When I began all-weather camping many years ago, one of the most important discoveries I made was that winter camping can be so rewarding. Don’t get me wrong: Spring, summer and fall each have their own merits when it comes to camping. But I had always avoided camping in winter — mainly because it’s so cold. (Trust me, I live in Canada.) With some degree of wisdom, I’d always avoided temperatures that could result in hypothermia.
Yet somehow, one snowy December evening, I found myself cozying up to a campfire in a campsite in the mountains accompanied by three of my best friends. We had chosen this campsite right beside a snow-covered lake. The half-a-dozen other sites were empty along the frozen shore. That magical evening would change the way I looked at camping forever. There wasn’t much talking at all between us. The four of us mainly just sat in awe, sipping hot buttered rum from enamel cups while we gazed past the fire at a spectacular view beneath a twinkling blanket of stars.
That night, there was a magnificent full moon that hung just above the top of the mountains beyond the lake. Moonlight was reflected everywhere, making the snow glitter like tiny diamonds across the lake and on the branches of the tall hemlock trees that surrounded us. The whole scene was magical. As the night progressed, coyotes yipped back and forth to one another in a cacophony that came from no particular place. It was a symphony that seemed to echo all around us. It felt like we were witnessing a private show in an epic natural theater.
Warming Up to Winter Camping
Well, that was the moment that I decided to add winter to my list of camping seasons. I’ve long since abandoned the spartan freedom of tent camping for the luxurious comfort of an RV. However, I still make a point of camping in some peaceful place every winter. I’m still smitten with the one-on-one connection I get with nature when the campground is devoid of human activity. In this article, I’ll share some of the extraordinary things you might discover while all-weather camping, beyond the mere thrill of braving the elements.
Cool Things Winter Campers Will Learn
1. The peace and serenity are breathtaking.
Who camps in the winter? Nearly no one. That means you’ll probably get an entire campground to yourself. Without noise from other campers, you’ll get to hear a symphony of natural sounds that you’ll probably miss in a busy summer campground. However, when there’s snow on the ground, there’s a magical hush over the landscape. It’s a peaceful serenity that can be hard to find any other time of year due to the sound deadening qualities of snow
2. Bugs have vanished from the scene.
One of the best parts about winter camping is the complete absence of mosquitos, ticks, or any other insects or creepy crawlies. Being able to camp without having to deal with bugs is a good reason to camp in winter in itself.
3. Wildlife abounds, but bears disappear
With no humans around, deer, elk, moose, raccoons, wolves, mink, weasels and many bird species come out of hiding. Birds are often more visible than at other times of the year because of the lack of foliage on the trees. Additionally, ne of the best parts about winter camping with regard to wildlife, is that many bears will have disappeared to spend winter in hibernation. As campers, we love bears. But they do have a habit of becoming a nuisance if there is food anywhere nearby.
4. More stars become remarkably visible.
In winter, the skies are especially crisp and clear. This is partly due to a lack of smoke from wildfires and other pollutants, as well as a lack of light pollution. That means more stars become visible. And the result is skies that are blanketed in stars over camping areas.
If you camp in Canada, and you’re really lucky, you might see the aurora borealis (otherwise known as the Northern Lights) lighting the sky with their brilliant bands of chartreuse, magenta, and violet. If you’re wondering where the best spot to observe this spectacular phenomenon, check out the NOAA aurora forecast.
5. Winter activities add to the fun.
An oft-neglected fact is that winter camping features as many fun activities as summer does. While not a complete list by any stretch of the imagination, here’s are a few activities that I recommend: winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, building a snow fort, ice fishing, birdwatching and wildlife viewing, and just cozying up to a warm campfire with a hot beverage.
6. The challenge creates a sense of accomplishment.
There’s no denying that camping in winter can give you a sense of accomplishment offered at no other time of year. Among fellow campers who may be wary of winter camping (like I once was), you’ll also earn bragging rights and a little bit of camper clout. But really, the big reward is getting to enjoy a side of the natural world that very few other humans have experienced.
7. Awareness of your environment increases.
A few degrees can make the difference between having an amazing experience and spending a miserable night in the woods. Before you go camping, it’s vital to check the highs, the lows, and the windchill as well as what the chances for precipitation are. Cold-weather camping can be unforgiving and getting caught in a cold snap or winter storm could be deadly.
Be prepared for freezing rain or snow. If it snows while you’re camping, driving home on snow-covered roads might be difficult or impossible. If you’re camping in a mountainous area, you’ll also want to check the avalanche risk before you. You should also consider bringing an avalanche beacon if you’re camping in the mountains, just in case. Even though you might not be heading into an area where the avalanche risk is high, the risk level can change unexpectedly. An avalanche beacon helps searchers locate you in the event that you get buried by an avalanche and is considered essential gear for winter backcountry activities.
8. Specialized cold-weather gear really matters.
Unlike camping in spring, summer or fall, winter camping requires you to have gear that will keep you warm when it’s extremely cold out. It’s a good idea to consider the temperature you’ll be camping in. You’ll need to bring winter-rated gear that will keep you safe, warm and dry below that temperature. You’ll need to have a waterproof tent that can withstand wind and snow if you plan to leave the RV and get into the elements. Other must-haves for winter camping are a winter-rated sleeping pad and sleeping bag.
Also, if you’re camping in a snow-covered area, it’s a good plan to bring snowshoes for getting around on top of the snow instead of sinking into it. Also, don’t forget to attend to your RV’s winter condition, especially the seals.
9. Dressing in layers is the best way to keep warm.
Dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm in winter. When done properly, this method of dressing both keeps warm and helps to prevent sweat from soaking through your base layer and chilling you. Here’s the cold weather clothing layering system that I recommend:
- Moisture wicking synthetic t-shirt (never cotton)
- Merino long underwear with long sleeve shirt (never cotton)
- Synthetic fleece sweater
- Winter jacket
- Fleece lined hiking pants
- Merino socks
- Mittens or gloves
- Knit hat (formally known in Canada as a toque)
Avoid sweating and getting chilled by removing layers when you’re doing a vigorous activity that warms you up. It’s also good preparation to bring an extra base layer
10. Being well-prepared has higher stakes.
Unlike camping at other times of the year, winter camping demands that you be well prepared. Failure to do so can lead to injury and death. But besides that, you’ll want to be warm and comfortable. Here are a few things you’ll need.
- Warm clothing including winter footwear
- Food
- Water
- A means to warm your food
- A lighter or ferro to start a fire
- Firewood
- Axe or saw
- Camping knife
- Tent
- Tarps and rope
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- At least one other person for safety
- A GPS locator (such as a Garmin inReach Mini)
11. Some campgrounds are still open.
Many campgrounds close for the season due to winter weather. However, you’ll still find some fantastic places to camp. Three apps for finding winter camping near you are:
12. Many unserviced campgrounds are free.
The best things in life are free. Across the USA and Canada, you’ll find free camping at state parks. Here are a few to consider:
- Denali National Park, Alaska
- Skyview RV Campground (Manning Park, BC, Canada)
- Saint Mary Reservoir, Welling, Alberta
More Tips For All Season Camping
- Camp with at least one other person.
- If tent camping have a good sleeping pad and a zero-degree sleeping bag.
- Bring plenty of food, water and a stocked first aid kit.
- Be prepared to have patience building a campfire.
- Fluff up your sleeping bag before getting into it. Loft is what gives a sleeping bag its insulating properties, So fluffing it up helps it to keep you warm.
- Sleep with your face out of the sleeping bag to avoid soaking your sleeping bag with moisture from your breath.
Final Thoughts on Winter Camping
Extending your camping season to include the winter months can offer a unique experience that very few other people get to enjoy. Good planning and preparation is key for winter camping — especially as you consider your routes. To be honest, it’s a little more work than camping at any other time of year. But you’ll probably find that the rewards of winter camping are well worth your efforts.
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