DRIVE ME WILD ALASKA
Juneau Camper Van Rentals
J
Juneau Adventure Van Rentals
Experience the grandeur of Alaska in the complete freedom of one of our Adventure vans. Go where you want to, when you want to.
We are also listed on OUTDOORSY, but book here to SAVE 10% on Outdoorsy’s booking fees, and to receive a 10% DISCOUNT on reservations over 6 nights.
SAVE $$$ BY BOOKING HERE.
VAN FAM
CRAZY CRYSTAL
$165/NIGHT
Crystal has it all. She is like your classic VW but she is a Right Hand Drive Toyota Hi-Ace with a kickin diesel engine. Similar to a Vanagon, she has a pop top that can sleep two and the seats in the back convert to a bed that sleeps two, for a total of sleep space for 4. She has a kitchen setup with a sink and plenty of storage. New addition: the coveted, classic Alaska cracked windshield! (that we would love to replace but finding a replacement has proved impossible).
But you got to know how to drive a stick...
PRINCESS JASMINE
$140/NIGHT
She is a head turner. Right hand and 4 Wheel drive. An immaculate kitten. Outdoor Canopy. Petite but roomy. Great for your traveling adventures and camping. Seatbelts for 5 people; people + gear may be more comfortable traveling for 4 or less. Up to 2 people can sleep in the shelter of the van; tent is available on request if your group is bigger, or if you just want options.
GLAMPERIFFIC BUBBALICIOUS
$250/NIGHT
You are not a camper and definitely not a dirtbag. Bubbalicous is nicer than my home. Full kitchen, indoor toilet and shower, TV/DVD, blah, blah, blah. Oh yeah, and KARAOKE! This beast is fully loaded and ridiculously easy to drive. Mercedes Sprinters are all the rage for good reason. Seatbelts for 7, comfortable living for 2.
Best Little Thorhouse (BLT)
Thor showed up from Tennessee and hasn’t left yet (and I think Bubba is jealous). This 2021 new addition to our family is the Penthouse Deluxe! Two Queen beds, toilet, full shower, kitchen, awning, LEDs, USBs, outdoor table & chairs under the lit awning, all of the whistles and bells and an acre of room. Easy to drive automatic and comfort to the maximumus. Sleeping space and seatbelts for up to 4 people. No generator, so if you want to watch TV or will be plugging in a lot of devices, you’ll be needing an RV site or other location where you can plug in. If you’re relatively light on electricity, you’ll have plenty of juice just from the driving around each day.
$250/NIGHT
Brulee
Brulee is the Creme of the Crop! Our latest addition fresh from Japan, 1992 TownAce camper van. La creme de la creme! This tiny beast is stupid adorable and is packed with tons of features: Penthouse Pop Top, canopy, sink, tv, LEDs, solar power, a custom heat exchanger, refrigerator, karaoke lounge and a hilarious vintage back up camera system. Plenty of room for 3; for smaller kids or adults, 4 will be comfortable. Total weight limit for upstairs is 300 pounds between 2 people, and the bunk is just under 6 feet long; downstairs bunk is the width of a double bed and on the short side. Automatic transmission ; Right Hand side steering wheel.
$200/Night
ADVENTURE LIVES IN JUNEAU
When we first told friends here about our plan for spreading the joy of camper vans in Juneau, some were skeptical. Camper vans in a town you can’t drive to….? Or from...? If you are wondering where to go in Juneau with your new found freedom to explore, here are some recommendations. After years here, we haven’t run out of adventures or ever feel like we have enough time here!
Links to PLACES TO CAMP
Mendenhall campground is a beautiful forest service campground on the shores of Mendenhall lake and river, with views of the glacier and campsites including electric and water hookups (search for “RV sites”). Basic sites nestle into mossy idyllic forest, with access to bathroom/showers.
Glacier Nalu campground. Private campsite at the edge of the mountains, forested and full services. This is run by a small local company that also has amazing small-group hiking and kayaking tours.
Auke village campground. On the edge of the ocean, this dreamy forest has just a few primitive sites. Water faucets are interspersed, pit toilets. Great beach-walking and low tide exploration opportunities.
Roadside camping (link to google map). One of the main feedbacks that we hear is that previous renters wish they had done at least some nights at the many phenomenally beautiful seaside pullouts, some which have social tent sites or fire rings nearby. In general, these roads tend to be fairly quiet at night and safety has not been a problem in the past, but they still feel much more public. It really depends on your comfort level with the idea—most campgrounds are only a few minutes drive away and very low cost for basic sites and facilities. Sunset picnics are the highlight at these roadside pullouts, and you won’t be missing out on anything if you explore them in daylight, then return to a campground for a good night’s sleep.
Eagle Beach State recreation area and campground. The confluence of the glacial Eagle and Herbert Rivers is short but mighty, and has deposited enormous amounts of sand where it meets the ocean. Enjoy incredible sunset views and hiking trails from this basecamp. Water and toilets are available at a central location in the campground.
![IMG_7439[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b15eee625bf0270b8b55948/1553317541247-PQWYPIJ1G2E5HB0ZFZCB/IMG_7439%5B1%5D.jpg)
![IMG_1220[1].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b15eee625bf0270b8b55948/1553316838472-3V3UUMNZH9ZDJ0YRT1Y6/IMG_1220%5B1%5D.JPG)
DOWNTOWN AND BASIN ROAD
The state museum or many local shops are a great way to spend a rainy day; and not a bad choice even on a sunny one. Sample the Juneauper gin cocktails at Amalga Distillery--or try it neat; this gin is totally sippable! Devil’s Club brewery has creative and delicious brews and food. We watched our friends who started these businesses build their dreams from home experimentation all the way to beautiful social spaces and successful products. We couldn’t be more impressed! Walk up the road a few blocks, and straight out of downtown, Basin Road will lead to beautiful uphill trails and mining history. If you want elevation without the perspiration, you can mingle with cruise ship passengers on the tram up Mt. Roberts for the raven’s-eye view; the tram bumps you up to tree line where you can ascend the alpine for another strenuous 1500 vertical feet to the peak; you’ll leave the crowds behind in the first 15 minutes
GLACIAL TIME
The Mendenhall glacier is our beloved, all-too-rapidly changing geological playground. Super popular for locals and tourists, the visitors center is always busy, but should not be missed. We recommend it in the evenings once the crowds have died down and perhaps bears or other wildlife are more easily spotted. Take a helicopter tour to the glacier, go for a trek in crampons, kayak or canoe on the lake, or raft the river.
Mendenhall Campground is a unique and beautiful spot between Mendenhall lake, Mendenhall river, and some kettle lakes.
West Glacier trailhead begins near here and has two forks--one route spurring off to the glacier and the other leading you up Mt McGinnis--both unforgettable trails and a challenge for just about anyone.
“OUT THE ROAD”
This is a nonspecific reference specifically to anything located out the road north of town about 30 miles along the coast from downtown Juneau. Each curve of the road reveals ever-more impressive views of forested islands, the dramatic peaks of the Chilkat mountains, and a variety of boats and sea life. This is often the “sunniest” part of Juneau, getting half as much precip as town. Hiking trails of all difficulty levels, a bike trail to Herbert glacier, several forest service/state park cabins, and our favorite seaside climbing crag are all accessed from here. We’ve been known to spend nights out here because it’s just too beautiful to go home. You can paddle out and camp on your own private island or catch incredible sunsets from several roadside pullouts. On that occasionally really hot sunny afternoon, join the other sunbathers on the beach at Auke Rec or Eagle Beach State Park. Check out the dreamy campgrounds at Auke Village--just 11 sites nestled in towering enchanted forest that juts into an ocean point, or Eagle Beach.
DOUGLAS AND UP THE ROAD
Our beloved ski hill Eaglecrest is also a great summer destination, with a rapidly growing mountain bike trail system, a gorgeous picnic lake, and a zipline operation. At the end of the road that wraps around Douglas Island, you’ll arrive at Outer Point; definitely worthy of exploration if the tides go negative during your stay. The coastline here has popular bonfire and sunset beaches, or you might get lucky and see some aurora if you are here early or late in the summer.
ROADS LESS TRAVELED
Big trails, little trails, skinny trails, fat trails, water trails, glacier trails, mountain, beach or cabin trails.
Easy trails, hard trails, flat, steep, and vertical trails.
And, for the most adventure-hungry, thousands of miles with no trails.
When your feet need a break, we can point you in the right direction for kayak rentals, whale watching, helicopter glacier tours, flightseeing, scuba diving, horseback riding, golf, or disc golf. If any of these are your passion--just ask us!
![IMG_4621[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b15eee625bf0270b8b55948/1553323054340-M96S8N8DYAHYVIFWQ7II/IMG_4621%5B1%5D.jpg)
HOME BASE
When you’re ready to cool your heels and regroup, come on back and enjoy the best views from the little yellow house that we call home base. We want to hear about your adventures; we never get tired of hearing the amazement and enthusiasm from people exploring Juneau for the first time or the thousandth!
Make it Epic
We provide standard camping amenities including coolers, camp chairs, sleeping bags and pads, and cooking equipment. Bring your personal gear and adventurous spirit, and you’ll be ready for the trip of a lifetime. If you are looking to enhance with other land, sea, or air adventures, we are excited to recommend other adventure specialists in town.
KAYAKING
Our friends just around the corner in Auke Bay, the Alaska Boat and Kayak rental shop can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and all the supporting gear for a rad marine adventure. They offer amazing guided trips, or just rent your own if you are a qualified thrill seeker. Multi-day kayaking trips are the bomb—its like backpacking but you can pack like car camping and you get to sit down the whole time instead of walking! ABAK and Spiritwalker offer amazing guided trips.
PADDLEBOARDING
The best place to paddle board is in our front yard, Auke Lake. The natural tannins that darken the water also warm it to bikini temps throughout the summer. The relatively calm waters of our inside waterways can also make for incredible paddles, if you are a bit more experienced. Alaska Boat and Kayak Rental shop can set you up!
ROCK CLIMBING
There are epic granite monoliths on the ice field, boulder fields tucked into the rainforest and a little seashore crag where you can enjoy a few sport routes and humpback whales. You’ll need to bring your own climbing gear and cross your fingers for weather, but we can provide some beta. The sea cliffs are an easily accessible treasure trove of fun sport and top rope routes from 5.6 to 5.12. If you like it bigger, like really a lot bigger, and really epic, like really a lot epic, then call for a heli drop offs on the icefields from North Star, Coastal, or Temsco. Check out info on alpine routes on the Mendenhall Towers, Split Thumb, or other nunataks.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Juneau’s mountain biking community is growing rapidly, especially with the fat bikes turning it into a year-round sport. New trails are being developed and old trails are seeing bikers join the hikers. For road bikers, roadside paths and bike lanes are making it easier to make miles. If you don’t bring your own, check out Cycle Alaska for rentals, bike racks, and any other biking needs.
SURROUNDING AREAS
"THE GOLDEN CIRCLE” (including Haines, Skagway, Whitehorse)
GUSTAVUS / GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Juneau is not connected to the "Road System," but is the center of a lifetime’s worth of adventure. To explore other areas, you can utilize the Alaska Marine Highway (car ferries). Ferry rides in themselves are always a memorable trip through the fjords and canals. Expansive glacier views and Humpback whale sightings are inevitable. You can travel to a number of exciting destinations including Skagway and Haines. A great itinerary is Haines to Skagway via Whitehorse, Canada with a fun filled stop at Carcross Desert "the smallest desert in the world." This route is called the Golden Circle (links out to Travel Yukon website; or click our link above for map & more details).
Glacier Bay National Park headquarters is in Gustavus, a small town of about 600 modern-day pioneers located on the Chilkat peninsula, a 5 hour ferry ride from Juneau. We highly recommend a few days here. The entire 60 mile-long bay was covered by vast glaciers when Vancouver explored the area just 200 years ago. Take the glacier/whale boat day trip, try a sea kayak tour, and have a staring contest with the rafts of sea otters and flocks of puffins that colonized the bay with the rapid retreat of the glacial ice. A beautiful walk-in campground is one sleeping option near the park headquarters; roadside camp near the beach; or get cozy at a local B&B.
Another great trip is to take the 4x4 van on the sandy beaches of Yakutat, Alaska and surf for a week. Boards and wet suits are available to rent from Icy Waves Surf Shop.
There is so much to explore and do in Alaska. We are happy to help with your Adventure Vancation!
Testimonials
Click here to check out more REVIEWS from previous guests!
“Dude. These vans are super sick. I love them.”
“Nolan has oustanding knowledge of the Juneau backcountry and has been a great help to find me challenging hikes. His kindness and hospitality is second to none. Phenomenal host and person.”
Our Story
Hi! We are Jeannette and Nolan and call Juneau, Alaska home.
We are adventurous travelers and wanted to share our excitement for this beautiful area with independent travelers in the same way we like to explore new places. We absolutely despise rental cars and hotel rooms and would prefer camping out of a van.
BREEZY BRONZE JOHNSON
Breezy Bronze Johnson was our first commitment as a couple. Right now she is in Vegas so we can travel the desert in the winter for rock climbing and soaking in hot springs. It is the fun memories with this van that inspired us to start DriveMeWild Alaska.
Contact
