The People Behind Bigfoot
Cristyn Merry, Owner & Fellow Adventurer, started her journey of owning a campervan rental after a tent camping experience she’ll never forget. We had her fill us in on all the DIRT and more!
Where did your passion for adventure-seeking and camping come from?
What do you like most about traveling in a campervan and how has it been a different experience compared to the traditional camping normality?
The absolute BEST part is being fully self-contained. I can roll into a site at any time and shut the engine off, no setup required. I love how quiet it is inside the van, and I can make espresso without worrying about how much noise I’m making if I’m in a campground. My dogs love the opportunity to shut out all the stimulation of being in a campground. We also love the peace we get from being able to drive down a forest service road and just be in nature.
Why is protecting our natural wonder a top priority for you & how is Bigfoot Adventure Vans different?
Any tips for fellow adventurers when converting to this new style of camping?
Traveling in a campervan is like a glorified vacation on wheels! The spaciousness of the van allows you to bring everything you love. You can forget having to lug around camping totes and coolers and load up the fridge with all your favorite fresh foods. Don’t limit yourself to traditional camping food; instead, plan some yummy meals to utilize the fully stocked kitchen. Storage is no longer a concern, so be sure to bring all the hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking gear. The best part of traveling in a campervan is that you truly get to immerse yourself wherever you are and really appreciate the sunrises, sunsets, and in between, all while having a place of respite and comfort.
I grew up in Alaska and was surrounded by natural beauty (and danger!). I firmly believe that getting people out of cities is crucial to bringing awareness of our planet, ecosystems, and our place in them.
Did you name your first van and where did you adventure with it first?
The first van didn’t end up getting named. Its first adventure was a trip to Las Vegas to see my parents and show them the new van! My first camping adventure was to Bogan Flats, which was the place that sealed the deal on buying a van to convert into a campervan. After tent camping in 3 nights of solid rain with 4 dogs the idea of toying around with buying a van was no longer an idea. The following week, I was at the dealer!
Protecting our natural habitat is critical to maintaining our connections with our planet. The exploitation of our natural resources should be done carefully and responsibly, and without that connection to our planet, we are at risk of over-exploiting it (hint: we’re already doing it). Bigfoot Adventure Vans wants to enable people to get out of the cities and into nature to experience the incredible world we live in, outside of the man-made.
Where is your favorite place you have adventured and what has been top on your bucket list?
My favorite place has to be Alaska, where I was born and raised! It’s hard to pick a single place that I have traveled to, but I’d have to say National Parks in general because you can’t choose just one.
A Note from Cristyn
Fair warning! Once you go out with a campervan you’ll be hooked. It’s such an easy way to travel and explore new places. Traveling with everything you need, organized like your home, gives you the freedom of mind to enjoy where you are without the stress of trying to find some “thing” in a tote or worrying that you forgot it altogether. You’re no longer subject to whatever the weather conditions are because you have refuge in the van, and won’t have your camping trips cut short or canceled because of it.
- Cristyn Merry
What’s Different About Bigfoot Adventure Vans?
We are dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural wonders we enable our adventurers to explore.
Responsible Travel Initiatives
Leave it better than you found it
Leave No Trace waste bags and gloves are in every van to facilitate cleaning up campsites and natural areas our adventurers use.
Solar Powered Van
Van is 100% solar powered, enabling responsible and courteous camping for as long as our adventurers want to be off-grid.
Water Conservation
Van is equipped with Geyser shower systems to help conserve water by providing hot showers that use less than 1 gallon of water!