Looking for a unique way to celebrate the holidays this year? Break your RV out of storage and head out to the campground! If you’ve already winterized, consider a trip to campgrounds that offer cabins. Read on to discover the reasons why you may want to go camping for the holidays, as well as suggestions of where you can go to enjoy the season, with these holiday camping tips.
Why go camping for the holidays?
It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. There’s no better way to enjoy the company of close friends and family than to get away from it all and go camping. Since many RVers put their rigs away for the season, you’ll often find plenty of space at the campground. This can provide a much-needed dose of relaxation. Early hikes when the sun warms the shorter days followed by comfort meals around the fire are great activities to bring loved ones together.
Photo: Steve Halama
Camping also allows us to take a step back from the consumerism of the season. It provides ways to connect more closely with nature and one another. Outdoor activities fill our days and help us unplug from the constant barrage of advertisements and sales. Instead of spending your weekend shopping and cooking for a crowd, enjoy peaceful days among the woods and evenings under the stars. Deeper conversations naturally flow from the lack of distractions.
RV travel can also be a great way to save money during the holidays. Many campgrounds offer discounts to continue to draw in campers through their offseason Look for those places that aren’t major tourist attractions, but are off the beaten path. Finding unexpected gems brings a different type of joy.
Where to go camping for the holidays?
Many campgrounds are seasonal and for good reason. Snow and freezing temperatures make it difficult to access some sites or keep the water running. Don’t despair if your favorite campground is closed this holiday season. Instead, use it as an opportunity to enjoy one of these recommended locations.
Photo: fallbrook
Florida
Orlando and destinations south of it will always draw a crowd during the colder months. However, North Florida provides a multitude of camping opportunities to enjoy mild holiday weather.
Camp Gulf is a premier destination in the Florida Panhandle where you can camp on the sugar sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The campground hosts a range of meals and activities over the holidays. They also offer 16 cabins, each walking distance to the beach including a loft area, full kitchen, and bath.
The state’s capital, Tallahassee, offers a great mixture of natural attractions and urban pursuits. Tallahassee RV Park is located in a central location to enjoy everything the area has to offer. In addition to museums and historic sites, Tallahassee boasts numerous miles of multi-use trails. One of the best is the Miccosukee Greenway Trail, an 8-mile path with diverse scenery and significant terrain changes. It’s an ideal destination for walking, nature watching and cycling.
If you’re looking for something a little more rustic, consider the Apalachicola National Forest. The Mack Landing campground is a peaceful location on a ridge above the Ochlockonee River. It offers dry camping RV sites. The national forest covers more than 600,000 acres perfect for hiking and nature watching. Primitive RV campsites are also available on Porter Lake. This location provides easy access for paddlers into winding channels through the floodplain forest of the Ochlockonee River basin.
Photo: Galveston.com
Texas
Galveston, Texas is a great option to enjoy a little beach time over the holidays. No matter what type of activities you enjoy, there is something for you. The first weekend in December heralds their annual Dickins on the Strand, a Victorian holiday celebration. Take in the Strand Historic District’s gorgeous architecture as you listen to roaming carolers, sample delicious food and drink, and take in whimsical parades.
The Galveston Railroad Museum also has a special holiday offering with its 60-minute round-trip journey to the North Pole onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
Stay at Galveston Island RV Resort, which offers every amenity you could ask for including a lazy river! Even better it’s located right across the street from the beach. They also offer cottages in two different floor plans with sleeping accommodations for up to 8 persons.
Another terrific Texas location is San Antonio. Mild weather, the world-famous River Walk, and the Alamo are all big draws to the area. This city knows how to embrace the holiday with events all season long. Don’t miss a chance to join a Downtown Holiday Lights cruise along the River Walk from November 30th through December 23rd. Alsatian RV Resort and Golf Club, situated 15 miles west of town is a great way to visit the city without staying right in the middle of it.
Photo: Tucson
Arizona
Tucson is a fabulous destination for outdoor lovers. You’ll find easy and challenging hikes in both Saguaro National Park East and West. Another popular outdoor activity in the city is bicycling. The Loop is a 131-mile urban trail system built along the county’s network of riverbeds.
For a special holiday treat, pay a visit to the Winterhaven neighborhood where residents pulls out all the stops for their annual Festival of Lights each December. You can enjoy the lights on foot, by pedal-powered group bike, on a hayride wagon, or via bus trolley. The only cost to attend is a donation of food or money for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
Sentinel Peak RV Park is an urban campground in downtown Tucson. It’s close to numerous shops and restaurants. Less than a mile away is Mercado San Augustin, which hosts farmers’ markets and an annual family-friendly holiday bazaar.
Photo: Moab
Utah
Moab is the perfect holiday camping locale for the adventurous. Take advantage of the lack of crowds during the offseason to hike Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. Join in on one of the many off-road 4×4 or mountain biking tours. For a more relaxing day, you can always drive one of the area’s three State Scenic Byways.
Stay at Spanish Trail RV Park just south of town in the shadow of iconic tall red cliffs. The park offers a range of gravel campsites from 45 feet to 75 feet an easy 15-minute drive to Arches National Park.