RVing is likely one of the highest methods for snowbirds to take pleasure in their life-style. In spite of everything, while you convey your complete residence with you, it’s simple to observe the solar and keep heat and shiny all yr lengthy. Plus, People are fortunate sufficient to stay in a rustic with some completely stellar nationwide parks — landscapes that make you perceive why somebody fought to protect them so many many years in the past. (And plenty of are nice choices for snowbirds trying to escape harsh winter climate and discover one thing milder.)
Together with scenic drives and ample outside recreation alternatives, the nationwide parks listed under even have RV-friendly facilities and campgrounds so you’ll be able to cozy up near the center of the motion. Simply keep in mind to ebook as far forward of time as attainable — these particular spots do are inclined to promote out quick!
(Psst: Have to lock down a rental RV on your winter RV journey? RVshare has you lined, regardless of the place within the nation you’re beginning or heading to!)
Why Snowbirds Select Nationwide Parks for Winter RV Journey
Why head to a nationwide park to get away from the winter blues? Listed below are three of the highest causes snowbirds select nationwide parks for his or her winter RV adventures.
Gentle Winter Climate
The primary cause might be the obvious: touring to the proper place throughout the winter time means you get to keep away from the worst of winter’s woes. The nationwide parks we spotlight under function hotter winter climates so you’ll be able to keep good and toasty while not having to fret about operating your onboard warmth pump or furnace — or about winterizing your RV, for that matter.
RV-Pleasant Facilities
Whereas not each nationwide park has ‘em, those we’ve listed function RV-friendly campgrounds which might be comparatively simple to navigate into. Many even have hookups and different services, like bathhouses, that make life simpler for RV vacationers.
Scenic Drives and Out of doors Actions
Hear, if you need to survive the winter, why not survive it in model? Whenever you head to the proper nationwide park, you’ll get lovely scenic drives to take pleasure in, camp-side views, and a slew of outside actions from climbing to mountain biking to fishing to wildlife viewing and pictures alternatives. The world can carry on being your oyster, even whereas these additional north are bundled up inside!
Prime Nationwide Parks for Snowbirds
With out additional ado, listed here are our high picks for the high nationwide parks for snowbirds (together with full-timers making an attempt to make it by within the winter with out freezing strong)!
Everglades Nationwide Park, Florida
Everybody already is aware of that Florida is the place to be in case you’re on the lookout for a heat and sunny vacation season — and Everglades Nationwide Park combines that deliciously heat, subtropical local weather with some out-of-this-world wildlife viewing alternatives you actually can’t discover wherever else. There’s nothing fairly like touring at pace in an airboat and seeing alligator snouts popping up round you. Should you’re actually fortunate, you may even spot a Florida panther or a manatee.
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, California
One other otherworldly alternative for a shiny and glossy Christmas or New Yr, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park provides sweeping vistas crammed with its eponymous crops (technically not timber, however a sort of succulent associated to Yucca) beneath blisteringly blue skies and red-rock backdrops. Plus, the common daytime temperature in December hovers round 60 levels Fahrenheit. What’s to not love?
One vital word: Like many desert landscapes, the nighttime temperatures do fall precipitously in Joshua Tree, so you must nonetheless guarantee your RV is supplied for winter touring — and shiny a comfortable blanket or two. Who doesn’t like to cuddle up on a winter’s evening, even when the solar is blazing throughout the day?
One different vital word: This campground is likely one of the solely ones on our checklist whose campgrounds do not function electrical hookups and different luxurious facilities, however there are a number of personal campgrounds within the space which might be higher appointed.
Massive Bend Nationwide Park, Texas
Tucked approach down south the place Texas Bends in to kiss Mexico, Massive Bend Nationwide Park is likely one of the lesser-traveled parks within the system — which implies you’re very prone to have plenty of broad open area all to your self, even within the wintertime when the nice and cozy climate makes it such a sexy place to be. Steep limestone canyon partitions carved by historic river actions, coal-dark evening skies, over 1,200 species of crops and greater than 450 species of birds make this place a wonderland for outside explorers of every kind. It’s the biggest protected space of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in america, and, in fact, a spot you’ll be able to dip your toes within the Rio Grande. Feliz Navidad!
Essential word: That is one other nationwide park whose on-site campgrounds have little in the best way of facilities, together with electrical hookups. Whenever you’re this distant, roughing it’s just about required!
Saguaro Nationwide Park, Arizona
In search of a cactus-filled Christmas? The enduring panorama of Saguaro Nationwide Park will stun and shock you. (Many don’t know till they go to that these well-known, emoji-fied cacti can really develop greater than 40 ft tall!) Together with park adventures like scenic drives, climbing trails and cultural/wilderness excursions, Saguaro Nationwide Park has the added bonus of being solely half an hour outdoors of the center of Tucson, so that you’ll have loads of city adventures to discover as properly. And, in fact, it’s Arizona — which implies heat, even within the depths of winter!
Dying Valley Nationwide Park, California/Nevada
It could be known as Dying Valley — however come wintertime, when it’s chilly all over the place else, it completely offers life. Whereas this half the Mojave Desert is well-known for its sky-high temperatures on the peak of summer time (the July 10, 1913 file excessive of 134 levels Fahrenheit is the most popular reliably recorded temperature on earth), throughout the winter months, daytime highs oscillate between about 65 and 80 levels. Though the temperatures do drop at evening, they solely not often stray under freezing. For vacationers who’re open to a wide-open view for his or her vacation festivities, Dying Valley is a one-of-a-kind winter RVing vacation spot. It’s additionally solely about two hours outdoors of Las Vegas in case you want some shiny lights and loud sounds to spherical out your vacation adventures!
Ideas for Snowbirds Touring to Nationwide Parks in an RV
Even probably the most skilled snowbirds can use some ideas and methods every so often. Listed below are our greatest practices for having fun with the nationwide parks in an RV throughout the wintertime — or truthfully anytime!
Plan Your Campground Reservations Early
It doesn’t matter what time of yr you’re visiting (however particularly throughout the winter in warm-climate nationwide parks), campsites can get booked up shortly. Whereas last-minute cancellations generally unlock a website or two (and a few campgrounds reserve some or all of their websites for same-day walk- or drive-ins), the most effective follow is to test round and ebook your website as early as attainable. That goes for the personal and public campgrounds outdoors of the particular nationwide park borders, too!
Examine Winter Climate Situations
Whereas the parks we’ve gathered right here reliably have gentle winter climates, you by no means know precisely what Mom Nature goes to serve — and as mentioned, many of those desert landscapes see plummeting temperatures within the nighttime. Examine forward to make sure you know what sort of climate to count on so that you might be well-prepared for it so far as heat and comfy clothes and different equipment are involved.
Pack Important RV Gear
Together with protecting your self clothed and fed, you’ll additionally wish to be sure you have every thing your RV wants for a profitable keep! Retaining the rig stocked with water, propane and gas is essential, in addition to making certain you’ve obtained your generator (in case you’re staying off-grid) and plenty of winter layers to cuddle beneath while you’re cozied up inside. (Heated blanket, anybody?)
Respect Park Guidelines and Wildlife
Whereas the wildlife and wild landscapes are among the many high causes many people wish to go to the nationwide parks within the first place, it’s crucial to observe the rules that assist guarantee we are able to take pleasure in these locations whereas nonetheless leaving them intact for others. Together with Depart No Hint (LNT) rules and campground laws, make sure you take a look at any particular wildlife steering within the park you go to. A ranger can be completely happy that will help you!
Different Winter-Pleasant RV Journey Locations Close to Nationwide Parks
Seeking to lengthen your winter RV adventures within the above-mentioned nationwide parks? Think about:
The world is your oyster — or snowglobe, in case you want!
Tips on how to Hire an RV for Your Snowbird Journey
Should you’re not a full-timer or don’t even personal your RV, no worries. You’ll be able to nonetheless stay the snowbird life in a rental rig!
Reserving on RVshare is straightforward. You’ll be able to simply filter for the kind of RV you need, the place you’ll choose it up, and what number of company you want it to sleep, in addition to journey dates.
For a lot of winter RVers, a driveable rig would be the best to make use of (in case you don’t have already got a tow automobile), and bigger Class A motorhomes often have all of the creature comforts together with onboard heating parts in case you’re going someplace the place the nighttime temperature drops.
Take note, too, that one-way RV leases can open an entire new world of alternatives and enhance the period of time you need to spend in every location you go to. Plus, lots of the hottest routes are within the American southwest — the place the temperature tends to remain pretty gentle throughout winter!
Irrespective of the place you find yourself, and when, an RVshare rental could make the time merry and shiny. Joyful travels — and holidays! 🌲
