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Looking to attend a van life gathering or meetup? In this post, you’ll find a list of our favorite van life meetups along with a regularly updated list of van life gatherings 2023 edition. Keep in mind that all the van life 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 2023 Edition
February 1-6 Escapar a la Baja
Location: Playa Tecolote – Baja California
Van life gathering 2023 will be kicking off in Baja California at Escapar a la Baja. This six day van life event is free to all and about 30 minutes outside the city of La Paz.
According to the event website “Playa El Tecolote features a dramatic white sand beach with breathtaking views of the Gulf of California and Isla Espiritu Santo, a perfect place to camp your van, truck, skoolie, or adventuremobile for a weekend.”
Cost: free, RSVP required
Website: https://www.escaparalabaja.com/
February 3-6 The Florida Vanlife Gathering
Location: Withlacoochee River Park – Dade City, Florida
The first Florida Van life gathering of the year will kick off in Dade City. According to the organizers of this van life event, vanlifers and nomands can expect to “connect with each other, learn from vendors and workshop leaders, and have just fun.”
For attendees looking to camp with a specific group, check the dropdown menu at checkout to find a list of dedicated camping options which includes an area for Storyteller Overland owners and community members.
Cost: $15 day pass, $75-$200 weekend pass with camping single day ticket (advance purchase), $10 pet pass
Website: https://www.floridavanlife.com/
March 11-12 TinyFest San Diego
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds – Del Mar, California
TinyFest hosts a series of events throughout the year and will be hosting TinyFest San Diego 2023 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in California. 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. Keep scrolling to see dates for more TinyFest tour stops in 2023.
Cost: $20 weekend pass, $47-$87 VIP Tour pass, 15 and under Free
Website: https://www.tinyfest.events/
March 17-19 A Roam of Our Own
Location: Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park – La Quinta, California
The Journal of Lost Time is hosting their first woman only van life gathering in Southern California. This event has a 200 ticket capacity and each ticket will include a camping spot, access to toilets and showers at the park.
Cost: $100 per ticket
Website: https://www.aroamofourown.com/
April 19-23 RendezVan Mt. Bachelor
Location: Mount Bachelor, Oregon
RendezVan is van life gathering to celebrate the growing camper community that visit Mt. Bachelor each spring. This five day event includes camping, skiing, live music, lawn games, local breweries and morning yoga.
Cost: Passes start at $129 per person
Website: https://www.rendezvan.com/
April 20-23 Back to Baja (CANCELED)
Location: Baja California, Mexico
The second annual Back to Baja event hosted by Flarespace has been canceled as of February 17th. This year’s Baja van life gathering was set to four epic days of beach camping with daily happy hours, yoga, tequila tastings, daily seminars and more. Tickets will be fully refunded and attendees were notified of alternative van life gathering in Arizona.
But there’s good news! When one trail comes to an end… we blaze a new one! So we still want to rally with you the weekend of April 20-24, but the rally vector is changing. Come join us at the Journal of Lost Time’s Weird Wild West event in Bisbee, AZ, for a weekend of vanlife bliss against the backdrop of a super vibey and free-spirited old mining town.
Back to Baja Cancellation Email
Cost: $299 general admission (per vehicle), $499 VIP admission (per vehicle)
April 20-24 – Weird Wild West
Location: Bisbee, Arizona
The second annual Weird Wild West van life meetup will be held in the historic mining town of Bisbee, Arizona. This four day event is brought to the van life community by Burnarella and Storyteller Overland.
Cost: $30 general admission per person, $90 general admission for one person with a camping spot, $250 full hook up at an RV park.
Want to experience a slice of Weird Wild West? Here’s glimpse from this year’s gathering:
Website: https://www.weirdwildwest.net/
April 29-30 Adventure Van Expo
Location: Mission Viejo Riding Center – San Juan Capistrano, California
Adventure Van Expo is a series of van life gatherings throughout the U.S. with several events planned for 2023. While this series has more of a vendor area focus, there is camping at these van life gatherings along with a DIY showcase area where vanlifers can show off their build. Keep scrolling to see dates for additional Adventure Van Expos throughout the year.
Cost: $20 general admission, $120 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
May 13-14 Adventure Van Expo NorCal
Location: Sonoma County Fairgrounds – Santa Rosa, California
This year’s two day van life gathering in Northern California will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Note the location change from last year’s show which will held at a different venue.
Cost: $10 general admission, $90 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
May 26-29 Descend on Lost Sierra
Location: 39°47’24.9″N 120°23’28.7″W – The Lost Sierra, California
This four day van life meetup includes private land access and camping, live music, daily yoga and more. Porta potties and hand washing stations will be on site for attendees.
Cost: $185.99 general admission (includes 3 nights private camp land access), 15 and under Free
Website: https://www.descendon.com/
June 15-19 Wind River Rally
Location: 900 E. 1st Street Riverton – Hudson, Wyoming
The Wind River Rally vanlife gathering will be a four day event taking place in Hudson, Wyoming. Attendees can expect a pottery workshop, yoga, happy hours, ice cream, tattoo consultations, live music and so much more!
Cost: $30 general admission per person, $80 general admission for one person with a camping spot, $100 general admission for vendor with a camping spot.
Website: https://www.windriverrally.com/
June 17-18 Adventure Van Expo Hood River
Location: Hood River Fairgrounds – Hood River, Oregon
Two day van life gathering in Oregon at Hood River Fairgrounds. We love the location of this van life gathering and always have a great time camping on site. Check out our video for a glimpse of what to expect at the Hood River Adventure Van Expo.
Cost: Free general admission, $90 weekend camping ticket, $200 reserve weekend camping with power, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
July 8-9 Adventure Van Expo Colorado
Location: Buchanan Park Recreation Center – Evergreen, Colorado
Two day van life gathering in Colorado at Buchanan Park Recreation Center.
Cost: $10 general admission pass, $90 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
July 20-24 Holy Toledo!
Location: Yaquina River & Bay in Toledo, Oregon
The Holy Toledo is a three day van life rendezvous held on the Yaquina River in Toledo, Oregon. This event near the coast will include an off-grid internet cafe, morning yoga, guided paddle tours, happy hour, live music and more!
Cost: $20 general admission per person, $80 general admission for one person with a camping spot, $100 general admission for vendor with a camping spot.
Website: https://www.holytoledogathering.com/
July 29-30 Adventure Van Expo Massachusetts
Location: Topsfield Fairgrounds – Topsfield, Massachusetts
Adventure Van Expo the all new Northeast van life gathering last year in New Hampshire. The 2023 van life expo will be held in Topsfield, Massachuseets.
Cost: $10 general admission pass, $70 one night camping pass, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
September 1-4 Descend on Bend
Location: Oregon Outback 43.3937281,-121.2112945
Descend on Bend is one of the most popular van life gatherings that takes place each year. This four day Oregon outback van life event includes private land access and camping, workshops, maker’s market, live music, daily yoga and more. Porta potties and hand washing stations will be on site for attendees.
Cost: $169.99 two day pass, $189.99 three day pass, $219.99 four day pass with vendor privileges, 15 and under Free
Website: https://www.descendon.com
September 2-3 Adventure Van Expo Utah
Location: Golden Spike Event Center- Ogden, Utah
This year Adventure Van Expo is introducing a new van life gathering in Ogden, Utah at the Golden Spike Event Center.
Cost: $10 general admission pass, $50 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com
September 30-October 1 Adventure Van Expo Bend
Location: Expo Center – Redmond, Oregon
Two day van life gathering near Bend, Oregon.
Cost: $10 general admission pass, $50 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com
September 16-17 Adventure Van Expo Tahoe
Location: Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley, California
Two day van life expo in North Lake Tahoe area.
Cost: $10 general admission
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com
September 14-17 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 22-24 Revel-Mode Van/Rocky Mountain Adventure Rally
Location: Moab, Utah
Previously known as the Revel-Mode Van Rally, the Rocky Mountain Adventure Rally will be held in Moab, Utah. More information to be released on this van life gathering.
Cost: $250-$350 per vehicle registration
October 7-8 Adventure Van Expo Chattanooga
Location: 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Two day van life gathering at Camp Jordan in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This is one of our favorite Adventure Van Expos and we look forward to attending in 2023.
Cost: $10 general admission pass, $90 weekend camping ticket, 18 and under Free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com
October 14-15 Adventure Van Expo Big Bear
Location: Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley, California
This two day van life expo in Big Bear California is free to attend.
Cost: RSVP online to attend for free
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com
October 12-15 Moonlanding II
Location: Sky View Park and Campground – Pinehill, New Mexico
This four day van life gathering in Pinehill, New Mexico is part of the Lost Places events series. The schedule for this event has not been released. Be sure to check the event website for the most up to date information.
Cost:
Website: https://moonlandinggathering.com
October 27-29 VanFest USA
Location: Hurricane, Utah
This three day van festival in Utah will have quite a range of vans and other types of recreational vehicles on display. Expect live music, great food, workshops, yoga, outdoor movies, hundreds of vans, and much more!
Cost: $30 general admission, $120 camping with two adult general admission passes.
Website: https://vanfestusa.com/
November 2-5 Vanarky Annual Fall Campout
Location: Byrd’s Adventure Center- Ozark, Arkansas
The 5th Annual Vanarky was held at Byrd’s Adventure Center along the Mulberry River. All types of campers are invited to this van life gathering including those who want to sleep in tents. Attendees can expect live music, workshops and even a community chili dinner.
Cost: TBA (2022 prices: $130-$220 camping pass, 12 and under Free)
Website: https://vanarky.com/fall-campout
December 3-4 TinyFest Phoenix
Location: WestWorld – Scottsdale, Arizona
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.” This two day tiny living festival will be held at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona.
Cost: $20 weekend pass (advanced purchase), $15 single day ticket (advance purchase), 12 and under Free
Website: https://www.tinyfest.events/
Open Roads Fest (Postponed to 2024)
Location: Jug Mountain Ranch – McCall, Idaho
This three day van life gathering in Idaho is hosted by Kristen Bor of Bear Foot Theory and one of our favorite camper van events of the year. We had the opportunity to attend the first ever Open Roads Fest in 2019 with Storyteller Overland and loved the community and outdoor aspect of this van life festival. Attendees can expect “community-based events, educational workshops, live music, yoga classes, van tours, and more!”
Cost (2022): $184 driver weekend pass van camping, $139 passenger weekend pass van camping, $169 driver weekend pass tent camping, $139 passenger weekend pass tent camping, $29 youth ticket (11-17 years old), 10 and under Free
Website: https://openroadsfest.com/
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!
Hope to see you at one of these van life gatherings!
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.