Warm Places to Camp in Winter
After winter has set in, many of us would like to take a vacation to some pleasant, warm weather location. There we can enjoy a getaway without experiencing cold nights and chilly days. Warm winter camping can give you a respite from those long months of cold weather and remind you that you can truly camp out at any time of year. Here we list some of our top warm winter camping places, or check out ReserveAmerica.com to search for other campsites near you.
Join Apex Club today to stay for free at these warm winter campgrounds, and over 900 ReserveAmerica.com rebate eligible state and regional parks.*
1. Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, Texas
At Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, visitors have miles of multi-use trails to explore Texas Hill Country, whether on foot, bike, or horseback. Tent camp along the Lake Travis shoreline or under the shade of an oak canopy. Boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding are great ways to enjoy the serenity of the lake. There are 41 campsites with outdoor showers and restroom facilities.
*Apex Club rebate not valid at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, Texas. Trips must be booked directly on ReserveAmerica.com.
2. Cypress Glen Campground at Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida
Located about 45 minutes from Tampa, Cypress Glen Campground is nestled within the Withlacoochee State Forest. The forest is characterized by a wide variety of tree species, such as slash pine, longleaf pine, pond and bald cypress, maple, southern magnolia, hickory, and various types of oak. The canopied forest serves as a home for bald eagles, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. There are 34 campsites all located near the water and are a perfect jumping-off point to explore the area by foot, horseback, or paddle.
3. Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia
Count Reed Bingham State Park, located in south central Georgia, is one of the fantastic warm places to camp in the winter. The park is a favorite spot for boaters, paddlers, waterskiers, and anglers. Paddlers can bring their own canoes and kayaks, or rent them and hit the lake to explore its banks filled with water lilies and tupelo trees. Or drop your line in the water for some excellent bass, crappie, catfish, and bream fishing. The scenic park is also a great place to relax with its beachside pavilion, picnic shelters, and group shelters. Campers are likely to see abundant, including tortoises, alligators, and bald eagles. During winter, a special migration brings thousands of black vultures and turkey vultures to the nearby trees for roosting.
4. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, New Mexico
Rugged scenery is a large part of the attraction at this New Mexico state park, rated among the best winter camping spots. Here in the Sacramento Mountains, the wildlife is rich and there is a wide variety of fauna. You may spot badgers, cougars, mule deer, or coati. There is a year-round stream that runs through the park that enables much plant life to thrive, including desert willow, cattail, and ferns. Native Americans lived in this area as early as 9,500 BC and much later, Apache warriors had the canyon as their base, giving you a little history to keep in mind as you explore. Hiking is great fun at this park, and you can choose either easy hiking or a more difficult trail. Take a short excursion on the Riparian Nature Trail or a more challenging hike going up the Dog Canyon Trail.
5. Buccaneer State Park, Mississippi
One of the fascinating facts about this state park is that the French buccaneer Jean Lafitte practiced his pirating throughout the area along with his band of marauders. Near the park is his old Pirate House which you can visit. What’s more, it is among the top warm places to camp in the winter. On the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, you will see marshlands and sandy beaches as well as beautiful moss-covered oak trees. There are plenty of outdoor activities which include disc golf and hiking. Try the two-mile Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail where you can stop at the pier over the canal and see egrets, pelicans, or blue crabs. The temperature high during the day is in the low 60s, making for a warm winter getaway.
6. Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Texas
Lovely Lake Corpus Christi State Park offers so much to do year-round, making it one of the best winter camping locales. In the winter you can enjoy the scenery, fish in the lake, and hike. When fishing here, you may pull in crappie, catfish, or sunfish. Fish bite all year round. This area is ecologically rich and you can have fun doing some bird watching to get back to nature. Explore the woodlands, brushlands, and wetlands to get a feel for the diverse mix of landscapes. Camping is plentiful with 120 campsites, including cabins. You’ll enjoy temperatures in the mid-60s up to the 70s in winter so this is an ideal winter destination.
Recommended: Wildlife Viewing Experiences for the Whole Family
7. F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Georgia
This state park has over 40 miles of hiking trails and thus is a hiker’s paradise. The scenic views are something to behold, with the rolling mountains of the Pine Mountain Range right there alongside the park. You will find a small fishing lake where you can throw in a line. In 1997, this park was named a National Historic Landmark, with some of the amenities in the park having been built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. If you love to watch birds, there are many species to observe here. And at night, you can’t beat stargazing.
8. Cary State Forest Campground, Florida
Located in northeastern Florida and covering more than 13,000 acres, Cary State Forest Campground and its varied ecosystems offer its visitors much to do and see. The balmy weather also brings it in among the top warm places to camp in the winter. Wildlife here abounds and you may catch a glimpse of bobcat, wild turkey, pinewood tree frogs, great horned owls, woodpeckers, and more. There are many recreational opportunities offered here, such as hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and fishing.
The park offers both primitive and RV camping. There is also an outdoor pavilion that can be rented for day use as well as facilities for dumping.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!