We recently spent a week hiking, biking and snapping Instagram-worthy photos in Sedona, one of our favorite destinations. This trip we noticed something striking about our neighbors at the excellent Rancho Sedona RV park.

Vans are big -- and we don’t mean that in a super-sized kind of way. In the years we’ve been wandering, we’ve never seen so many of these stylish vehicles in one place. What gives?

Trend keeps accelerating

There’s no doubt the pandemic fueled a surge in the van life-style. We’ve seen it at parks across the West, often filled even during the so-called shoulder season.

The appeal is clear, as these compact rigs are easy to drive and park. They get decent mileage and they’re definitely higher on the hipness factor than a motorhome or travel trailer. We’ve talked about downsizing to a van over the years. But do we really want to go there?

In the spirit of Black Friday, here are a few vans we’ve thought about buying:

The Jayco Terrain 4x4 is going to get you over some rocky roads. Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, it promises off-road capabilities with loads of high-end amenities such as a drop-down bed with storage underneath. The wet bath has a cassette toilet, which some people prefer to a black tank. Pricetag: $200,000.

A Pleasure-Way Tofino offers solar panels as an upgrade, a cozy convertible sofa bed and a pop-top to make the space more roomy and has an overhead bunk for visitors. The setup features loads of screens. It screams summer weekend exploration. Built on a Dodge Ram, it rings up at under $100K.

The Canadian-made Leisure Wonder is rated a Class C, but its compact package looks more like a van. We’re fond of the bed-in-the-rear floorplan that frees up the front to serve as a living room/kitchen. The skylight really opens up the snug space. Priced at $186,000, there’s a waitlist for this popular vehicle built on a Ford Transit.

Another nod to our clever neighbors up north, the Hymer has expanded its options since it first made a big impression about a decade ago. There are vehicles that border on the big rig category, but we’re always drawn back to the original configuration. Loving the Exsis-t 580 Pure model because it’s built on a Fiat, which is a champ for fuel efficiency. Plus, it’s got amenities not often included in your typical van such as a 32-inch flat screen, a fairly spacious bathroom with a separate shower and an awning. The price tag of 91,000 is in Euros, so getting this sweet ride in the U.S. might be a challenge. We’re intrigued!

The Roadtrek Play offers surprising comfort in a snug space, with beds in the back that double as couches during the day and a kitchen with a flip-up prep counter. This company has built a loyal following over the decades with its quality work. Built on a 3500 Ram ProMaster, the Play will set you back around $150,000.

Are you a van fan? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please ping us at goingmobile@spokesman.com.

Connect online

Follow along with our adventures through the Southwest on Facebook and Instagram. Leslie’s also been writing Google reviews of the RV parks we visit. And check out the spokesman.com for all of our stories, along with travel stories from our buddy Dan Webster. Go to: spokesman.com/goingmobile.

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