OUR 4 FAVORITE SPRING DESTINATIONS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Spring is one of our favorite times to adventure–the snow is melting, the flowers are blooming, and wildlife is reemerging. If you need some inspiration for your adventures over the next few months, look no further; we’ve compiled a list of the best spring destinations in the region.
WHY A METRIS CAMPER FROM PEACE VANS?
Building out a camper van yourself has become increasingly more common, as it’s sometimes cheaper and gives you more customization options. However, there are many challenges involved: safety concerns, low resale value, and loss of time and money. We’re outlining the 10 reasons why letting Peace Vans convert your van is a great choice.
6 BEST METRIS ACCESSORIES FOR WINTER CAMPING
In the winter, the days are shorter, the weather is colder, and the roads are icier. Despite these facts, winter is still a great time to travel the PNW. We encourage you to get outdoors all year round–this can be made easier by using some of our 5 best Metris accessories for winter camping.
SPEND 3 DAYS IN VANCOUVER BC
Less than three hours from Seattle lies the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia: a coastal gem known for its mix of city life and nature. Read our 2-night road trip itinerary to learn our recommendations for hiking, cuisine, and sightseeing.
SPEND THE WEEKEND IN BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
Just 85 miles north of Seattle lies the coastal city of Bellingham, known for its endless outdoor recreation activities, popular farmers markets, and world-class breweries. This city is perfect for those who want to spend the day adventuring outside but still have time to explore new restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN THE WINTER
When planning a national park road trip, many people default to the summer months due to the warm weather. However, there are many benefits to planning your trip in the off-season: lack of tourists, cheaper accommodations, and no need for reserving campsites six months in advance. If you’re a spontaneous traveler and don’t want to wait until summer to explore, continue reading to learn about our favorite national parks to visit in the off-season.
PORTLAND, OREGON WEEKEND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Spend the weekend in Portland! Less than 3 hours from Seattle lies the city of Portland, Oregon, known for its restaurants, breweries, farmer’s markets, and lush greenery.
MONTH-LONG METRIS CAMPER VAN TRIP
In May, Betsy and Tim visited all nine national parks in California, circling the state in a long, counterclockwise loop that covered 4,000 miles in 30 days. Their goal was to never drive more than four hours in a single day to keep it fresh. It turns out that was an easy goal because there was so much to see!
A LOOK BACK ON ALL OUR EXPERIENCES
This year, our friends at The Field Trip Society helped us curate insanely unique opportunities for you to experience the great outdoors in new and exciting ways. Read on to hear more about the many Peace Vans Experiences we had this year.
SPEND A WINTER WEEKEND IN LEAVENWORTH
Leavenworth, just 2 hours from Seattle, is a charming, storybook village straight out of the Alps. With restaurants, breweries, shops, museums, festivals, snow-capped peaks, and outdoor recreation in every direction—you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Bavarian snow globe.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WINTER HIKING
Winter can be one of the most peaceful seasons to enjoy some solitude on the trail, but it also comes with some extra preparations and precautions. Before you venture outside, follow these 13 winter hiking tips from our friends at American Hiking Society to stay safe, warm, and happy.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
This year, we rounded up our favorite gifts from brands we love to offer you a comprehensive holiday gift guide for all of the outdoor enthusiasts on your list.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS IN THE OFF-SEASON
The San Juan Islands are one of the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest. While most people flock to these islands in the summer, we really love the slower pace of off-season. What you’ll miss with the crowds—you’ll gain with peaceful trails, connections with locals, traffic-free driving, and deeper experiences.
ALL ABOUT OYSTERS
We teamed up with our friends at Hama Hama Oyster Company to bring you the best tips on enjoying oysters. Learn where and how to harvest, shuck, and slurp up your very own oysters. Then, head to Hama Hama for absolutely delicious PNW cuisine.
WOMEN SOLO TRAVEL SERIES: FEELING SAFE
If you’re new to solo camping, it can feel daunting to figure out the logistics. What do I pack? Where do I go? How do I prepare? And most importantly—how do I feel safe as a woman camping solo? We break down these challenges to help you get out there safely, comfortably, and confidently.
6-DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY THROUGH IDAHO
Explore the bounty of Northern Idaho! Experience majestic mountains, beautiful lakes, charming towns, and tasty eats on this 6-night road trip itinerary curated by the experts at Peace Vans.
OUR EIGHT FAVORITE FALL HIKES IN WASHINGTON
With summer coming to an end, you may think that your hiking is too. However, many people don’t know that Washington has some of the most beautiful fall hikes in the country. From golden larches to crystal clear lakes, these trails will not disappoint.
TIPS FOR CAMPING WITH INFANTS
We reconnected with our Peace Vans Modern customer, Erika, to see how she’s enjoying her Mercedes Metris camper van. Erika and her husband, Eric, welcomed their son, Liam, this spring. It wasn’t long before Liam was joining them on their outdoor explorations. Think camping with an infant sounds like a logistical nightmare? According to Erika, it’s much easier than you think! Check out her 7 tips for camping with an infant.
OUR FAVORITE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WATERFALLS
The Pacific Northwest is a waterfall paradise! With more than 400 waterfalls, it can be tough to know where to start. We’ve compiled 12 of our favorite waterfalls to get you started. Pack your hiking boots—most of these falls are fantastic hikes in their own right.
4-NIGHT HOOD CANAL, WHIDBEY ISLAND & SKAGIT VALLEY ROAD TRIP
Experience Hood Canal, Whidbey Island and gorgeous Skagit Valley on this 4-night road trip itinerary curated by the experts at Peace Vans. Ready to take your next trip? We lowered our peak season rental night minimum from 6 to 4 through the end of September 2022. If you book your travel for September 2022, you’ll also receive access to all of our Peace Vans Camps free of charge!