Winter is truly an amazing time of year, despite the frosty weather and sometimes harsh conditions. Many places change noticeably with the arrival of the cold season, creating breathtaking and inspiring landscapes. Snow-capped mountains, white treetops, frozen waterfalls, the reflection of sunlight on ice, and a crystal clear starry sky – all this makes winter landscapes mesmerizing. Among the best ways to enjoy this beauty is to find stunning winter camping destinations surrounded by nature. Perhaps one of the main advantages of camping as a lifestyle is that the hobby is universal and year-round, so you can plan trips to new spots no matter what season it is.
However, winter camping is more challenging. Here you need to get the necessary equipment, warm clothes, and a 4-person all-season tent in advance in order to have reliable shelter from the cold and snow. Having collected everything you need, all that remains is to choose the stunning place you would like to visit. Fortunately, there are enough national parks in the United States to find the perfect winter camping destinations. We’ve put together a list of some great winter camping destinations that are worth adding to your list of possible locations to visit.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular camping destinations. This place is also a great idea for a winter trip, as it gets boiling during summer. The benefits of a winter trip include fewer crowds, cooler weather, and plenty of opportunities to make great memories and have fun.
Given Joshua Tree’s comfortable climate and popularity, you can expect most camps to fill up quickly on winter weekends and holidays. This means that you need to plan everything in advance and choose the main campground option where you want to stay. In other words, planning ahead is critical for places like Joshua Tree. Most campsites can be booked. However, there are also first-come, first-served campgrounds such as Hidden Valley and White Tank.
While in the park, you can enjoy the beauty of the scenery by going on a hike. The Mastodon Peak Loop Trail is a great option if you want a short hike. For those who prefer longer hikes, the Lost Palms Oasis Trail is a good choice.
Yellowstone National Park
Another popular camping spot is the world-famous Yellowstone. Situated in the highlands of the Yellowstone Plateau and stretching into the wildlife-rich Northern Range, this national park is truly incredible no matter the time of year. And given how high-altitude the Rocky Mountains are, the winter scenery here is really stunning and inspiring, making visiting Yellowstone during the cold season a unique experience worth having at least once in your life.
When planning a trip to Yellowstone, you should keep in mind that you can set up your winter camp here in primitive sites, having first obtained permission. Also, wild spots, unlike prepared campgrounds, require more skills and experience from travelers. Therefore, this place is best visited if you or someone in your group already has some skills and experience in winter camping.
The benefits of camping in Yellowstone include stunning scenery, backcountry tranquility, bubbling geothermal pools, and solitude with nature. At night temperatures here often drop below zero, so you should pay special attention to the choice of your equipment, tent, and sleeping bag to feel comfortable while camping.
Haleakala National Park
Winter is not necessarily about snow. If it’s hard for you to imagine what it’s like to sleep outdoors in frosty weather, but at the same time you don’t mind going somewhere this winter, then Haleakala National Park in Hawaii is the perfect place! Here you can enjoy the magnificent volcanic landscapes of East Maui, as well as the scenic ocean shore.
In Haleakala, winter is one of the most popular seasons to visit, which is not surprising since many people flock to warm places with the arrival of the first noticeable frosts. When camping in winter, you can stay at the Kipahulu Coastal Campground or at Hosmer Grove, which is a cooler location. Additionally, at Haleakala, you can obtain permission to venture into the Haleakala Crater Wilderness Basin, which has designated backcountry camping sites.
While in this national park, you can not only admire the scenery but also appreciate the scale of the park from the top of a dormant volcano. And the nature in Hawaii is truly diverse, so you are guaranteed to get some great memories and photos! Besides spending the night in tents, you can also rent a small house if you like outdoor recreation with amenities.
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountains in Colorado provide excellent year-round camping opportunities. Each season has its own features here, from the blooming wildflowers of the tundra and rolling thunderstorms in the summer to the colorful leaves on the trees with the arrival of fall. But at the same time, there is something special about the winter charm, silence, and sparkling snowy landscapes of the winter Rocky Mountains.
There are more than 450 miles of hiking trails available to visitors. Additionally, the rich and varied wildlife combined with a huge range of activities makes winter camping in this national park truly fun and exciting! Therefore, when planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains, you can be sure that you will not be bored here.
The campground has access to electricity and basic amenities, so when the temperature drops below zero at night, you can easily stay warm and comfortable while camping. The Rocky Mountains feature breathtaking snow-capped peaks, stunning views, and rocky terrain that make this destination one of the most popular for many travelers, including winter camping enthusiasts!
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Colorado is another great destination for winter camping, especially if you like outdoor activities. Here, travelers can enjoy a variety of winter sports, from skiing and snowshoeing to hiking and biking on many available trails.
But the main benefit of visiting Strawberry Park in winter is the hot springs where you can relax after all your activities in camping. These springs are heated due to thermal activity under the surface, due to which they remain warm all year round. In addition, the pools remain open at night, so you can bask in the thermal waters whenever you want! At Strawberry Park, you can camp in a tent or stay in cabins, depending on your preferences.
All of these places, found right here in the US, are perfect winter camping destinations for your next camping trip. Don’t fear the cold embrace it!
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