The dog days of summer are here, and I don’t have to tell you how hard it is to cool yourself down in a van in the middle of the summer! If this is your first season, you’ll see how much you miss your fans and AC. If you want to skip the heat as much as possible, then here are some awesome VanLife summer road trips that aren’t going to bake you alive!

#1 Olympic National Park, Washington

This spectacular location combines the three ingredients needed to stay cool during summer months: rainforests, a great coastline, and a whole mountain ecosystem! It will definitely keep you cool. You might even want to pack some extra warm layers if you plan to visit.

Average Temperatures:

43°F to 68°F but the weather and temperature can be a bit temperamental, even in the summer, so there’s a possibility you’ll get rain.

Things to Do:

• Boating (you’ll need a boating education pass here)
• Paddling on the Elwha River
• Experienced kayakers can enjoy the Sol Duc or Quinault Rivers
• Explore the many lakes (Lake Ozette is filled with water lilies during summer, and Lake Quinault has breathtaking mountain views)
• Fishing
• Hiking and backpacking
• Wildlife viewings (best done during dawn and dusk! Just ask a ranger for the best viewing areas)

Special Events to include in your VanLife summer road trips:

• Razor clam digging at Kalaloch beach from March to May
• Olympic Peninsula BirdFest in April
• The Sequim Irrigation Festival in May
• Juan de Fuca Festival of Arts in May
• North Olympic Discovery Marathon in June
• July 4th Boat Parade
• Port Angeles 4th of July Celebration
• Forever Twilight in Forks in September
• Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in October (not quite summer but still fun)

Things to Note:

In late summer, the Hoh River can be blocked. Plus, if you’re going to fish, you won’t need a Washington State recreational fishing license unless you’re fishing in the Pacific Ocean from the shore or harvesting shellfish.

#2 Squamish, B.C., Canada

What more is there to say about enjoying some cool weather during summer than being in the middle of an alpine forest where an ocean and river meet? This location is known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada and a popular site for travelers. If you want some peace and quiet, try avoiding the peak of activity in July, though.

Average Temperatures:

48°F to 62°F in May

55°F to 71°F in July and August

Things to Do:

• Canoeing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking on the Howe Sound, Mamquam River, Alice Lake
• Ocean Kayaking
• Boating and sailing – BYOB (bring your own boat – and beer?)
• Horseback riding on equestrian-friendly trails
• Loads of hiking trails ranging in difficulty (check out the Smoke Bluffs if you’re an experienced hiker)
• Scuba diving and snorkeling in Porteau Cove, Pam Rocks, and Christie Islet
• Biking (really friendly local mountain bike culture and they’ve got choices between cross-country, freeriding, or downhill singletrack)
• Climbing for beginners and experienced climbers (the best spots to check out: Shannon Falls, Murrin Park, Smoke Bluffs, Grand Wall Boulders, Area 44, Rogue’s Gallery, and Seal Cove)  
• Wind and kite surfing
• Sea to sky gondola – panoramic views with 10-minute rides up to 3 main viewing platforms (Summit Lodge viewing deck, Chief Overlook Platform, and The Spirit Platform)

Special Events:

• Cheakamus Centre Open House Activity Days in May
• Friends of Cheakamus Nature Walks every first Sunday of the month
• Squamish Wind Festival in July

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Missing something from your van? Check out my VanLife store for essential gear and equipment.

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#3 The Bugaboos, B.C., Canada

A pretty remote area if you’re into the quiet mountain life, but you’ll need to come fully stocked, as there are no supplies or equipment available in the park. Also, be prepared to fend off porcupines or other small animals with chicken wire fencing around your van, or you’re going to need new tires and brake lines. Not the VanLife summer road trips you imagined?

Average Temperatures:

60°F to 75°F highs and 37°F to 48°F lows

Things to Do:

• World-class rock climbing and mountaineering. Routes to check out include the West Ridge (Pigeon Spire), Beckey-Chouinard (South Howser Spire), Snowpatch and Surf’s Up (Snowpatch Spire), and Northeast Ridge (Bugaboo Spire).
• Hunting
• Hiking trails for experienced hikers
• Heli-hiking

Things to Note:

The park doesn’t allow mountain biking, fires, or domestic animals so if you’re road tripping with your dog, it’s one to avoid.  

#4 Acadia National Park, Maine

A popular location where you’ll rarely find a spot if weather conditions are good, but if you want to explore one (or all) of the seven peaks above 1,000 feet, this is a perfect place for you. A parking spot might be impossible to find during peak season though, which spans from June to September.

Average Temperatures:

50°F to 69°F

Things to Do:

• Photo safari
• Kayaking
• Sailing on the Southwest Harbor
• Mountain trails (Gorham, Camplain, Beehive, and Precipice trails)
• Biking
• Climbing
• Fishing
• Leaf peeping
• Swimming
• Tidepooling

Special Events:

• Arcadia lobster cruises twice a day at lunch and sunset in Northeast Harbor

#5 Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

This jewel of Alberta located in the Rocky Mountains is Canada’s oldest national park and is also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can enjoy the stunning beauty of the untouched nature, but be aware that some parts might be closed during bear activity times.

Average Temperatures:

24°F to 62°F

Things to Do:

• Boat tours on Lake Minnewanka
• Canoeing on Vermillion Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, fishing creeks, and lakes of the National Park, Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka
• Over 100 hiking, biking, and backcountry trails to pick from!
• Horse riding
• Scuba diving in Lake Minnewanka

Special Events:

• Cave and Basin Lantern Tour from June 2 to September 29
• Father’s Day BBQ on June 17
• Canada Day Celebrations on July 1
• Canada Day BBQ on July 1

#6 Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, Wyoming

If you’re into experiencing the wild side of nature, this is the place to go. There’s plenty of bison, moose, and bighorn sheep to see here, as well as the spectacular grizzly bears and gray wolves. If that’s not enough, the geysers, colorful hot springs, and breathtaking views of Yellowstone and Grand Teton are likely to be the highlight of your trip.

Average Temperatures:

22°F to 49°F

Things to Do:

• Scenic rafting on Snake River
• Horseback riding
• Kayaking and boat cruising on Jackson Lake
• Narrated National Park tours and guided walks
• Canoeing
• Motorboat rentals
• Wildlife programs
• Fishing and guided lake fishing on Colter Bay Marina
• Hiking on Lunch Tree Hill, Lake Shore Trail, and Polecat Creek

Special Events:

• Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Rodeo on July 1 to 4.
• Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival in September

#7 Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park is a perfect spot to get away from everyone and enjoy the remote wilderness and the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. Before you embark on your trip, make sure to check the road status first, as some sections might be temporarily closed.  

Average Temperatures:

40°F to 80/90°F (it can fluctuate quite a bit in the afternoons)  

Things to Do:

• Over 734 miles of hiking trails on Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, North Fork, and Goat Haunt
• Various ranger-led activities throughout the season (these change a lot and you’ll need to check out their calendar to see what’s on when you’re planning on driving up there)
• Fishing (you don’t need a license but there are rules and restrictions)
• For the ultimate VanLife summer road trips, you need to check out the Going-to-the-Sun Road – it’s a beautiful alpine road that’s only open during the spring and summer seasons  
• Visit Virginia Falls or the Iceberg Lakes

Special Events:

• Summer Concert Series from June to August
• Secrets of the Rockies on June 13
• Montana Dragon Boat Festival in September

#8 Ouray, Colorado

Ouray is close to the San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway. Dubbed the Switzerland of America, it is nestled at the base of the San Juan Mountains and offers some of the most stunning panoramic views anywhere on the continent.    

Average Temperatures:

The warm season here runs from June 4 to September 14. Temperatures average 46°F to 61°F.

Things to Do:

• You can drive through the mountains (if you have a four-wheel drive!) or explore on foot or horseback
• Experienced cliff climbing
• Check out Box Canyon Waterfall and Park, and the Yankee Boy Basin
• Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour
• Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company (I swear I didn’t make the name up!)
• Hot springs
• Ouray County Museum
• Sherbino Theatre

Special Events:

• Ouray County Chorus Spring Concert in May
• Outdoor movies in the park at dusk throughout the summer
• Various different local workshops around the year (check out the Ouray County Colorado Community calendar here)

#9 Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California

I’m a bit biased here because for a long time, I considered living in Mammoth Lakes. It’s a true wilderness utopia for any activity. For those more interested in secret panoramic spots only accessible by the smaller roads, the Sierra Vista and Ebbetts Pass National scenic byways are a VanLife dream come true!

The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was also one of the stops on my Visit California – Route 395 press trip!

Average Temperatures:

50°F to 70°F

Things to Do:

• Downhill Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Don’t miss the wildflower super blooms
• Swimming and water skiing in one of the many Sierra Nevada lakes (most have launch ramps, with plenty of food, drink, cafés, and fuel available in the Marinas)
• Kayaking (rentals, tours, and lessons)
• Primitive and remote backpacking
• Tours that include backpacking adventures, and tours of the caverns and caves  

Special Events:

• Calaveras County Frog Jumping in May
• Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree in July

#10 Alaska, (Anywhere and Everywhere)

Alaska has so many beautiful spots, it can be hard to chart a course to visit all of them. Juneau, a state capital, has no road access at all, but the Alaska Highway can allow you to visit Kiskatinaw River Bridge and the Sign Post Forest at Watson Lake in Yukon Territory.

Average Temperatures:

Lows of 40°F to 50°F and highs of 60°F to 80°F

Things to Do:

• Natural hot springs at Chena Resort
• Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour in Juneau
• Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise in Resurrection Bay
• Sled Dog Discovery in Skagway
• Park Road Scenic Drive (your VanLife summer road trips wouldn’t be complete without it!)
• Gliding and paragliding
• Ziplining at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah
• El Capitan Cave on Prince of Wales Island
• Die in your van when you eat poisonous plants you misidentified.

Special Events:

• Mt. Marathon Race in Seward on July 4

With a list like this, you’re going to wish you had longer for your road trip!

How do you escape the heat in your van?

For those of you that have been at this awhile, how do you beat the heat? Have you installed fans or A/C? Come up with a portable shade solution? Just sweat to death? Or what?!