Think summertime’s the only time to take a killer RV road trip? Think again! Winter travel is possible!
Hitting the highway during the winter isn’t just possible — it’s a really great idea, especially if you’re looking to head somewhere warm and thaw out for a while! You’ll also get a break from having to put on your coat, boots, and mittens every single time you go out the door, not to mention shoveling your driveway which seems like every five minutes.
Plus, wintertime is shoulder season for most destinations, which means it can be a very affordable time to travel — especially when you take advantage of your Passport America membership, which gets you 50% off your campsite accommodation fees at almost 1900 campgrounds across the country!
Best Winter Travel Destinations
So, ready to dig into the top winter travel destinations?
Here are some of the best cities and parks for winter travel by RV.
1. Sarasota, Florida
It might be best known as a retirement enclave… but there’s a reason so many people choose to live out their golden years along these sunny gulf beaches, not the least of which is the year-round sunshine. December’s a balmy 70 degrees.
Camping options abound, from private, resort-style options to simpler public lands and state parks, like Oscar Scherer. You’ll be sure to see an osprey or two, not to mention some pelicans — and don’t forget your extra-large beach blanket and sunglasses so you can really enjoy soaking up those warm winter rays.
2. Austin, Texas
This musical city might not have made its name on Christmas carols, but the air is sure to be full of holiday cheer when you visit this winter — and warm, to boot. With an average low well above freezing, all you’ll need is a sweater or two and a nice pair of jeans. Comfy and thematic!
(Also, get it? “To boot?” Because boots? Because Texas?)
Austin also has the unique benefit of marrying city life with tons of fun outdoor activities. It’s truly a town with something for everyone!
3. San Diego, California
Whether you spend it gallivanting in the coves of La Jolla or mingling with the proudly-weird denizens of Ocean Beach, San Diego is a perfect place to chase away winter blues with some red, orange, and yellow sunsets.
There are a number of RV parks close to the coast, but you can find even more if you venture a bit further inland, where it’ll be even warmer — eastern California is a desert, after all!
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
They don’t call it the Big Easy for nothing. It’s hard not to feel relaxed in a town with some of the most liberal open-container laws in the country!
But even if you don’t imbibe, it’s impossible not to feel the festive spirit in this vibrant city — especially during the wintertime, when NOLA hosts epic celebrations for Christmas and New Year.
You can camp right in town to be part of all the action, or get away from it all a bit further afield on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. With an average temperature that stays above 40 degrees, you can’t go wrong either way.
5. Savannah, Georgia
What better place to ditch winter’s chill than the epicenter of southern charm? The live oaks strung with Spanish moss rival any holiday decor we’ve ever come across, and the cooking — well, let’s just say you won’t be missing that tired turkey dinner. (Fried chicken and waffles are a totally acceptable substitute.)
Winter RV Travel
As you can see, there are heaps of wonderful places to travel to in your RV, even during the winter. In fact, this list is just the tip of the iceberg.
Other popular winter travel destinations include the rest of Florida’s beaches, the beautiful sands of southern Arizona and New Mexico, and even some of the southern National Parks. For instance, Everglades National Park in South Florida stays warm all the way through winter, and although the Grand Canyon might be a bit chillier, it’s just as stunning (and a lot less crowded!) this time of year.
