Unforgettable Winter Road Trips
March 21st is the first day of spring, which means there’s only one month left of wintertime. And though the season may be coming to a close, there is still ample time for one last winter road trip to enjoy the best of winter camping from coast to coast. RVing in the winter often means being able to visit sites with remarkably smaller crowds during times the landscape has been transformed into an unforgettable winter wonderland.
For any winter trip safety is paramount with cold temperatures necessitating extra planning. Double check winter hours at all destinations, call ahead to parks or campgrounds to stay up to date on any travel restrictions, keep emergency kit and warm clothes easily accessible in your vehicle, and before leaving always make sure that key components on your RV such as the furnace and water heater are in good working order. For RVs with Airxcel brand components (Suburban, Coleman-Mach, Aqua-Hot, Maxxair, United Shade or MCD) the online Service Center Locator has a nationwide network of centers that can work on existing units or help you upgrade to new components before your next road trip.
Road Trips to Unique Winter Landscapes
Though best known for its desert scenery, the 340 mile stretch of I-70 and I-15 from Arches National Park to Zion National Park in Utah offers some of the most striking wintertime landscapes in the country. Plus, this stretch of picturesque interstate allows access to all 5 of Utah’s national parks. Visiting this area of the country in the winter lets guests avoid both the crowds and stifling heat found in Utah parks during the summer.
Whether visiting in summer or winter, the desert can present extreme temperatures and a well-insulated RV is much better equipped to handle changes in external temperatures with less need for energy consumption. Windows, fans and vents present vulnerabilities in a rig’s overall energy efficiency because they can allow for unwanted energy transfer. For winter road trips invest in window shades and vent/fan shades to keep the cold out and heat in.
Road trip east to west along I-70 to hit the following 5 national parks:
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
Road Trips for the Snow Lover
March may bring the end of winter, but that doesn’t mean it lacks wintertime weather or charm. In fact, March is the snowiest month for several Rocky Mountain states making it the perfect time for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers and all those looking for winter fun in the snow to get out and explore.
Because of the excess snow that these areas can see at the end of winter, it’s always important to stay apprised of any road closures or winter storms in the area that may impede travel. When RVing in the winter a good water heater and quality heating system is worth its weight in gold, so be sure your coach is equipped with components that can perform in winter conditions or you will literally feel the bitter consequences of being underprepared for winter camping.
Road trip north to south along the Rocky Mountains to hit the following 3 national parks:
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Road Trips for the Never Winter Enthusiast
There are 11 sites in the National Park System in Florida, welcome destinations for those who would rather avoid the snow and cold of wintertime. Afterall, average March temperatures in Florida hover in the 70s, and it’s not an especially rainy month nor is it during hurricane season which all adds to the southern destination’s appeal as a wintertime escape.
And while temperatures during a Florida winter road trip aren’t as severe as destinations in the north or west, morning chill can occur so having a wall heater in common areas or an electric heat element in your AC can provide as needed heat without having to turn on your furnace.
Road trip from Florida’s Gulf to Atlantic coast to hit the following 11 NPS sites:
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- De Soto National Memorial
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Everglades National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Are we missing one of your favorite national park destinations for a winter road trip? Share your opinion on the best places for wintertime RVing below: