Winter camping isn’t for the faint of heart, but there’s no better way to test your adventuring skills. Really, I’ve found that the only thing you need to do to have an awesome trip is to stay warm. If you can manage that, then winter camping is actually an enjoyable experience. There’s nothing better than being a short walk away from some of the best winter sports around. If you’re looking for the best places to camp in the winter, there’s nowhere better than our beloved national parks.
Yosemite National Park
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In my opinion, Yosemite National park is one of the best places for winter camping. If visiting Yosemite during the crowded summer season is not your cup of coffee, you might just enjoy winter camping here instead. There are four campground options that remain open during the winter season. Upper Pines and Camp 4 are both in the Yosemite Valley, so if you’re a beginner, these might be decent options due to the slightly milder temperatures. Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona are just forty-five minutes away from the Yosemite Valley, so they are also excellent options.
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When you camp in the Yosemite Valley, there’s still plenty to do, from cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even some of your favorite hikes like Mirror Lake or the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. Since these trails will be icy, the National Park Service recommends that you bring traction gear and trekking poles just to be on the safe side.
Winter campers prepared for some chilly temperatures might just enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park. The winter camping season begins in late October when most of the campgrounds close. However, Aspenglen Campground remains open on a first-come, first-served basis along the C-Loop.
With a table, tent pad, and fire grate, these campsites have everything you need for a great winter camping experience, if you don’t mind some limited facilities. Aspenglen acts on a bring your own water policy, so be sure to bring enough for you and your crew. Also, be aware that only portable toilets are available. Since the campsites aren’t plowed, it’s also a good idea to bring a shovel with you.
Once you have your campsite set up, you’ll be ready to experience all that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer during the winter. For sledding, head up to Hidden Valley. There’s a designated area 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance and the Fall River Entrance on the east side of the park. For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, just strap on your gear and wander through the many ungroomed trails!
Mount Rainier National Park
NPS / NPS
For some serious winter camping, consider the frigid slopes of Mount Rainier National Park. Many of the park roads are closed for the season, but the Longmire-Paradise road will remain open, weather permitting. This road will close at night and may open or close at unpredictable hours, so be prepared to be flexible.
Here, there are three areas where you can camp. The Paradise area is a prime destination for winter camping due to the stunning snowfields and proximity to popular trails like Mazama Ridge and Reflection Lakes. For a quieter experience, you can camp at Mazama Ridge and Reflection Lakes.
Safety is a top priority at Mount Rainier, and winter camping requires careful planning. The park mandates the use of hard-sided food storage containers to prevent habituated animals like foxes and ravens from scavenging camper supplies. The park also requires the use of blue bags for human waste disposal, reflecting a commitment to Leave No Trace principles that keep the environment pristine.
Despite the challenges, winter camping at Mount Rainier is a great experience. From the solitude of starlit nights to the exhilaration of waking up surrounded by pristine snowfields, it’s an experience that stays with you long after the snow melts. This is a perfect trip for snowshoers, back-country skiers, and campers. Just make sure that you get your permits.
No matter where you go for your winter camping adventure, be sure to pack lots of warm layers. Don’t skimp out on your gear, especially if you are headed to a colder climate. Make sure that you bring a winter-grade or four-season tent that can withstand snow loads and high winds. Your sleeping bag should also be rated for winter temperatures, and you can always add a liner for extra warmth. Since many national parks don’t allow campfires during the winter, it’s a good idea to pack a reliable stove or heater. For safety, bring more than enough fuel, water, and food for your trip.
Tire chains may be required for many of these locations depending on the amount of snowfall, so make sure that you have a set and check the local authorities. As someone who’s had to learn the hard way, it’s always a good idea to practice putting chains on your vehicle before you go. That way, it will be a smoother and less freezing of a first-time experience.
Unicamp’s Sienna Pop Top brings mid-sized minivan camping back to the masses
The clever aftermarket accessory turns any 4th-generation Toyota Sienna into a ready-to-roll basecamp.
Overlanding-centric vans are all the rage these days. But they're often very pricey and not designed to be practical daily drivers. For campers looking for something a bit more versatile — something to pull double-duty even when you're not camping — it's hard to beat a traditional minivan. Unicamp agrees, which is how its Sienna Pop Top campervan add-on was born.
After more than a year in development, the Korean campervan modder finally released its much-awaited Sienna Pop Top stateside. It's not a standalone vehicle but rather an add-on package available to Toyota Sienna owners. Once installed, it converts the otherwise ordinary mid-sized minivan into a go-anywhere, road-ready basecamp. It's more conspicuous than most dedicated campervans while maintaining a mostly stealth silhouette to help you blend in for camping situations where you don't want to stick out to the locals. With the press of a button, the electric Pop Top raises effortlessly to reveal an 84-by-37-inch sleep space with enough room for two adults (up to 485 pounds total!).
Want to see wildlife up close? Head to these 7 national parks
Here are the nest national parks for spotting wildlife
National Park Week is right around the corner, and to celebrate, the National Park Service has introduced a fee-free day for Easter Sunday on April 20th. If you're itching to explore a national park this spring, KÜHL has just released a new study that ranks the top U.S. national parks for wildlife spotting based on species diversity and visitor interest across eight categories: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and more. Here are the top seven!
Grand Canyon National Park
If you want to see the most wildlife this April, head to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, according to the study. This park ranks first for birdwatching, with 447 species in the area, including some rare finds like the California condor, peregrine falcon, and red crossbill. It also comes in second place for spotting mammals, with 91 different species. Reptile lovers will also appreciate 58 species like Gila monsters and short-horned lizards, and 142 species of arachnids like spiders and scorpions.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Canyon camping fees are rising: Here’s what you need to know
Grand Canyon increases campsite fees for the first time in 20 years
Starting on May 1, 2025, Grand Canyon National Park is gearing up to implement a new fee increase for front country standard campsites at the major campgrounds in the area. Desert View, North Rim, and the Mather Campgrounds will all see a standard campsite fee change from $18 per night to $30 per night. Here's what you need to know.
First, this change will affect the Senior discounts and Access pass holders, who normally receive a 50% discount to these campsites. This price jump will change payment from $9 to $15 per night at one of the tent or RV campsites in the Grand Canyon National Park area.
