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If you’re looking to get out of New York City to explore the amazing mountains and lakes of the Northeast, from the Catskills to the Adirondacks, you can easily do so with a campervan rental.
Campervans provide you with everything you need to hit the road and then stay where the mood strikes you, from the backcountry to favorited campgrounds. You’ve got everything you could want, in one, compact vehicle.
While the overall rental options in the actual city are a bit limited, if you’re willing to drive or take a ride share just a few miles outside of Manhattan, you can find more camper van rentals to choose from. To help you pick the best option for your next explorations, here are six camper vans available to rent near New York City.
1. Escape Campervans
Why you should rent: The best camper van rentals for a long road trip.
If you’re looking to do a long road trip, New York City is a great starting point. You can explore the Big Apple — arguably one of the United States’ most iconic travel destinations — and then head off to see the rest of the region or country, whether you want to stick around New England or you want to drive all the way to the West Coast.
When you rent with Escape Campervans, the national provider makes things easy. Instead of renting from a local, who requires you to bring the camper van back to your starting point at the end of your trip, Escape Campervans offers locations all across the country, so you can pick up your camper van in New York and then drop it off at the end of your trip — whether that be in Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago or even Canada.
In terms of what kind of camper vans you can actually expect, Escape Campervans offers a range of vehicles at its New York location, including large vans that can sleep up to five people and that are outfitted with kitchenettes.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 10 Best Hikes in the Finger Lakes for Adventure in the Gorges
2. Vanish Travel
Why you should rent: Convenient and equipped for regional camping.
Vanish Travel is a regionally-located camper van rental service that offers fully-stocked vans for traveling around the Mid-Atlantic and New England. The vans are basic but fully stocked with everything you could need for a camping excursion — think a kitchenette with stove and fridge and freezer, linens, toiletries, cookware, camping chairs and more. The vans even come equipped with hot, outdoor showers. There are also composting toilets.
While you will need to return your van to Vanish Travel’s location in Jersey City at the end of your trip, you can leave your personal vehicle at the rental office over the duration of your travel, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about and you don’t need to have a friend or get a ride share to drive you to pick up the van. Just drive yourself there and rest assured that your personal vehicle will be ready and waiting once you get back from your journey.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: Take A Dip In Upstate New York’s Best Swimming Holes
3. Outdoorsy 2021 Air Stream Interstate Thor Motor Coach Sequence 20L
Why you should rent: All the creature comforts of home.
Available for pick up just a short drive outside of New York City, this camper van can sleep four people in its upgraded interior. The inside kind of feels like an RV, rather than a converted camper van, with its long bench seating and full living space in the rear of the van and awning that juts out from the side of the van for easy relaxing once you’ve found your camping spot. Bike racks on the back of the van allow you to easily take your bicycles to your destination. In addition to the living space with ample seating, the van also features a kitchenette with stove and microwave, and an inside shower and bathroom.
While the motor coach does have a rather simple design, so you might go for another option if you’re trying to find something that’s going to be more of an Instagram or travel influencer vibe, if you just need something to get you from Point A to Point B with all the creature comforts of home, you’ve found it. From air conditioning to a bathroom to a kitchen, everything’s there.
Do note that, while the motor coach can fit four people, it’s really designed for two adults and two children. Four adults might find themselves just a tad cramped.
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4. Outdoorsy 2019 Ford Transit Connect Campervan with Rooftop Tent & Pull out Kitchen
Why you should rent: Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
This low-key camper van that looks more van than camper might be just the thing for you, especially if you’re wanting to do some stealth camping (ie, parking up at undesignated camping spots along your journey, such as in parking lots or at parks). While it looks like an average mini van on the outside, though, once you step into this camper van, you’ll find a wealth of space.
The camper van can sleep four. The back is mostly taken up by the sleeping area. A kitchen area pulls out from beneath the bed, out into the outdoors, so you will have to stand in the elements when you do any of your cooking, but it beats cooking over a campfire in the rain. The kitchen area actually expands quite a lot, to feature not only your cooktop area and fridge, but also a dining and prep station.
As for your bathroom, that comes with an extra fee, but is essentially, if you rent it, a standing tent that features a small, portable toilet. Again, it’s not the most glamorous option, but it does the trick and is better than doing your business in the woods.
Additionally, you can rent an extra tent, to allow for extra sleeping space. Reviewers report that this option is totally convenient and easy to use. One obvious perk is that, since this camper van is about the size of a standard mini van, it’s going to be much easier to drive compared to some of the larger rentals available. If you’re a nervous driver, this is the way to go.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: What to See on a New York to Washington, D.C. Road Trip
5. Outdoorsy’s The Getaway Van
Why you should rent: A luxury look for two travelers.
Let’s say you want a camper van that’s going to give you those Instagram-worthy shots of you and your favorite people living the high life on the road, enjoying the little luxuries all from the convenience of four wheels. If that’s the case, look to this 2018 Dodge Promaster 2500, dubbed The Getaway Van.
Available in New Jersey, just a short drive from the city, The Getaway Van opens up in the back to reveal a large booth-style sitting area with a large, butcher block-style table. Further on into the living area, you’ll find extra upholstered bench seating. The kitchen features stylish white cabinetry, HGTV-worthy sink fixtures and faux marble countertops. The table converts into your bed, once you’re ready to hit the sack.
Abundant storage both beneath the bed area and above makes for easy access to all your camping gear. You won’t need to bring very much with you, though. This van comes equipped with kitchenware, a free WiFi hotspot, a national park pass and optional add-ons such as a bike rack, extra mattress and portable external monitors for remote working.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 8 Epic Camping Spots in White Mountain National Forest
6. Outdoorsy 2021 Winnebago Solis 59PX Motorhome
Why you should rent: A perfect fit for traveling families
This Winnebago camper van, available on Outdoorsy and in Greenwich, Connecticut, just a short drive or train ride from Manhattan, is a great fit for traveling families. It can hold four campers and features all the need-to-have amenities that are crucial for camping with kids, such as a ready-at-a-moment’s-notice bathroom, air conditioning, heating and a shower.
The van features two seats behind the driver and passenger seats, the latter of which can be swiveled to form a small dining area. The small kitchenette area features a sink, fridge and two-burner cooktop. A roomy (at least for camper vans) bathroom offers a toilet and shower. The back provides a large sleeping area with storage beneath. A ladder leads to a pop-up sleeping area on the van’s roof, great for the kiddos.
Families will also appreciate that the camper van comes outfitted with a lot of extras that will require you to pack less. In addition to basic cookware, the kitchen also offers items like a coffee maker, cutting boards, ice cube trays, napkins and dish towels. The bathroom also offers toilet paper, towels and soap. Extra amenities include a first aid kit, clothes line and camping chairs. There’s also a bike rack on the rear of the van, which can fit two bikes.
Reviewers report the vehicle is easy to drive, even in tight spaces, and that it was convenient and safe for traveling with kids, even younger children who needed car seats.
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