Campgrounds
Denver West/Central City KOA – Central City CO
Fireside Resort – Jackson WY
Steamboat Springs KOA – Steamboat Springs CO
Dark Sky RV – Kanab UT
Hells Canyon Park – Hells Canyon ID
Ski/Snowboard Resorts
Steamboat Springs Resort – Steamboat Springs CO
Grand Targhee Resort – Alta WY
Copper Mountain Resort – Frisco CO
Snowbird Resort – Snowbird UT
Aspen Snowmass – Aspen CO
We love these ski/snowboard resorts for many reasons. Including snow conditions, access for van lifers, crowds, places to work nearby, and overall feel (#coolness).
Make sure you checkout our post on camping near IKON Pass Ski Resorts. For you snow chasers!
National Parks
Big Bend National Park
US Virgin Islands National Park – Blog Post
Grand Teton National Park – Blog Post
Sequoia/King Canyon National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Van Gear
Strawfoot Window Covers
These are a MUST for every person that plans to spend the night in their Mercedes Sprinter Van!!! The offer complete coverage, are magnetic (expect windshield), and the people who run Strawfoot are incredible nice and helpful!
Buy for 2007-2018 Sprinter Vans here (they also have other models)
Van Screen Door / Bug Netting
We found this on Amazon and it works great! The outside is Velcro (part that connects to the van) and the middle is magnetic. AND this is WAY less money than the companies that are selling “custom” screen doors for Sprinter Vans (at $700+).
Caframo True North Electric Space heater
If you are plugged into shore power, having an electric heater is a MUST! Why burn through the diesel with your Espar heater if you don’t have to… and you better have an Espar heater because they are 100% worth it!
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot has possibly been the BEST thing that we’ve done to make Van Life easier and healthier.
This goes hand in hand with Trader Joe’s! We buy the pre marinated meats with sweet potatoes (or rice) and veggies, cook up all of our lunches and dinners for the week, and store in Tupperware in the fridge. No spending extra money on eating out. No getting overly hungry when you can’t find a place to eat. No eating junk! A lot of our Instant Pot recipes can be found on Joe’s fitness blog by clicking here.
Workout Gear
Rogue Fitness Dumbbells
When living in a van full time, you’d be amazed how much you can do with just 2 dumbbells. I have 2 and Emily has 2, and we are in fantastic shape doing The Get Better Project workouts (our workout program).
Rogue Fitness Kettlebells
Just slightly behind dumbbells as the most small and effective workout tool is the kettlebell. If you know your strength you can get one kettlebell that will work for dozens of highly effective, fitness producing workouts!
Clothing
Patagonia Nano Air (men’s/women’s)
We both have multiple of these. As do our brother-in-law/sister (in-law). They are the coziest, comfiest, most versatile, nicest looking jackets we’ve ever had!
If you need something to wear to a casual dinner, snuggle in on a Sunday afternoon, or layer on the mountain… these are the BEST for all of that!
No Cow Protein Bars
We consume No Cow Bars almost every morning as our first meal of the day. They provide a great source of plant based protein, and are very low glycemic. Meaning they don’t spike your blood sugar
Perfect Bars
These have become our after dinner treats. Nothing like some nuts, honey, eggs, and other goodies to get you excited for something delicious! 🙂
Groceries
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market’s have (in our experience) the fastest, most reliable internet around the country.
They also have some of the best selection of high quality food in the business, with all kinds of fun perks.
And the environment that Whole Foods creates is absolutely fantastic for hanging out, working, having dinner, getting coffee… it’s really great!
Trader Joe’s
Just the best low priced, high quality food around!
Panera Bread
The should really change their name from Panera Bread to just Panera! For years I avoided them because of the word “bread” in the name. But little did I know they have the best fast food salads I’ve ever had! The is by far our most traffic’d fast food stop!
More to come!
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the above are affiliate links, meaning that we get paid a small amount if you click the link and buy the product. We ONLY post links to things to absolutely love, and will happily answer any questions that you might have about our setup.