Cover photo courtesy of Jean Arthur

Sunrise promises a sparkling midsummer morning at 6,644 feet elevation at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. A dozen vehicles snug into parking spots on an August morning as hikers lace boots for early starts on Glacier National Park’s famous Highline Trail. My family plans to hike another popular trail from the parking lot at Logan Pass, the Hidden Lake Trail to Hidden Lake Overlook, a 2.7-mile climb among wildflowers, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, ermine and the occasional grizzly bear. 

We know from experience that the parking lot—all 236 spots—fills by 8 a.m. on July and August mornings. Until about 7 p.m., drivers will troll the parking lot to find a spot, testing patience and pleasantries. Occasionally arguments break out and rangers must intervene.  

The bustle begs the question: Are we loving our national parks to death? Between resource depletion, crushing roadway overuse, damaging pollution, and resource defilement due to garbage, trampling and theft, park lovers are demanding changes. 

Rangers and park staff can barely keep pace. Since the beginning of 2025, permanent park staff positions decreased by 24% for all parks according to the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association. In Grand Teton National Park, the Trump administration’s budget cuts eliminated 16 of the park’s 17 supervisory positions. 

Glacier, which is America’s 10^th national park and spans 1.2 million acres in northwest Montana, has experienced explosive visitor numbers in the past decade, as have other public lands, challenging the resources, park staff and visitor restraint. 

I have frequented Glacier National Park for five decades. My group and I hit the park early to try to beat the new summer crowds. Tailgate coffee, locally grown fruit and prebaked muffins entice our sleepy crew out of warm vehicles to our truck where my husband cranks up the camp stove and makes a couple of bistro’s worth of coffee. To my family, this morning is reminiscent of two decades ago when there was available parking, room to hike without crowding and lots of wildlife.  

We lock up leftovers and head up the paved trail that climbs to a boardwalk, then dirt, and then a snow-covered route with just a few other humans. Brilliant pink heather hugs the ground. The higher we climb, the more glacier lilies—yellow sprites of the high country—shiver in the breeze. A sizable herd of bighorn sheep skitter across rocks then settle for naps with their lambs.  

With so few boots on turf this morning, it’s hard to imagine the significant increase in visitation that Glacier has endured. In 2024, more than 3.2 million people entered Glacier, its third-highest visitation year ever and an increase of 300,000 visitors from 2023.  

Glacier’s 40 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2024 is not an anomaly. According to Zion National Park Superintendent, Jeff Bradybaugh, in a letter to Congress, “There are 423 park units in the National Park System encompassing over 85 million acres across our nation, but visitation trends among the individual parks greatly vary. In 2020, overall visitation dropped to a 40-year low due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” And then spiked. 

In his statement titled, “Lessons from the Field: Overcrowding in National Parks,” Bradybaugh notes that a third of the national parks saw record visitation during the pandemic as people sought outdoor spaces. In 2021, visitation across all NPS units reached 297 million recreation visits, a year when Utah’s Zion National Park alone saw 5 million visitors for the first time in its history and double the number from 2010. Some mitigation efforts are working. Several parks now use timed entry and ticket systems, including Glacier, which piloted vehicle reservation systems for summer months. Because my crew and I visit Glacier often, we know to use Recreation.gov to purchase a park pass and a Going-to-the-Sun Road ticket.  

On our glorious August morning, the road remained quiet at predawn; we only encountered a pair of motorcyclists who cruised the Sun Road to Logan Pass. But by the time we hiked up to the Hidden Lake Overlook, snapped a few photos and walked back, the parking lot was full and the trail overworked.  

“Pack your patience and plan ahead,” reads Glacier National Park’s webpage, “Tips for Dealing with Crowds.” We’ve also packed out other people’s candy wrappers, broken sunglasses and bad attitudes—a visitor aggressively urged us to rush so they could have our parking spot. We left feeling squeezed and a bit Grinchy about sharing our favorite park.  

For national park gateway communities, the tourism boils down to dollars. According to economists at the University of Montana in Missoula, annual nonresident spending in the state totaled $5.82 billion, a two-year average for annual spending. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research found that the region surrounding Glacier saw $2 billion in revenue, while the region surrounding Yellowstone averaged $1.3 billion. Yellowstone’s borders also include Idaho and Wyoming. The two Montana regions collectively saw 57% of nonresident travel spending.  

Oregon park visitor Barbara Nelson and her husband encountered long waits when they entered the park’s west gate at West Glacier this summer, even though they had booked tickets for the road and activities in advance. This was not their first park visit, and they’ve witnessed growing wait times at entrance stations, parking lots, trail heads and concession restaurants. 

“We got stopped in the hot sun and felt crowded,” Nelson recalls. “That morning, we started about 9 or 10 a.m. from West Glacier. A busy, August day. Getting behind those red buses is annoying. We got stopped at [the] top of [the] pass and there was still snow. So we had a snowball fight as we were waiting in traffic.” 

The Red Busses offer interpretive tours on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Free shuttles between Apgar near the west entrance and St. Mary at the east entrance alleviate some vehicle traffic, but hour-long standstills still occur, and not always where snowball fights can ensue. There are just many people who want the Glacier experience—including my crew. The park is on pace for another record-breaking summer as of early August 2025, with early counts showing a sizeable increase of more than 12 percent over 2024.  

Overtourism is defined as the phenomenon whereby certain places of interest are visited by excessive numbers of tourists, causing undesirable effects for the places visited. The global nonprofit Responsible Tourism offers a platform for change, helping travelers and communities take responsibility for making tourism more sustainable.  

Locals grasp at reasons for overtourism: short-term rentals alluring and available which push out long-term renters, post-pandemic need for healthy outdoor travel, alluring Instagram images sans mega throbs of tourists, and the Yellowstone Effect, in which people watch Kevin Costner’s television drama “Yellowstone” and visit Montana, Wyoming and Idaho believing a fictional tale of the American West—and wanting a piece of it.  

The “Yellowstone Effect” brought 2.1 million visitors to Montana in 2021, according to the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Fans spent $730 million, yet caused some locals to channel Beth Dutton and mean-mug away visitors—it didn’t work. 

The Tourons of Yellowstone Instagram page, dedicated to documenting bad behavior and egregious offenses, stir up locals’ ire too. The Tourons videos often involve humans (and sometimes their pets) getting too close to wildlife in parks or illegally traipsing near Yellowstone’s extremely hot and fragile hot spring features—and sometimes not surviving. 

Thoughtless visitors trample delicate flora, leave trash and feces, and cause congestion and environmental degradation also felt in housing and infrastructure. Instagrammers sometimes position themselves in precariously dangerous spots for the glory, monetizing the public places. My family witnessed a woman who waded through a swift stream below a waterfall for her ego-driven photo taken by an accomplice. Other visitors, who had to wait 20 minutes for an Instagrammer-free view, did not wish her well.  

The organization Responsible Tourism writes on their website that tourism has breached a tipping point: Hosts and guests are often dissatisfied. “The challenge is to make all destinations sustainable and to avoid spreading the problem. For local government and protected area managers, the key question is: Will the destination use tourism or be used by it?” 

Gateway communities are trying to help visitors find their inner angels. In Jackson, Wyoming, the tourism board adopted a “selfie control” campaign after many tourists got too close to wildlife. Jackson’s “Take care of what takes your breath away” includes signage, advertising and smiling reminders from locals. Bozeman, Montana’s “Becoming Outside Kind” campaign encourages trail etiquette by educating new and longtime residents about how to behave outside. Whitefish, Montana created the “Be a Friend of The Fish” campaign to promote visitor stewardship.  

As Responsible Tourism notes, a global backlash to overtourism and bad behavior has resulted in violence. Protestors in Barcelona, Spain attacked tourists with water guns and called for visitor-accommodation restrictions. Protests against mass tourism and gentrification in Mexico City turned violent, damaging storefronts. Venice banned cruise ships from the city center and instituted a tourist tax. Some cities and attractions now limit the number of visitors, such as Bruges, Belgium, which capped the number of cruise ship arrivals and instead encouraged daytrippers. Solutions remain elusive. 

Summer 2025 saw particularly challenging crowding in Glacier, in part because the much-loved Many Glacier Valley, with its lodge, lakes, campgrounds and trails, underwent extensive utilities reconstruction. Limited parking forced limited access.  

The reward for patience, however, includes spectacular views, cool evenings with remarkable sunsets, and incomparable trails. My crew will wait to camp and hike during the slower season, late September, to avoid the crowds and try to be good stewards of our favorite park. 

Jean Arthur hikes and bikes and boats on public lands and waterways with family, friends and dogs. This fall, she’s picking huckleberries after the early frost sweetens up the hucks and the hues of the backcountry.  

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When you pick up a guidebook, you’re probably on a mission for information (starting point, elevation gain, toilets). Secondary concerns might include the views, wildlife, and plants along the way. I, for one, do not expect a guidebook to also be beautiful and interjected with science and history. This second edition of recommended hikes in Glacier National Park written by Jean Arthur achieves it all.  

Packed with trail info, as you’d expect, what I enjoyed about this book with “42 must-do hikes for everyone” was its organization. Icons to the side of the main text on each hike highlight info on flora, geology, campgrounds and more. At the end of each hike, there is a list of milestones, a useful cheat-sheet for someone like me to confirm my direction while on the hike. In addition to colored trail maps and elevation maps for each hike, there are stunning photos throughout—taken by Arthur—that make you want to drop the book and start scanning your calendar to plan your trip. Organized by region, recommended hikes extend into Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. 

 

Standard features aside, what makes this book sing are the love notes from the author. From concise deep-dives into local wildlife habits, like the noise a pika makes when it detects an intruder, to historical tidbits about both the national park and native Blackfeet heritage, it is clear this is a place Arthur knows intimately. She includes insider tips like the best time to go on each hike, whether it is to spot wildflowers or hike early to beat the heat on an exposed trail.  

Arthur shares her joys of the place throughout, making this book feel more like an email from an informed friend. If Glacier National Park is on your bucket list, this book is a must-have.  

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By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

Outdoor enthusiasts know that there is no bad weather, only inappropriate gear and clothing. There is no need to put away the camping supplies just because it’s below freezing and there’s a little snow on the ground! That choice campsite that is impossible to reserve in the summer is most likely wide open for winter, and a willingness to try winter camping leads to opportunities to recreate farther afield at a low cost. 

Gear You’ll Need 

While a four-season tent is a definite upgrade for winter camping, it is also possible to use a three-season tent for all but the most challenging winter conditions. A closed-cell foam sleeping pad helps reflect and retain heat and should be placed on top of an inflatable pad if using both for extra cushion. Check the temperature comfort rating on sleeping bags against forecasted low temperatures, but the temperature rating of a three-season bag can be improved through the use of a silk or fleece bag liner inside the sleeping bag, and with a minimalist bivy over top. If car camping, there’s no reason not to toss in some extra blankets, too! 

Where to Go 

Test your gear system by trying a night in your own backyard or at a nearby campground that’s open year-round. Many campgrounds have reduced rates for winter. Here are a few fun trip ideas: 

• For those who live in Spokane, Riverside State Park’s Bowl and Pitcher campground is a great place to test winter camping gear. A standard campsite is $25 and can be reserved in advance. Hike, snowshoe, or fatbike the trail system right out of camp. Enjoy heated bathrooms and hot showers when you return from the trail. 

• Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area maintains year-round access to Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, and Kettle Falls campgrounds. Reservations are required, with a winter rate of $11.50. The best recreation opportunities will be a short drive away from each of these sites, although shore fishing (and beach walking) are available from camp.  

• A favorite shoestring-budget ski trip to Mission Ridge includes a night at Wenatchee Confluence State Park. A standard campsite is $25. No reservations needed, seldom full, and Mission Ridge is just 30 minutes away. Nearby Squilchuck State Park is groomed for fat bikes and has a sled hill.  

• Grant County PUD maintains several campgrounds for year-round camping access, with fees ranging from $15-20 for a standard campsite. Campgrounds are located close to the Columbia River at Sand Hollow, Rocky Coulee, Priest Rapids, and Jackson Creek Fish Camp. Fish from shore or check out nearby trail systems. 

• Steamboat Rock State Park offers standard campsites at $20, with hiking available right out of camp or at nearby Northrup Canyon. 

• Many (but not all) SnoPark locations on National Forest land allow overnight parking and camping, making for great Nordic and backcountry ski or snowshoe outings. Check regulations for your favorite SnoPark location before you go. A popular spot is Sherman Pass on Highway 20, which you will need a SnoPark permit to camp at.  

Holly Weiler is the WTA Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator and “The Trailhead” columnist for Out There.  

The post Where to Go Winter Camping Around the Inland Northwest  appeared first on Out There Venture.

The view from Oroville’s Cactus Mountain

Hiking Oroville, WA: Where the Cascade Foothills Meet Desert Country

Oroville sits in a scenic transition zone between the Cascade Mountains and eastern Washington’s arid, sage-dotted landscapes, making the area a unique hiking destination. The town and trails around it sit at the midway point along the Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail (PNT), a 1,200 mile-long hiking trail that runs from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide in Montana.  Within walking distance of downtown Oroville, you can trek for a few miles or days on the PNT.

The Whistler Canyon Trail southeast of town offers scenic views, wildlife spotting, and multiple hiking length and route options, including side-trail excursions on the Frog Pond and Black Diamond trails. Northwest of Oroville, the Similkameen Trail rail trail (a 4-mile, mostly flat roundtrip hike) offers stunning scenery, historical interpretive signs, a chance to cross the 375-foot Girder pedestrian bridge that spans the river and a destination in the historic Enole Dam. Another locals-favorite hike is the Cactus Mountain Trail, aka “The Oroville Grind,” a climb of 699 feet of elevation in 1.3 miles that takes you to the top of the mountain with expansive views of Osoyoos Lake and up the valley into British Columbia.  

Miles of Low-Traffic, Winding Road Biking Routes

Starting at Oroville’s Depot Museum, which has a bike repair station if needed, there are several out-and-back and loop biking options that range from short mellow rides to all-day epics on north Okanogan County roads with light traffic. Ride destinations include lakes, historic sites, parks, and other small towns. Plan your ride routes with this handy, printable map that includes route descriptions and details.

Water Sports and Camping on Osoyoos Lake

Beautiful Osoyoos Lake, a 14-mile-long oasis, offers a wide range of water sports, swimming, and camping based out of the Osoyoos Lake Veterans Memorial Park. The warm summer waters and shallow shoreline make it a great family swimming and paddling option. There are two public boat launches too, including one at the campground, for heading out on the water for lake cruising or wakeboarding, wake surfing or tubing. 

Excellent Fishing at Oroville, WA Lakes and Rivers

Oroville lakes and rivers feature excellent fishing for steelhead, salmon, perch, trout, and other species, including world-class bass fishing on Osoyoos Lake, which hosts several bass tournaments a year. Read more about Osoyoos Lake fishing here. The Similkameen and Okanogan rivers also boast some fine fishing for a wide range of fish species.

Oroville, WA Ghost Towns and Museums

Old Molson ghost town and Molson School Museum are a short drive from Oroville. In Old Molson, you can poke around the historic buildings and pioneer equipment and learn about their origins. The Molson School Museum includes a restored classroom, the original school library and wonderful artifact displays. The Oroville Depot Museum right in town includes a permanent display and a section that is updated annually. The permanent display features Oroville’s rich history, including information on the region’s railroad history as well as Native American influence and culture.

Super-Scenic Golfing in Okanogan County

Get back to the roots of golfing at the Oroville Golf Club. While the no-frills, uncrowded nine-hole course with dual tee layout and interesting elevation changes is a unique draw itself, it’s the stunning scenery that makes golfing here so memorable. Perched above the Similkameen river, the course features spectacular mountain and river views. Visit the Oroville Golf Club for more info.

Authentic Small-Town Charm

Walk the idyllic downtown streets of Oroville past historic buildings, unique shops and eateries, and enjoy several pieces of public art that tell the stories of Oroville’s history, its people, and their dreams. Plan your Oroville walking-tour around the Farmers’ Market with its local produce and hand-crafted items from local artisans. Find the market on Saturdays from May to October behind the Oroville Library. The market has plenty of picnic tables and a playground for picnic stops. 

Plan Your Oroville, WA Road Trip

Start planning your Oroville road trip at Discoverorovillewa.com. Time your stay for one of these unique Oroville-area events. The Chesaw Rodeo July 4th includes a children’s chicken scramble, good times in the historic Chesaw Tavern, and the opportunity to sign up to ride a wild cow. And don’t miss the on-water spectacle of the Lake Osoyoos Cup Jet Ski Races, August 3-4. The event features live music, a beer garden, and Oroville’s Summer Family Festival happening simultaneously at Deep Lake Park. Discover the golden outdoor recreation and rich history at the end of the road just 3.5 hours northwest of Spokane and 4.5 hours northeast of Seattle! 

(Sponsored Story)

The post 7 Great Reasons to Take an Oroville, Washington Road Trip appeared first on Out There Venture.

While I’ve done plenty of solo backpacking and hiking, as a longtime eastern Washington hiker and resident, it’s almost embarrassing how little hiking I’ve done in the Cascade Range. Recently I decided to start tackling this big debt, and first up was a 5-day solo backpacking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Heavily used areas of the wilderness have restricted camping, and available permits must be obtained in advance. I chose an area with less use and self-issued permits that you fill out at the trailhead, which was super accessible at Stevens Pass on Highway 2.

Starting my hike at 9:30 a.m. by heading south on the Pacific Crest Trail, it was soon apparent how far I was from being an early bird. Streams of hikers were coming at me, finishing their hike soon after I’d started mine. I found out this time of year is when PCT thru-hikers reach this area too, with many stopping at Stevens Pass to re-supply. One group was getting a hotel room in Leavenworth for a short break. I talked to two parties who’d started the first week of April at the US-Mexico border. It was the first week of September, so they’d been hiking for five months.

Reaching a trail junction at mile 3, I left the PCT and traffic diminished greatly. Though my first night’s destination was a modest 10-mile hike in, the last 2 miles had a 2,000-foot elevation gain. Shouldering a full backpack, I had to take frequent pauses.

I arrived at Chain Lakes and unloaded at the first campsite I found. There would be no rambling along the lakeshore looking for the most scenic spot. Unexpectedly, I had to slap a few bothersome bugs while setting up camp, though things got better as my trip progressed. They’re more of a problem in the Cascades than I’m use to in the drier areas of eastern Washington. I give this issue attention because bugs, along with inclement weather, are big factors in backpacking enjoyment. Add in easier stream crossings because of late summer’s low flows and it’s my opinion that August and September are the best time for backpacking.

The next morning, I trudged on, going deeper into the wilderness. My second night was at a pretty, timber-shrouded lake with plenty of campsites but none occupied except mine, which brought some unease.

After a solitary night, I awoke to another beautiful day, and my evening edginess was gone, as always happens with a new day. After packing up and heading out, I hiked to another lake not too far away and set up camp. Carrying a light daypack, I explored the area and went off-trail to scramble up a couple of peaks. At a high-elevation pass, I conversed with a couple of women, one who looked to be in her mid-70s. As a fellow older hiker, I was hoping she’d reveal her age as we talked. A multi-day backpacking trip into the mountains is a tough gig even for the young. Alas, she didn’t, but I learned she and her friend were camped at the same lake as myself. Come nightfall, I wouldn’t be the only camper for miles around that night.

I enjoy hiking alone, so my occasional foreboding restlessness after I’ve set up camp in the evening is difficult to explain. If I hurt myself or became incapacitated, having help nearby would be reassuring. Trouble with an aggressive animal is a possibility, but has never happened in my years of camping experience. As best I can figure, being in the company of others is a natural human inclination. After a full day of solitary hiking, the desire for company comes about strongly, even if it’s only company by proximity without interaction.

The next day, I began my two-day journey back to the trailhead. I hiked an open ridge top that paralleled the trail, giving me great views and an interesting landscape to explore until challenging rock formations made going difficult. I descended a steep slope and got back on the trail.

On my last night out, I experienced something new. I awoke in the early morning and couldn’t get back to sleep for more than an hour. It was very still—no wind, no moving water, no noise at all. At home, the quietest time of night is punctuated by a couple of clocks gently ticking, the refrigerator motor, the occasional distant sound of traffic. But the entire time I was awake, I heard not a sound. Perfect stillness and silence. It really struck me.

As I drove home the following evening, nearby fires were growing and smoke would envelope the Cascades. The Bolt Fire would close Highway 2 for weeks. I’d hit the perfect window to avoid bugs, smoke, and inclement weather.

I’m sometimes reluctant to do solo trips because of a nagging worry of some kind of unpleasantness happening. However, as I hike and explore a setting that sparks such admiration, reverence, and joy, it hits me how glad I am when I overcome my reluctance and get out on the trail. Despite the exertion and occasional discomfort, spending five days backpacking alone in the wilderness was a pleasant stint of an adventure. //

James P. Johnson was born, raised, and is a longtime resident of the Inland Northwest. He’s the author of “50 Hikes for Eastern Washington’s Highest Mountains.”

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Ingredients:

Mung bean sprouts

Sweet red, orange, or yellow pepper

Carrot

Cucumber

Green onion

Cilantro

Peanut sauce

Crushed peanuts

Ramen (dried, prepackaged)

1 egg (optional)

Avocado (optional)

The night before your trip, thinly slice pepper, cucumber, and carrot. Chop green onion. Put all veggies, cilantro, and peanuts in an airtight food storage bag or container. Pour 3-4 T of peanut sauce in a small bottle. (Available at Rambleraven, REI, and other gear shops, they seal tightly, so your sleeping bag won’t taste like peanuts.) If you’d like to include an egg, crack it into another small bottle. Don’t forget to pack the packet of ramen as well.

In camp, boil water and cook the ramen according to package directions, but leave out the spice packet. In the last minute of cook time, poor in the egg and stir to cook thoroughly. Drain (and drink–no waste!) excess water. Carefully mix veggies in their bag and add them liberally to the noodles. Top with peanut sauce and freshly-sliced avocado, then enjoy!

Carol Corbin

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For a long time, Coeur d’Alene locals Dave and Kelly Dutro made a name for themselves by sharing their passion for trails through Trail Maniacs (trailmaniacs.com). But This Van Life, their vehicle window cover business, has quietly taken over a corner of the outdoor recreation market that was in dire need of diversity and competition. 

Dave’s family moved to Idaho when he was 12 years old, and he has lived in Sandpoint, Orofino, and Coeur d’Alene over the years. “I’ve always loved the outdoors,” he says. “When I lived in Sandpoint, I was always trying to get my friends to ride our BMX bikes to Schweitzer.” Over the years, Dave has pursued road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, triathlons, and trail running, and he and Kelly actually met on a trail run up Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene. “We came up to the viewpoint,” Dave recalls, “and she was right behind me. I thought, man, she can run, and she’s cute!” Ten years later, they’ve run together through events, business pursuits, and many outdoor adventures.

Soon after they started Trail Maniacs, they bought a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter Van so that they could stay at events and haul their gear. While testing it in Montana, they had to stuff blankets onto the windows to try to keep the van warm. After some research into van window covers, they found the only companies offering covers were quite expensive, not made in the US, or were not insulated. So they decided to make their own.

This Van Life started with Kelly’s mom’s sewing machine under a carport in their back yard with the intention of simply meeting a personal need. After Dave used his first commercial machine, his brother-in-law convinced him to put the covers on Etsy, where they quickly sold. The years 2020 and 2021 were overwhelmingly busy for Dave and his team, but they’ve now leveled out to a steady production pace and make custom covers as well as standard covers for Mercedes Sprinter vans and Dodge Promasters.

Why choose This Van Life for your adventure van window covers? “We make them here in North Idaho—your money stays here,” says Dave. “And I honestly think we make the best covers out there. We’re the only ones that have an affordable, quality, insulated magnetic cover that folds up and stays in place, even in big windows.” Check them out at Thisvanlife.net.

The post This Van Life appeared first on Out There Venture.

Making Van Life Dreams Come True

On the 6800 block of east Sprague in Spokane Valley, in a tidy commercial complex, you will find the headquarters of GustoVans. That’s where GustoVans head honcho, the one and only Mike “Gusto” Gustafson, does his van magic. After a few minutes of talking with Mike, what may strike you is his enthusiasm for his business and his love for his beautifully-crafted creations. During our conversation, it was refreshing to hear Gustafson’s eagerness to please his customers, whether it be with one of his spec or custom vans, a commercial upfit van, or with one of his gorgeous rental vans.

Gustafson has a background in RV repair and a long career in Aerospace manufacturing—both show in the quality of construction and the choice of products and materials he uses and how they are installed. I was extremely impressed at the quality, level of fit and finish, and how well thought out the builds on these rigs are. In 2020, Gustafson cashed in his chips and chose to jump feet first into the adventure van game and GustoVans was born.

GustoVans Rental Adventure Vans

If you have not had the opportunity to experience how much fun and practicality an outfitted van can add to your adventures, give one of GustoVans’ rentals a try. GustoVans currently maintains a fleet of three custom vans for rental. Built on a Ram Promaster chassis, these vans provide comfort, practicality, and safety, all in a manageably-sized package. On the outside, the vans look very much like any other Ram Promaster. (Though they are, of course, adorned with large GustoVans graphics.) It’s inside the van where you see what goes into one of these beautiful builds. From tip to tail, every inch of the van has been designed and equipped to give you a fun, hassle-free, comfortable experience. Every look inside reveals some comfort or practicality you wouldn’t expect in such a compact package.

Imagine being at the trailhead or your favorite ski hill: you wake up from a restful night of sleep in the custom, full-size mattress, cozy all night from the Espar heating system, which provides not only heated air and water, but a heated floor. The heating system runs off fuel from the van’s fuel tank, so there’s no need to handle or be concerned about dealing with propane. That heater will never run the vehicle out of gas, as it is set up to never use more than 2/3 of a tank. Set your feet on that warm floor and cook yourself some breakfast. GustoVans’ rental vans feature a large refrigerator and freezer, microwave/convection/bake/broil oven, two-burner induction cook top, deep sink, 20-gallon freshwater tank, and are equipped with all the utensils, plates, pots pans, etc. you will need on your next adventure. (The GustoVans website has a complete list of all the goodies that are included with the rental.)

The vans also feature swiveling driver and passenger seats, as well as additional seating and a convertible table to create a cozy indoor dining area. When nature calls, the van features a hidden semi composting toilet, which means no smell and also no “black water” waste tank to ever worry about. The features are almost too many to list. Everywhere you look there is LED lighting, usb charging ports, bedside reading lights, privacy window covers, and tons of storage for all your gear, including a 12’ long walk-through large enough for kayaks and bikes.

If you’re impressed with the inside, the exterior is also notable. The outside of the van features a large Fiamma self-supporting awning and an outdoor shower, both of which I can tell you from experience are very welcome luxuries at the end of a dusty day on the trail. While the impressive heating system is fueled by the van’s gas tank, everything else is electric. The vans feature a sophisticated solar charging system with state-of-the-art batteries. The batteries are also charged any time the van is running. This system creates enough electricity to power all the lights, the refrigerator, oven, range top, etc.

All these features are fitted into the interior of these vans with amazing attention to quality in the choice of materials and beautiful fit and finish. Stop by GustoVans and look for yourself. Rental vans are available for four-season adventure travel through the U.S. and Canada. Check out the GustoVans’ website for pricing and availability.

Custom and Spec Van Builds

Are you ready to take the leap and get your very own adventure van? GustoVans is ready to build you the van of your dreams! GustoVans offers their “spec” van, which is essentially outfitted the same way as their incredible rental vans. The spec vans represent the greatest value, as all the research and fitment has already been sorted out, so they require fewer hours of custom fitting and design as compared to a full custom build. To test a spec van, you can rent a van and try it out and decide if the layout is good for you.

If you want a full custom build, GustoVans is up for the challenge. The only limits are your imagination and your pocketbook. Gustafson can design and equip a van for your exact needs based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, or Ram Promaster chassis.

Adventure Van Products and Services

If you are already a member of the adventure van community, GustoVans offers a wide range of products and services to enhance the capabilities of your current rig. Everything from solar systems, furnaces, battery upgrades, vent fans, awnings, windows, tire carriers, racks, boxes, bumpers, brush guards, extended fuel tanks and more can be installed with the same quality and attention to detail as goes into GustoVans’ spec and custom vans.

GustoVans’ list of vendors reads like a who’s-who of adventure van products: Battle Born batteries, Renogy, Victron, Aluminess, Owl Vans, Espar, Webasto, Fiamma, Air Max fans, and Flare Space are a few. GustoVans has also branched out to provide upfitting services for commercial vans, including ladder racks, dividers, storage bins, and much more to make your work van more productive. 

Whether you are in the market for a turnkey adventure van, modification or outfitting of your current van, a van rental for a weekend or extended vacation, or even commercial upfitting for your business van or fleet, GustoVans has you covered. Swing by the GustoVans HQ and say hello to Mike “Gusto” Gustafson! More info: Gustovans.com.

Inland North Westy Adventure Vans

In the world of adventure vans, there is none more iconic than the venerable Volkswagen bus. Since the 1950s, the ubiquitous VW bus has been carrying people from around the globe on every type of adventure imaginable. It’s difficult to deny the sunny personality of these vans, and almost impossible to drive one without a smile on your face.

There have been several generations of Volkswagen’s original rear engine-rear drive layout. This layout creates a vehicle that is compact on the outside yet spacious on the inside, perfect for setting up as a camper. This fact has not been lost on countless conversion companies and adventure-minded folks over the last seven decades. VW last offered the original rear engine-rear drive layout to its U.S. customers in the 1992 VW Vanagon. Over the last 30 years, the Vanagon has continued to be tremendously popular among adventurers. As the demand has grown, the supply of solid, buildable examples has continued to decline and subsequently the cost has skyrocketed.

Enter Brandon Osusky. Brandon is a lifelong VW fan and co-owner of Europro Automotive in Spokane Valley. Brandon’s love of things VW is a family tradition, introduced by his father and business partner Sven Osusky, who is also a VW aficionado and master tech. Like many of us in the “van life” community, Brandon watched the initial cost of these VW buses climb into the stratosphere. With that in mind, Brandon set out to create a business that could provide that unique and smile-inducing experience of a VW bus without having to take on the high cost of owning, maintaining, and upgrading a 30-year-old van. Inland North Westy Adventure Vans was born.

Inland North Westy vans begin life as solid VW Vanagons with the legendary Westfalia camping package and undergo a complete mechanical transformation. Each van is carefully brought to mechanically-modern specifications, including a new modern engine, rebuilt transmission, upgraded braking and suspension systems, all-terrain tires, and even cruise control. Vans will be available with either manual or automatic transmission. Every inch of these vans is inspected, and anything suspect is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. The Westfalia interiors receive a similar treatment. The inefficient Westfalia refrigerator is replaced with a modern 12v refrigerator or 12v cooler. Modern instrumentation and sound systems are also installed. Collectively, all these changes create a vehicle with modern reliability and efficiency while maintaining the experience of driving and camping in the iconic VW Westfailia camper van.

Inland North Westy Adventure Vans is so confident in their vans’ reliability that they are available for travel throughout the U.S. and Canada. (When you rent, check for specific state and province and/or mileage restrictions before renting). The vans come fully equipped for your desired adventure too. Items like bedding, pots and pans, and utensils are included in the rental price, and other items can be added on for an additional fee. The vans even include their own Polaroid camera to capture the memories in an appropriately retro fashion. Bikes, canoes, kayaks, and their respective rack systems can be added to maximize the adventure.  

Inland North Westy Adventure Vans is currently gearing up for what they are calling a “soft” opening season. They are supplying vans to friends and relatives to work out any potential remaining bugs and ensure that the vans are 100 percent ready for adventure. Beginning in the spring of 2024, Inland North Westy Adventure Vans will be available for rental from May through November. Rental rates are expected to be $240 per day with discounts on rentals of six days or more.

Speaking with Brandon, his passion for these vans, his business, and his customers shines through. You see this reflected in the details and the desire to create an experience as unique as the VW camper itself. All rentals of six days or more include personalized trip planning and all vans include complimentary airport pick up and drop off. Fly into Spokane with your personal gear; Brandon will meet you at the airport with your van outfitted for your exact adventure. The adventure van experience has never been easier. Look for Inland North Westy Adventure Vans at outdoor shows and events in the Spokane area or find them on Instagram at inwestys_adventurevans or email Brandon at INWvanAdventures@gmail.com.

Rich Kimpel is a lifelong Inland NW resident who has been involved in the action sports community as snowboarder, skateboarder, and BMXer since the 1980s. He has been living the “van life” personally and professionally since he picked up his first VW Vanagon Syncro in 2002. 

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Browne Bridge to Glen on the Big Hole

Last July, some friends and I made the five-hour drive to Montana’s Big Hole River for a 10-day adventure filled with fishing, kayaking, and climbing. After a quick camp, we woke up from a fun-filled night of battling mosquitos and were ready to fish. We dropped the mini bike off for a shuttle to make the first float from Browne Bridge to Glen. Over the course of the float, we tried to refine our skills by trying different lures and getting a feel for the river. By the end, we had numerous bites and two big brown trout in the boat. After a tackle run to Dillion, we hit the next section of river in the afternoon and caught one fish and missed another 20.

The Upper Big Hole

After slow fishing on the Browne Bridge stretch, we packed up and headed upriver in search of better luck. The next morning, we woke up early with fish on our minds and frost on our sleeping bags and set out on a section that looked super deep but ended up very shallow until we drifted farther down river. We watched some true cowboys moving cattle with their dogs, and eventually, with a shallow water Rapala, caught a brook trout and whitefish. Back at camp, I took out the whitewater kayak for some practice drills while my friends hooked into more grayling. Then we headed down river to give the Big Hole one last shot and hooked into two big brown trout over 18 inches, three big rainbows, and some whitefish. Finally, some fish to live up to all the hype! That night the caddis hatch was on and I ate flies the whole way running the mini bike shuttle to pick up the truck.

Onward to the Bitterroot

We started the day off looking for our lost fishing net and then decided to leave the Big Hole behind and head over Lost Trail Pass to the Bitterroot River. We were surprised to find every boat ramp packed with lots of people standing around fishing the shore on a Tuesday and waited for the day to cool down before doing an 11-mile float. On the water the dry fly caught two nice cutthroat trout and one brook trout. With this quick explosion of action, the hype levels rose. That evening, there was another big caddis hatch, and we caught a few nice cutthroat trout. Our camp site up Blodgett Canyon was amazing with lots of rock climbing to be done.

For our next full day on the Bitterroot, we slowly got out of bed around 4 a.m. and packed to get on the water before daylight. We set off with the help of Red Bulls and reached the river just as the sun was brightening the sky. Immediately we got into fish and within an hour we had five in the boat. Four out of the five were over 12 inches, and by the end of the float, we were fighting for who had to row even though we had all caught massive fish!

North to the Clark Fork

After slaying it on the Bitterroot, for some reason, we decided to head into Missoula for some kayaking. We spent a few hours on the man-made surf wave in downtown Missoula, having a blast with the locals. Then we headed west to camp on the Clark Fork River.

It was cold and even rained a little until noon the next day. We did a bit of surfing at the Alberton rest stop wave in the cold. Eventually the thermostat cranked up, and we headed to the Alberton Gorge to find some whitewater. Loaded with three kayaks and a raft, we set out. Everyone had a blast—lots of cliff jumping and high stoke. Rounding out the day we headed back to camp and ate food and took a nap, until later that evening someone had the bug to do some more kayaking. We set out again for Missoula for a dusk surf session before another night camping on the Clark Fork.

After another slow morning (too many nights with little sleep and popped ground pads), we set after the gorge with fishing poles, a raft, and kayaks. Every big hole we stopped at we fished or cliff jumped. We landed several rainbows and cutthroat trout, but also lost a phone and fishing pole to the river. Later in the day, a group of us went climbing at the Alberton rest stop and had a blast on some awesome 5.7 slab routes. We talked around the fire that night, our last on the river, about how awesome the trip had been and how we had to finish with one final morning fishing session before heading back home to “real life.” //

Logan Siegford

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