The Best Winter Campgrounds for the Coldest Months of the Year

When the temperatures start to drop and snow blankets the landscape, many people pack away their camping gear in the assumption that the season for outdoor adventures has ended for another year. But winter rolling around doesn’t have to mean the fun has to end! In fact, camping in the colder months of the year is a truly magical experience, with fewer crowds, crisp air, and surroundings you might be more familiar with during the summer transformed into winter wonderlands.

Sounds pretty good, right? Well, before you load up the campervan and hit the road, it’s important to know where exactly you can camp during the winter. That’s where we step in to help. Below, you’ll find our recommendations for the best winter campgrounds across the U.S.A., giving you some incredible places to park your RV and embrace this quieter time of year.

Verde Ranch RV Resort

Camp Verde, Arizona

Starting in Arizona, Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde is a great choice for RV camping during the winter, with 389 full hook-up sites on offer, including pull-throughs for drivers who’d rather skip the tight-turning radius drama. Every site here is on a concrete pad, and the whole place is paved and easy to navigate, so there’s no need to worry about driving on muddy roads following a rainstorm. The amenities on offer are pretty good, too, and they include a heated pool, hot tubs, WiFi, a designated dog park, and a clubhouse where you can swap stories with fellow winter campers.

This is all undeniably convenient, but what really makes this campground stand out is its location. You’re just 35 minutes from Sedona’s red rock country and the Verde Canyon Railroad, where you’ll find some of the most beautiful wintertime views. You’re also less than 10 minutes from the Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more family-friendly, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is only 5 minutes from camp, which is open every day apart from Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and where you can enjoy a safari-style experience with tigers, American black bears, gray wolves, and more, all waiting to be spotted.

Longstreet Hotel Casino & RV Resort

Nevada, Las Vegas

Death Valley can be a challenging place to visit during the summer, but come winter, the cooler temperatures make exploring this part of the U.S.A. much easier! And when it comes to finding a place to set up camp nearby, Longstreet Hotel Casino & RV Resort is the perfect choice. It’s located right on the edge of Death Valley and has 51 drive-through sites with full hookups, along with some excellent amenities. These include free WiFi, hot showers, 24-hour laundry facilities, a communal fire pit, and a dump station. It also has some of the best views across the valley, and those clear winter night skies give you the perfect opportunity to gaze up at the heavens!

Obviously, being so close to Death Valley National Park (only 25 minutes away), the first thing you should do here is explore the salt flats and colorful rock formations, before watching the sunset at Zabriskie Point. You’re also just 10 minutes from Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge here, which is a real contrast to Death Valley’s starkness, with rare pupfish and crystal springs waiting to be explored. And, when you’re in the mood for something completely different, take the 50-minute drive to Rhyolite Ghost Town for an interesting day trip.

Sea & Sand RV Park

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Located right on the coastline of Central Oregon, Sea & Sand RV Park is a great spot for winter camping if you want to fall asleep and wake up to the sound of the ocean. The sites here offer some unbeatable views, come with full hookups, and give you access to amenities that include restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, fire pits, picnic areas, and free WiFi. It’s also pet-friendly, and to make your furry friend’s vacation even better, there’s even a dog beach where you can exercise them.

Once you’re ready to explore the surrounding area, Depoe Bay is just 10 minutes away and is known for being one of the best places on the West Coast for whale-watching. In fact, the OPRD Whale Watching Center is based here, or to get even closer, you can take a chartered boat trip. You’re also only 25 minutes from Newport, which is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Honey Bear By the Sea RV Resort

Gold Beach, Oregon

If your winter camping trip takes you along Highway 101, make a plan to spend a couple of nights at Honey Bear By the Sea RV Resort. The RV sites here come with full hookups and there are loads of great amenities you can enjoy, including horseshoe pits, a library, lounge games, and a country store. These are all in addition to the standard facilities you’d expect to find at an RV resort, like restrooms with hot showers and a laundry room. You also have easy access to the beach, which is perfect if you’ve been craving a winter walk along the shore.

One of the best things about camping here in winter is the location itself, which compared to more popular beach spots is quieter during the winter. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do, though, and the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and its amazing coastal viewpoints are 30 minutes away and should be at the top of your activities list. You can also visit the Prehistoric Gardens, which is just a 10-minute drive away, or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, Jerry’s Rogue Jets is 15 minutes from camp and has jet boat turns that still operate in the off season (weather permitting).

Sea Perch RV Resort

Yachats, Oregon

Another great option if you’re heading to Oregon for your winter camping vacation, Sea Perch RV Resort is just 10 minutes south of the artsy little town of Yachats and is a boutique-style RV park with oceanfront sites. There are full hookups on offer here, along with several excellent amenities, including free WiFi, picnic tables, cable TV, a fitness center, a clubhouse, showers, laundry facilities, and a communal fire pit for that authentic camping experience. Also, since there are only 28 sites, it has a quieter atmosphere than some of the larger RV campgrounds in the area.

Assuming you can drag yourself away from the coziness of camp, not only are you close to Yachats and its cafes and art galleries, but you’re also in prime position to visit some of Oregon’s most photogenic spots. These include Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, and Cape Perpetua, all of which are within a 10-minute drive of Sea Perch. There are also some great walking trails to head out on, such as the Saint Perpetua Trail, so it’s a wonderful spot if you’re looking to explore the natural side of Oregon without the summer crowds.

Thousand Trails Whalers Rest

Newport Oregon

If you need a larger campground with more in the way of family-friendly amenities, Thousand Trails Whalers Rest is a very good option. There are 164 full-hookup sites available to choose from all year round here, and your amenities include restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, an indoor pool, a fitness center, mini golf, picnic and BBQ areas, a playground, games courts, and more. It’s dog-friendly, too, and with several activities held throughout the week like movie nights and arts and crafts sessions, there’s more than enough on offer to keep everyone entertained should the weather turn.

When you want to head out and explore your surroundings, you’re just 10 minutes away from Newport, where you can visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the historic bayfront with its resident sea lions. Once you’re done there, South Beach State Park should be the next place on your list, which is less than 10 minutes from your campground and has long sandy trails and excellent wildlife spotting opportunities all year round.

Bay Point Landing RV Resort

Coos Bay, Oregon

Our last Oregon-based recommendation, Bay Point Landing RV Resort is located in the beautiful area of Coos Bay and has sites with full hookups and some luxury amenities that will really help take your winter camping experience to a whole new level. These amenities include a heated saltwater pool, a fitness center, a communal firepit, and a sunset terrace, all along with access to private bath houses and laundry facilities. You’ll also find a general store stocking all of your essentials, and for those nights when you want to break free of your campervan’s kitchen, the on-site food truck makes grabbing something delicious to eat easier than ever.

To help fill your days with even more fun, the surrounding area offers you no shortage of winter-friendly things to do. You can take a drive along Cape Arago Highway to visit Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres, and Simpson Reef, all of which are within a 15 minute trip from camp and are perfect spots for photography and spotting sea lions and gray whales. You can also take a 10 minute drive to Downtown Coos Bay, where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants to explore.

Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground

Crescent City, California

Heading south to California, now, Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground is a truly magical place for winter camping, with the opportunity to surround yourself with giant trees and a true feeling of escapism. It’s also cool and misty in the mornings here, which only adds to the atmosphere, and in terms of amenities you’ve got everything you need for a comfortable stay. This includes full hookups, picnic tables, campfire rings, restrooms with heated floors and hot showers, laundry facilities (currently under renovation as of June 2025), a general store, a playground, and a dog run with off-leash trails for your furry travel buddy to explore.

The first place to explore once you’re ready to head out from camp, is Crescent City, and it’s only 10 minutes away. Here, you’ll find loads of restaurants and shops, as well as coastal attractions like Battery Point Lighthouse & Museum and Pebble Beach. You’re also 5 minutes from Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, which has some awesome hiking trails that stay open in winter, like the 5.5-mile Boy Scout Tree Trail.

Pismo Sands RV Resort

Oceano, California

Just 10 minutes south of Pismo Beach, Pismo Sands RV Resort is another excellent choice if you’re planning a winter camping vacation to California. There are 131 paved RV sites on offer here with 20/30/50-amp full hookups that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, which is particularly useful if you’re traveling in a larger vehicle. The amenities here are good, too, and in addition to the usual restrooms and laundry facilities, you’ll have access to free WiFi, a library, a heated pool and hot tub, and a pirate ship playground to keep your kids entertained.

The location of this RV park is another selling point, as it puts you just 10 minutes from the famous Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve State Park which remains open all year round (just keep in mind access might be restricted during winter storms). And, of course, no visit to this area is completed without heading to Pismo Beach itself, where you can explore the pier, surf shops, and restaurants. Or, for something a little more laid back, a 20 minute drive takes you to the Edna Valley wine region where you can sip your way through the local vineyards.

Dockweiler RV Park

Playa del Rey, California

Winter camping doesn’t have to mean tucking yourself away in a forest or in the mountains, and at Dockweiler RV Park, you can get a beach escape at any time of year. This RV Park is run by L.A. County and the sites here have full hookups, and while it may have fewer amenities than other campgrounds on our list (just restrooms with showers and a dump station), you’ll be hard pressed to find another park so close to the beach.

There are a couple of important things to note before making your reservations here, though. First, if you’re planning to stay over Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day, an additional holiday fee of $10 per day will be added to your booking. Also, pets are welcome here, but you’re limited to two per site and a $3 per day fee will be implemented.

Assuming you’re happy with these rules, you’re perfectly placed to explore some exciting places. For example, Venice Beach is just 20 minutes away, or you can visit Manhattan Beach, which is even closer at just 10 minutes on the road.

Marina Dunes RV Park

Marina, California

Another good choice for Californian winter camping, Marina Dunes RV Park offers a choice of 96 sites with full hookups and access to amenities that include restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, and fire pits. So far, so good. But things really step up with the other amenities on offer, including a fitness center, volleyball courts, a clubhouse, free WiFi, and a super handy EV charging station. It’s pet-friendly, too, so the whole family can come along for the adventure!

But what does this RV park give you in terms of the surrounding area? Well, you’re perfectly placed to explore Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, both of which can be reached within 20 minutes. A different 20-minute drive will take you to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or if you’re looking for a slightly longer day trip, just under an hour on the road leads you to Big Sur.

Distant Drums RV Resort

Camp Verde, Arizona

Heading back east to Arizona now, Distant Drums RV Resort is one of the best-equipped winter campgrounds in the state, with concrete sites, full hookups, and a range of fantastic amenities. These include private showers, a heated spa and pool, a fitness room, free WiFi, free cable TV, and an on-site country store. There is also night security at the park, helping you feel a little safer when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, and there is a spacious dog run where you can exercise your four-legged friend off-leash.

Given its Arizona location, this park is ideal if you want some winter sunshine without the summer heat, and it’s also close to some exciting attractions. A 35-minute drive will take you to Red Rock State Park, or if you don’t feel like traveling so far, you’re just 5 minutes from Montezuma Castle National Monument (just keep its holiday opening hours in mind and plan accordingly). The park offers a free shuttle service to Cliff Castle Casino, too, which is ideal if you feel like a night trying your luck on the slots.

Rancho Sedona RV Park

Sedona, Arizona

Last, but by no means least, Rancho Sedona RV Park is a nice spot located in a sycamore grove just 10 minutes from Downtown Sedona. The sites here come with full hookups and can accommodate rigs up to 45-feet in length, while the amenities include hot showers, laundry facilities, WiFi, and cable TV. There’s also an “adults only” area, which is a nice touch if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet away from busier family spaces.

From the park, you’re within just 20 minutes of some fantastic winter hiking trails, including Bell Rock Pathway and the Soldier Pass Trail(just be aware they may be closed if the weather is very bad). Or, if you feel like doing something a little more relaxing, take a 15-minute drive to Sedona Crystal Temple for a sound healing session.

Get the Best Rates on Campervan Rentals Across the U.S.A.

Ready to hit the road this winter. Whatever part of the country is calling out to you most, the first step in your adventure is finding a great set of wheels. At Travellers Autobarn, you’ll find affordable campervan hire in the U.S.A. with free unlimited miles as standard, giving you the power to explore at your own pace and go wherever the road takes you.

Looking for some more information on camping during the winter? Here are some other articles you should definitely check out:

• Winter in Zion National Park
• How to Winter Camp Like a Boss
• 13 Epic Winter Campervan Road Trips in the U.S.A.
• Van Life Guide to Winter Road Trips in a Campervan

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.