Vanlife Diaries has officially announced their 2019 tour and we couldn’t be more excited.
Gatherings are a place to build community, celebrate this alternative way of living, and learn from each other. This year, Vanlife Diaries has made it even easier to caravan from event to event, putting together a tour filled with amazing locations and even more amazing hosts. From the Tetons to Colorado, New Mexico to Asheville, and even more epic locations, there will surely be an event near you. Even better? Each of their gatherings supports a nonprofit partner by donating a portion of proceeds.
“If you’ve never been to one of our events, know they are open for everyone to attend: vans, buses, trucks, cars, motorbikes, swags, RVs, and bikes are all welcome! The only requirement is that you pack a wide-open mind, a burning passion for alternative ways of living, and a desire to meet a whole lot of interesting people.”
-The Vanlife Diaries team
We reached out to some of the hosts that are making this tour possible, to provide details about their specific gathering and let you know what you can expect along each stop of the tour!
Matt and Amanda (@van.project) – Teton Valley Vanlife Gathering
“Now in its second year, the highly-successful Teton Valley Vanlife Gathering is a modern nomadic rendezvous created by vanlifers, for vanlifers. Matt Swartz and Amanda Winther of @van.project have collaborated with @vanlifediaries to offer this amazing three-day get-together, in the beautiful Teton mountains of Eastern Idaho, a short drive from Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, and Jackson, Wyoming. The gathering kicks off with a vanlife happy hour at Melvin Brewing in Alpine, Wyoming on Thursday, June 13, before moving to the Linn Canyon Ranch in Victor, Idaho, for the main event from June 14th-16th. There will also be a pre or post-event environmental clean up organized by Dustin & Noami of @irietoaurora (location & date TBD).”
“This year we’ll have an emphasis on self-care and environmental advocacy. Some workshops we’ll be offering include breath work, yoga, mindfulness and meditation. We’re also partnering with the Leave No Trace Foundation to offer two educational workshops, ‘Skills & Ethics’, and ‘LNT for the Van Traveler’. Of course, we’ll also have bonfires, shared meals and libations (free beer provided by Melvin Brewing), music, a Saturday onezie dance party and so much more! It’s gonna be a great event!”
Make sure to RSVP to the Facebook event to keep up to date on the schedule of events, directions, participating partners and more. Tickets are available on the Vanlife Diaries website at http://bit.ly/tetons2019
Kathleen (@tinyhousetinyfootprint) – Colorado Vanlife Gathering
“Hi! I’m Kathleen. I started Tiny House, Tiny Footprint five years ago living in a camper trailer. I wanted to share my experiences living alternatively and share environmental practices for others who might want to do the same. A few years back, I joined the Vanlife Diaries team and haven’t looked back. This gathering started back in Pike National Forest and now it’s on an amazing ranch with a floating river. I am so excited to plan some extra fun activities this year and have the Australian team with me this summer to help organize this gathering.”
Make sure to RSVP to the Facebook event to keep up to date on the schedule of events, directions, participating partners and more. Tickets are available on the Vanlife Diaries website.
Kit and JR (@idletheorybus) – Taos Vanlife Gathering
Taking place from August 16-18, 2019 at Hotel Luna Mystica, another great event is occurring. The Taos Vanlife Gathering is open to anyone and everyone welcome, including all rigs, ages, tents, campers, and vans! Tickets are $50 for the entire weekend, which includes all activities.
“This summer, we’re circling our modern-day covered wagons on the high mesas of Taos, New Mexico for a weekend-long campout at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Taos Vanlife Gathering is a meeting of rambling minds, a place where wanderers, weekend warriors, and vanlifers can gather for a good spell of face-to-face community, for music, real honest conversation, and of course fun! This weekend is our time. We’ll exchange stories and ideas and philosophy around a campfire, share food in a community potluck, enjoy beverages at sunset. We’ll tour each other’s campers, we’ll make new friends and squeeze old friends and commune under New Mexico’s Milky Way skies.”
“We’re excited to welcome fellow vanlifer and singer-songwriter Ira Wolf for an intimate performance of songs written from the road and from the heart. Choose from a variety of workshops on wide-ranging topics, from the philosophy of engine repair, to how to find camp (and do so responsibly), to panel discussions that focus on the meaning of vanlife and the purpose of this community. The event will be hosted by me, Kit Whistler and my partner-in-crime JR Switch. We run the blog Idle Theory Bus and have partnered with our friends at Vanlife Diaries to make this gathering a true community event, one that aims to enhance the lives of anyone and everyone who gathers together in the magical land of Taos.”
Micah (@ashevillevanlife) – Asheville Van Life Rally
“The 5th Asheville Van Life Rally is taking place from September 20-22, 2019! We will host 400 vehicles for a weekend of camping, conversation, and connection, celebrating the spirit of vanlife and the growing community of adventure-seekers, nomadic road trippers, and weekend warriors. This family-friendly event includes educational programming such as workshops, Q&A sessions, and panel discussions, as well as kids activities, yoga, live music, local craft beer, and more on a beautiful 65-acre property just 20 minutes from downtown Asheville.”
Register here today!
Dustin and Naomi (@irietoaurora) – New Orleans Vanlife Gathering
“Dustin & Noami of Irie to Aurora here. We’re so excited to team up with the folks at Vanlife Diaries to host the FIRST EVER New Orleans Vanlife Gathering on October 18-20. This three-day, two-night kid-friendly, pet-friendly, Leave No Trace get-together will be filled with community, good vibes, and tiny living. The event will include workshops, talks, & many amazing activities centered around sustainability. We’ll also have live music, yoga & meditation (led by Noami), van tours, a potluck dinner, an amazing raffle, and community-led discussions.”
Photo by @laurenfletcherphotography
“10% of ticket sales will be donated to Healthy Gulf – formerly Gulf Restoration Network! This incredible non-profit is committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region. Their work is devoted to conserving marine life, defending wetlands, sustaining coastal communities, and protecting our waters. Mt. Hermon is located 75 miles (about 1.5 hours) from downtown New Orleans, and less than an hour from the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The property features a spring-fed creek and over 100 acres of beautiful pine forest interlaced with hiking trails. We hope to see you there!
Photo by @laurenfletcherphotography
Lisa (@vacayvans) – Austin, Texas Pop Up Event
“The Austin vanlife event is the perfect destination for the vanlife caravan traveling through the south this fall! Austin is a rich mix of hipster vibes with country cowboy flair and the event will host an eclectic group of folks including unicylers, acroyoga, southern potlucks, music, and more. The November event will piggyback on the East Austin Studio Tour, which is a free two-weekend city-wide event where hundreds of art studious open their doors to the public for art, music, beer, and fun!”