Does the thought of winter camping lack appeal because you can’t be bothered to deal with the cold? In certain parts of the USA, that’s not a problem at all! While the mention of “winter” brings up images of frozen landscapes and snow hiking, the fact is, many campgrounds in the US are warm and snow-free even during the colder months.
A winter camping adventure brings you twice the benefits—not only do you get to enjoy a wonderful vacation experience close to nature, you can also manage to get away from colder weather at home.
Looking for winter camping trip ideas? We’ve done research on this very subject, and we’re happy to share our findings with you! Check out this informative overview, and may it help you plan the best winter camping trip in the US.
WINTER CAMPING IN TUCSON, ARIZONA
Arizona is infamous for its ferocious heat. Some say that it gets hot enough in the desert to fry an egg! Still, you can go extreme camping in the middle of an Arizona summer if you do your prep. Winter is probably a better time to go camping in Tucson, though!
Keep in mind that Arizona’s mild winters may bring warm days, but the nights can still be fairly chilly. On average, the low temps in Tucson during the winter months range from 42 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the average high temps in winter range from 66 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s close to the summertime average high temps of more northerly states!
The contrast is even more pronounced when you consider that the summertime average high temps in Tucson get as high as 101 degrees Fahrenheit!
Thus preparing for winter camping in Tucson, Arizona should account for the warm daytime temperatures—but will also need to factor in the cool night temperatures. Other than that, winter camping in Tucson is remarkably similar to summer camping in many other places! Rain is not a major concern either, as the autumn season features more precipitation compared to winter. Tucson also makes an appealing outdoor destination due to its rugged landscape, which includes five mountain ranges and the desert.
If you want to enjoy free camping in the wilderness, you can do so in several areas, such as the
Rincon Mountains and the Santa Rita Mountains. However, you’ll find world-class parklands around Tucson, which still offer amazing outdoor adventure experiences on (somewhat) maintained campgrounds and hiking trails. Let’s discuss these parks briefly:
CATALINA STATE PARK. This lovely state park borders the Santa Catalina Mountains, and is mainly made up of desert and scrubland. You can hike its foothills and canyons, enjoy camping or picnicking, or spend many hours bird watching—a route known as the Catalina Birding Trail Loop is ideal for anyone wishing to catch sight of a roadrunner, ruby-crowned kinglet or Northern cardinal, among hundreds of other avian species found there.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK. Here you can hike on parts of the Rincons—the Rincon Mountains—and the Sonoran Desert. Several hiking trails can be experienced in this national park. The Cactus Forest Trail crosses the desert and offers lovely scenic views which include majestic cacti, including the world famous saguaros. Douglas Spring Trail is an easy hike that leads to a gorgeous waterfall. Miller Peak Trail is a strenuous trek going up to the summit of Rincon Peak. Hiking this trail out and back takes roughly 6-9 hours and an elevation gain of more than 4,200 ft. The climb gets pretty steep as you near the summit. It’s a test of physical endurance and fitness.
WINTER CAMPING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
The Florida Keys can be a wonderful winter destination. It’s warm, free of snow and full of activities often associated with summer—like reef diving, snorkeling, boating and kayaking. During the winter season, average daily temperatures can reach highs of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperatures tend to keep to that range, as well—and often stay warm even when the daytime temperature dips.
Keep in mind that free camping in the wilderness is not allowed in the Florida Keys. You can’t even pitch a tent on a beach without a reservation! You can only stay at designated campgrounds in public or private parks and resorts, or at private properties you are legitimately able to access. Furthermore, many campgrounds require a reservation in advance. It is not uncommon for places to get fully booked months in advance. If you intend to try winter camping in the Florida Keys, you should plan for it long before your preferred date—a year before, at least.
Given that winter camping in the Florida Keys requires staying at designated sites, and it is a popular tourist destination, doing this can be a fairly expensive option. Also, the camping experiences tend to fall on the resort-like end of the spectrum.
One of the more “rugged” options in the Keys is the Sandspur Campground, located in Bahia Honda State Park. You can stay in a tent, while also enjoying amenities such as water and (at some of the campsites) electricity. You get lovely sea coast views and access to a white sand beach.
Tent camping can also be experienced at Curry Hammock. Though you won’t exactly be roughing it—you’ll have amenities such as water, electricity and a sandy tent pad. You’ll be camping on the beach, at least (if you’ve reserved one of the beach sites), and be able to enjoy activities like snorkeling, kayaking and kite boarding. You can venture on the Curry Hammock Nature Trail for a hike through a tropical hardwood hammock forest and walk on top of fossilized coral that once thrived under the waves.
If you prefer a “primitive camping” experience, you can find locations for doing that in other parts of the state. Though there is at least one place in the Keys that offers primitive camping—Long Key State Park. You can find several hiking and nature trails, explore the mangrove boardwalk and lagoon, and enjoy activities such as kayaking, birding and snorkeling. The Golden Orb Trail offers a shoreline hike with scenic views of the Atlantic and a walk through wild mangroves (possibly still recovering from hurricane devastation). The Layton Trail gives you a similar experience on the side that hugs the Florida Bay.
WINTER CAMPING IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUSIANA
Welcome to the Big Easy! The lively Louisiana city of New Orleans is best known for its Mardi Gras festivities, Creole cuisine and frenetic live music scene. It may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a quiet, contemplative nature trek—but New Orleans can offer that, too! And winter is a great time of year to explore outdoor activities there!
Wintertime is fairly warm and mild in New Orleans. In the coldest months, the city’s average daily temperatures hit highs of 63 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter camping in New Orleans goes a little differently. In all likelihood, you will end up camping on private property that provides a dash of the outdoor adventure experience, while giving you easy access to the city’s food and attractions nearby! This is something of a touristy experience rather than a rugged survival outing.
You can find privately owned spots for camping around New Orleans through the website Hipcamp.com. Lee’s Waterview is one of the top picks among the site’s listed campgrounds for the New Orleans area. It is a waterfront property overlooking the Chef Menteur Pass River. Reviewers describe it as offering lovely sunsets and having plenty of birds to admire and photograph.
If you do want to explore the wilderness, we recommend visiting the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. You won’t be camping there, but you can enter an area featuring over 18,000 acres of marshlands, woodlands, pine savannas and bayous. The refuge is thick with wildlife, including numerous avian species, fresh and saltwater species of fish, and alligators. It’s an amazing place!
Read the full article here
