When we started planning our fifth wedding anniversary, we knew we wanted to do something a little different. We'd spent countless hours daydreaming about campervans, scrolling through photos, watching videos, and imagining what it would be like to wake up somewhere new every morning. A week exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks felt like the perfect excuse to finally try van life for ourselves.

There are plenty of companies renting campervans and RVs these days, but Native Campervans kept catching our attention. We loved the thoughtful layouts, clean design, and the fact that the vans looked built for people who actually spent time camping. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to splurge a little and celebrate a milestone anniversary.

Native has rental locations in Denver and Salt Lake City. Booking the van was quick and easy, and before our trip, James from the Salt Lake City location stayed in touch to keep us updated. A couple of small maintenance items had come up before our arrival, but he handled everything professionally and kept us informed every step of the way. When we arrived, he gave us a thorough walkthrough of the van, answered every question we had, and had us on the road in no time.

We rented a Biggie+ named Vanis Joplin, and by the end of the week we honestly weren't ready to give her back.

Comfortable Bed

We slept incredibly well every night. The mattress was supportive, there was plenty of room for both of us, and waking up inside the van surrounded by beautiful campsites quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip. The bed was honestly so comfortable that we've joked about trying to figure out exactly what mattress Native uses when we eventually build our own camper.

A Kitchen That Actually Worked

We've cooked plenty of meals over a Jetboil and camp stove through the years, so we figured the kitchen would simply be a nice bonus.
Having running water and a two-burner propane stove meant making breakfast, coffee, and dinner was quick and easy no matter where we stopped. We weren't tied to campground picnic tables or cooking only after reaching camp. If we found a beautiful pullout overlooking Yellowstone Lake, we could simply park, slide open the side door, and make lunch.
The van came stocked with cookware, dishes, utensils, a coffee percolator, and everything else we needed to prepare meals throughout the week. It really did feel like having a tiny kitchen rolling down the highway with us.

Refrigerator

Normally we travel with a cooler, which means constantly buying ice and planning meals around what will stay fresh. Having a refrigerator completely changed that. We had fresh food throughout the week, could pack a wider variety of meals, and never had to worry about melting ice soaking everything inside the cooler. And yes... The cold drinks at the end of a long hike were pretty great too.

Surprisingly Capable Power System

Being the over-planner that I am, I packed two battery banks before leaving home. I was convinced that spending a full week camping without electrical hookups would eventually leave us scrambling to charge camera batteries. I never even unpacked them.
The van's battery and solar system handled everything we threw at it. Phones, watches, iPad, MacBook, camera batteries, and even our gimbal all stayed charged throughout the trip. Despite a few cloudy and rainy days, we never came close to running out of power.

Well Stocked from the Start

We overpacked. Not because we brought too many clothes, but because we underestimated how completely outfitted the van already was. Native had stocked it with dishes, cookware, utensils, soap, paper towels, bottle openers, cleaning supplies, lighting, a lighter, and dozens of other little items that we had packed ourselves "just in case." The van also included a full propane tank, fresh water tank, gray water tank, folding chairs, an outdoor table, and a movable indoor table.

Plenty of Storage

The storage under the bed was surprisingly spacious, and even after packing clothes, hiking gear, camera equipment, food, and everything else we thought we'd need, there was still room to spare. Inside the van, two large drawers kept the items we used every day organized and easy to reach, while the third passenger seat doubled as another hidden storage compartment where we could tuck our camera if we left it in the van.

Small Details That Made a Big Difference

Some of our favorite features weren't the ones we expected.

Ceiling Fan

The roof fan kept fresh air moving through the van whether we were cooking dinner or getting ready for bed. One evening, a rain shower rolled through camp and the fan automatically closed itself, something we didn't even realize it could do until it happened. The remote control was also a nice touch, especially when we were already tucked into bed.

Privacy Shades

The reflective windshield covers and blackout curtains gave us privacy while changing clothes, blocked campground lights at night, and helped keep the van cooler during the day. One evening, our neighboring campsite had lights bright enough to illuminate half the campground. Once the shades were in place, we barely noticed them.

Dimmable Lighting

The overhead and floor lighting operated independently, and both could be dimmed to whatever brightness we wanted. Whether we were making dinner, organizing camera gear, or winding down before bed, we could set the lighting to match the moment.

Thoughtful Interior Design

One thing Native does especially well is making the van feel welcoming. Everything has its place, and the layout feels intentional. There was plenty of storage without sacrificing living space, and the wood finishes, lighting, and overall design made it feel warm rather than utilitarian.

Easy to Drive

Our nearly new 2018 ProMaster handled much more like a large SUV than the oversized van we expected. It was comfortable on the highway, surprisingly easy to park, and never felt cumbersome, even in busy parking lots around the national parks. Inside, there was plenty of headroom to stand comfortably, making it easy to move around, cook meals, or simply stretch after a long hike.

Why We Loved Traveling by Campervan

We still love sleeping in a tent and have no plans to stop, but traveling by campervan completely changed the rhythm of our trip. Instead of arriving at camp and spending time setting up, we simply parked and enjoyed the evening.

When we pulled into Yellowstone late on our first night, we were tired after a full day of travel. Rather than setting up camp in the dark, we climbed into bed and were asleep within minutes.

Some of our favorite breakfasts weren't at camp at all. We'd pull into a scenic turnout overlooking Yellowstone or Grand Teton, slide open the side door, put coffee on the stove, and enjoy breakfast with incredible views that would have been impossible if we'd been tied to a campground.

Final Thoughts

By the end of the week, we completely understood why so many people fall in love with van life. It wasn't about having every luxury imaginable. It was about having everything we needed, wherever the road happened to take us.

We rented our Native Campervan as ordinary customers, with no sponsorship or partnership involved. We simply wanted to celebrate our anniversary in a unique way and see what van life was all about.

From the thoughtful design of the van to the outstanding customer service, everything about the rental process made the trip easy and enjoyable. When we finally returned the keys, we weren't quite ready to hand them over.

If another campervan adventure is in our future, Native Campervans will absolutely be one of the first places we look.

Native Campervan Rental Review: Our Yellowstone & Grand Teton Road Trip