Vanlife Culture at Its Best: Peace Love & Vans Colorado Festival Preview

One of my favorite things about this job is discovering communities that exist just outside the mainstream.

Sometimes it's a music festival tucked away in the woods. Sometimes it's a campground gathering that feels more like a family reunion than an event.

And sometimes it's an entire movement built around a shared belief that there's a different way to live, travel, and connect with the world around us.

That's what brought me to this week's conversation with Peace, Love & Vans Co-Founder Zach Daudert.

In this episode of Music Festivals Podcast, Zach joined me to share a preview of the upcoming Peace, Love & Vans Colorado gathering, taking place June 12-15, 2026, at the stunning Hummingbird Ranch in Spanish Peaks Country, Colorado. 

And after hearing him talk about the event, it's clear this isn't just another festival.

The Growth of Vanlife Culture

Over the last decade, #vanlife has evolved from a niche lifestyle into a thriving community of travelers, creators, builders, and adventurers. What began as a movement centered around freedom and exploration has grown into something much larger—a culture built around self-reliance, creativity, and human connection.

That's where Peace, Love & Vans comes in.

While there are plenty of events focused on vehicles, gear, or outdoor recreation, Zach and his team have created something that feels much more community-driven. The vans may bring people together initially, but the relationships, stories, and shared experiences are what keep people coming back.

In many ways, it reminds me of the best music festivals.  People arrive with a common interest and leave with a whole lot more.

A Gathering in One of Colorado's Most Beautiful Settings

If you've never been to Hummingbird Ranch, you're in for a treat.

Nestled beneath the Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado, the property offers the kind of backdrop that instantly makes you slow down and appreciate where you are. Towering mountain views, open skies, and plenty of room to spread out make it an ideal setting for a gathering centered around exploration and community.

And unlike many traditional festivals, Peace, Love & Vans offers attendees the opportunity to showcase not only their adventures, but also the homes they've built along the way.

Every van has a story. Every build reflects a different vision. Every campsite becomes a chance to learn something new.

That's part of what makes the experience so unique.

More Than Just Vans

One thing that stood out during my conversation with Zach was how often the discussion returned to people rather than vehicles.

Yes, there will be incredible builds to explore. Yes, there will be vendors, workshops, activities, and opportunities to learn from experienced vanlifers.

But at its core, Peace, Love & Vans is about bringing together people who value freedom, creativity, and community.

The vans are simply the conversation starter.  What happens after that is where the real magic lives.

It's the same reason many of us return to festivals year after year. We come for the event, but we stay for the people.

Why We're Excited to Be There

Here at Music Festivals Podcast, we've always been interested in documenting communities that form around shared experiences. Whether that' a music festival, a campground gathering, or a growing movement like vanlife, the stories that emerge are often far more interesting than the event itself.

That's why we're excited to continue following Peace, Love & Vans as it grows

We'll be there to capture the builders, the founders, the first-timers, the road warriors, and the people who have chosen a different path than the one society typically expects.

Because at the end of the day, this isn't really a story about vans. It's a story about connection. It's about people creating community wherever they park.

And much like the festival world we've come to love, it's proof that some of the most meaningful experiences happen when strangers gather with a shared purpose and leave as neighbors.

We'll see you in Colorado, Neighbors.

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