When fall turns to winter, you begin to pack away all your camping gear, sadly, thinking that you won’t get to use it for some time to come. But just because there is snow on the ground where you live doesn’t mean the rest of the country isn’t experiencing some seriously nice, warm weather. The truth is, camping can be a year-round activity if you choose the right destination to visit. Below you will find some great places with warm climates where you can go camping during the winter and year around, so don’t pack away your tent and sleeping bag yet!
Florida Keys
When you think of endless summers, there’s no doubt that you think of Florida. Warm weather year-round, beautiful beaches, and that touch of magic all make Florida the perfect place to go when you get the itch to get out into nature. Florida has a ton of great campgrounds up and down the length of the state. If you’re looking for a truly Florida-experience, then there’s no better place to camp than Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys. All of the campsites in this park are located right next to the ocean, which means you can sleep on the sand and under the stars at the same time. Because of its proximity to the ocean, you have a lot of options when it comes to activities, including swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling.
And because the weather in Florida is slightly more mild than the rest of the year, you will still get sunny, warm days and slightly cool nights without the oppressive heat of high summer. Be sure to book early, as this campground is super popular all year round.
Joshua Tree
Southern California is also known for their warm weather. In the winter, the temperatures are even more mild, which means you can go camping throughout the year. One of the most well-known and popular places to camp in California is Joshua Tree National Park. As the name suggests, Joshua Tree is named after the curving, spikey, otherworldly trees that cover this gorgeous desert landscape. At 800,000 acres, the amount of open space is staggering, and the park is only about two hours outside of Los Angeles, which makes it a convenient location to travel to and from.
There are a total of eight campsites throughout the park, and all of them will let you experience the landscape in a personal way. Aspira campground management software can help you figure out the best place for you to camp. At the park, there are plenty of opportunities for you to rock climb, bike, and hike. For Joshua Tree, it’s the busy season all year, so make sure to book your spot as soon as you can.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Located in south Texas, Padre Island National Seashore is the longest, continuous stretch of undeveloped barrier island land in the entire world with 70 miles of coast. Because it is so far south (Mexico is only 30 miles away), Padre Island National Seashore has great weather year-round. You’ll find nice weather during the winter months in terms of temperatures and storms. Hurricane season ends on November 1st, which means your camping trip won’t be interrupted by super storms during the winter season. There are no reservations for Padre Island National Seashore, so you’ll want to make sure that you show up early in the morning so that you’re able to get onto the island to camp.
Because it is an island, there are a lot of activities you can do on the water, including boating, fishing, and soaking up the sun on the beach. As a protected space, Padre Island National Seashore has a plethora of wildlife. You can go bird watching or even catch a glimpse of sea turtles getting released into the wild.
When the winter blues set in, then it’s time for you to reconnect with nature by going camping somewhere warm!
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