Perfect winter weather?
Photo by: Ariel de Silva Parreira (Stock Exchange)

Welcome back to AllCampgrounds!

Last week’s visit had us combing through some of the best sites on the web for winter camping.

Of course, winter camping makes for some of the best and most challenging opportunities for backcountry adventures, but you have to know your stuff!

Likewise, not everyone wants to trek into the “deep freeze” to enjoy the outdoors during winter.

So today’s post will highlight trusted parks and camp grounds that are open all winter long; both chilly and warm, to suit everyone’s tastes.

Tent campers and RV campers alike will find something to whet their camping appetite!

Blue Springs State Park: Blue Springs is one of the best bets for tent campers who want to enjoy their favorite hobby in November, December, and January. Situated in Orange City, far enough from Orlando to keep the traffic out but not so far that it wouldn’t make for a great family day-trip, Blue Springs is especially notable for one amazing feature: its winter population of the rare and iconic West Indian Manatees. Of course, you shouldn’t swim with the manatees — there’s a rule about that — but spotting the critters is common. There are newly renovated cabins, and a whole host of water sports.

Winter Camping at Ohio State Parks: Ohio is one of the few states that tends to keep most parks and camp grounds open through the winter. Note, there are places where campsites cut back or might have limited access to certain facilities, such as heated showers, through the winter season. But for a versatile roster of sites in all weather conditions, you can’t beat Ohio: there are dozens of lakeside camps in this Midwestern state, and a surprising number offer your choice of cabin, lodge, RV site with electrical hookup, or tent camping sites with picturesque views. Boating and fishing are common.

Popular Destinations in Utah: Down in the west, Utah is known for its thousands of miles of trails that can accommodate any off-road vehicle. If off-roading isn’t your thing, you might enjoy hundreds of miles of trails through and around Utah’s many mountains. Naturally, the state is also known for skiing, and there are several camps near top skiing destinations, as well as ski resorts that partner with private campgrounds to give you a seamless experience. Utah is also one of the states driving the yurt camping craze, though as of right now, the State Parks site lists only seven public campgrounds with yurts.

Winter Trekking: A post on winter camping options just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning backcountry winter camping, which can include awesome snowbound fun like snowshoeing and skiing. We covered a few resources for this last time, but Winter Trekking is another one you shouldn’t miss out on: it covers clothing, equipment, safety, and more. This site also introduced AllCampgrounds to the SnowTrekker Tent, one of the only tents out there specifically designed for tough, cold weather camping. Definitely worth a look, even if you know everything there is to know about trekking.