The Ultimate 2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide to Epic Vanlife Adventures
2026 Van Life Meetups
2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide — the original, continuously updated meetup list for the nomadic and creator community since 2021.
This curated guide tracks confirmed vanlife, RV, and nomadic gatherings across the U.S., organized by quarter to support real travel planning — not historical listings. It’s a place to meet fellow nomads, connect with YouTubers and creators you follow, network with peers, and find your people in real life.
Part of the Mellow Nomadic Adventures ecosystem, this guide supports community, respect for nature, leaving places better than we found them, and showing up as good humans.
Currently tracking meetups in:
AK · AR · AZ · CA · CO · FL · ID · IL · IN · KY · LA ·
MO · MI · NM · NY · OR · OK · PA · SC · TN · UT · VT · WA · WV
(list updates as new events are added)
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Interactive Map of the 2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide
Use this custom, interactive map to learn more about meetups across North America! 🌎
Tap the upper left-hand icon to explore the map key.
📲 On mobile? Use 2 fingers to pinch-and-zoom and move around the map.
2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide: Pre-Trip Setup
Planning ahead turns meetups into memories instead of logistics stress. These are the exact tools most nomads (and creators) use to travel smarter, stay flexible, and get more out of every gathering.
- Know where you’re sleeping before you arrive.
Use Allstays to find reliable campsites, RV parks, and backup options near each meetup. - Turn the drive into part of the adventure.
RoadTrippers helps you map routes, uncover must-see stops, and avoid boring or stressful drives. - Explore beyond the meetup.
Find nearby hikes, scenic walks, and hidden gems with AllTrails to make each stop count. - No rig yet? Still show up.
Rent a van or RV through Outdoorsy and join the gathering without long-term commitment.
These are tools I personally use and recommend for nomadic travel and event planning.
⚠️ Note: Event Details May Change
Dates, locations, and details for these meetups are subject to change. I’ll update this guide as new information becomes available — but it’s always best to double-check with each event organizer before making travel plans.
If you notice something that needs an update, feel free to contact me or leave a comment so I can keep the list current. 🙌
2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide at a Glance
- Jan 7-9: WRTR (Women’s Rubber Tramp Rendezvous)
- Jan 8-12: Pride in the Desert
- Jan 10-15: 16th Annual RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous)
- Jan 16-18: Women’s Van-Life Meetup/Retreat 2026
- Jan 19-30: Skooliepalooza: The Ungathering
- Feb 1-5: Nomads in the Desert
- Feb 5-9: LIFTOFF!: Florida’s #1 Vanlife Festival & Expo
- Feb 5-18: Nomad Nexus Mardi Gras Meetup
- Feb 11-15: 2026 Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally
- Feb 20-Mar 2: 9th Annual Skoolie Swarm
- Mar 5-8: Overland South – Spring 2026
- Mar 6-9: Peace Love & Vans Florida
- Mar 12-15: Jasper Jeep Jam
- Mar 13-15: Vero’s Van-Go Weekend
- Mar 20-22: 4th Annual VLC Beer Olympics
- Mar 27-29: 2026 Southeast Overland Camping Event
- Mar 28-Apr 5: Easter Jeep Safari 2026
- Apr 16-19: RendezVan
- Apr 17-18: Midwest Overland Offroad Expo
- Apr 17-19: Tenkiller YouTube Meetup
- Apr 18-19: TinyFest 2026
- Apr 20-26: Women Who Drive
- Apr 30-May 3: Syncro Fest 2026
- May 1-3: Van Jam Campout
- May 2-13: Swarm on Route 66
- May 15-17: 2026 Mid-America YouTube Meetup
- May 15-17: Overland Expo West 2026
- May 21-24: Kiss the Bricks
- May 30-31: Adventure Van Expo
- May 20-Jun 4: Music City Motorhome Expo
- Jun 12-15: Peace Love & Vans Colorado
- Jun 12-15: Northwest Overland Rally
- Jun 19-21: 2026 The Bus Fair
- Jun 20-21: Adventure Van Expo Hood
- Jun 26-28: Overland Expo PNW 2026
- Jul 2-6: Camp Pride
- Jul 11-12: Adventure Van Expo Evergreen
- Jul 11-16: Stars and Vans
- Jul 18-21: Vanstock Alaska
- Aug 6-9: The Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
- Aug 15-16: Adventure Van Expo Bozeman
- Aug 20-22: Great Smoky Mountain Invasion 2026
- Aug 21-23: Overland Expo Mtn West 2026
- Sep TBD: K26: Bluegrass Bounders Nomad Meetup
- Sep 11-13: Revel Club 4×4/AWD Van Training
- Sep 11-13: Adventure X Fest
- Sep 12-13: Adventure Van Expo | North Lake
- Sep 17-20: 5th Annual Vanwild
- Sep 18-20: 2026 Panhandle Overland Rally
- Sep 18-28: Skoolie Swarm Fall Swarm
- Sep TBD: Jonnie’s Journey Meetup
- Sep 24-27: M-26 Meet-up
- Sep 26-27: Overland Adventure & Power Sports Show
- Sep 30-Oct 4: The Pilgrimage 2026
- Oct 2-5: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®
- Oct 22-25: Camp Carpe Diem
- Nov 6-8: 2026 Ouachita YouTube Meet-up
- Dec 5-13: Doe Lake “Home for the Holidays Swarm”
2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide
Jump to Quarter
Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4
Quarter 1: January – March 2026
JANUARY 2026
WRTR (Women’s Rubber Tramp Rendezvous)
Jan 7, 2026 to Jan 9, 2026
Quartzsite, AZ
📣 Event Details: The Women’s Rubber Tramp Rendezvous brings together women who live or dream of living the nomadic life — whether in cars, vans, or RVs. It’s a welcoming space to connect, learn practical skills, and build community with fellow travelers on the road.
📌 Hosted By: Homes on Wheels Alliance
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Free
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt (last mile)
Pride in the Desert
Jan 8, 2026 to Jan 12, 2026
Quartzsite, AZ
📣 Event Details: Join us in the Arizona desert for a free annual gathering featuring community-led workshops, a talent show, BIPOC tea hour, yoga, a potluck, and more. Allies and questioning folks are warmly welcomed—reach out if you’d like to host or add to the schedule.
📌 Hosted By: Vanlife Pride
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Free
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️ Road Conditions:
16th Annual RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous)
Jan 10, 2026 to Jan 15, 2026
Quartzsite, AZ
📣 Event Details: The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is the big one — a yearly meetup for nomads and soon-to-be nomads from all walks of life. It’s all about community, inspiration, and swapping knowledge on how to live freely and sustainably on the road.
📌 Hosted By: Homes on Wheels Alliance
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Free
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt (last mile)
Women’s Van-Life Meetup/Retreat 2026
Jan 16, 2026 to Jan 18, 2026
St. Augustine, FL
📣 Event Details: A women-only vanlife retreat focused on rest, renewal, and empowerment — offering coaching, community, and soulful connection. Held at St. Johns County Fairgrounds, this event invites women on the road to reset, recharge, and realign their journey.
📌 Hosted By: Natalie Betancourt
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $135-195
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Easy Access
Skooliepalooza: The Ungathering
Jan 19, 2026 to Jan 30, 2026
Ehrenberg, AZ
📍 33.5812778, -114.4746389
📣 Event Details: Same place. Same time. Every year. Show up, Have fun, clean up, leave. All are welcome. No registering, no profitizing, no b%llsh*t.
📌 Hosted By:
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Free
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️Road Conditions: Rough / High Clearance Recommended
FEBRUARY 2026
Nomads in the Desert
Feb 1, 2026 to Feb 5, 2026
📍 33°39’27.0″N 114°10’31.3″W
📣 Event Details: All are welcome. Whether you’re vanlife-curious, full-time nomadic, or just craving good people and open skies, come camp with us.
This is true off-grid, wild camping — ⛺ no toilets, no showers, no hookups.
Boondocking style. Self-contained, self-reliant, and community-driven.
📌 Hosted By: Robles Fanny and Jess Whitt
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Free
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️ Road Conditions: Desert access near Quartzsite. Expect mostly dirt and rocky roads with some flatter sections. Generally passable for vans and RVs in dry weather. High clearance recommended. Conditions can change after rain.
LIFTOFF!: Florida’s #1 Vanlife Festival & Expo
Feb 5, 2026 to Feb 9, 2026
Melbourne, FL
📣 Event Details: VanFest’s third annual Florida event is the perfect place to showcase your brand, connect with a passionate community, and make a lasting impression.
📌 Hosted By: Lance and Jess Vanfest
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $12.41-168.69
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Nomad Nexus Mardi Gras Meetup
Feb 5, 2026 to Feb 18, 2026
Slidell, LA
📣 Event Details: Nomad Nexus is a multi-day gathering designed for vanlifers, RV travelers, skoolie owners, and nomads seeking community on the road. This long-form meetup brings together full-time and part-time travelers for 10–14 days of workshops, drum circles, campfire storytelling, craft fairs, and skill-sharing. All rigs are welcome, and the focus is on building real connections, learning from one another, and creating a sense of home within the nomadic lifestyle.
📌 Hosted By: Melissa “Mo” Schwaner
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $45-585 +fees & processing
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Gravel (Easy Access)
2026 Truck Camper Adventure Quartzsite Rally
Feb 11, 2026 to Feb 15, 2026
Quartzsite, AZ
📣 Event Details: Largest truck camper rally in the world with over 400 truck campers and 700 people expected in 2026. You must own a hard-side or pop-up truck camper to attend (truck toppers, camper shells, and chassis-mounted campers okay too).
📌 Hosted By: Mello Mike & Truck Camper Adventure website
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $81.88
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt (last mile)
9th Annual Skoolie Swarm
Feb 20, 2026 to Mar 2, 2026
Melrose, FL
📣 Event Details: Skoolie Swarm is the premier gathering celebrating the nomadic and traveling lifestyle, anchored by a major winter Swarm in Florida, a roving fall gathering, and with an exciting expansion of events on the horizon.
📌 Hosted By: Skoolie Swarm
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Sand
MARCH 2026
Overland South – Spring 2026
Mar 5, 2026 to Mar 8, 2026
Charleston, SC
📣 Event Details: A biannual weekend camping event for Overlanding enthusiasts at the private, 6,000 acre Woodlands Nature Reserve. Don’t own a fancy rig? No sweat, bring a tent and join the fun!
📌 Hosted By: Overland South
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $18.87-$218.27
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Parking Fields
Peace Love & Vans Florida
Mar 6, 2026 to Mar 9, 2026
Dade City, FL
📣 Event Details: Whether you’re a vanlifer or vanlife-curious, Peace Love & Vans is the place to be. Enjoy a weekend packed with custom vans, live music, contests, raffles, vendors, and frozen Piña Coladas—all set in scenic natural locations with plenty of outdoor fun nearby.
📌 Hosted By: Vanlife Outfitters
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $159-249
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Jasper Jeep Jam
Mar 12, 2026 to Mar 15, 2026
Jasper, AR
📣 Event Details: Not just for Jeeps! Join the 3rd annual rally for overlanders, YouTubers, and podcasters. Enjoy vendors, food, educational classes, live entertainment, and outdoor adventures. Open to all vehicle types.
📌 Hosted By:
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $26.50-205
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Vero’s Van-Go Weekend
Mar 13, 2026 to Mar 15, 2026
Vero Beach, FL
📣 Event Details: Celebrate vanlife with custom, factory, and self-built rigs, live music, food trucks, a chili cook-off, swap shop, vendors, and more—fun for vanlife veterans, newbies, and anyone curious about the lifestyle.
📌 Hosted By: Vero
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $10-124
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
4th Annual VLC Beer Olympics
Mar 20, 2026 to Mar 22, 2026
Molalla, OR
📣 Event Details: Come hang at the 4th Annual VLC Winter Olympics. Team up, battle your way through a bracket of outdoor + drinking games (flip cup, pong, cornhole, and whatever chaos we invent), and compete for a TBD grand prize and eternal bragging rights.
📌 Hosted By: Van Life Campgrounds
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $15
🛣️ Road Conditions: Dirt / Gravel / Mixed
2026 Southeast Overland Camping Event
Mar 27, 2026 to Mar 29, 2026
Petros, TN
📣 Event Details: Join the 6th annual family-friendly overlanding event with training classes, live music, raffles, vendor shopping, and outdoor activities. Network with fellow overlanders, expand your skills, and kick off your adventure season.
📌 Hosted By: TNToverlander & Southeast Overland Camping
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $129.27+
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / gravel
Easter Jeep Safari 2026
Mar 28, 2026 to Apr 5, 2026
Moab, UT
📣 Event Details: Founded in 1967, the Safari grew from a single trail to a nine-day event run by Red Rock 4-Wheelers. Big Saturday, vendors, and registration are now at Spanish Trail Arena. The club also maintains trails and keeps public off-road areas open.
📌 Hosted By: Red Rock 4-Wheelers
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $
🛣️ Road Conditions:
Quarter 2: April-June 2026
APRIL 2026
RendezVan
Apr 16, 2026 to Apr 19, 2026
Bend, OR
📣 Event Details: RendezVan returns to Mt Bachelor.
📌 Hosted By: RendezVan
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $319-899
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Midwest Overland Offroad Expo
Apr 17, 2026 to Apr 18, 2026
Springfield, MO
📣 Event Details: ““The Midwest’s #1 Adventure Travel Consumer Show” taking place at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. A homegrown, family-run expo where beginners and seasoned pros can swap stories, learn, and gear up for their next trip.”
📌 Hosted By: Moore Expo
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $35-225
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access / Paved Lots
Tenkiller YouTube Meetup
Apr 17, 2026 to Apr 19, 2026
Park Hill, OK
📣 Event Details: The 3rd Annual Tenkiller YouTube Meetup is scheduled for April 17 -19, 2026! Stay tuned for more information!
📌 Hosted By: Lenard Mountain Homestead
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Gravel / Mixed
TinyFest 2026
Apr 18, 2026 to Apr 19, 2026
Costa Mesa, CA
📣 Event Details: Meet tiny home builders and van conversion specialists, enjoy talks, vendors, live music, and connect with fellow nomads and creators at OC Fair & Event Center.
📌 Hosted By: TinyFest
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $22.50-119
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Women Who Drive
Apr 20, 2026 to Apr 26, 2026
Southern Utah
📣 Event Details: Limited space available for this Women Who Drive meetup in Southern Utah.
📌 Hosted By: The Revel Club
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt
Syncro Fest 2026
Apr 30, 2026 to May 3, 2026
Hollister, CA
📣 Event Details: A 4-day van gathering focused on VW Syncros, Vanagons, and similar 4WD/2WD vans. Enjoy camping, community dinners, raffles, and vendor activities in a volunteer-run event for all ages. Space is limited to the featured van types only.
📌 Hosted By: The Van Community
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $35-110
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt
MAY 2026
Van Jam Campout
May 1, 2026 to May 3, 2026
Palm Desert, CA
📣 Event Details:
Retreat | Gathering | Festival
A 3-day nomadic gathering blending wellness, music, and community with curated artists, panels, and cookouts on a private campground.
📌 Hosted By: Van Jam Campout
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Swarm on Route 66
May 2, 2026 to May 13, 2026
Pontiac, IL
📣 Event Details: Skoolie Swarm on Route 66. More details soon!
📌 Hosted By: Travis & Michelle
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt
2026 Mid-America YouTube Meetup
May 15, 2026 to May 17, 2026
Kingston, OK
📣 Event Details: Join creators and subscribers at the 2026 Mid-America YouTube Meetup, May 15–17 at Lake Texoma State Park (Joe’s & Floyd Campground). Network, share lessons, and celebrate community. All channels welcome! Bring merch to sell or give away. Contact mthomesteadok@gmail.com for co-hosting details.
📌 Hosted By: MT Homestead
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Gravel / Dirt
Overland Expo West 2026
May 15, 2026 to May 17, 2026
Flagstaff, AZ
📣 Event Details: The world’s premier overlanding event, featuring expert-led classes, a professional trade show, and all the gear, training, and inspiration you need to plan your next adventure. At Ft. Tuthill County Park.
📌 Hosted By: Overland Expo
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $27-80
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access / Dirt / Gravel
Kiss the Bricks
May 21, 2026 to May 24, 2026
Indianapolis, IN
📣 Event Details: Camp near the track and enjoy Tower Terrace grandstand tickets for the 110th Indy 500. Connect with fellow attendees, experience pre- and post-race festivities, and witness the iconic “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” up close.
📌 Hosted By: Overland Van Club & The Revel Club
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $795-1,395
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt
Adventure Van Expo
May 30, 2026 to May 31, 2026
San Juan Capistrano, CA
📣 Event Details: Kick off the 2026 tour with open-house vans, a DIY build contest, 50+ vendors, live music, food trucks, and optional camping. Celebrate vanlife community, creativity, and gear shopping in the scenic setting of San Juan Capistrano.
📌 Hosted By: Adventure Van Expo
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $13.24-154
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Music City Motorhome Expo
May 30, 2026 to Jun 4, 2026
Lebanon, TN
📣 Event Details: A VIP RV shopping experience featuring new and preowned motorhomes, test drives, manufacturer access, influencers, meals, and live entertainment. Free to attend with an RV purchase within a year, with ticket credit and up to $2,000 in travel cost offsets.
📌 Hosted By: National Indoor RV Centers
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
JUNE 2026
Peace Love & Vans Colorado
Jun 12, 2026 to Jun 15, 2026
Spanish Peaks Country, CO
📣 Event Details: Join Peace Love & Vans for its first Colorado festival at Hummingbird Ranch, in Spanish Peaks country near Rye—about two hours from Denver. Home to legendary events like Sonic Bloom, this westward PLV gathering promises music, community, and unforgettable vanlife vibes.
📌 Hosted By: Vanlife Outfitters
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $89-249
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt
Northwest Overland Rally
Jun 12, 2026 to Jun 15, 2026
Plain, WA
📣 Event Details: A multi-day overlanding campout with workshops, vendors, trail rides, and community gatherings in a scenic outdoor setting.
📌 Hosted By: Northwest Overland Rally
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $80-270
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access / Grassy Field
2026 The Bus Fair
Jun 19, 2026 to Jun 21, 2026
Oakridge, OR
📣 Event Details: A 3-day skoolie gathering with bus tours, workshops, camping, live music, and vendors.
📌 Hosted By: The Bus Fair
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $52.77-176.97
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access / River Campground / Dirt / Gravel
Adventure Van Expo Hood
Jun 20, 2026 to Jun 21, 2026
Hood, OR
📣 Event Details: A weekend vanlife expo showcasing custom and production adventure vans with open-house tours, DIY contests, expert talks, vendors, food, live music, and community camping. Great for connecting with builders and fellow vanlifers in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
📌 Hosted By: Adventure Van Expo
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $11.20-205+
🛣️ Road Conditions:
Overland Expo PNW 2026
Jun 26, 2026 to Jun 28, 2026
Redmond, OR
📣 Event Details: The world’s premier overlanding event series — expert‑led classes, an expansive trade show with hundreds of vendors, and gear, training, and inspiration for adventure travel enthusiasts at the Deschutes County Expo Center.
📌 Hosted By: Overland Expo
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $24-80
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access / Grass / Dirt Campgrounds
Quarter 3: July-September 2026
JULY 2026
Camp Pride
Jul 2, 2026 to Jul 6, 2026
Fall Creek, OR
📣 Event Details: Camp Pride invites adult queer folks to reimagine the magic of summer camp and nurture their inner child. Enjoy community bonding, games, vegan meals, queer performances, and even prom night—all in a supportive, joy-filled environment that celebrates authenticity and connection.
📌 Hosted By: Vanlife Pride
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Mixed
Adventure Van Expo Evergreen
Jul 11, 2026 to Jul 12, 2026
Copper Mountain, CO
📣 Event Details: A family-friendly weekend with open-house vans, a DIY contest, 50+ vendors, live music, food trucks, and camping. Browse gear, meet builders, and celebrate the vanlife community.
📌 Hosted By: Adventure Van Expo
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Gravel / Campground
Stars and Vans
Jul 11, 2026 to Jul 16, 2026
Northern Baja
📣 Event Details: A multi-day mobile adventure through Baja’s coast, desert, and mountains for photographers and travelers alike. Includes evening night photography sessions, guided adventure, curated meals and wine, and a post-trip Zoom on photo editing. Camping, meals, and logistics are handled by Legends Overlanding.
📌 Hosted By: The Revel Club
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $4, 275+
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Gravel
Vanstock Alaska
Jul 18, 2026 to Jul 21, 2026
Palmer, AK
📣 Event Details: Alaska’s First Vanlife and Traveler’s Festival – 4 day, 3 Night Campout festival in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley
📌 Hosted By: Vanstock
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $250
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Dirt / 4×4 Recommended
AUGUST 2026
The Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
Aug 6, 2026 to Aug 9, 2026
Huntingdon County, Central PA
📣 Event Details: A multi-day overlanding festival on a 220-acre working farm near State College, featuring trails, camping, vendors, and community gatherings in the Mountain Ridge and Valley region.
📌 Hosted By: Mid-Atlantic Overland
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt
Adventure Van Expo Bozeman
Aug 15, 2026 to Aug 16, 2026
Bozeman, MT
📣 Event Details: Open-house vans, DIY contest, live music, food trucks, and camping. Check out custom adventure vans, 4×4 trucks, campers, and tent trailers, meet fellow vanlifers, and browse related vendors.
📌 Hosted By: Adventure Van Expo
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $11.20-205
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Gravel / Campground
Great Smoky Mountain Invasion 2026
Aug 20, 2026 to Aug 22, 2026
Pigeon Forge, TN
📣 Event Details: The 14th annual three-day Jeep and expo event at the LeConte Center, featuring Jeep displays, activities, and family-friendly experiences for enthusiasts.
📌 Hosted By: Jeep® Invasion™ Team
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: Free-$20/day
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Access
Overland Expo Mtn West 2026
Aug 21, 2026 to Aug 23, 2026
Loveland, CO
📣 Event Details: A major overlanding event with expert‑led classes, a large trade show, gear demos, and community camping for adventure travelers.
📌 Hosted By: Overland Expo
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Campground
SEPTEMBER 2026
K26: Bluegrass Bounders Nomad Meetup
Sep 2026 TBD
Land Between the Lakes, KY
📣 Event Details: 2nd Annual Kentucky Nomadic Meetup.
📌 Hosted By: Mellow Nomadic Adventures & Time 4 Xploring
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: Site Fees, Firewood
🛣️ Road Conditions: Gravel / Mixed
Revel Club 4×4/AWD Van Training
Sep 11, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026
Moab, UT
📣 Event Details: Level I and II
4×4/AWD Van Training.
📌 Hosted By: The Revel Club
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $2,495-3,095
🛣️ Road Conditions: Dirt Roads
Adventure X Fest
Sep 11, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026
Circleville, WV
📣 Event Details: “An adventure basecamp festival. We provide the space for you to camp and celebrate the adventures you take while exploring the natural spaces that surround the event. AXF hosts music, food, beverages and a whole lot of good vibes.”
📌 Hosted By: Mountain State Overland
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Grass/Dirt Fields
Adventure Van Expo | North Lake
Sep 12, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026
North Lake Tahoe, CA
📣 Event Details: Showcasing built-out Mercedes Sprinters and other adventure rigs with builders, vendors, expert gear/tool presentations, and vanlife networking.
📌 Hosted By: Adventure Van Expo
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $11.20-205
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Gravel / Campground
5th Annual Vanwild
Sep 17, 2026 to Sep 20, 2026
Montrose, CO
📣 Event Details: A four-day, experience-driven vanlife event focused on camping, exploring, and community—not vendors—with activities from off-roading to fly fishing and wine tasting. At The Camper’s Hub.
📌 Hosted By: Adrenaline HQ
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $700
🛣️ Road Conditions:
2026 Panhandle Overland Rally
Sep 18, 2026 to Sep 20, 2026
Coeur D’Alene, ID
📣 Event Details: A relaxed three-day overland gathering with practical workshops, select vendors, live music, and campfire community. Family- and dog-friendly, tickets limited, kids under 14 free.
📌 Hosted By: Panhandle Overland Rally
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $40-80
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Gravel
Skoolie Swarm Fall Swarm
Sep 18, 2026 to Sep 28, 2026
Bainbridge, NY
📣 Event Details: Skoolie Swarm is the premier gathering celebrating the nomadic and traveling lifestyle, anchored by a major winter Swarm in Florida, a roving fall gathering, and with an exciting expansion of events on the horizon.
📌 Hosted By: Skoolie Swarm
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $360
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Sand
Jonnie’s Journey Meetup
Sep 2026 TBD
Fredericktown, MO
📣 Event Details: Annual YouTube and Nomad meetup by MidWest Vanbuilders.
📌 Hosted By: Midwest Van Builders
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: Site Fees, Firewood
🛣️ Road Conditions: Grass / Mixed
M-26 Meet-up
Sep 24, 2026 to Sep 27, 2026
Merrill, MI
📣 Event Details: M-26 Meet-up for Content Creators, supporters, RVs, van life, skoolies.
📌 Hosted By: Where RV Staying
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: Site Fees, Firewood
🛣️ Road Conditions: Gravel / Mixed
Overland Adventure & Power Sports Show
Sep 26, 2026 to Sep 27, 2026
Sonoma County, CA
📣 Event Details: A weekend expo at the Sonoma County Event Center showcasing Overlanding and Powersports vehicles, rugged campers, outdoor gear, perfect for browsing gear, meeting builders, and fueling outdoor adventure ideas.
📌 Hosted By: California Overland Adventure & Power Sports Show
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Roads
The Pilgrimage 2026
Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026
South Royalton, VT
📣 Event Details: A yearly Overland gathering in the Vermont mountains focused on exploring Class IV backroads, camping together, and sharing adventure with like‑minded explorers who value the journey and community.
📌 Hosted By: The Pilgrimage
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $375
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Gravel
Quarter 4: October-December 2026
OCTOBER 2026
Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta®
Oct 2, 2026 to Oct 5, 2026
Albuquerque, NM
📣 Event Details: A VIP group experience at the world‑famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival on earth with hundreds of colorful balloons filling the sky and daily mass ascensions.
📌 Hosted By: The Revel Club
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $695-895+
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved Roads
Camp Carpe Diem
Oct 22, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026
Verde Valley, AZ
📣 Event Details: A 3‑day adult‑focused outdoor community getaway with hiking, biking, photography outings, craft beer/wine tastings, campfires, group meals, and social adventures designed to help travelers, RVers, and nomads connect and have fun together.
📌 Hosted By: Camp Carpe Diem
🗺️ Region: West
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $231.27-267.54+
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Gravel / Campground
NOVEMBER 2026
2026 Ouachita YouTube Meet-up
Nov 6, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026
Mena, AR
📣 Event Details: Queen Wilhelmina State Park.
📌 Hosted By: Peter King
🗺️ Region: Midwest
💰 Cost:
💸 Pricing Notes:
🛣️ Road Conditions: Mixed / Gravel / Dirt
DECEMBER 2026
Doe Lake “Home for the Holidays Swarm”
Dec 5, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026
Ocala, FL
📣 Event Details: A holiday-themed gathering in the Ocala National Forest with potlucks, community breakfasts, games, and kayaking. Open to all rigs (skoolies, vans, RVs, campers, tents) with limited space, no power hookups, and on-site water and showers. Space is limited to 98 rigs.
📌 Hosted By: Travis and Michelle of Skoolie Swarm
🗺️ Region: East
💰 Cost: Paid
💸 Pricing Notes: $$
🛣️ Road Conditions: Paved / Dirt / Campground
💡 Got an Idea for the 2026 Nomadic Gatherings App?
Hey, fellow traveler! The new 2026 Nomadic Gatherings App is rolling out in beta — built to help you discover events, save your favorites, and connect with other nomads on the road.
I’d love your input as this project grows. If you want to test early features or share ideas to make the app even better, hit the link below and join the adventure.
👉 Become a Beta Tester or Share Your Ideas
2026 Nomadic Gatherings Guide FAQ
More Meetups from the Community
The nomadic world is full of amazing folks mapping events of their own.
One great resource is the Thunder’s Garage Vanlife Events List — a continually updated collection of van-life gatherings across the U.S. and Canada.
Want Your Meetup Featured?
If you’re organizing a meetup in 2026 and want to be included in our list, fill out the form below to submit your event details. If your country isn’t listed, please include that information with the meetup name.
