Dylan Efron grew up on the Central Coast of California and spent a lot of time outdoors. Whether it was fishing in Kings Canyon or camping in Yosemite with his father and older brother Zac Efron, those early days left a lasting impression. And while that may seem a long way from his latest role as a fan favorite on reality TV Traitors and Dancing with the starsoff-grid adventures are still a big priority for Efron (and may have helped give him a competitive edge on screen). “I feel like I have this really great situation where I have one foot in both worlds; I can go rock climbing on the weekend and just be a bag of dirt, and then I can dress up on the red carpet that same week,” Efron tells the Observer of his contrasting professional pursuits.
“before Traitors“I was making outside content, so any time I closed a deal with a brand or got a little money, I would go plan a trip. I was very rich in experiences because of that,” Efron says. To recharge from his hectic schedule, which recently included filming a Netflix reality TV series, Squid Games: VIP Challengeand honed his skills in Argentine Tango Dancing with the stars Touring, Efron always returns to nature. “I just went out into the flower fields to see the gorgeous flower without any plan at all — I jumped in the car with my dog and texted my dad, who met me there,” Efron says of his recent California vacation. “I have a minivan that I can sleep in, so I put it down to science,” he adds, noting that he once lived out of his van for two months while traveling.
National parks are a top destination for Efron (and his dog Booey), which is exactly why he’s joining T-Mobile in announcing a “Do Not Disturb” initiative with the National Parks Foundation (NPF). The partnership, which includes a donation from T-Mobile to help protect and preserve America’s national parks, is about encouraging others to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with nature (although T-Satellite technology means you’ll never be completely off the grid, because it’s T-Mobile, after all). “I’ve been to every national park in California, but I want to go to more on the East Coast,” Efron says of his upcoming travel plans, which include Florida’s Everglades. But if you’re planning your own trip, he has plenty of recommendations too. “My favorites would have to be Joshua Tree, because I spent the most time there, and the Channel Islands. But Montana has some beautiful islands, like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, which I’ve visited a lot to fish.”
During a quick stop in New York City, Dylan Efron spoke with Observer about his current essentials — from what’s in his camper to the reality TV shows he never misses.