Thanks for checking us out! Black Forest Westfalias is a small (very small), family-owned business based in Fall City, Washington (just outside of Seattle in the Cascade foothills). We are proud to be the longest running Westfalia rental outfit in the region, the only fully engine-converted fleet, and the only rentals offering vehicle delivery (check out our proprietary flat-tow Smart Car Vanagon delivery system!).

How it started: For over a decade I’ve been a documentary photographer in the Pacific Northwest. In the early days as a freelancer I needed a vehicle that I could live in for indeterminate lengths of time, work out of comfortably, and go just about anywhere. Naturally I had my doubts about making a 30-year old camper van my primary vehicle. But as soon as it happened, almost instantly, those doubts fell away. The van fit me like a glove.

Later, around the time my son turned 2, it became just as important to get our family out camping as it was for me to travel for my job, and the van sort of became another family member. The beauty of Westfalias is you don't need to plan as much. We've been on countless spontaneous trips that we otherwise wouldn't have taken, and the memories of course are invaluable. 

So many of our friends that we've camped and traveled with have thought of owning a Westfalia, but affordable vans in reliable condition aren't easy to come by. As I began doing more and more mechanical work, pushing myself to do bigger and bigger jobs, I realized I had an opportunity. I could share this thing that I enjoy so much, and in turn expand my own knowledge and interest. From there all I needed was a name (and a few more vans).

It’s been an amazing business so far. I knew I’d enjoy the vans part- restoring and maintaining them. But what really surprised me is how incredible it has been helping make meaningful experiences for people. Honestly, if I’m ever am feeling down I just flip through one of the guest log books and I’m completely realigned.

- Mike