🚐 Epic Vanlife Itinerary: California to Alaska

A Slow + Wild Road Adventure You’ll Never Forget

There’s something magnetic about the open road — especially when it stretches all the way from California’s redwoods to Alaska’s rugged, untamed beauty. This vanlife itinerary is for the dreamers, the explorers, and the ones craving both remote wilderness and coastal bliss.

I've mapped out an unforgettable journey from the West Coast to Alaska with must-see stops, free or low-cost camping recs, and links to gear that’ll help you actually enjoy the ride.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we genuinely love and trust!

🏁 Start: Northern California

Don’t Miss:

• Avenue of the Giants (Redwoods!)

• Fern Canyon (permit required)

• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (wild elk spotting)

Stay:

• Free camping in Six Rivers National Forest via iOverlander

• Paid: Elk Prairie Campground

Affiliate Picks:

• Bear-Proof Food Container – required in many CA/OR areas

• Compact Solar-Powered Lantern – cozy evenings under the redwoods

🏞️ Oregon Coast

Don’t Miss:

• Thor’s Well

• Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

• Cannon Beach for iconic sunset shots

Stay:

• Free spots along the 101 (check forest roads)

• Cape Lookout State Park for ocean views

Affiliate Picks:

• Sandproof Camping Blanket for those cool coastal nights

• Waterproof Daypack for hikes + coastal mist

🌲 Washington State

Don’t Miss:

• Olympic National Park (beaches, rainforest & mountains in one park)

• Hoh Rainforest (otherworldly moss-covered trails)

• North Cascades Scenic Highway

Stay:

• Kalaloch or free dispersed camping in Olympic NF

• Winthrop area has epic van-accessible BLM spots

Affiliate Picks:

• Smart Binoculars for those epic wildlife views

• Front Window Bug Screens – essential in the Cascades

🍁 British Columbia (Cross the Border)

Don’t Miss:

• Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler

• Joffre Lakes (Instagrammable alpine blue)

• Stewart-Cassiar Highway (a hidden gem northbound route)

Stay:

• BC Recreation Sites (cheap & beautiful)

• Free pullouts on Cassiar route

Affiliate Picks:

• Water Purifier Bottle – backcountry essential

• Bear Spray – required in BC wilderness

🐻 Yukon Territory

Don’t Miss:

• Whitehorse: a great place to stock up

• Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake

• Miles Canyon suspension bridge

Stay:

• Yukon government campgrounds (~$20 CAD, often lakeside)

• Plenty of roadside pulloffs

Affiliate Picks:

• 12V Heated Blanket – for those chilly evenings

• Recovery Traction Boards – insurance for rough roads

🌄 Final Destination: ALASKA

Must-Visit Spots:

• Tok (welcome to AK!)

• Denali National Park (camp early or get a bus ticket)

• Homer Spit for van camping by the ocean

• Kenai Fjords for glaciers & kayaking

• Hatcher Pass for wildflowers & solitude

Stay:

• BLM land, pullouts, and state rec sites

• Paid: Teklanika Campground in Denali

Affiliate Picks:

• Power Station (with solar option) for remote living

• First Aid Kit – better to have it and not need it

🧭 Road Notes:

• Best time to go: June–August (some parts impassable in winter)

• Apps to download: iOverlander, Gaia GPS, GasBuddy, Flush

• Border crossing: Passport required. Declare food, no guns or bear spray allowed into Canada from U.S.

• Gas planning: Always fuel up when you can in BC/Yukon. It gets sparse!

🔚 Wrapping It Up

This route is the definition of the journey being the destination. From misty coastlines to glacier-fed rivers, you'll experience the wild, the weird, and the wonderful — all from the comfort of your little home on wheels.

Pack your gear, load up your playlists, and don’t forget to leave no trace.