5 Wilderness Winter Wonderlands to See This Year
Escaping to a snowy wilderness is appealing for many adventurers. While camping in the cold may seem daunting if you’re new to it, it can be a comfortable and rewarding experience in the right conditions. As long as you check weather forecasts, alerts, road conditions, and come prepared with the right clothing, it can be a great addition to your yearly adventure itinerary. Below are six of our favorite wilderness winter wonderlands, which have year-round campsites, cabin, or yurt rental options.
Recommended: Cozy Winter Cabin Camping
1. The Lodges at Coleman State Park, New Hampshire
Why We Love it:
- Direct access to snowmobile trails
- Great winter recreation
- Cozy overnight accommodations
The Lodges at Coleman State Park are an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods region! The Lodges have a wide variety of winter recreational opportunities available, including direct trail access to the OHRV corridor system, snowmobile corridors (5 and 18 Ride the Wild), and is within walking distance to Little Diamond Pond for fishing and boating. The Lodges at Coleman State Park is an excellent base for snowmobiling, OHRV riding, hiking, canoeing, and snowshoeing with five rental options to choose from.
2. Allegany State Park, New York
Why We Love it:
- Groomed cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails
- Set amidst rolling wooded landscape
- 45 well-equipped cabins for rent
Located in western New York, Allegany State Park is a large 65,000-acre area renowned for its forested hills and abundant wildlife. The park has a robust paved and unpaved trail system for use year-round. There is also a well-groomed cross-country skiing trail system that is among the best in all of New England. Snowmobilers will also love the park for its almost 100 miles of designated snowmobile trails. Additionally, ice fishing is a popular wintertime sport in Allegany. Campers have their choice of 45 cottages for rent. The Parallel-Bova-Cain Hollow Cottages are spacious and clean and come with a full kitchen, beds, hot water, and minimal furnishings.
3. Round Lake State Park, Idaho
Why We Love it:
- Remote, pristine location
- Beautiful setting in a pine forest on a lake
- Abundant winter activities
Round Lake State Park is a forested area located in the northern panhandle of Idaho. This 142-acre park surrounds a 123-acre lake with Canadian geese and osprey passing overhead, and the scent of the towering pine filling the air. Beavers, moose, and fox frequent the area, and the lake itself is full of rainbow trout and bass. In the winter, ice fishing is a popular pastime, as are cross-country skiing and ice skating on the lake. There are 16 serviced campsites and over 30 standard campsites available at the park.
Recommended: Outdoor Winter Fun Ideas
4. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado
Why We Love it:
- Very close to Denver and Boulder
- Lots of winter activities
- Plenty of camping sites, including cabins
Less than thirty miles from Denver and Boulder, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a stunning 12,000 acres of mountains, meadows, and forests. Open year-round, this park is a favorite among winter sports enthusiasts for its excellent snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing. Also, most of the 42 miles of trail remain open throughout the year for the adventurous explorer. There are two campgrounds with over 70 basic campsites, as well as picnic sites, group facilities, five cabins, and two yurts.
5. Wasatch Mountain State Park, Utah
Why We Love it:
- Site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games
- Lots of winter activities
- Plenty of camping sites, including cabins
The Wasatch Range is the south-central segment of the Rocky Mountains, extending from the Utah-Idaho border to central Utah. Wasatch Mountain State Park is a nearly 23,000-acre preserve and is open all year. The park was the site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, a telling sign of the snow quality and wide-ranging outdoor winter activities the area offers. The park also has modern facilities, including over 120 camping sites, partial and full hook-ups, group camping, and cabins.
The park transforms into a snowy paradise usually by late fall. Besides witnessing the wintery wonder, there are plenty of cold weather recreational activities to be had:
- Tubing - Soldier Hollow boasts the longest tubing lanes in the state at over 1200 feet.
- Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing - Wasatch Mountain State Park has a fantastic trail system for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. If you are a newbie and don’t want to try it alone, there are tour operators who can show you the ropes.
- Sleigh ride or horse-drawn carriage - take in the majesty of the mountains during a sleigh ride or horse-drawn carriage, offered just outside of the park.
6. Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming
Why We Love it:
- Rugged canyon transforms into a winter wonderland
- Plenty of outdoor winter activities
- Heated yurts and cabin
Located on the eastern slope of the southern Wind River Mountains, Sinks Canyon is a rugged canyon named for a unique geologic formation. "The Sinks," where the river vanishes underground near the mouth of the canyon, is a beautiful feature any time of year, and arguably never more so than in winter.
The canyon begins at the falls, where the Popo Agie River flows over a granite escarpment, creating a series of cascades. The river then continues widening through the canyon down into the Lander Valley. The entire valley and canyon walls transform into a wonderland in winter.
Besides taking in the stunning landscape, there are plenty of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities. You can rent one of the park's heated yurts or cabins and spend a few memorable nights in the heart of the mountains.
