Can’t stop camping but the weather has different ideas? Just because cooler weather is coming doesn’t mean you have to stop camping. It’s ok to chase the sun – plan ahead to camp at some of these warm-weather destinations and extend your camping season ‘til next spring!
California: With 25 campgrounds around the state, California is a good bet if you want an extended winter camping trip. Start in the north and head south; or start in the south and head north. Do big cities or small towns. The choice is yours.
If you’re looking for big city attractions, consider a stay at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon and explore the Los Angeles area. San Francisco RV puts you close to the City by the Bay or see what Sacramento is all about with a stay at Thousand Trails Lake Minden. If you want to explore Yosemite – check out Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes,which is just five minutes from the entrance to this great national park. If Joshua Tree National Park is on your bucket list, book a camping stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs. Skiing with sunshine is always an option if you camp at Tahoe Valley and take advantage of the abundance of ski resorts here (there are at least 13!). Lake Tahoe Snowfest is set for early March. Enjoy wine country with a stay at Thousand Trails Russian River in Sonoma County or the wine region of Carmel Valley (stay at Marina Dunes). Major events in California during the winter months include the Chinese New Year celebrations in both San Diego and San Francisco and the Palm Springs International Film Festival (January 4-15, 2024.)
Texas: Texas in the winter has plenty to offer and we have plenty of campgrounds to call home while you explore the Lone Star State with the rest of the “winter Texans.” For true snowbirds (those of you campers that are 55 and older), there are several campgrounds in the Rio Grande Valley to set up camp while you explore the area – especially the beautiful beaches of South Padre Island. If you want to fish the winter away, consider our lakeside resorts that include Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Texoma, Lake Whitney, and Medina Lake. City attractions while camping in Texas can include Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The Texas Hill Country is always a great destination with historic small towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels. To explore this pretty countryside, set your sights on Thousand Trails Colorado River.
Florida: It’s OK to follow the crowd sometimes, especially if they’re heading to Florida this winter. The Sunshine State is always bustling and winter events here include EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts (January 13-February 20); Major League Baseball’s Grapefruit League/Spring Training (games begin February 24); Miami’s South Beach Jazz Festival (January 4-7) and the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February 22-25); and the Key West Food & Wine Festival (January 23-28). Florida has theme parks galore from Tampa’s Busch Gardens to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Universal Orlando. National Parks include Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. There is also the Florida National Scenic Trail, a 1500-mile trail that runs through the state and can be strolled, hiked, or biked (no motorized vehicles allowed). Historic St. Augustine should be on the must-see list as well as Florida’s Space Coast which is home to Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center. Lots to see and do here and lots of Florida campgrounds and RV resorts (more than 40) to settle in at while you spend winter in the sun.
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- Explore the Thousand Trails Camping Pass and the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass.
- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com.
