6 Places You Should Take Your RV This Winter

In many parts of the country, the camping season ends around October. When temperatures plunge, days grow short, and snow drops from the troposphere, full-time RVers must make a decision: Head for more moderate climes or embrace all that winter might throw at them. Whichever type of traveler you are—a snow seeker or a snow bird—there are destinations across the country worth visiting when winter sets in. Here, we’ve rounded up a few that intrepid RVers should add to the winter-travel bucket list. 

READ MORE: ADVICE FOR HITTING THE ROAD IN WINTER

Lake Tahoe

If it’s skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling you’re after, there are few places where you’ll find it more abundantly than along the shores of Lake Tahoe, which straddles the border of California and Nevada. Zephyr Cove Resort, just across the stateline on the Nevada side of the lake, is open all year round and caters to those who don’t mind a little snow piling atop their rig. Only a few miles from South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort, Zephyr Cove is a choice locale for skiers who call the open road home. 

Jackson, Wyoming 

With two national parks to the north and two ski areas near town, Jackson is humming no matter the season. If you’re willing to brave Wyoming’s highways in the winter, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant culinary and art scenes, as well as world-class skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Plus, visitors can still access Grand Teton National Park, which is open year round (vehicle travel is limited in winter months). And there are plenty of places to park a big rig, including at Fireside Resort, which offers electric hook-ups in the winter in addition to luxurious cabins. 

Blue Ridge Mountains

Virginia's Shenandoah National Park doesn’t see nearly as many visitors as Great Smoky Mountains National Park further south, and that’s even more true when cold weather rolls in. The park remains open all winter — occasionally, some roads will close due to inclement weather — and during an off-season visit, you might feel like you have all of the Blue Ridge Mountains to yourself. Several campgrounds, like Misty Mountain Camp Resort, welcome RV travelers year-round.

The Florida Keys

If the goal is to get south, why not go all the way? The chain of islands comprising the Florida Keys are home to the southernmost roads you can take an RV in the continental United States. While it’s not recommended to drive an RV in Key West due to narrow roads, the other keys are home to RV Parks and resorts where nomads can seek refuge from the cold and enjoy island splendor while they're at it. Fiesta Key Resort and Marina, which offers a full complement of tropical amenities, is even located on its own island.

West Texas

The Big Bend region of Texas is not only massive, it’s also home to one of the country’s lesser-explored national parks. Featuring jagged mountains, cactus-dotted foothills, and more than a million acres of public land, there are plenty of places to get lost in the area around the park for those who don’t want to spend their time shoulder to shoulder with every other American snowbird. Maverick Ranch RV Park, part of a nationally acclaimed golf resort, offers luxury accommodations on the banks of the Rio Grande.  

Southern Arizona

The desert southwest attracts more winter RVers than perhaps any other region in the country—and for good reason. Consistently warm and dry with geologic marvels at every junction, southern Arizona is a prime place to park a rig when winter descends. State parks like Patagonia Lake offer travelers a host of amenities, including bird-watching tours, live music, and unbridled access to water sports.