Northern New England and Beyond in a Campervan
Our New England campervan rentals in Portland are perfect for adventures in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and across the border in Nova Scotia and The Maritimes.
Within a few hours of picking up your luxury Moterra campervan rental, you can be exploring the rugged coastline of Acadia National Park, summiting peaks in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, or basking in the refreshing waters of Vermont’s Lake Champlain.
New to camping, or can’t picture yourself cooking anything other than s’mores over an open fire? Fear not! While New England has lots of protected, wild spaces, it is also easier to stay tethered to civilization here compared to some of our Western destinations. For this reason, trips out of Portland are equally suited for experienced van life enthusiasts and the newly campervan-curious.
If you seek to be totally off the grid, our Sprinter van rentals are equipped with solar power, water storage and four wheel drive to explore endless forests, parks and peaks. But our campervan hub in Portland, Maine still offers a great deal of possibility if you prefer reliable access to cell service, gas stations and restaurants.
Hub
Portland, Maine
Season
May – October
Portland International Jetport (PWM) or Boston Logan
1.75 Hours
Recommended Trip Length
COASTAL MAINE & ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
4 – 7 Days
INTERIOR MAINE & MOUNT KATAHDIN
4 – 6 Days
ACADIA & EASTERN CANADA
7 – 9 Days
GREEN & WHITE MOUNTAINS
4 – 7 Days
Coastal Maine and Acadia National Park
Kick off your road trip on Coastal Route 1, linking beloved seaside communities like Boothbay Harbor, Camden, and Belfast in Maine. Hit the trails for panoramic ocean views, set sail on a schooner in Penobscot Bay, and feast on the day’s catch from a local lobster pound. Then, make your way in your campervan rental to Acadia National Park. Tucked on Mount Desert Island, Acadia is home to some 130 miles of hiking trails, 60 miles of Rockefeller’s manicured carriage roads, and infinite views of the island’s rugged coastline. Acadia is the perfect playground for any outdoor enthusiast: Swim or kayak in glacially carved lakes, bike on the vast network of car-free gravel roads, and hike to your heart’s content. Then, when you are ready for a taste of civilization, zip into beloved Bar Harbor, known for its working waterfront as well as delightful shops and eateries.
Insider Recommendations
View the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the very first place in the U.S. to catch the day’s rays.
Drive Acadia’s spectacular Loop Road from the comfort of your luxury campervan, connecting park highlights like Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs and Thunder Hole.
Learn about the history of the region’s native peoples at the Smithsonian-affiliated Abbe Museum.
Embark on a naturalist-helmed whale watch in search of majestic humpbacks as well as playful porpoise and seals.
Interior Maine and Mount Katahdin
Though Maine’s coastline is perhaps a splashier destination, its interior is equally compelling. Those in search of wildlife and wilderness need look no further than the most forested state in the nation. Head north toward Rangeley Lake or Moosehead Lake, where there are endless opportunities to swim, fish and recreate. Or, set your sights on Baxter State Park. This peaceful playground is a hiker’s paradise – lightly trafficked trails often lead to remote ponds, where canoes are stashed on the lakeshore, just waiting to be used. Baxter is also home to mighty Mount Katahdin. Famous for its epic “knife’s edge” ridgeline, Katahdin is Maine’s tallest peak (5,269 feet) as well as the termination point of the Appalachian Trail. And, be sure to check out Katahdin Woods and Waters, one of the country’s newest National Monuments and the surest spot to see a moose!
Insider Recommendations
Spot abundant native wildlife, including bald eagles, black bear, and moose.
Raft the mighty Penobscot River, expertly navigating the wild whitewater and rugged rapids.
Camp at lakeside campsites, where you are more likely to see a moose than have a neighbor.
Fly fish in pristine mountain lakes and streams, casting for salmon, trout and perch.
Nova Scotia and The Canadian Maritimes
Travel back in time with a visit to Eastern Canada, where the blues are a little bluer, the greens a little greener, and the people are as friendly as they come! Nova Scotia is known for its fresh-off-the-dock seafood, pristine capes and coastline, and quaint coastal communities. Road trip in your campervan rental around the peninsula, where you can witness the Bay of Fundy’s dramatic 40-foot tides, wine-taste in the country’s oldest vineyards, and fall asleep under some of the darkest night skies in North America. If you are up for a bigger adventure, consider adding on a trip to Cape Breton or Prince Edward Island, both spectacular in their own right.
Insider Recommendations
Explore historic downtown Halifax as well as charming Lunenburg, a beautiful seaside town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Eat seafood fresh off the boat – lobster, haddock, mussels and Digby scallops are local favorites.
Drive Cape Breton’s legendary Cabot Trail, a breathtaking coastal loop around the island that passes through the heart of Cape Breton Highlands NP.
Kayak through the iconic arches at Hopewell Rocks, where the rock formations are as extreme as the massive tides.
VT’s Green Mountains and NH’s White Mountains
If you seek to slip away from the stresses of civilization, campervan trips to New Hampshire and Vermont are for you! Small in size but mighty in scale, these mountainous states boast the region’s best hiking. (New Hampshire has 48 peaks over 4,000 feet!) Drive the 35-mile Kancamagus Highway, widely considered to be the best fall foliage drive in New England, stopping to swim, hike, or camp in White Mountain National Forest. North Conway, Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch make for memorable day trips, as does taking your New England campervan rental on the auto road to Mount Washington’s 6,300-foot summit (you can see six states plus Canada from the top!). Bucolic as can be, Vermont also has epic hiking and biking as well as a number of impossibly charming towns, like Woodstock and Stowe (which we like to think of as the Jackson Hole of the East).
Insider Recommendations
Hike some or all of the seven peaks that make up New Hampshire’s iconic Presidential Traverse.
Indulge in some of the country’s best beer and cider – Vermont is the state with the most breweries per capita.
Float the scenic and meandering Saco River, the perfect way to cool off on a summer’s day.
Explore the charms of Vermont’s covered bridges, more than 100 of which are still in use today.
Moterra Adventure Experiences in Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
Explore the wilderness around Jackson Hole, Wyoming with our fully planned campervan tours.
Insider’s Guide
Excited about all the possibilities and potential, but not sure where to begin? Click below to download a free copy of our Moterra Insider’s Guide for a deeper dive into our favorite routes and recommendations, as well as more detailed information about campgrounds and activities to help you maximize your time in these beautiful areas.