When most folks imagine a camper van road trip, they envision a beautiful spring, summer, or fall day in the mountains, or with the windows rolled down cruising by the ocean, looking for that next great surf spot. Winter camping in a van presents more of a challenge, but with preparation and planning, can be thoroughly enjoyed, and open up new possibilities during a season that keeps many folks inside. Here are the best things to do in winter with your camper van.
A ski trip! – Avoid the crowds this winter, and make your rental van your day lodge, AND your ski in and ski out condo. Considering the challenges facing ski areas during the current pandemic, many of them are encouraging guests to use their cars during the day for breaks, and for meals. Why not level up to a camper van? Pop off your ski boots, toss on the heater, and enjoy your socially distanced lunch with your friends and family just a short walk from the lifts. Heck, take a nap if you need to! Forget the congested cafeteria lunch line that reminds you of middle school, and instead fire up those Coleman burners in your van and make something special to fuel your afternoon on the slopes. Additionally, many ski areas in the West have reserved parking for overnight guests who are camping. Even if you are not skiing bell to bell, these ski areas also offer many other options for entertainment as well. A ski trip spent in a van draws the line perfectly between a luxurious ski vacation, and a backcountry camping adventure. Whether it be Mt. Hood, Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Baker, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Schweitzer, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Bridger Bowl, Grand Targhee, Wolf Creek, or many more, there are lots of options for places that allow you to camp, right by their lifts!
Book it to the coast! – In Oregon, California, and Washington, the coast offers a unique experience during the winter months. Oftentimes, temperatures are a bit more mild by the ocean, since there is that massive body of salt water, formally known as the Pacific, that keeps things reasonable. The left coast is littered with campgrounds, and there are many areas of national and state forest that bump up against the ocean. Between breaks of brilliant sunshine, the fog and the clouds that develop on the Pacific are magical in their own right. There are many hiking trails that traverse up coastal mountains, and there’s not many cooler feelings than being on top of the world above the clouds. If you brave the light rain, you can be treated to the vivid greens and colors that protrude in the rainforest. At night, settle down in one of the many campgrounds. Getting a reservation is super easy in the winter, and you’ll be likely to have lots of space to yourself. As long as you keep your firewood dry, you’re in for a cozy night listening to the waves crash while roasting marshmallows telling stories lies with your friends and family. My personal favorite spot to camp on the Oregon coast is Nehalem Bay State Park. There are an abundance of campsites to choose from, just steps from the beach. Additionally, you are a short bike ride from the cutest coastal town of Manzanita. Nehalem Bay State Park offers hiking trails, biking trails, and is a short drive from Ecola State Park, and Oswald West State park.
Head down south! – We get it, not everyone loves the crisp, sometimes too crisp, winter air. How does sunny California or the Southwest sound? There is so much to do in the Southwest in the winter in your van, mild day temps and lots of sunshine, and small crowds make it an excellent time to go explore the desert. The obvious choice here is the Grand Canyon. I had the privilege to fly over the Grand Canyon last winter, and as beautiful as it is the summer, I found it to be extra spectacular with a light dusting of snow. Other national parks include Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Moab, Bryce Canyon, the list goes on and on. Visiting them in the off-season ensures that you truly feel like you are in a secluded, special place, and not another tourist trap where you wait all day in traffic and lines.
These more lax temperatures are excellent for hikes that would be too grueling in the summer heat. Also, nothing beats the American Southwest at night time in the winter. The cool, crisp air of the evening yields absolutely fantastic stars, there is nothing like gazing up at the milky way from the middle of nowhere in the desert. The solitude is unmatched. It’s the perfect moment to share with your partner or other loved ones.
Don’t let the winter gloom season get you down! Instead take it on and make the most of winter travel. You will be rewarded with sparse crowds (yay social distancing), better deals on vans, and gain a new perspective on a time of year that most folks choose to stay inside. You may need to grab an extra layer, and maybe one more bundle of firewood, but everything else remains the same, it is just a good time in the woods with the people who mean the most.
