Brrr! Top Winter Camping Destinations

February 23, 2022February 21, 2022 Darian A 0 Comments Camping, Extang, Tonneau Covers, Truck Accessories, Winter Camping

You don’t have to be an avid outdoorsman to enjoy camping in winter weather. There’s plenty of fun activities to do and sights to see, despite the chill in the air. Go against the flock of snowbirds heading south this winter and take a trip to one of these top winter camping destinations.

Mammoth Campground at Yellowstone National Park

Let’s get this first place out of the way now: Yellowstone National Park.

Ever since the debut of the show Yellowstone, there’s a little something in each of us that longs to don a cowboy hat and head for the Wild West. Do just that in Yellowstone National Park where the buffalo actually roam. Not only does winter bring out wildlife such as bison, elk, moose and wolves, but also the geysers are even more spectacularly dramatic. And when it comes to recreation, there are breathtaking tours accessible by snow-coach, skis, and snowshoes.

Stay in the park at Mammoth Campground, which is open year-round to tents and RVs. It’s first-come, first-serve – so plan accordingly.

Man dressed for winter pulls gear out of his pickup truck, which is equipped with an Extang tonneau cover and roof top tent. — Interested in truck camping? You’ll want the proper gear. Find the perfect tonneau camping companion with Extang. Keep your truck bed safe from corrosive winter elements and its contents away from hungry bears, while maintaining a reliable platform for racking systems and rooftop tents. | *Image: @andrew_longron*

Upper Esopus Creekside Camp, Big Indian, New York

Camp on the Esopus Creek in the stream-carved Big Indian/Oliverea Valley surrounded by seven of the highest 3500-foot Catskill High-Peaks including Slide Mountain. The area is heavily-wooded with many scenic and state-maintained hiking trails, and while it’s considered a “glamping” environment, you’ll be fully immersed in nature during your stay.

If there’s so much snow it makes the camp road impassable by car, campers can park and use a toboggan/sled for gear to get to the nearby campsite. (Which, we have to say, is pretty cool way to travel.) The private campground is located on 100 acres of land in the middle of the Catskill State park.

Enjoy all upstate New York has to offer – from hiking and snowboarding to cycling and trout fishing – at the Upper Esopus Creekside Camp. Upon arrival you can pick up bundled firewood and even rent a tent and foam or air mattress for your stay.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs at Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Colorado may be the most popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, with more than 28 ski resorts to choose from, but there’s far more than to do than just hit the slopes. Steamboat Springs offers the best of all Colorado has to offer, with Steamboat Springs Ski Resort at the heart of this small mountain town.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the town’s namesake – the hot springs. Try Old Town Hot Springs with hot-spring-fed pools and a waterslide, or get back to nature at Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs. Stay on-site at Strawberry Park in the lodge, at a small or large cabin, or at an RV/tent site. You can even shake things up and stay in a train caboose or covered wagon!

Gaze upon a frozen waterfall at nearby Fish Creek Falls, or snowshoe along the nature area with hiking routes to the upper and lower sections of the 280-foot waterfall. There’s plenty of cold-weather activities to enjoy, all while soaking up that Colorado sunshine.

Turns out Strawberry Park Hot Springs has a clothing-optional policy after dark… lending a new meaning to “winter adventures.” | *Image: Strawberry Hot Springs Gallery*

Fox Run Lodge and RV Campground, Alaska

Get arctic in Alaska. Fox Run Lodge and RV Campground is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley just north of Anchorage. The valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains most of the year.

The campground sits next to Matanuska Lake, Matanuska Lake trailhead, and Matanuska Lake State Recreation area, providing easy access to ice fishing and snowshoeing. Heck, try your hand at dog sledding. (Just make sure those hands are covered with quality gloves so you avoid frostbite!) The campground has cabins, tents, and RV sites available to stay in.

One of the best parts of winter camping in Alaska is the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. While the lightshow occurs all four seasons of the year, the best time to catch a view is between August and April when less daylight means darker night skies.

Man dressed in hunting gear opens Extang tonneau cover to retrieve gear. — Head into the cold weather knowing your gear is safe and secure. The Extang Trifecta ALX is topped with a pebble grained fabric to preserve your truck bed from water, dirt, and dust. Plus, its simple twist-and-lift operation is easy for cold fingers! | *Image: Extang*

Bear Head Lake State Park Campground, Minnesota

Speaking of ice-fishing… Why not take a trip to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”? Minnesota has a total of 11,842 lakes of 10 acres or more. It’s also home to thousands of miles of trails you can use to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile.

During the winter, there are nine miles of cross-country skiing available, with seven miles of groomed trails in winter. When it comes to snowmobiling, one-mile spur connects users to Taconite State Trail, giving trail users access to 165 miles of groomed trail. Snowshoers can go anywhere in the park.

Plenty of camping opportunities can be found at the park year around. In addition to tent and RV campsites, Bear Head Lake offers camper cabins with bunk beds, and quite a few amenities considering the remote locale. Enjoy electricity, simple furnishings, and even a screened porch and deck.

Tigerton OHV Park and Campground on the Embarrass River, Wisconsin

This campground in Wisconsin offers more than 500 acres of off-road excitement with trails to accommodate all kinds of vehicles, including ATVs, side by sides, dirt bikes, Jeeps and 4X4s. More than half of the Tigerton OHV Park and Campground’s campsites sit alongside of the Embarrass River. They even have a challenge track open to ATVs and dirt bikes. Access is available with purchase of the daily trail pass fee.

Travel elsewhere around Wisconsin to find winter UTV and ATV trails, too. Burnett County offers 80 miles of frozen ground ATV/UTV trails, as well as 122 miles of winter trails. The Dun-Good trails in Marinette County are open all year regardless of the surface condition. Various areas will have their own requirements for being open during winter, so be sure to check local regulations.

Man dressed in camo closes the tonneau cover on his Polaris Ranger UTV. — Keep your ATV/UTV running at peak performance and protected from winter elements with Extang’s UTV Tonneau cover, the Solid Fold 2.0 UTV Edition. Optimize your cargo capacity with maximum protection and versatility. The UTV Edition features EnduraShield panels with an automotive grade polymer that resists dents, scratches, and UV-induced fading better than aluminum or fiberglass panels. | *Image: Extang*

Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California

Snow-covered Joshua Tree National Park — Unusual but not unheard-of: Snow can still fall in southern winter camping destinations, like Joshua Tree National Park. | *Image: The Weather Channel, Camille Aligue*

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget our fair-weather friends. Maybe you aren’t cut out for weather extremes; too hot or too cold. That’s why the winter months are the perfect time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Snow isn’t likely at the park’s lower elevations, but the Joshua Tree gives a feel of winter evergreen all year long. Bonus: winter temperatures can reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, making winter the best time to visit the otherwise-sweltering national park.

Camp among the monzogranite rock formations and Joshua Trees at the Hidden Valley Campground. Spend an evening under the vast night sky stargazing. All campsites are first -come, first-serve. Take in the surreal geologic formations at this fair-weather winter camping spot.

For our very fair-weather “give me a beer and a beach chair in the sun” friends, Joshua Tree National Park is just a short drive from San Diego and the beach.

Wherever you decide to winter camp this year, protect your gear and truck with a tonneau cover from Extang. Since 1982, Extang continues to lead the industry with innovation, quality products, maximum strength warranties and excellent customer support. Oh, and similarly important, don’t forget your coat, hat and gloves when you hit the road to one of the above winter camping destinations. See you out there!