When it comes to winter camping, there are a couple of ways to go. One way is to embrace the cold and enjoy classic wintertime activities like sledding and cross-country skiing. The other route is to ditch the frigid temperatures and opt for a temperate locale. You really can’t go wrong either way – it’s camping after all! Below are great winter camping locations, whether you want a winter wonderland or a warm getaway.
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1. Garner State Park, Texas
Escape to a warmer destination this winter with a getaway at Garner State Park, just under a two-hour drive west from San Antonio. In the fall and early winter, Garner State Park transforms into yellows and golds with the fall foliage, making the already scenic Hill Country terrain that much more beautiful. The park is a favorite spot for lazy river tubing in warmer months, but even if the Rio Frio (“Cold River”) lives up to its name in winter and tubing is not an option, there is still more than enough to do. The park has a full golf course, miniature golfing, canoeing, bike paths, and great picnic spots. Plenty of camping is available with 290 sites, including seven cabins.
2. Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
Cloudland Canyon State Park gets its name from the striking deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek, creating an elevation differential from 800 to 1,980 feet on either side of the water. The most spectacular view into the canyon is an easy walk from the picnic area, although hikers can take a rim trail above or journey down into the canyon floor via a series of staircases. Near the canyon floor, two waterfalls cascade over layers of sandstone and shale into pools below. Besides hiking through the stunning scenery, the park is also a favorite spot for geocaching. Campers can choose from 98 campsites, including 8 cottages and 7 yurts.
3. St. Vrain State Park, Colorado
With breathtaking views of Longs Peak and the Rockies, St. Vrain State Park is a scenic backdrop for your winter outdoor adventure. Just a half-hour drive northeast of Boulder, St. Vrain is easy to reach but feels light years away from urban life. Its wide lake is stocked with rainbow trout, bass, and catfish, and is one of the best spots in the region for ice fishing. Hikers can take to the nearby trails and spot plenty of wildlife, such as beavers, mink, mule deer, and coyotes. Birdwatchers may catch a glimpse of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey, to name a few. The park features 87 campsites and sheltered picnic areas.
4. Alfred A. Loeb State Park, Oregon
Set alongside the Chetco River amidst fragrant, ancient Myrtlewood trees, Alfred A. Loeb State Park is a beloved winter retreat. Just eight miles from the Oregon coast, the park is close to beaches and a marina, as well as redwoods and a vast wilderness area. Throughout the year, visitors can fish, swim and raft, or walk the Riverview Nature Trail. Come fall and winter, the river offers some of the finest salmon and steelhead fishing on the south coast. There are 53 semi-private campsites and three rustic log cabins for rent.
5. Schodack Island State Park, New York
Schodack Island State Park has been designated a State Estuary, with a portion of it appointed a Bird Conservation Area (BCA). In short, the park is a bird watcher’s paradise, with bald eagles, cerulean warblers, and blue herons nesting in the cottonwood trees. The park is bound on one side by the Hudson River and the other side by Schodack Creek, helping to create a riparian ecosystem frequented by birds. There are several miles of multi-use trails, including snow-shoeing in winter, that wind through the varied ecological communities in the park. Additionally, the park has an improved bike trail, volleyball nets, horseshoe, and a kayak and canoe launch site. There are 62 campsites, including six rustic cabins.
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6. Clear Creek State Park, Pennsylvania
This park is located at the confluence of Clear Creek and the Clarion River, creating a unique ecosystem that’s populated by local wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, black bears, and turkeys. Besides wildlife viewing, Clear Creek State Park offers countless recreational opportunities. There are 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails that connect the park to the adjacent Clear Creek State Forest. A significant portion of the park is also open to hunting, and in the winter, the park is a favorite spot for cross-country skiing and sledding.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.