Get FinancingWhere To Go RV Camping In Winter: 8 Great Parks To Visit
Camping season doesn’t have to stop with the end of summer. Some may have fewer services and amenities than in summertime, but most parks are open year-round. Winter is the perfect time to camp to avoid crowds in many parks as well as the extreme heat of desert areas. You can choose winter activities in cold weather parks or head south for warm but mild temps.
Notes For Winter Travel
Before we dive into our list of fantastic winter parks, let’s point out a few things to keep in mind before you hit the road.
- You need a winter-ready RV. Even warm weather areas can be quite chilly overnight during the winter months. Be sure your motorhome is equipped as a four-season RV.
- Consider boondocking vs. hookups. Many parks will be dry camping or boondocking only, but there are also some chances to find spots with hookups.
- Size restrictions may apply. Some parks also place restrictions on camper size. Smaller RVs like small to medium trailers, Class C motorhomes, and many fifth wheels will often be good bets, but always check the park regulations.
Death Valley National Park
Location: California & Nevada
Activities:
- hiking
- climbing
- mountain biking
- horseback riding
Death Valley is, as the name implies, a dangerous place to be in the heat of summer when temps often reach 115 Fahrenheit. By contrast, winter temperatures are in the 60s and 70s in the daytime and around 40 to 50 at night.
There are plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and excellent stargazing—the park has the highest rating from the International Dark-Sky Association. Snow-capped peaks and wildflowers that bloom as early as February provide striking visual contrast.
Sites with RV hookups are available but limited. Winter is the peak season, so it is best to plan ahead and reserve a spot. Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV size, so be sure to check in advance.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Location: Arizona
Activities:
- hiking
- horseback riding
- birding
- stargazing
Located in the Sonoran Desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is home to many rare species of flora and fauna that are not found anywhere else in the world and has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.
The area is home to hundreds of species of birds, making it a popular destination for bird watching. The park also offers miles of hiking and equestrian trails and offers pristine dark skies at night for stargazing. Telescope viewing pads are available in the Twin Peak Campground Amphitheater and Pinkley Peak Picnic Area.
RV camping is available at the Twin Peaks Campground, which can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet. There are no hookups, but some sites allow generator use.
Big Bend National Park
Location: Texas
Activities:
- hiking
- birding
- biking
- floating
- stargazing
Located along the Rio Grande, Big Bend has massive canyons, vast desert expanses, and forested mountains perfect for hiking, biking, or a leisurely float along the river.
Nature lovers can turn their eyes to the skies for a glimpse of some of the 450 species of birds who live in or migrate through the park as well as spectacular star viewing, including weekly programs led by park rangers.
Big Bend offers three RV campgrounds with water and a bathroom but none of the campgrounds have campsite hookups. A nearby concessionaire-run campground does offer hookups. Reservations for the park-run campsites can be made up to six months in advance.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
Location: Utah
Activities:
- hiking
- biking
- horseback riding
- snowmobiles
- snowshoeing
- cross-country skiing
- ice fishing
Wasatch Mountain State Park has it all. Warm weather activities give way to a winter wonderland once the snow comes. Trade your hiking boots for snowshoes or cross-country skis to stay on the trails all year or hop on a snowmobile for a faster paced experience.
When the water freezes solid, try ice fishing. Wasatch has RV camping all year with sites that range from full hookup to primitive.
Everglades National Park
Location: Florida
Activities:
- biking
- birding
- boating
- kayaking
- canoeing
- fishing, hiking
- slough slogging
- geocaching
In the summer the Everglades are hot and humid. In the winter, well it is still a swamp, but the temperatures, humidity, and bug levels are much more comfortable. Located where temperate meets tropical, the Everglades are home to a unique blend of plants and wildlife.
The park has 39 native species of orchids and the largest mangrove forest in the western hemisphere. Famous for its alligators, the Everglades also shelter river otters, gray fox, and over 360 species of birds, including ibis, storks, egrets, and flamingo.
Take an airboat tour, bike or hike on the trails, or try slough slogging, off-trail hiking that will get your feet wet but bring you closer to wildlife. There are two campgrounds with RV sites in the park with a limited number of electric hookups available.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Utah
Activities:
- hiking
- snowshoeing
- cross-country skiing
For those who prefer to experience winter in all its snowy glory, Bryce Canyon offers winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Snowshoe and ski rentals are available in Bryce Canyon City.
Winter trips need to be carefully planned. Check often for information on road closures and ensure you have the proper gear, such as tire chains and crampons where necessary. RV camping within the park is available year-round at the North Campground.
There are no hookups and dump stations are closed in the winter. There are campgrounds nearby with full hookups though.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Location: Arizona
Activities:
- hiking
- wildlife viewing
- geocaching
Located in the Sonoran Desert, Lost Dutchman State Park combines wildlife such as roadrunners and coyotes with native plants like prickly pear, stunning vistas of the Superstition Mountains, and a rumored lost gold mine.
RV camping is available with around half the sites equipped with water and electric hookups. \
Every campsite has a fire pit and picnic table and there are no size restrictions on RVs.
Padre Island National Seashore
Location: Texas
Activities:
- swimming
- fishing
- boating
- windsurfing
- birding
- stargazing
If soaking up some sun on the beach is more your style, check out Padre Island National Seashore. Located along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, Padre Island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States as well as unique tidal mudflats.
Over 380 species of birds have been spotted within the park, 64 species of butterflies, and 41 crustaceans. Steady wind, warm water, and shallow depths around Bird Island Basin have made it a popular destination for windsurfing.
The park has two campgrounds for RVs with dry camping only. There is a dump station and a freshwater filling station at the Malaquite Campground though.
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