Best Gifts for Wandering Souls 2020

The holidays are almost here, and with hope for travel looking up for 2021, you might be thinking of what to get your favorite traveler. I’ve been traveling full time for a year and a half now, and over that time, I’ve truly found products that I’d consider travel essentials. These are my favorite must have’s for any traveler—full time or not. These are the best gifts for travelers in 2020.

Reversible Clothing from Splice Clothing

I never knew I needed Splice Clothing until I met Splice Clothing. Splice is a female owned business specializing in travel apparel with the goal of making it easier to pack lighter. All of their clothes are reversible, and they even offer other products that have been created with the idea of packing light and becoming a carry on only traveler. They even offer Capsule Wardrobes where you can get a few full outfits, perfect for anyone planning a trip soon!

This Poncho and Pants combo can be bought at Splice Clothing

Functional Sunglasses from Tifosi

We all know you can’t travel without sunglasses, which is why I love mine from Tifosi Optics. Tifosi sunglasses are made for adventure. They’re durable and made to stay on your face, no matter what you’re doing. If you’re a cyclist or runner, they also have specific sunglasses for your sports. If you’re a hiker like me, you’ll love the fit of their sunglasses and the beautiful lens colors that somehow make nature look even more spectacular.

These Svago sunglasses can be found at Tifosi Optics

Travel Inspired Clothes from The Wanderful Soul

The Wanderful Soul is just wonderful! This is the perfect gift for any traveler, especially those who don’t travel full time. The Wanderful Soul’s clothes are perfect for encapsulating the personality of a traveler, and allowing them to remember their time on the road through their clothes. For backpackers, there’s even a perfect packing list available to help people pack light when traveling overseas or by plane. This is an amazing female owned business that I love working with, and all of her products make the perfect gift for travelers.

Find the National Parks Founding Fathers Tee at The Wanderful Soul

Any Outdoor Gear from Madera Outdoor

USE CODE HALLESWANDERINGSOUL FOR 20% OFF

Madera Outdoor is an awesome small outdoor company that plants trees for every product purchased. This means they make sustainable and practical gifts for travelers. I personally love their 0 degree sleeping bag and hammocks and have used both of them while camping and backpacking (overseas and trekking in the states). They also have smaller gifts for travelers and campers like microfiber towels designed by small artists and pocketknives. And remember, every product plants trees!

The holidays are almost here, so if you have a traveler on your list, be sure to check out these four sites, they have everything your traveler needs!

Where To Go As a First Time Visitor: Rockies

The Rocky Mountain States hold some of the highest elevation in the country, and some of the most beautiful landscapes. From sprawling mountains, to deep thermal pools, this section of the country is on so many people’s bucket lists. From Colorado to Montana, we’re going to explore exactly where you should head if you’ve never been to the area before, so that you can experience the best the landscape has to offer.

Glacier National Park, MT

Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado is easily one of my favorite states. There is so much to do, and so many beautiful places to see, but for a first time visitor looking to get the most out of a visit, I’d say don’t miss Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rockies are located in Northern Colorado, and have some of the highest elevation roads in the country. These mountains are home to bears, moose, and more, and are full of winding trails, rivers, pine trees, and everything else you picture when you think of Colorado. Stay in Estes Park and explore the Stanley Hotel (where they filmed The Shining), and the rest of those mountain town vibes when you’re not in the National Park.

Things to do:

·       Go to the Alpine Visitor Center and hike the Alpine Ridge Trail (12,000 feet)

·       Go to Bear Lake

·       Hike Hallett Peak (for advanced hikers only due to the elevation)

·       Do the Scenic Drive

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, be aware of the elevation and oxygen levels. Elevation sickness is not uncommon here, so don’t attempt any hikes that are out of your athletic ability.

Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park

There’s no question: you cannot go to Wyoming for the first time and not go to Yellowstone. Yellowstone is not just the National Park—it’s all the surrounding mountain towns, and it’s become a vacation destination. Yellowstone is known for its thermal pools, abundant wildlife, and the famous Yellowstone Falls. There is so much to do just in this park and its surrounding areas, so I’d suggest planning at least a 4 day trip, perhaps even a week if you can take the time.

Things to do:

·       Go see the popular spots: Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful

·       Spot wildlife in the Lamar Valley

·       Walk the boardwalk at the Norris Geyser Basin

·       Go to Artists Point and take photos of Yellowstone Falls

Like at any National Park, please respect the nature when visiting Yellowstone. Stay on the boardwalks, don’t climb over guardrails, and please, DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE.

Montana: Glacier National Park

I have a whole post you can read about Glacier, but there truly is no better place to visit if you’re visiting Montana for the first time. Glacier is an incredible landscape full of wildlife, mountains, and of course, glaciers. This national park is also home to the famous Going to the Sun Road, which connects east and west Glacier on one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the country.

Things to do:

·       Hike to Grinnell Glacier (hard)

·       Hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook (easy)

·       Drive the Going to the Sun Road (not open to vehicles over 21 feet long)

Learn more about Glacier at the link below:

The Rocky Mountains are an incredible landscape full of beautiful national parks and tons of wildlife. This is an area I could spend months exploring. Not sure where to start when planning your trip? Head to the shop to schedule a phone call with me and allow me to plan your trip for you!

Where To Go As a First Time Visitor: West

PART TWO

Last week I started a new series to help people venturing out west for the first time decide where exactly they should visit in each state or region. This week, we’re heading a little further from the coast, and visiting three of the most underrated western states. So, pack your car, and get ready to drive, these spots are about to change your whole view of the west.

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Idaho: Sawtooth Mountains

I have heard from other travelers that Idaho is only okay, but in my opinion, it is a place that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list, and here’s why: The Sawtooths. The Sawtooth Mountains are some of the most unique peaks in the Rockies, and they’re home to countless lakes, and some of the most expansive landscapes I’ve seen in this part of the country. There are tons of boondocking spots nearby, and the town of Stanley is adorable. There are even opportunities for you to go rafting or rent kayaks when in town. Even the park has beautiful views, and the hiking and backpacking in the mountains in unmatched.

Things to do:

Backpack to Sawtooth Lake

Kayak on Pettit Lake

Go find a hot spring

Idaho is the best hidden gem out west, so seriously, don’t knock it ‘til you hit the Sawtooths for the first time.

Nevada: Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada to me is the gateway to the Southwest from California, where I grew up. It is the first place to find red rocks, and one of the most underrated deserts in the country. I’ve picked Valley of Fire State Park as my first destination for people visiting Nevada because it’s beautiful, it’s a great way to see some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes, it’s fairly close to places like Vegas, and it has its own campground. It’s also very close to Lake Mead, which you can hit if you’re on your way to Arizona from here.

Things to do:

Drive the scenic road

Find some Petroglyphs (I like AtlAtl Rock for this)

Go on a hike (but bring lots of water)

Valley of Fire was actually once underwater, and is home to so many desert animals (including the biggest lizards I’ve ever seen). It’s definitely the best place to go if you’re trying to truly experience Nevada’s desert on a trip out west.

Arizona: Sedona

I easily could’ve picked the Grand Canyon for Arizona, but since everyone who visits Arizona goes here anyway, I thought I’d mix it up a little bit. Sedona is a town known for its spiritual energy, red rocks, and vanlife friendly facilities. It’s a popular vacation spot, and many people flock here to hike trails like Devils Bridge. But it’s really the best way to truly experience what the Arizona landscape can hold, and embrace the desert in its fullness. Sedona is a place full of love, beautiful sunsets, and endless hikes, and I think it’s a great idea for anyone wanting to spend a longer trip in Arizona (since the Grand Canyon can be seen in about 3 days or less).

Things to do:

Hike Devils Bridge

Go see the Hononki and Palatki Ruins

Meditate on Cathedral Rock (after the best hike in the area)

Sedona is a place that I personally could spend weeks in. There are so many hikes, so many famous rock formations, and so much to see. It’s also largely dog and van friendly. For first time Arizona goers, there’s no place better.

Want help planning your trip? Give me a call! Schedule a phone call with me to day at the link below!

Top 5 Underrated Destinations of 2020

Despite 2020’s strange circumstances when it came to travel, the magic of vanlife is that I still got to see quite a bit of the country. We passed through more than 15 states on our way from California to Kentucky, between mine and my boyfriend, Jared’s family. Even though we dealt with COVID-19 closures, restrictions, and stress, there were still quite a lot of places that truly stood out to me. I have a whole list of places I’d love to return to one day, but I’ve complied my top 5 underrated destinations for you to add to your list for future travel.

Ranch horses in the Alabama Hills

The State of Idaho

Idaho is seriously one of the most underrated places in this country. From unexpected mountain ranges to flowing waterfalls to abundant hot springs, Idaho has natural beauty around every corner. Idaho is located in the west, in between Oregon and Washington on the coast and Montana and Wyoming inland. It’s known for its potatoes but it is so much more than that!

City of Rocks, ID

Places worth seeing:

·       Sunbeam Hot Springs

·       Stanley

·       The Sawtooth Mountains

·       City of Rocks National Reserve

·       Craters of the Moon National Monument

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Badlands National Park, SD

This is an interesting one because I actually visited the Badlands in 2019 too, but didn’t like them nearly as much as I did this time. I recently wrote a whole post on the Badlands so I don’t feel like I need to go into too much detail, but the Badlands are spectacular. They are located in western South Dakota, and are home to animals such as coyotes, pronghorns, bison, prairie dogs, big horned sheep, and more.

Places worth seeing:

·       Yellow Mounds

·       Roberts Prairie Dog Town

·       Toadstool Rock

Alabama Hills, CA

The Alabama Hills were actually the first place we chose to live during quarantine in the vans. Located just outside of Lone Pine, CA in the Eastern Sierras, the Alabama Hills are located on BLM Land, which means free camping, lots of hiking and climbing, and stunning views. The Alabama Hills are known as the “Whitney Portal—” the gateway to Mount Whitney, the Lower 48’s tallest mountain. Because of that, you’ll get both desert rock formations and mountain views when you visit this iconic spot.

Places worth seeing:

·       Mobius Arch

·       Whitney Portal (drive or hike to the Whitney trailhead, depending on the time of year. If you’re up for it, and the trail isn’t snowed over, it’s 11 miles one way to the summit!)

·       Death Valley (This famous National Park is only an hour away and worth the day trip)

Hiking the road up to Whitney Portal

Crested Butte, CO

We spent about a month in Colorado, and while I loved so much of the state, Crested Butte will always stand out to me as my favorite. Famous for being a ski town in the winter, Crested Butte is surrounded by mountains such as Gothic Peak and Crested Butte itself. This area is home to some incredible wildlife such as elk and bears, and mountains that resemble those of Glacier National Park. This is the first place I heard an elk bugle, so in the fall, make sure you keep an ear out!

Places worth seeing:

·       Gothic Peak Trail (even if you don’t make it to the top, the views are pretty incredible)

·       The town itself (the town of Crested Butte is adorable and reminded me of places like Telluride)

·       Crested Butte (this towering formation is hard to miss, and you can hike or bike to the top if that’s your thing)

Mount Hood National Forest, OR

I’d wanted to visit Mount Hood for a really long time, but I didn’t realize how incredible it would really be. This is a place to climb mountains, swim in lakes, dip your toes in an ice river, and camp with a view! Mount Hood is easily my favorite National Forest in the country, only rivaled by the Sawtooth and Wind River Wildernesses. Mount Hood is also full of waterfalls, stunning pine trees, and dog friendly trails.

Trillium Lake

Places worth seeing:

·       Trillium Lake

·       White River

·       Cooper Spur (if you feel like climbing a mountain)

·       Timberline Lodge

·       Tamanawas Falls

Tamanawas Falls

While 2020 wasn’t the adventure we thought it would be, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to be seen. How many of these places have you visited? How many are on your bucket list?

Everything We Did in Upper Peninsula, MI

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is truly like another state. It had been on my list for a long time—since before I even went on my 48 state, 3 month road trip. The Upper Peninsula, or UP, is a place that has been recommended to me by so many people over the years, and as we (me, Jared, and our dog, Lassen), make our way toward Kentucky to work on a new van, it was finally time to go the extra mile to explore the UP.

The UP is located in between Michigan, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron—aka it’s super isolated. It’s so far north, its weather patterns mimic those of Canada, rather than its surrounding states, and the lakes are so big they give off a chill of their own. The best time of year to visit is the fall season, specifically the second half of September, since that is when all the leaves are changing colors! We spent almost a week in the UP, so here are all the things we did while we were there.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The Keweenah Peninsula

The first thing we did in the UP was drive even further north. That’s right, the Upper Peninsula, has an even smaller peninsula! It’s called the Keweenah Peninsula, and it sticks up straight into Lake Superior. The biggest town closest to the tip is called Copper Harbor. It’s a super adorable little boat town, and if you have a vehicle with 4WD you can make it to the tip of the peninsula! We do not, so we stayed in town! During our time on the Keweenah Peninsula, we searched for fall leaves, happened upon a waterfall, and visited Hunter’s Point Park where we did some light hiking and enjoyed the views of Lake Superior.

Keweenah National Historic Park

This is actually on the Keweenah Peninsula too, but it’s worth it’s own little section here! This unique National Park is home to a multitude of historic buildings all throughout the Peninsula, including a mine and a lighthouse. During a drive up to Copper Harbor, you’ll pass multiple opportunities to experience the unique history of this part of the United States.

Somewhere on the Keweenah Peninsula

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks was actually on my original route for my 48 state trip, but I decided to skip it due to the lengthy hours it would take for me to get up there and the lack of boondocking in the area. This time around though, we were able to spend two days exploring the lakeshore, its waterfalls, and its cool rock formations! This is the ideal place to hike among fall leaves, kayak on the crystal clear waters of the largest lake in the world by surface area, or just enjoy a beach on a clear day.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Know Before You Go to the UP:

Weather: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is remote. And it’s very cold. No matter what time of year, make sure you bring a good jacket for your trip up north!

How to get there: To get to the UP, you can either drive straight through from Wisconsin, or cross the Mackinac Bridge for a $4 toll from mainland Michigan (the Mitten).

Cell Signal and WiFi: Cell service is limited on the Keweenah Peninsula, so make sure you download Google Maps before your visit.

Souvenirs: Before you leave, make sure you pick up a bag of wild rice—it’s native to this part of the country, so make sure you get it in a place where it’s authentic!

The UP is a place I definitely want to return to in the future (but maybe when it’s a little warmer!). It’s stunningly beautiful in a way I did not expect, and there’s something worth seeing around every corner. The UP should truly be on everyone’s bucket list—is it on yours?

My Travel Must-Haves from Summer 2020

As travelers, we’re always looking for new companies that are making travel easier, inspiring us, or giving back to the places we love. This summer, I discovered so many brands doing just that, and got in touch with some old brands I love! Even during this largely travel-less year, there’s never been a better time to stock up on my travel must-haves for your next trip, so you’re ready to go, as soon as borders open again. These are my favorite brands changing the game for travel this past summer!

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you decide to make a purchase (so you’d be supporting TWO amazing platforms—yay!)

Reversible clothes from Splice Clothing:

Splice Clothing has been a huge game changer for me. This amazing female owned and designed travel brand works to create reversible travel clothing so that you can pack half the amount of clothes for twice the outfits. Not only are her clothes super functional (doubly so), but they’re also super cute and amazing quality! I personally live in the Phoenix Reversible Joggers, and they not only fit me like a glove, but they’re also water resistant and easy to remove stains from (seriously these are the best pants you’ll ever own). I also have the Cairo Reversible Poncho, which has been amazing for these cooler days we’ve been having. Splice is all about packing lighter, which means easier travel (no baggage claim), and less stuff to worry about, so you can have more fun on your trip!

Shop Splice Clothing here:

Wearing the Cairo Reversible Poncho and Phoenix Reversible Joggers in Yellowstone

Clothing that gives back from The Wanderful Soul

The Wanderful Soul is another female owned business doing great things. Every single design in the shop is created by the owner of the business herself, and every quarter, she donates money to a great cause! This past summer, she focused on the National Park Service, and this upcoming Fall quarter, her focus will be climate change! She even has eco friendly designs in her shop! I personally love everything she creates, and my favorite shirt of hers is the National Parks Founding Fathers Tee (pictured). She also just added an amazing packing list to her shop, so that you can plan out exactly what you need before your next trip. If you’re looking to support an awesome female owned business doing the most, definitely check out The Wanderful Soul at the link below!

Wearing the National Parks Founding Fathers Tee in the Lamar Valley

Shades for your next adventure from Tifosi Optics

I’ve loved Tifosi for a long time, which is why they had to make this list. Tifosi is an adventure sunglasses company that makes shades for all types of outdoor exploring (or city exploring if that’s more your thing). They’re durable, made to stay on your face, and some styles even come with polarized lenses. My favorite style for hiking is Swank and my favorites for chillin’ or city dwelling is Svago (pictured). These are seriously the best sunglasses you’ll ever own, and you will not regret adventuring in them (the lenses even make everything look extra beautiful!).

Shop Tifosi Optics here:

Wearing the Svago glasses in Crystal Champagne in the Sawtooth Mountains

Travel just isn’t the same without the right gear, and these brands know what’s up when it comes to getting you the perfect travel gear for your next trip. So whether you’re planning to head somewhere tropical, somewhere in the mountains, or somewhere in the city, make sure you have some awesome gear with you before you hit the road!

Travel Versus Vacationing: The Biggest Difference in Tourism

When I first started expressing a want to travel full time, I got a slew of people responding with “but you can’t just be on vacation all the time,” and it got me thinking. And the truth is, my life is not a vacation—far from it! Just because you are in a different place than your “home” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re vacationing. This idea was solidified when I visited Thailand with GIVE Volunteers, and my guide, Mike, asked us what the difference was between a vacation and travel during a discussion of responsible tourism.

Because the thing is, there are vast differences in these types of tourism. What I do on the day to day is extremely different than what I used to do as a teenager when my family and I would take a week long trip to Hawaii in the summer. And there’s nothing wrong with either type of tourism—they’re just different, and they’re for different people.

Glacier National Park, MT, USA

What is a vacation?

Many people confuse any type of travel with being on vacation because that’s what’s become normal in the classic 9-5 lifestyle. For many people, the only times they get to travel at all are for vacations: breaks from work and the normal life they live at home. A vacation is just that: a break. During a vacation, many people will get a resort hotel room, and center their trip around relaxing. Or, some people will take to adventure sports, exploring, cooking classes, museums, etc, but the thing is, it’s still their way to unwind and relax after a year of working hard.

Ba Kao Lam, Thailand

Why is full time travel not a vacation?

When you travel full time, your whole life becomes exploring new places. It becomes as normal as the hobbies you would have at home, like hiking, beachgoing, or yoga. The difference is that, we are doing these things in new locations all the time. For my personal full time travel lifestyle, travel also includes working multiple jobs from my computer (this platform being one of them), cleaning my house (well, van), walking the dog, grocery shopping, and all those things you do at home. The only thing is that we’re getting groceries from different stores as we move along, and walking our dog on different trails every day. We aren’t taking a break from anything—life is still happening as normal, just on the road.

Sop Chem, Laos

The Realities of Vanlife

I wrote a whole piece about this recently, but the thing is, people tend to romanticize traveling full time as a dream lifestyle, but I think the reason for that is that they associate travel with vacations. The reality is, I sit down for hours a day, working on projects for my personal platform, and for clients, to be able to fund this lifestyle from the road. It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not glamorous, but I also wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Conscious Travel

There has also been a lot of talk recently about responsible tourism. This is something I’ve talked about a lot on here, but I think the thing is, when you think of exploring a new place as purposeful travel versus a passive vacation, you might find yourself traveling more consciously, truly learning about the places you’re visiting, and making a connection with that land. Of course, you can do this while vacationing too! All I’m saying is to leave the resort for a bit, try to experience a new culture, and remember, travel is the best way to connect with the world.

Why Great Sand Dunes is the West’s Most Underrated Park

As we travel through Colorado, I’m slowly falling in love with a state that, last year, I thought was only meh. Having only really explored the northern part of the state last year, I hadn’t really experienced everything this unique place has to offer. Colorado is the last stop in the Western States before you reach the flat Midwest, but that means it has more to offer than most other states. Colorado is part mountains, part plains, and part southwest all rolled into one. Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. You don’t hear a lot about this park. It isn’t in any way on the same level as, say, Yellowstone or Yosemite in most people’s eyes, but as soon as we arrived, it quickly made it onto my top ten list of National Parks I’ve visited so far.

Great Sand Dunes was my 36th National Park, and it’s easily one of the most unique. This is why Great Sand Dunes is the most underrated National Park of the West, and why it should top your bucket list.

The Tallest Sand Dunes in North America

Great Sand Dunes is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, reaching over 700 feet above sea level. These dunes stretch far into the distance and are the main attraction in the park. People bring sleds, sand boards, and even skis to experience these unique slopes. While we didn’t have any of these, we still had the time of our lives hiking up the dunes barefoot, and then running down in this low impact environment (perfect for me, who is healing a knee injury). The views at sunrise and sunset are incredible, and the sand is cool as long as you don’t visit in the middle of the day.

A Unique Ecosystem

Great Sand Dunes is more than just sand. In the distance, as you climb the dunes, you’ll see a clear view of stunning mountains, which adds a whole other level to this park. Some of the park is actually alpine zone, which is home to animals like bears and mountain lions. This section of the park is accessible by foot only, which makes it one of the most remote places you can visit within Great Sand Dunes. If you visit in the late spring and early summer, you’ll get to experience the creek that runs through the dunes, creating a unique beach far away from the ocean. The thing to remember is, no National Park is only known for its main attraction, so it’s important to give the rest of the park a chance too!

It’s Dog Friendly

Many National Parks have heavy restrictions when it comes to bringing your dog along for the adventure, but Great Sand Dunes is one of the most dog friendly parks in the country. While they don’t have a Bark Ranger Program, Lassen, our border collie, was able to do everything we wanted to do while in the park. There are a couple trails he could go on, and he was allowed up with us through the first high ridge of dunes. This meant we didn’t have to leave him behind for our sunset or sunrise hikes. Not to mention, he loved it! Running on the sand with us was some of the best fun I’ve seen him have in a long time.

It Isn’t a Popular Park

Both times we entered the park, we got parking right away. This isn’t a super popular park which makes it perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowds and be in nature. Great Sand Dunes is an extremely underrated place in the Western states. So, tell me, is it on your bucket list yet?

If you want help planning a road trip through the west, or even just through Colorado, subscribe to me on Patreon and get access to all sorts of road trip planning resources, including me becoming your personal road trip planner!

The Realities of #Vanlife

Like many people, I fell in love with the idea of vanlife after watching youtubers, discovering documentaries like Expedition Happiness, and following tons of vanlifers on Instagram. The media does an amazing job of making vanlife look like everyone’s dream life, but now that I’ve lived on the road for over a year, it’s time to make that obligatory “realities of vanlife” post.

The truth is, vanlife is not all good views and campfires, there are a lot of layers to vanlife that a lot of people never talk about. Between working long hours to be able to sustain my life on the road to driving out of our way to get WiFi when we need it, to the van being an absolute mess more than 50% of the time, #vanlife really resembles real life a lot more than people think.

This past week, we encountered every vanlifer’s nightmare: a two day mechanic visit. My van, Sequoia, is over 20 years old, and it was about time that the entire cooling system needed to be replaced. This was not only a huge financial setback, but it was also a huge wake up call because of the time it took to fix. This van is our home, and without it, things can be very stressful. We were lucky enough to have family to stay with for the night, but if we hadn’t, things might have gotten even more costly.

If you’d like to help support my journey, I’ve finally added STICKERS to the shop! Check them out below!

The thing is, at this point, vanlife is just life. It is different than normal house life, but it’s just the way we currently choose to live. We’re used to the complications and frustrations, but it’s important to highlight those things because not everyone who loves the idea of vanlife will actually like living the vanlife.

Vanlife is dusty

We’re living outside. The thing a lot of people don’t understand about vanlife is that we aren’t living in the van—we’re living out of it. We spend almost all of our time outside, especially when there are friends around, which means the floor of the van is almost always dirty, the rug can always use an extra shake, and dog hair hides in the trickiest of places. Vanlife is not a luxury lifestyle. It’s truly the dirtbag movement of the 21st century, and while social media makes it look like the dream life, it’s super important to highlight the fact that this is a dirty lifestyle. You won’t be showering every day or even every other day, your feet will always be dirty, and you’ll always have to move stuff around to make room for life.

Camp isn’t always a good view

While we love a good view, and definitely wouldn’t shy away from driving up some sketchy dirt roads to reach one worth sharing, not every night is spent at an insta-worthy camp spot. So often, we’re staying in parking lots: or Walmarts, Cabela’s, and rest stops next to highways. Whenever we’re in cities for errands, or even tricky areas like Olympic National Park, it’s easier to stay in a safe parking lot than risk being kicked out just for parking in a prettier area. But the good news is, parking lots are usually not that far from somewhere beautiful to go right when we wake up for a good breakfast view.

Vans are tiny homes to the next level

The tiny house trend is still going strong, but the thing with having a van as your tiny house is, vans are really tiny. Most of them are less than 80 square feet and most of that space is taken up by the bed (aka the most important place in the house). Van living requires you to be an extreme minimalist. It’s a sacrifice for travel to give up having lots of material things. We watch TV on a computer or phone screen, only own the clothes that fit, and have to wash dishes more often, but the small space is still home, even when we’re in the most foreign places.

Van chores suck

Seriously. Van chores suck. And with such a small space, we’re doing them all the time. Dishes are hard to wash in such a small sink, water is complicated to fill, and grey water smells… horrible. Don’t even get me started on black tanks. If you want to live in a van, you have to prepare to get down and dirty because you can’t call a plumber when your sink won’t drain. Instead, you might end up with a floor full of grey water to mop up.

But Vanlife is wonderful

But, despite all of this, vanlife truly is the dream life. It is ultimate freedom, it is adventure, and it is beautiful. We find ourselves in the most stunning and unique places, and even though vanlife can be a little stinky, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s my life, and it’s what I need at the moment, so even though my floor is dusty, and I definitely need to get rid of a few shirts, at least I have a cool view or two in my future.

How To Visit A National Park With Your Dog

One of the largest misconceptions about domestic adventure travel in the US is that dogs are not allowed in National Parks. National Parks are public land that is run by the National Park Service, meaning, they have a lot more restrictions that other types of public land that are run by the Bureau of Land Management or US Forest Service. Because of the fact that these restrictions are fairly well known by visitors, it’s often rumored that you can’t bring your furry friend along on your adventure. But, that couldn’t be less true! Dogs are absolutely allowed in National Parks, it’s just a matter of finding out exactly where they’re allowed during your visit.

Hanging out at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

Why are there restrictions on pets in the parks?

There are a few reasons for the restrictions on dogs in National Parks, but the main one is that dogs are not part of the natural environment. Their presence has the power to disrupt the ecosystem because they can pollute areas with their poop, eat plants, and scare animals off that would normally be present in an area. For this reason, it’s really important to respect these regulations so that we can preserve these areas for future visitors. That being said, there are areas in each park where dogs are allowed, so let’s explore those areas!

Exploring Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

Where are dogs normally allowed in National Parks?

In pretty much all parks, you can guarantee that dogs are allowed in parking lots and picnic areas. In some parks, there are dog friendly trails to hike, so check each park’s website before visiting. They are often allowed on dirt roads, and can enjoy viewpoints with their owners.

To find the pet friendly areas in each park on the park websites, go to Plan Your Visit > Basic Information > Pets.

Taking a walk along a dirt road in Mount Rainier National Park

What parks are more dog friendly than others?

Some National Parks are more dog friendly than others. The two most popular dog friendly parks are Acadia and North Cascades, but there are quite a few that you can take your furry friend to when you really do your research. Zion has a dog friendly trail, and Olympic has dog friendly beaches. Crater Lake is a great option since most of the park is only accessible by car.

It’s also worth looking into visiting National Park Service sites that don’t have National Park designation, such as monuments, preserves, and recreation areas. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has dog friendly beaches, and City of Rocks National Preserve is known as a dog friendly park. This will allow you to use that National Park pass you love, while letting your dog tag along.

Taking a walk near the visitor center in Crater Lake National Park

What is the Bark Ranger Program?

Similar to the Junior Ranger Program, the Bark Ranger program is a free program for all the fur babies who come along on a National Park adventure. This program allows dogs and their owners to learn exactly where their dog can and can’t go in the park, and allows your dog to get sworn in as an official Bark Ranger. They will also receive a special Bark Ranger badge to wear on their collar or leash and take home as a fun souvenir.

Watching the sunset in Olympic National Park: the first park to create their Bark Ranger Program

Visiting a National Park with your dog will be a different experience than you’re used to, but it doesn’t have to be a boring one. There truly is so much you can still see and do with your dog to make it a worthwhile visit, and once you learn the rules, you’ll get to see the Parks through your dog’s eyes, which can be magical in its own way.