About Us
I left home 15 years ago to find what the world had to offer. Now 50 countries and 20+ U.S states later I’ve found “home” in Anchorage, Alaska. With its beautiful landscape, vast collection of wildlife and geography that offers something to each adventure type, this truly is a land that everyone needs to visit.
One noticeable characteristic of Alaska is the lack of public transportation. Unlike Europe where the trains bring you wherever you want to go at almost any time, Alaska’s vast size requires you to explore it on your own, at your leisure, in your own transportation. Alaska needed an alternative transportation choice.
As an adventurer and backpacker myself I realized that Alaska didn’t offer a service of personal transportation that was attractive to backpackers; where the freedom to roam at will, the convenience of amenities and the opportunity to explore are offered at a cost that allows you to truly enjoy your vacation. Sure, there are businesses that offer coach bus rides or big RV rentals but what about the people who want to find their own paradise, enjoy the silence of nature or mingle with the locals on their turf without driving around in a vehicle that screams “tourist!” The type of travelers who don’t want to plan every day of their trip, who intend to only stop for a beer but end up staying a week.
During an epic backpacking adventure in New Zealand I was inspired by their approach of catering towards the budget backpacker lifestyle. When I returned to Alaska I began planning how those same opportunities could be offered in Alaska. I envisioned a trip where a group of friends could fly to Alaska and pool their money together to rent a vehicle where they could eat, sleep, and drive to anywhere within Alaska and Canada. A trip where you could rent all the adventure gear you need so you won’t have to carry your own equipment across the world paying huge airline fees to get it there. A trip where your vehicle will allow you to carry all your gear so you can mountain bike the Chugach Range, view Mt. McKinley in Talkeetna, have a beer in Whitehorse Yukon Territory, kayak in Whittier and catch a halibut in Homer. A vehicle whose sole purpose is designed to create road-trip memories that will last forever. My passion led to the creation of Northwest Van Campers; where we offer exactly that. So come north to Alaska and create your own adVANture!!
