFest. Van-O-Ween will have costume contests, music, raffles, happy hours and more.
Cost: TBA
Website: https://vanoween.com
Weird Wild West
Location: Bisbee, Arizona
The event organizers have not announced the 2025 Weird Wild West van life meetup. Want a glimpse of what Weird Wild West is all about? Here’s a video recap of our experience:
Cost: TBA
Website: https://www.weirdwildwest.net/
Do I Need a Camper Van to Attend?
Most of these van life gatherings do not require a Class B camper van to attend. Make sure to check the official event page for all the specifics, ticket/camping prices and any limitations or restrictions. We have attended several van life gatherings and meetups in a flatbed truck camper and have seen tent campers and just about every type of tiny dwelling on wheels. That’s one of the things we love about this community, everyone is welcome!
We’re the Russos Van Life Gatherings
Joe and I hosted our first campout at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama. If you are interested in joining us for a campout, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for campout announcements.
Hope to see you at one of these van life gatherings!
Do you have a list of van events y’all will be attending?
Hey Claude! You’ll find the list of events we’re attending in our newsletter.
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Hello!
I have enjoyed a wonderful 1999 Dodge van conversion for the last 7 years. But my life is different now and I am looking for its next owner. Do you know of a place to connect with people looking to buy a van in the Seattle or Washington area? I want to make sure it goes to the right person.
Thanks!
Nancy (longtime fan)
Hi Nancy – Going to the events in your area and putting a “For Sale” sign on it would work – plus you get to meet the people in a friendly environment. Otherwise you can post in Facebook Marketplace or on Expedition portal.
I’m interested in a 2024 van gathering in Alabama if you are hosting one! 😉 Wishing there were more events on the east coast North Carolina, Tennessee area.
Hey Robin! We hosted one in Alabama last fall and may host another one this year. Keep an eye on our newsletters for new campout announcements.
I recently purchased a van and will be mostly camping in my “bouge” tent, lol. I will convert slowly but surely. I googled van life gatherings and this great post came up, thanks!
Nice list of events. 2023 has quite a few more to attend. Surely we’ll make a few of these..
Really great resource. Thanks for putting this together. Great to meet you in Chatt at the Adventure Van Expo. Hope to see you at a few events this year. And if you are up near Brown County in the coming months, we’d love to host y’all at the shop!
Thanks Josh! We plan on attending a few of these van life gatherings and look forward to reconnecting.