North America Camper Van Tour 2025-2026

Two people standing by a rocky river at Mistaya Canyon, Canada, with a backdrop of tall evergreen trees and snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

In 2025 and 2026 we spent a full year exploring North America in our self-built camper van. From the Arctic Ocean in northern Canada to the deserts of Mexico and the historic cities of the eastern USA, this page brings together some of our favourite memories, photos and videos from the trip.

  • We shipped our camper van from Liverpool in the UK to Halifax Nova Scotia using a company called IVSS (International Vehicle Shipping Solutions). It cost just over £5k to get it there and only took 8 days.

  • We covered over 30,000 miles (48,000km) in this epic adventure

  • Absolutely - it’s remarkable easy to ship your van across the Atlantic Ocean and when you get there, there’s so much awesome stuff to see. Plan your time carefully because you won’t have time to see everything.

The start

In March 2025, we shipped our camper van from Liverpool in the UK to Halifax, Nova Scotia, beginning an unforgettable 12 month journey across North America. A year later, in March 2026, we shipped the van home again from Baltimore, USA.

Two people smiling for a selfie at the Arctic Ocean, with a sign indicating the location and a van parked on a dirt area near the shore, with cloudy sky and ocean in the background.

We spent six months travelling across Canada, visiting all ten provinces and two territories. Along the way we experienced incredible wildlife including bears, bald eagles and whales, along with countless other amazing species that we simply never see back home in the UK. The scenery was equally breathtaking, from towering mountains and vast glaciers to dramatic waterfalls, deep canyons and landscapes so huge they hardly seemed real.

View of a sign at the Arctic Circle latitude 66°33' with a cloudy sky and green rolling hills in the background. A grey camper van is parked in front of the sign on the Dempster Highway, Canada.

Tuktoyaktuk is the northernmost point you can drive to in Canada, more than 400 miles above the Arctic Circle.

The USA

After Canada, we crossed into the lower 48 states via Washington and headed to Yellowstone National Park. We even visited the famous Dutton Ranch filming location from the TV series Yellowstone. From there we travelled south through an endless succession of spectacular national and state parks, including Craters of the Moon, Bonneville Salt Flats, Canyonlands, Arches and the Grand Canyon. We also stopped at Four Corners Monument and the famous Forrest Gump Point in Monument Valley.

A young donkey standing outdoors with other donkeys nearby, with a windmill and clear blue sky in the background.

The Dempster Highway

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was driving the legendary Dempster Highway. There’s only one road there and back so you have to cover around 1,000 miles or 1,600 kilometres from Dawson City in the Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean, this remote road of gravel, mud and rough rock takes you through some of the wildest country imaginable.

Vegas, baby…

We usually prefer mountains, forests and remote places over big cities, but curiosity got the better of us and we spent some time in Las Vegas. It felt a bit like watching a car crash. You cannot help looking, even if you are not entirely enjoying it. The city is a bizarre mix of neon lights, casinos and over-the-top replicas of places like Venice and Paris. We would not rush back, but we are glad we experienced it. Nearby, Hoover Dam was genuinely impressive and well worth the visit.

Is Mexico safe?

From there we crossed into Baja California in Mexico, where we spent three weeks over Christmas and New Year. Before arriving, several people in the USA warned us not to go, claiming Mexico was dangerous and unsafe. In reality, we found welcoming people, beautiful scenery and fantastic food. In truth, there were places in the USA where we felt less comfortable than we did in Mexico.

View of the Canyonlands National park with snow-capped mountains in the background, rocky cliffs in the foreground, and clear blue sky.

Heading East

After Baja we headed back into the USA, travelling east across the southern states and visiting more incredible places including White Sands National Park before eventually reaching New Orleans. Although it is another city, the French Quarter feels much more human in scale and full of character. By pure luck we arrived during Mardi Gras, which made the atmosphere unforgettable. We spent four brilliant days there and it is definitely somewhere we would love to return to.

Space rockets in Florida

Continuing east, we made a short detour into Florida where we watched a SpaceX rocket launch. Seeing a rocket thunder into the sky was an incredible experience, especially because we rely on a Starlink satellite dish on our van for internet access while travelling. It was fascinating to watch part of that system being launched into space.

The final stage of our journey took us up the east coast through beautiful historic cities including Charleston and Savannah before arriving in Baltimore, where our van boarded a ship for the journey back home to the UK.

Two people standing next to a black van by a lake with mountains in the background. One woman on the left and one man on the right, posing with the van, which has a roof-mounted solar panel and various equipment. A large tree is on the right side of the image.

You can watch all of our North America travel videos on our YouTube channel here:

DiamondsOnTour North America Playlist

And here are some of our favourite photos from the adventure;

Two people taking a selfie in front of a pineapple-shaped fountain with water cascading down, trees, buildings, and a clear blue sky in the background.
Two people smiling, taking a selfie on a boat with glacier-covered mountains and icy waters in the background. Alaska boat trip from Seward.
A dark gray camper van with green accents is parked at the edge of a lake, with solar panels on the roof. It is attached to a power source on the ground. Nearby, there is a black folding chair and a small table. Behind the van, there are trees with s
Two individuals in black wetsuits and orange life jackets standing near a riverbank with a forested mountain background, one wearing a white helmet and the other holding a black helmet.
Two people standing on rocks in a river surrounded by a lush green forest with snow-capped mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A selfie of three people, two women and one man, at the Goosenecks State Park with a vast canyon view and the Colorado River in the background, under cloudy sky.
A landscape view of mountains, a road, and ocean under a dark, cloudy sky.
A white boat labeled 'ORCA SONG' on water with two people standing at the front, smiling, and surrounded by a scenic landscape of mountains and cloudy sky. Alaska, USA.
Two people smiling inside a large train station with high arched ceilings, large windows, and an American flag hanging on the wall. Grand Central, New York.
Palm trees along the edge of a lake at sunset with a mountain in the distance and an orange and blue sky.
A selfie of two smiling older adults, a man and a woman, outdoors with a large rocky island and the ocean in the background. The man has glasses and gray hair, and the woman has curly blonde hair. They are dressed in outdoor jackets and appear to be
Two people taking a selfie at the Grand Canyon with snowy rocks in the foreground and the canyon's layered rock formations in the background.
A group of people on a yellow inflatable raft, white helmets, and life jackets navigating white water rapids. One person stands at the front with a helmet and a yellow long-sleeve shirt, while others sit or hold the paddles, all enjoying an outdoor w
A selfie of an older man and woman standing outdoors in front of a Canadian Tire store, with the store's large sign visible above their heads.
A joyful woman and man taking a selfie in front of a large welcome sign for Downtown Talkeetna, Alaska, with outdoor tables, patrons, and trees in the background on a cloudy day.
Two people enjoying breakfast outdoors with a mountain and lake in the background, one woman holding a piece of bread and the man holding a cup of coffee.
A scenic outdoor view of a "Welcome to Alaska" sign on a wooden board with a map of Alaska, surrounded by rocks and grass, with a grey camper van parked to the right, and dense green trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
Snow-covered van parked in a snowy yard near houses, with snow on the ground and trees, and a gray, overcast sky.
A smiling woman wearing a red beanie, a red jacket with a fur-lined hood, and a scarf stands outdoors near rocky cliffs and the ocean with a large group of birds. The ocean is visible in the background with seabirds flying overhead.
Two smiling people taking a selfie near the Arctic Ocean, with a blue sign that reads 'ARCTIC OCEAN' and some First Nations language underneath. A vehicle is parked behind them, and the sky is cloudy.
Snow-covered parking lot with a black Mercedes-Benz van in the foreground, colorful houses in the background, and snow on the ground and roofs.
A parking lot with a white semi-truck and a black Mercedes-Benz van parked side by side on a sunny day. The semi-truck has a chrome grille, and the van has a roof rack. There are other cars and a garden center in the background, along with trees and
Yellow semi-truck driving on a snow-covered mountain road with foggy weather and snow on the trees and hillside.
A smiling woman and man taking a selfie in front of a historic stone building with stairs, large banner of the Canadian flag, and architectural details like towers, pillars, and sculptures.
Two people, a woman in a colorful hoodie and a man in an orange hoodie, standing on a flat, open landscape with a small van between them, under a clear blue sky.
A silver van with green and black decals driven on a flat, dry landscape with mountains in the background and a mostly clear blue sky. Bonneville Salt Flats.
A van parked on the side of a road in front of a scenic mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and a blue sky with scattered clouds. Dempster Highway, Yukon Territory, Canada.
A small bird perched on a wooden ledge against a blurred background.
Night sky filled with stars over a landscape with mountains and a few distant lights.
A close-up of a bison grazing in tall grass.
A clear night sky filled with countless stars, with a bright shooting star or meteor streaking across the sky above a mountainous landscape with rocky terrain and some greenery.
Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy visible above a camper van with a roof tent parked in a campground.
Mountain landscape with a lake, green vegetation, leafless trees in the foreground, and snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky.
A rattlesnake lying on rocky terrain with its tongue out.
A hummingbird with iridescent feathers hovering next to a small pink flower on a green plant, against a blurry gray background.
A majestic elk with large antlers grazing in a grassy field.
Waterfall surrounded by pine trees with a rainbow at the base and a bridge across the top under a blue sky with some clouds.
A bison grazing in a grassland with a blurred background.
A woodpecker with black and white feathers and a red patch on its head, clinging to the side of a textured, light-colored tree trunk.
A wooden sign hanging between two pine trees reads "Yellowstone Dutton Ranch" with cowboy hat and Y symbols, in a rural area with houses, a gravel path, and a wooden fence in the background.
A cityscape featuring a prominent castle-like building with tall, pointed rooftops, a river in the background, and blue sky with scattered clouds.
Two puppies, one large brown and white with droopy ears standing, and one smaller black and white sitting on grass, outdoors with trees and blue sky.
A white building with a black and white barn-style design, surrounded by pine trees with a mountain in the background. Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.
Long straight road stretching into the distance through an open landscape with mountains in the background, a blue sky with scattered clouds, and the sun shining brightly overhead.
A gray camper van parked on the side of a mountain road surrounded by autumn trees with orange, yellow, and green leaves, some snow on the ground, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A dark gray Mercedes-Benz camper van parked on a snowy roadside near a river, with snow-covered trees and an overcast sky in the background.
Two people wearing sunglasses taking a selfie by the water, with a hillside and houses in the background. Dildo, Newfoundland, Canada,
Close-up of a curious otter's face with wet fur, large dark eyes, nose, and whiskers, looking directly at the camera on a cloudy background.
A bear swimming in a body of water, splashing water with its head and upper body visible, near a rocky shoreline.
A bald eagle and an osprey flying against a clear blue sky.
A beaver in water holding a shell in its paws with a smooth, reflective water surface and blurred natural background.
A squirrel lying on the ground, holding and nibbling a piece of food, surrounded by dirt, grass, and twigs.
A city street at dusk with a sheriff officer standing with his back facing the camera, wearing a yellow reflective vest that says 'SHERIFF'. There are cars on the street, palm trees, and illuminated signs in the background. New Orleans
Northern lights (aurora borealis) glowing green in a starry night sky over a forested landscape with a road or field in the foreground.
A bird, belted kingfisher, flying in a clear sky with its wings spread wide.
An osprey bird flying against a clear blue sky with its wings spread wide and clutching a fish in its talons.
A camper van parked on a scenic overlook at sunset, with a cloudy sky and the ocean in the background.
A young crocodile lying on the ground covered with dried leaves and twigs.
A bald eagle perched on a wooden utility pole near electrical insulators against a clear blue sky.
A woman with light skin and red hair wearing sunglasses, a colorful beaded hat, flower leis, and a green embroidered shirt, smiling at a waterfront with a pier and large building in the background.
A single leafless tree with a few remaining brown leaves stands on snow-covered ground under a bright blue sky with thin white clouds.
A white seabird with black wing tips flying over the ocean
A bird with gray feathers and red eyes perched on a dead tree branch against a clear blue sky.
A bear walking on a paved road, facing to the right with a blurred natural background.
A beach with sandy and grassy shore, two benches facing the ocean, cloudy sky above, and calm water in the background.
Two guillemots standing close together on a rocky surface, with blurred background. One has the bridled guillemot morph.
Green night sky with stars and a bright aurora borealis.
A winding road runs alongside a lake in a mountainous landscape. The sun is shining and partially obscured by trees, casting a bright flare. The sky is mostly clear with some clouds. Haines Alaska.
Northern lights over a lake with mountains and trees at night.
A bear wading through a shallow river with rocks and moss along the bank, surrounded by plants and grass. Haines Alaska.
A bald eagle perched on a post above a bed of seaweed at water's edge with blurred shoreline and trees in background. Haines Alaska.
A brown bear standing in a stream with water splashing around its legs, surrounded by rocks, green plants, and tall grass near a riverbank. Haines Alaska.
A colorful hummingbird with iridescent green and blue feathers feeding from a red hummingbird feeder.
Close-up of an eagle in flight with its wings spread against a gray sky.
A bald eagle perched on a branch of a pine tree, looking to the left, with a plain gray sky in the background.
A whale breaches the ocean surface surrounded by a large flock of seagulls in flight. Seward Alaska.
Aerial view of a rural industrial area with storage buildings, parked vehicles, dirt roads, and surrounding forested landscape. Gold mining tailings, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada.
A bird of prey, juvenile bald eagle, perched on a tree branch surrounded by yellow and green leaves, with a cloudy sky in the background.
A scenic landscape with a mountain covered in green vegetation under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a gravel road and a parked dark gray van with a roof rack are visible.
A grey camper van parked on a gravel viewpoint overlooking a river winding through lush green mountains under a cloudy sky.
A gravel road winding through a vast green forest with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A grey camper van parked on a grassy area overlooking the ocean at sunset, with clouds and a partly cloudy sky.
A brown pelican flying over a body of water during sunset or sunrise, with its reflection visible on the water surface.
Two people, a man and a woman, standing inside a vintage car museum. The man is wearing glasses and a blue hoodie, and the woman is wearing a green hoodie, both smiling. In front of them is a small, turquoise vintage car with a racing stripe design.
Two people standing next to a grey camper van with a solar panel on top, by a lake with trees and mountains in the background.
Two people are posing outside a van in a scenic landscape with rolling green hills and a blue sky with scattered clouds. One is standing on the roof of the van, waving, while the other is hanging on to the ladder, extending her arms.
Desert landscape with tall cacti and leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
Person in pink shirt and jeans standing next to a large cactus in a desert landscape with hills in the background.
A scenic landscape showing green rolling hills under a cloudy sky, with a parking area that features a sign indicating the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude. There is a gray van parked nearby and informational boards at the site.
A beaver swimming in a pond, with its head and part of its back visible above the water, surrounded by aquatic plants and reeds.
A bald eagle perched on top of a pine tree against a cloudy sky.
A black camper van with a roof rack and spare tire parked on a grassy area overlooking a river valley with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A bald eagle perched on the top branch of a tall green pine tree against a cloudy sky.
Four seals lying on ice floats in icy water with small ice chunks floating around, surrounded by a cold, greenish ocean.
A woman wearing sunglasses smiling while holding a large Coca-Cola cup in front of a Route 66 sign at a historic site.
A seal lying on rocky terrain with large, dark rocks around it.
A desert landscape with tall cacti, leafless trees, hills, and a clear blue sky.
A black Mercedes-Benz camper van parked on a grassy hillside overlooking a river and mountain landscape, with trees and blue sky in the background.
A woman and a man stand on a sandy beach near a black vehicle with a mounted satellite dish. The woman wears sunglasses and a light-colored blouse with dark pants, while the man wears sunglasses and a blue t-shirt. Large trees and a body of water are
A man in a pink shirt and sunglasses standing under a tall saguaro cactus in a desert landscape with hills and other cacti in the background.
A brown pelican with its wings spread, flying low over calm water during sunset or sunrise, with reflections on the surface.
Orca whale breaching the ocean surface, with part of its tail and dorsal fin visible.
A whale breaches the water's surface, surrounded by a flock of seagulls flying above and around it in the ocean. Humpback whales bubble net feeding.
A bird with a crest and red eyes perched on a thin, leafless branch against a clear blue sky.
A black Mercedes-Benz van with a roof rack parked in a snowy forested area during snowfall, surrounded by tall pine trees.
The image shows a view from inside an old, rusted vehicle looking out through the windshield with a broken windshield. In the background, there is a small restaurant or shop with a sign that reads 'HACKBERRY' and a 'MOBILE' sign, along with trees and
Old gas station with vintage gasoline pumps, rusty car parts, and a sign that reads 'Signal Gasoline,' located in a rural area with mountains in the background.
A large group of seagulls flying over the ocean near the water's surface, with whale fins breaking through the water. Humpback whales bubble net feeding.
A parked motorhome on a dirt road in a desert landscape with rock formations in the background under a clear blue sky. Monument Valley. Forrest Gump Point.
A smiling middle-aged man and woman taking a selfie at the Grand Canyon with the canyon's layered cliffs in the background, the woman holding a selfie stick and wearing sunglasses and an orange jacket, and the man wearing sunglasses, a black cap, and
Old rusty green truck in a desert landscape with mountains and clear blue sky in the background.
A young grey donkey with large ears and a fluffy coat standing on dirt ground in a rural area, with a windmill and other donkeys in the background under a clear blue sky.
A woman wearing sunglasses, a blue jacket, and hiking shoes standing on snow-covered ground in front of a large red and white tracked vehicle labeled 'Ice Explorer' with mountains in the background.
A straight road extending through a desert landscape with large rock formations in the distance under a clear blue sky. Monument Valley Forrest Gump Point.
Several otters floating on their backs in a body of water, with one otter appearing to hold a small object or another otter.
Ancient cliff dwelling built into a large cave in a desert landscape with sparse trees and shrubs.
A panoramic view of the Canyonlands National Park with snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A silver camper van parked on a dirt ledge overlooking a canyon landscape under a clear blue sky. Goosenecks State park.
A large grizzly bear with cubs in a natural setting with green plants, yellow flowers, and a blurred background. Cassiar Highway, Canada.
A young fox standing among pink flowers and greenery in a forested area.
View of the Goosenecks State Park with layered rock formations and a river at the bottom under a partly cloudy sky.
Snow-capped mountains in the background with reddish rock formations and cliffs in the foreground, clear blue sky with some clouds.
Sunset over a lake with mountains in the background, dense trees on the left, and a rocky shoreline.
Two people stand on rocks in front of a rushing river with a forested mountain landscape and snow-capped peaks in the background.
Scenic mountain valley with winding road, tall pine trees, and snow-capped peaks under partly cloudy sky.
A desert landscape with a twisted, gnarled tree and sparse bushes and shrubs, under a clear blue sky.
A camper van parked on the side of a mountain road with snow-capped mountains in the background and a clear blue sky above. Athabasca Glacier, Canada.
A camper van parked on a dirt road in a desert landscape with red rocks and distant mesas under a cloudy sky.
Scenic view of a river with white water rapids flowing over rocks, surrounded by dense green trees and tall mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
An elk with large, velvety antlers resting on burnt ground among blackened burnt trees.
Two people stand on a rocky ledge in a desert landscape with canyons and mesas, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Two people standing on a rocky beach in front of a turquoise lake with mountains and pine trees in the background. The sky is clear and blue. Moraine Lake, Rocky Mountains, Canada.
A black Mercedes-Benz van parked on a winding road in a desert landscape with large red rock formations and sparse desert vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.
A dry, leafless tree growing among reddish rocks and sparse desert vegetation under a clear blue sky.
A paved road with yellow dividing lines, leading towards a large red rock formation in a desert landscape, with clear blue sky overhead.
A black camper van parked on the side of a road in a desert landscape with large red rock formations and sparse bushes, under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a large turquoise lake surrounded by pine trees and snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky. Moraine Lake.
A gray camper van parked in front of a mountain range with snow, trees, and a partly cloudy blue sky. Rocky Mountains, Canada.
A weathered, twisted dead tree in a desert landscape with red rock formations in the background under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by green pine forests and rugged mountains with patches of snow.
A winding road through a desert landscape with large rock formations under a blue sky with clouds
A silver campervan parked in a desert landscape with cacti and bushy vegetation under a blue sky with scattered clouds and mountain in the background.
A large harbor with a ferryboat named Nova Scotia docked at the shore. The water is surrounded by forested hills and cloudy sky.
Sunset over the Goosenecks State park showcasing layered rock formations and deep valleys.
A scenic view of a lake with mountains in the background, partially covered with snow, under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a black van with green accents and a roof rack is parked, with some greenery and dirt path around it.
A scenic view of the ocean coastline with rugged cliffs, a rainbow, and clouds over a mountain in the distance.
A grey van with green and black stripes parked on a grassy area near a walkway, with a sign that says 'Centre of Canada' and a red maple leaf logo behind it, under a clear blue sky.