The wild Pacific Northwest is one of the most visited locations in the United States for campers, and Portland offers a selection of overnight vehicles for visitors
PHOTO: RV-Portland.jpg: The Wildwood Recreation Site is nestled at the base of Mount Hood just outside of Portland. (Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Portland has more than 275 parks and 14,000 acres of green space in the city alone. Nature lovers flock to the city as a starting point for travel to Oregon’s coast, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge. Even spots like Oxbow Regional Park have become a destination for campers. Several state parks are within an easy drive of downtown Portland. Summer and the months in early fall are the peak seasons for visitors. To help you find the best camper rental, we have selected what we consider the best RV rental agencies in Portland. Here are our picks.
Escape Camper Vans
Rob Mewton, an entrepreneur, surfer, and traveler from New Zealand founded Escape Camper Vans and in 2009 opened the first US location. Today, Escape Camper Vans has 11 locations and has been in the rental business for more than 16 years. The vans are noticeable with their family-friendly exterior designs, and the company allows up to four drivers per vehicle, provides 24-hour roadside assistance, and offers both round-trip and one-way options.
Escape Camper Vans rents 5 different types of campervans. Renters in Portland can choose the Maverick, Mesa, or Del Mar. The Maverick and the Mesa are hard-top units with space to sleep up to 5 with a rooftop sleeper. Both units have kitchen fit outs and dual battery systems. Rates are less than $107 per day. The pop-top Del Mar is “big adventure” for up to 5 people and is described as “the ultimate package for travel enthusiasts.” Along with room to stand when the top is up, this vehicle comes with amenities like a foldaway table and benches, an outside two-burner stove, and Bluetooth capabilities. These vehicles are in high demand at this location, but special rates are as low as $147 per day. The Santa Cruz and the Jeep Camper can sleep two. The adventurous Jeep Camper lets drivers explore and when it is time to sleep the rooftop bedroom opens. (These last two vehicles are not available in Portland.)
Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer marketplace for RV owners to connect with renters. Owners advertise and rent their vehicles to anyone who needs a short-term vehicle. Multiple sizes and styles of vehicles are available, from single unit trailers to spacious vehicles accommodating larger groups. When we searched for RVs in Denver, we found many options available for pick-up across the area.
As a popular camping destination, a search in Portland turned up more than 50 options when refined to display only campervans. Portland keeps it weird, but if a horse trailer or a converted VW Golf is not an option other low-cost options are plentiful. A family-owned VW Westfalia Weekender is a great option for a couple looking to explore Portland, both in and out of the city. This private vehicle renting at $117 per night is pet friendly, and comes with a bike rack, tow hitch, and can be picked up and dropped off at the airport. The largest campervan in the search is the Leisure Travel Van “SerenDIPity.” At $306 per night with a 10% discount, this vehicle delivers space and comfort. The 24’ van sleeps 4 and everyday kitchen items and linens are included.
Road Trip Oregon
A couple camper van enthusiasts started Road Trip Oregon. The company’s fleet is 12 vehicles big, and units range from modified vans and trucks to deluxe campers off the assembly line. Road Trip Oregon has a sister company, Road Trip Arizona, for those heading to the southwest. The company’s website provides a handy campervan checklist of all included items, from plates and bowls to flashlights and folding camp chairs.
The most affordable option is one of two Eurovan campers. Each sleep 4, but the difference is with the amenities and living arrangements. Both vehicles are available for $120 per night. The newest addition to the Road Trip Oregon lineup is the 2020 Winnebago Revel. This burly ride is designed for off the grid camping and is powered by a 3-liter turbodiesel and an on-demand 4WD system. The unit has a fully functional kitchen, a push button awning, and interior built-in LED lighting. The van features indoor and outdoor showers and a modern cassette-style toilet. The Revel rents for $260 per night.