Van Life in GLENDALE
Glendale puts you at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains with Angeles National Forest thirty minutes away and a clear shot to the coast, the desert, and the high country beyond that. You can wake up in the city, pick up your van, and be camping under pines or parked near the Pacific before the day is over. That kind of range is rare in Southern California, and a camper van is the most direct way to use it.
OffGrid Campervans curates the best-reviewed Class B camper vans available in the Glendale area, all of which you book directly on Outdoorsy. Every van in the recommendation set is hand-picked for quality, host reliability, and the kind of gear that makes a Southern California road trip work.
- Angeles National Forest: about 30 min north, best in spring and fall, cool at elevation in summer
- Joshua Tree National Park: about 2.5 hours east, 9 campgrounds, bring water, book ahead in spring
- Point Mugu State Park: about 1 hour west, beachside camping at Thornhill Broome, good year round
Not sure it's the one? Rent it first.
- 1
Rent it.
The exact model you're thinking about buying.
- 2
Live in it.
Real trip. Real roads. Real experiences.
- 3
Buy it and save.
Love it? We take $500 to $1,000 off the price (depends on the model).
- 4
Or walk away.
Not the one? No harm done. No pressure, no obligation.
Camper Van Rentals Available in GLENDALE, California
Off-grid capable Class B vans available for pickup in GLENDALE.
2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 AWD Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 AWD camper van in Glendale, CA, featuring a queen bed, indoor shower, A/C, solar power, and true off-road capability.
From
$199/night
2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a Dodge Ram 1500 camper van in Glendale, CA, fully equipped with solar, lithium batteries, hot shower, full kitchen, and cassette toilet for true off-grid adventures.
From
$180/night
2019 RAM Promaster 2500 Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent this 2019 RAM Promaster 2500 camper van in Glendale, CA , sleeps 5, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor shower, and pet friendly.
From
$275/night
2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 camper van in Glendale, CA with solar power, A/C, diesel heater, full kitchen, and off-road capability for 2.
From
$275/night
2024 Winnebago Revel 4x4 Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2024 Winnebago Revel 4x4 in Glendale, CA , a rugged, fully equipped camper van with solar, indoor shower, A/C, and pet-friendly comfort for up to 3.
From
$250/night
2022 Winnebago Solis Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a Winnebago Solis camper van in Glendale, CA , sleeps 4, solar power, full kitchen, indoor shower, and pet friendly for your next adventure.
From
$250/night
2021 Winnebago Solis Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2021 Winnebago Solis camper van in Glendale, CA , sleeps 4, full kitchen, solar, A/C, indoor shower, and pet friendly.
From
$175/night
2021 Passage Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent the 2021 Passage camper van in Glendale, CA , a compact, luxury-built Class B diesel with solar, full kitchen, wet bath, and pet-friendly amenities for two.
From
$270/night
2019 Hymer Aktiv Loft 1.0 Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2019 Hymer Aktiv Loft 1.0 in Glendale, CA , sleeps 5, lithium power, A/C, indoor shower, and easy to drive anywhere.
From
$190/night
2023 Ford Transit Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2023 Ford Transit camper van in Glendale, CA with a queen bed, hot shower, toilet, solar power, and a boutique hotel-style interior.
From
$220/night
2017 Ford Transit Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a custom-built 2017 Ford Transit camper van in Glendale, CA, featuring solar power, a queen bed, full kitchen, and off-grid essentials for two.
From
$175/night
2017 RAM Promaster 2500 Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a fully self-contained 2017 RAM Promaster 2500 camper van in Glendale, CA with solar power, indoor shower, toilet, and all-terrain capability for true off-grid adventures.
From
$225/night
2023 Ultimate Coach Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent the Ultimate Coach in Glendale, CA: a luxury custom camper van sleeping 2 with AC, WiFi, full kitchen, and seating for 10.
From
$399/night
2020 Adventure Wagon Ready Sprinter 4X4 Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent the Adventure Wagon Ready Sprinter 4X4 in Glendale, CA: a family-ready diesel 4x4 camper van sleeping 4 with a full kitchen, hot outdoor shower, and WiFi.
From
$220/night
2021 Midwest Passage Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent the luxurious Midwest Passage camper van in Glendale, CA , a fully equipped Class B with solar, A/C, queen bed, and full kitchen for two.
From
$279/night
2021 Winnebago Solis Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a Winnebago Solis camper van in Glendale, CA , sleeps 4, full kitchen, solar power, indoor shower, and pet friendly for your next adventure.
From
$250/night
2023 Winnebago Solis 59P Family-Friendly Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2023 Winnebago Solis 59P in Glendale, CA , sleeps 4, seats 6, with full kitchen, wet bath, solar, A/C, and a pop-top loft.
From
$250/night
2023 Winnebago Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in GLENDALE, California
Rent a 2023 Winnebago Solis camper van in Glendale, CA , sleeps 4, solar power, full kitchen, indoor shower, and WiFi for true off-grid adventures.
From
$245/night
Local Tips for GLENDALE
Angeles Crest Highway closes in winter after snowfall. Check Caltrans road conditions before heading into the San Gabriels between November and March.
Joshua Tree campgrounds fill fast on spring and fall weekends. Reserve your site on Recreation.gov as soon as your dates are set, and carry at least two days of water.
Big Bear Lake campgrounds are in high demand in July and August. Book early and expect traffic on the mountain highways on Friday afternoons.
Point Mugu State Park is one of the few coastal campgrounds within an hour of Glendale. Thornhill Broome puts you steps from the beach, but sites are limited, so reserve ahead.
For Ojai, a compact Class B fits the town's narrow roads and smaller campground pads better than a larger rig. Spring and fall keep the valley temperatures manageable for both driving and hiking.
Where to Camp and Explore Near GLENDALE
Real spots within reach of a weekend trip.
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest rises directly above Glendale in the San Gabriel Mountains, with the Angeles Crest Highway climbing into pine country just minutes away. Numerous campgrounds and trailheads make it the closest forest escape for a camper van. Higher elevations stay cool when the basin bakes.
Point Mugu State Park
Point Mugu State Park stretches along the coast at the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains, about an hour from Glendale. It combines miles of ocean shoreline with rugged canyon and ridge trails. Sycamore Canyon and Thornhill Broome campgrounds put a camper van right near the beach.
Ojai
Ojai is an artsy valley town backed by the Los Padres National Forest, about ninety minutes northwest of Glendale. The forest's Ojai Ranger District offers trails into the Topatopa Mountains and along clear creeks. The town is famous for its pink sunset glow on the surrounding ridges.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a high mountain lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, about two hours east of Glendale. Forest campgrounds, boating, and trout fishing draw warm-weather visitors, while winter brings snow and skiing. The drive up the mountain highways is part of the appeal.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is roughly two and a half hours east of Glendale, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. Boulder fields, namesake trees, and dark night skies reward the drive. Nine campgrounds host camper vans, but bring water and book ahead during cool-season weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp close to Glendale in a camper van?
Angeles National Forest is the closest option, about thirty minutes north of Glendale via Angeles Crest Highway. The forest has multiple campgrounds and trailheads accessible to camper vans, and the elevation keeps temperatures cooler than the basin, especially in summer.
What is the best time of year to rent a camper van from Glendale for a road trip?
Spring and fall are the strongest all-around seasons for most destinations reachable from Glendale. Joshua Tree and Ojai shine in those shoulder months, while Big Bear Lake is best in summer and Point Mugu State Park is good year round.
Can I drive a camper van to Joshua Tree National Park from Glendale?
Yes, Joshua Tree is about two and a half hours east of Glendale. The park has nine campgrounds that accommodate camper vans, but water is not available on-site, so fill your tank before you arrive and book your site well ahead on cool-season weekends.
How far is Big Bear Lake from Glendale for a camper van trip?
Big Bear Lake is roughly two hours east of Glendale through the San Bernardino National Forest. Summer is the prime season for camping, boating, and fishing up there, and the mountain highway drive is a worthwhile part of the experience.
Is Point Mugu State Park a good camper van destination from Glendale?
Point Mugu is about an hour west of Glendale and one of the few places in Southern California where you can camp directly near the ocean. Sycamore Canyon and Thornhill Broome campgrounds both work well for camper vans, and spring is the best season for wildflowers and mild weather.
What should I know about driving Angeles Crest Highway in a camper van?
Angeles Crest Highway climbs into the San Gabriel Mountains from the edge of Glendale and involves sustained grades and tight curves, so take it steady. The road can close in winter due to snow and ice, so check Caltrans conditions before you head up in the colder months.
Is Ojai worth a camper van detour from Glendale?
Ojai is about ninety minutes northwest of Glendale and a solid stop if you want a mix of trail access and a walkable town. The Los Padres National Forest surrounds the valley with routes into the Topatopa Mountains, and spring and fall bring the most comfortable temperatures for both hiking and camping.
Hand-picked, and yours to book direct
Every van here is one we'd book ourselves. We search Outdoorsy and surface the hosts with proven track records, fast replies, and off-grid gear that actually works. You book and pay direct with the host, so we never touch your reservation. If you get stuck, we're here to help.
Camper Van Rentals Near GLENDALE
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