Winter Camping in the Southwest
While the cold winds and snows blow farther up north and camping might be the furthest from your mind, the Southwest offers relatively comfortable weather in the winter, as well as great camping. Stay relatively warm while experiencing the outdoors. You’ll discover a wide array of activities in each campground that will provide you a wonderful time during your trip. Here ReserveAmerica shares where you can find places to camp in the winter in the Southwest.
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Southern Utah's moderate climate makes this state park a perfect place to come for winter camping. It seldom gets any snowfall. When camping here, you are surrounded by the red Navajo sandstone which provides landscapes ideal for photography. Add in the sandstone cliffs, petrified sand dunes, and the ancient lava flows, and you find a unique place to spend your time. This park is within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve which was created to protect the desert tortoise.
There’s plenty of adventure when hiking in Snow Canyon as well. You’ll have more than 18 miles of trails for hiking, five miles of equestrian trails, and a 3-mile walking or biking trail that is paved. A favorite hike is the trail to Jenny’s Canyon. It’s less than a mile each way and an easy hike in a small slot canyon. Catch some ranger talks for a great educational experience, and let the kids participate in the junior ranger program. Be sure to check with the park to see if this program is currently being offered. For your camping, there are 14 sites with hookups for RVs and 17 multi-use sites.
Trinidad Lake State Park, Colorado
This state park is a special place to visit in the wintertime because of the abundant winter sunshine and mild climate. The mountains of southern Colorado welcome you, and the lake entices you to throw in a line. You may catch a brown trout, rainbow trout, black crappie, bluegill, or walleye. Wildlife viewing couldn’t be better, with lots of opportunities to see the coyote, elk, deer, and turkeys. Hiking also is a popular activity here. A portion of the Santa Fe Trail runs through the park. Be sure to see the historical coal mining ruins at Cokedale (within the park). Cokedale, a former mining town, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are two campgrounds in the state park with sites that accommodate trailers, RVs, or tents.
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Abilene State Park, Texas
Set in natural beauty, this West Texas state park provides an abundance of recreation activities for the whole family. It’s an ideal spot to come in winter, as the weather is generally mild in the winter. The nights do get cold, though, so make sure you have plenty of blankets.
You’ll be able to languish by the lake and soak up the sun or fish, and meanwhile the kids will love to fish in the fishing pond. You don’t need a license here to fish from shore. The children love this park because they can geocache, hike, or ride their bikes. Everyone can play volleyball, horseshoes, or just sit and watch the birds. Trails are for hiking, horse riding, or mountain biking. A one-mile nature trail will make an easy hike. Bring a canoe or kayak to navigate the lake. You can pitch your tent or park at an RV site or even stay in a yurt for a unique adventure.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state's latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.