oregon coast with ocean and large rock
Portland Camper Van Rentals
GoCamp has so many Portland camper van rentals, you’re gonna feel like a kid in a candy shop, and you can have more than one! Try out a Sprinter for a trip to the mountains, a ProMaster to cruise the coast, or a vintage charmer for a weekend in the woods. No matter what you choose, your GoCamp camper van comes road-trip ready with everything you need for your vanlife adventure. And now….where to go from Portland? We have some ideas.
Featured Portland Camper Van Rental
Introducing one of our best gals, Chica Van Go! This van has a dazzling name and a gorgeous interior to match. With all the amenities you need to glamp in style, this van has AC, a heated outdoor shower, a handy toilet, and is festival-friendly!
When you and your co-pilot (human or furry friend!) hop into Chica Van Go, you’ll hit the road knowing you’re heading off on an adventure with your own home on wheels. Crank up the tunes with a subwoofer, six speakers, and Apple CarPlay. What better way to cruise than to some bangin’ tunes or your fave podcasts?
Last but never least, the kitchen set up is to die for! Tons of counter space, state-of-the-art appliances, and even a subway tile backsplash mean every photo you take will be a keeper in this van. So what are you waiting for?
Rent this van; save your time researching other options!
“We had the most amazing experience glamping around Oregon! Although I always appreciate the beauty of nature, I am more of a city girl and not always sure how to navigate being outdoorsy. This was the perfect way to camp and be in the great outdoors with all of the comforts of home! Chica is so so comfortable (the bed is actually more comfy than mine at home) and I longed for nothing. The bathroom is hassle-free to use, the kitchen is as easy as can be to cook in, and the van was easy to drive. Also, the host is very nice and explains how to use everything! Was so sad for this experience to end.”
Tabetha June 2021
Five Road Trip Destinations from Portland
Rent a camper van in Portland and discover the left coast!
Portlanders might tell you that the reason they love their city so much is how close it is to everything. Like mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, and good food! Once you pick up your Portland camper van and start looking at the options that surround you, you’ll find it easy to agree. Head north, west, south, east, or any direction in between. Because there’s no wrong answer! Just good vanlife vibes and plenty of music to cruise to on the journey.
The Blue Mountains
This spot is still such a secret that most Portlanders don’t even know about it yet! Head east toward Pendleton and wander The Blues along the Snake River to the east of Walla Walla, Washington. And keep your eyes peeled for Rocky Mountain Elk and bighorn sheep! Bask in the blue-hued sea of pine and fir trees. And should you find yourself wandering in the heart of the Malheur Forest, on the southern edge of The Blues, you’ll be in close proximity to the world’s largest organism: a 35,000 ton fungi called Armillaria!
Highway 101
Life gets a whole lot beachier when you head to the curvy coastal stretch of Highway 101. Find any number of private or public camping options and pull out at every ocean vista (because you can!). And you could even choose to do a one-way trip, starting in Portland and ending in San Francisco or Los Angeles, taking 101 the whole way. The Oregon coast is a trip in and of itself. Check out this post for a trip itinerary shared by one of our renters.
Steens Mountain
Sitting in the southeast corner of Oregon, Steens Mountain Wilderness is a road-trippers dream come true. Long, open roads with big skies and rolling, golden hills dotted with sheep and jackrabbits. Roadsides under the watchful gaze of red-tailed hawks and other raptors. This area is less frequented by tourists because it’s longer of a drive (and soooo worth it!). Fuel up in the quaint community of Frenchglen, watch for wild horses, and take your pick from plenty of beautiful campsites on and around Steens Mountain.
Painted Hills
This national monument is a treasure trove, filled with plant and mammal fossils that range from 7 million to 44 million years in age! Time your visit to the Painted Hills to capture the lower light of the evening and you’ll be in for a truly spectacular show! The Painted Hills at John Day Fossil Beds are certainly no secret, but they’re certainly something to see with your own eyes (and if you’re a photographer, yeah, you probably already know about it!).
Ape Caves
On the south side of Mt. St. Helens, just a quick drive from Portland, are some of the longest lava tubes in the world. Bring a headlamp and your puffy coat! The upper cave and the lower cave both remain a brisk 42 degrees no matter the outside conditions. Of course, you can always warm up with the perfect cup of coffee once you’re back inside your GoCamp camper van. There are plenty of gorgeous options for drive-in camping in the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Want more info on how to make your trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Check out our tips for camper van first-timers in Exploring the Oregon Coast and, for the more experienced traveler, our tips and tricks on Cruisin’ The Oregon Coast!
White Westfalia approaches on a road with homes, forest and mountains in background