T-Shirts Now Available!
Vanquinox 2023 T-Shirts are now available to order via our Bonfire Store! Check it out!
Thanks to Elsa Walstead for the original design!
Itinerary for Vanquinox 2023
Vanquinox is an informal gathering so there’s not a formal agenda but as activities such as group hikes, live music, bike rides firm up they’ll be posted here.
Overall Event Date and Times
Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 2:00 PM – Sun, Sep 24, 2023, 12:00 PM MDT
Thursday
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Welcome Happy Hour courtesy of Sawtooth Brewery
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Opening up the music at Vanquinox with a solo set Fuzzy Ip
8:30 PM – Stomp and dance to the Junkerdash sounds of Hillfolk Noir
Friday
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM (or whenever the sun reaches us in the canyon to warm up) Enjoy 45 minutes of restorative yoga, opening the heart and hips with gentle holds. Jenny Greenough will guide you through a slow flow that will help you connect more deeply to yourself and nature and feel free to enjoy the day!
1:00 PM – Nature Loop Trail hike, approx 1.5 mile loop trail on flat ground to see river and go through some of the varied marshes, meadows, and forest in the close vicinity. Very low difficulty
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Group Dinner with grilled meats provided by Blackrock Builds, beer and other beverages courtesy of Sawtooth Brewery, potluck bring an app, side, or dessert to share.
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Share your tunes night! Offering attendees to share their favorite music by either open mic, or send your favorite 45 minute playlist to Mike at omearamd@gmail.com, more details to come via email!
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Opening up the live music for Friday night, Vanquinox veteran from Seattle, Lee Jensen
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM Alyssa Joy Claffey Duo
Saturday
*See our Facebook page and join or start a discussion to plan either a 1,2, or 4 hour guided horseback ride departing right from camp site (additional cost to the outfitter on site), or plan a full day hike into the Sawtooths to Trail Creek Lakes
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM (or whenever the sun reaches us in the canyon to warm up) Enjoy 45 minutes of restorative yoga, opening the heart and hips with gentle holds. Jenny Greenough will guide you through a slow flow that will help you connect more deeply to yourself and nature and feel free to enjoy the day!
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Ground with sound for the Fall Equinox and raise your vibration while connected to the energy of the Sawtooth Mountains. Jenny Greenough plays healing and meditative sounds of crystal sound bowls, Tibetan bowls, chimes and more. This meditative practice will honor the “harvest” of all of your hard work this year and deepen your sense of gratitude bringing you to live in the present moment and rest and relaxation mode.
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Sawtooth Shipwreck
Sunday
10:00 AM Community Giveback Event: Clean up camping meadow and Sacajawea hot spring (public and undeveloped) picking up litter and micro-trash
12:00 PM End of event
Vanquinox 2023 Live Music Lineup is HERE!
🌲 Join us in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains and groove to the beats of these incredible artists joining our live music lineup:
🔥 Thursday, 9/21: The unparalleled sounds of Hillfolk Noir. Get ready for a mystical musical journey as the sun sets on the first day.
🎸 Friday, 9/22: Dive deep into the night with the electrifying rhythms of Dimlit Machine. An evening you won’t forget!
🌌 Saturday, 9/23: The grand finale with Central Idaho’s own Country Blues Trio – Sawtooth Shipwreck. Let’s dance under the stars!
Click here for the full itinerary!
A HUGE shoutout to our partners and sponsors for making this live music lineup possible:
🍺 @sawtoothbrewery 🚌 @vancafe 🔧 @blackrockbuilds 🌌 @nomadicvan.life
Tickets are selling out fast! ⏰ Secure your spot to be part of an unforgettable equinox weekend. 🌟 Click here for 15% off tickets now!
Vanquinox: Where Vanlife Meets Live Music Under the Autumnal Equinox Sky
We are thrilled to introduce you to Vanquinox, an enchanting convergence of passionate vanlifers, music aficionados, and nature enthusiasts, all coming together during one of the celestial calendar’s most harmonious events – the autumnal equinox.
Set amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Grandjean, Idaho, Vanquinox is designed as an ode to freedom, community, and the ever-evolving vanlife movement. From September 21-24, 2023, the esteemed Sawtooth Lodge will play host to an extraordinary gathering that celebrates the essence of adventure, the camaraderie of like-minded souls, and the universal language of music.
Embracing the Spirit of Adventure
Vanquinox is not just an event; it’s a journey. Here’s what awaits you:
🏕️ Camping Under the Stars:
Experience the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in all its glory as you park your camper van or overlanding vehicle and set up camp. Let the spirit of off-grid living inspire you.
🎵 Live Music Performances:
As the sun sets and the equinox energy envelops us, indulge in the magic of live performances that promise to resonate with every heartstring.
🧘♀️ Yoga and Equinox Ritual:
Align your mind, body, and spirit with revitalizing yoga sessions. Don’t miss our special Equinox Ritual, harnessing the event’s celestial energy to celebrate balance and harmony.
🌄 Scenic Excursions:
Dive deep into the heart of Idaho as you embark on scenic drives, hike up to pristine alpine lakes, soak in the healing waters of the nearby Sacajawea hot springs, or go on a horseback ride into the Sawtooth Wilderness with the Sawtooth Wilderness Outfitters.
💦 Exclusive Access to Sawtooth Lodge’s Geothermal Pool:
Relax, rejuvenate, and connect with fellow attendees in the warmth of the geothermal swimming pool and enjoy hot showers – a touch of luxury in the embrace of nature.
✨ Connect, Celebrate, Cherish:
Forge new friendships, indulge in hearty conversations, and create memories that will linger long after the final song fades.
Join Us!
Vanquinox is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of the open road, the thrill of new connections, and the timeless allure of music. And as the autumnal equinox reminds us of the balance between day and night, we aim to create a space that balances adventure with relaxation, and music with silence.
Tickets are now available for purchase. For a limited time, use the promo code “VQX15” to get 15% off. And stay tuned – we’ll be announcing our music lineup very soon!
Remember, Vanquinox is more than just an event; it’s where memories are made, friendships are forged, and the vanlife community comes alive on the autumnal equinox under the shimmering Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
Mark your calendars, and let’s make magic together in the heart of Idaho!
Recap Video for Vanquinox 2022!
Take a look at our recap video courtesy of Motif Productions! Hope to see you all next year in 2023! Tickets available now!
Amazing soaks, some fantastic live music, dancing, and lots of vanlife stories around the campfire at Vanquinox 2022! Thanks to Sawtooth Lodge for being such generous hosts and to our sponsors, BlackRock Builds, The Beardsmith, and Sawtooth Brewery!
Schedule
Vanquinox is an informal gathering so there’s not a formal agenda but as activities such as group hikes, live music, bike rides firm up they’ll be posted here.
Overall Event Date and Times
Thu, Sep 22, 2022, 2:00 PM – Sun, Sep 25, 2022, 12:00 PM MDT
Thursday
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Welcome Happy Hour courtesy of Sawtooth Brewery
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Autumnal Equinox Sunset Yin and Sound Therapy – Gentle, seated session with Wendy Rose @wendymarierose
8:30 PM – Jeff Crosby Band – new album Waitin’ On a Miracle available now on all the major platforms
Friday
1:00 PM – Nature Loop Trail hike, approx 1.5 mile loop trail on flat ground to see river and go through some of the varied marshes, meadows, and forest in the close vicinity. Very low difficulty
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Welcome Happy Hour courtesy of Sawtooth Brewery
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Sunset Yin and Sound Therapy – Wendy Rose @wendymarierose
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM SpudMother
Saturday
*See our Facebook page and join or start a discussion to plan either a 1,2, or 4 hour guided horseback ride departing right from camp site (additional cost to the outfitter on site), or plan a full day hike into the Sawtooths to Trail Creek Lakes
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Optional/Voluntary Pot Luck – Share a plate
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM SpudMother
Sunday
10:00 AM Clean up camping meadow and Sacajawea hot spring (public and undeveloped) picking up litter and micro-trash
12:00 PM End of event
About Vanquinox
Vanquinox originated around the campfires at Syncro Solstice yearning for a planned opportunity for van enthusiasts to get together more than once a year, landing on a fall event to bookend summer. Synquinox happened in 2020 but the event wasn’t meant to be an off-roading rally and not specific to Syncros, let alone Vanagons. Hence the new name. The South Fork of the Payette River, including the Grandjean valley section, has long been a favorite destination of local Idaho weekend escapists, full time van-lifers, overlanders, hot springs enthusiasts, and all lovers of the outdoors.
We’ve partnered with Sawtooth Lodge because they’re in such an amazing location with so many outdoor recreation options right at their doorstep plus they’ve allowed us the opportunity at the end of their season to camp in our vans on their large meadow normally dedicated to walk-in tent campers all summer. It’s an ideal location, and being the beginning of fall weather can be unknown so there’s peace of mind knowing there will be a guaranteed camping spot, restrooms, hot showers, and meals available. It’s truly a unique and special place but to reserve the entire meadow, we have to organize and scale up the event a bit to share costs. There is no corporation or other for-profit entity behind Vanquinox, just a few like-minded individuals trying to have one last epic campout before the snow hits. All are welcome to Vanquinox and Sawtooth Lodge, we expect all to be treated with respect and kindness, we are an LGBTQ+ ally. Golden rule, people!
Space is limited and is on grass so on site camping is limited to vans and overlanding vehicles 25 ft or under in length. If you have a larger vehicle, check the FAQ for options.
*UPDATED* – Please see our CODE OF CONDUCT
2020 Event Gallery an event dubbed “Synquinox”
