The 10 Best Winter Camping Destinations for 2023
The temperatures are lower and the days are shorter, so that means it’s time to put the camping gear away, right? Wrong! Winter camping destinations don’t have to look like pitching a tent in the snow. Check out these 10 destinations for comfortable adventuring, even in the heart of winter.
1. Hide-A-Way Harbor Mobile Home and RV Park – Astatula, FL
Average Winter Temperature (F): 72/52
Nearby Attractions: Florida Citrus Tower, Disneyworld, Discovery Gardens
Nearest Airport: Orlando International Airport, Daytona Beach International Airport, Tampa International Airport
Unique Amenity: Waterfront
Want to enjoy the lakefront even in the wintertime? Look no further than Hide-A-Way Harbor Mobile Home and RV Park. Located on the banks of Little Lake Harris, this winter camping destination allows you to enjoy moderate wintertime temperatures that get up to around 70 degrees for most of the winter.
Several RV site options are offered here, so you can get the waterfront view you’re looking for. With good proximity to Orlando, you’ll have all the city amenities within driving distance, but none of the city noise and business.
2. Jackson Rancheria Casino & RV Resort – Jackson, CA
Average Winter Temperature (F): 59/42
Nearby Attractions: Kennedy Gold Mine Tours, Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark, Columbia State Historic Park
Nearest Airport: Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Sacramento International Airport, Oakland International Airport
Unique Amenity: Dog park
A favorite among winter camping destinations, this RV resort is made to enjoy the moderate Northern California winters in luxury. Jackson Rancheria Casino and RV Resort offers a host of amenities, including a nine-hole putting green, spa, and on-site walking trails.
If you plan to hit the casino while you’re here, the resort offers a shuttle that takes you to the casino only five minutes away. If you aren’t planning on doing any gambling, you won’t have the casino right in your backyard to distract you from the comfort of this ranch-styled resort.
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3. Maverick Ranch RV Park – Lajitas, TX
Average Winter Temperature (F): 72/38
Nearby Attractions: Big Bend National Park, Museum of the Big Bend, Big Bend Ranch State Park
Nearest Airports: El Paso International Airport, San Antonio International Airport
Unique Amenity: Clubhouse
A unique one among winter camping destinations, Maverick Ranch RV Park is equal parts Old West and modern resort. While it has all the character of west Texas, Maverick Ranch also offers a golf resort, spa, and even organized horseback trail rides for guests. If you want something more active, there are several sporting options at the resort itself.
The biggest draw of Maverick Ranch (besides all its comforts) is its proximity to Big Bend National Park. Visitors will be just 20 miles from the entrance to Big Bend near Terlingua, Texas. Big Bend has a peak season opposite most parks, where the colder months see increased visitation. If you come at a peak time, consider Big Bend Ranch State Park, where the crowds are likely to be smaller.
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4. Point of Rocks RV Campground – Prescott, AZ
Average Winter Temperature (F): 54/24
Nearby Attractions: Sharlot Hall Museum, Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve
Nearest Airport: Prescott Regional Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix-Mesa Getaway Airport
Unique Amenity: Canoeing/kayaking
Point of Rocks RV Campground is one of the most beautiful spots on this winter camping destinations list, which is quite a feat. Located in central Arizona between the Prescott and Coconino National Forests, this is a perfect spot to serve as a home base for all your adventures. Prescott doesn’t see much annual snowfall, so you can enjoy hiking, camping, and watersports year-round here. With a pair of national forests nearby, this is an outdoor sports paradise for those who never take a season off.
Prescott itself is a destination for those interested in music, food, and local history. This Old West town still has a lively arts and culture scene, especially in downtown. After a long day on the trails, downtown Prescott is the ideal place to relax for the evening.
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5. Stonebridge RV Resort – Maggie Valley, NC
Average Winter Temperature (F): 52/26
Nearby Attractions: Soco Falls, Dollywood, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearest Airport: McGhee Tyson Airport, Asheville Regional Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Unique Amenity: Playground
This quaint little town in the Great Smoky Mountains has long been a stopping point for travelers. Since it opened its doors in 1965, Stonebridge RV Resort has provided large-scale amenities in small town North Carolina aimed at families and outdoor adventurers.
When you’re ready to venture out, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is nearby. Make sure you’re aware of seasonal entrance closures before you hit the road. While the nearest entrance is the Cataloochee Valley entrance, that’s often closed during the winter. Your best bet will likely be the entrance near Cherokee, North Carolina, but check the park’s website for the most up-to-date information.
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6. Jekyll Island Campground – Jekyll Island, GA
Average Winter Temperature (F): 65/47
Nearby Attractions: Horton House, Summer Waves Water Park, St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum
Nearest Airports: Jacksonville International Airport, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Unique Amenity: Bike Rentals
Jekyll Island Campground is a year-round favorite for the beautiful trees and Spanish moss that surround the campsites here. Winter is no exception and one of the most enjoyable times to head to Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Even in the wintertime, you can enjoy nearby Driftwood Beach and Clam Creek. RVs and tent campers can head to Jekyll Island Campground and have all their amenities covered, making this a solid option for winter camping destinations. While tent sites here are called “primitive sites,” they still offer a fire ring with a grate, water hookups, and a picnic table.
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7. Ebenezer Park – Rock Hill, SC
Average Winter Temperature (F): 57/36
Nearby Attractions: Museum of York County, Carowinds, Glencairn Garden
Nearest Airport: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Unique Amenity: Beach
Ebenezer Park took seventh place at the 2022 Campspot Awards in the category Most Popular Campgrounds in the USA. Any time of year is great to spend the weekend at Ebenezer Park. The park spans 26 acres and is on the shores of Lake Wylie.
Sites are simple but communal amenities are plentiful. With a general store on-site, you don’t have to head into the city if you need any of the basics. A playground and great fishing nearby ensure you don’t have to travel far for fun.
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8. U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park – Huntsville, AL
Average Winter Temperature (F): 55/40
Nearby Attractions: Big Spring International Park, Huntsville Botanical Garden, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Nearest Airport: Huntsville International Airport, Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Regional Airport
Unique Amenity: Laundry
This is easily the most unique campground on this list of winter camping destinations. Really, it’s one of the more unique campgrounds in the country. How many other campgrounds allow you to park next to a rocket? This is the place to live all out those Space Camp dreams and learn plenty along the way!
While you’re here, it’s well worth your time to check out Huntsville. Routinely considered one of the best places to live in the U.S., Huntsville offers lots of great spots for arts, food, and outdoor activities.
9. Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge – Sevierville, TN
Average Winter Temperature (F): 53/30
Nearby Attractions: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, WonderWorks Pigeon Forge, Titanic Museum Attraction
Nearest Airports: McGhee Tyson Airport, Asheville Regional Airport, Tri-Cities Airport
Unique Amenity: Waterpark
Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge is on the opposite side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Stonebridge RV Resort. If you want to be on the more popular section of the park, Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge puts you right near the main entrance to the park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
When you aren’t at Great Smoky Mountains, the whole family will still have lots to do at this winter camping destination. With plenty of outdoor sports, an arcade, and a hot tub, there’s always something to check out once you get back to camp.
10. Slow Play RV Park – Ruidoso Downs, NM
Average Winter Temperature (F): 54/25
Nearby Attractions: Pillow’s Funtrackers, Two Rivers Ruidoso River Park, Lincoln Historic Site
Nearest Airport: Las Cruces International Airport, Albuquerque International Airport, El Paso International Airport
Unique Amenity: Arcade
This is a favorite among hearty travelers looking for winter camping destinations. With beautiful views, Slow Play RV Park puts you in the best position to get to the mountains and offers several RV spot sizes to accommodate most rigs. The average low throughout winter gets below freezing, and Ruidoso Downs sees a pretty average annual snowfall of about 2.5 feet since it’s located at 6,417 feet in elevation. This is best suited for the winter camper who embraces a bit of cold and wants to get out in all four seasons.
Book This Winter Sports Getaway
When the weather drops, there’s no reason you have to stop camping. Whether you want the moderate temperatures of Florida or snowsports in New Mexico, let this list of winter camping destinations get you excited for this upcoming season.
Joe Coleman is a freelance travel and outdoor writer based in East Texas. His love for the outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. Taking a respite from social media, you can reach him exclusively at joecolemanfreelance@gmail.com.
Image credit in order of appearance: Point of Rocks RV Campground, Hide-A-Way Harbor Mobile Home and RV Park, Jackson Rancheria Casino & RV Resort, Maverick Ranch RV Park, Point of Rocks RV Campground, Stonebridge RV Resort, Jekyll Island Campground, Ebenezer Park, U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park, Sun Outdoors Pigeon Forge, Slow Play RV Park