RVing is one of the very best ways for snowbirds to enjoy their lifestyle. After all, when you bring your entire home with you, it’s easy to follow the sun and stay warm and bright all year long. Plus, Americans are lucky enough to live in a country with some absolutely stellar national parks — landscapes that make you understand why someone fought to preserve them so many decades ago. (And many are great options for snowbirds looking to escape harsh winter weather and find something milder.)
Along with scenic drives and ample outdoor recreation opportunities, the national parks listed below also have RV-friendly amenities and campgrounds so you can cozy up close to the heart of the action. Just remember to book as far ahead of time as possible — these special spots do tend to sell out fast!
(Psst: Need to lock down a rental RV for your winter RV adventure? RVshare has you covered, no matter where in the country you’re starting or heading to!)
Why Snowbirds Choose National Parks for Winter RV Travel
Why head to a national park to get away from the winter blues? Here are three of the top reasons snowbirds choose national parks for their winter RV adventures.
Mild Winter Weather
The first reason is probably the most obvious: traveling to the right place during the winter time means you get to avoid the worst of winter’s woes. The national parks we highlight below feature warmer winter climates so you can stay nice and toasty without needing to worry about running your onboard heat pump or furnace — or about winterizing your RV, for that matter.
RV-Friendly Amenities
While not every national park has ‘em, the ones we’ve listed feature RV-friendly campgrounds that are relatively easy to navigate into. Many also have hookups and other facilities, like bathhouses, that make life easier for RV travelers.
Scenic Drives and Outdoor Activities
Listen, if you have to survive the winter, why not survive it in style? When you head to the right national park, you’ll get beautiful scenic drives to enjoy, camp-side views, and a slew of outdoor activities from hiking to mountain biking to fishing to wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. The world can keep on being your oyster, even while those further north are bundled up inside!
Top National Parks for Snowbirds
Without further ado, here are our top picks for the top national parks for snowbirds (including full-timers trying to make it by in the winter without freezing solid)!
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everyone already knows that Florida is the place to be if you’re looking for a warm and sunny holiday season — and Everglades National Park combines that deliciously warm, subtropical climate with some out-of-this-world wildlife viewing opportunities you literally can’t find anywhere else. There’s nothing quite like traveling at speed in an airboat and seeing alligator snouts popping up around you. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a Florida panther or a manatee.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Another otherworldly opportunity for a bright and shiny Christmas or New Year, Joshua Tree National Park offers sweeping vistas filled with its eponymous plants (technically not trees, but a type of succulent related to Yucca) under blisteringly blue skies and red-rock backdrops. Plus, the average daytime temperature in December hovers around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. What’s not to love?
One important note: Like many desert landscapes, the nighttime temperatures do fall precipitously in Joshua Tree, so you should still ensure your RV is equipped for winter traveling — and bright a cozy blanket or two. Who doesn’t love to cuddle up on a winter’s night, even if the sun is blazing during the day?
One other important note: This campground is one of the only ones on our list whose campgrounds do not feature electrical hookups and other luxury amenities, but there are a few private campgrounds in the area that are better appointed.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Tucked way down south where Texas Bends in to kiss Mexico, Big Bend National Park is one of the lesser-traveled parks in the system — which means you’re very likely to have a lot of wide open space all to yourself, even in the wintertime when the warm weather makes it such an attractive place to be. Steep limestone canyon walls carved through ancient river movements, coal-dark night skies, over 1,200 species of plants and more than 450 species of birds make this place a wonderland for outdoor explorers of all types. It’s the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, and, of course, a place you can dip your toes in the Rio Grande. Feliz Navidad!
Important note: This is another national park whose on-site campgrounds have little in the way of amenities, including electrical hookups. When you’re this remote, roughing it is pretty much required!
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Looking for a cactus-filled Christmas? The iconic landscape of Saguaro National Park will stun and surprise you. (Many don’t know until they visit that these well-known, emoji-fied cacti can actually grow more than 40 feet tall!) Along with park adventures like scenic drives, hiking trails and cultural/wilderness tours, Saguaro National Park has the added bonus of being only half an hour outside of the heart of Tucson, so you’ll have plenty of urban adventures to explore as well. And, of course, it’s Arizona — which means warmth, even in the depths of winter!
Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
It may be called Death Valley — but come wintertime, when it’s cold everywhere else, it absolutely gives life. While this part the Mojave Desert is well known for its sky-high temperatures at the peak of summer (the July 10, 1913 record high of 134 degrees Fahrenheit is the hottest reliably recorded temperature on earth), during the winter months, daytime highs oscillate between about 65 and 80 degrees. Although the temperatures do drop at night, they only rarely stray below freezing. For travelers who are open to a wide-open view for their holiday festivities, Death Valley is a one-of-a-kind winter RVing destination. It’s also only about two hours outside of Las Vegas if you need some bright lights and loud sounds to round out your holiday adventures!
Tips for Snowbirds Traveling to National Parks in an RV
Even the most experienced snowbirds can use some tips and tricks from time to time. Here are our best practices for enjoying the national parks in an RV during the wintertime — or honestly anytime!
Plan Your Campground Reservations Early
No matter what time of year you’re visiting (but especially during the winter in warm-climate national parks), campsites can get booked up quickly. While last-minute cancellations sometimes free up a site or two (and some campgrounds reserve some or all of their sites for same-day walk- or drive-ins), the best practice is to check around and book your site as early as possible. That goes for the private and public campgrounds outside of the actual national park borders, too!
Check Winter Weather Conditions
While the parks we’ve gathered here reliably have mild winter climates, you never know exactly what Mother Nature is going to serve — and as discussed, many of these desert landscapes see plummeting temperatures in the nighttime. Check ahead to ensure you know what kind of weather to expect so you can be well-prepared for it as far as warm and cozy clothing and other accessories are concerned.
Pack Essential RV Gear
Along with keeping yourself clothed and fed, you’ll also want to make sure you have everything your RV needs for a successful stay! Keeping the rig stocked with water, propane and fuel is critical, as well as ensuring you’ve got your generator (if you’re staying off-grid) and lots of winter layers to cuddle under when you’re cozied up inside. (Heated blanket, anyone?)
Respect Park Rules and Wildlife
While the wildlife and wild landscapes are among the top reasons many of us want to visit the national parks in the first place, it’s imperative to follow the guidelines that help ensure we can enjoy these places while still leaving them intact for others. Along with Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and campground regulations, be sure to check out any specific wildlife guidance in the park you visit. A ranger will be happy to help you!
Other Winter-Friendly RV Travel Destinations Near National Parks
Looking to extend your winter RV adventures in the above-mentioned national parks? Consider:
The world is your oyster — or snowglobe, if you prefer!
How to Rent an RV for Your Snowbird Adventure
If you’re not a full-timer or don’t even own your RV, no worries. You can still live the snowbird life in a rental rig!
Booking on RVshare is easy. You can easily filter for the type of RV you want, where you’ll pick it up, and how many guests you need it to sleep, as well as trip dates.
For many winter RVers, a driveable rig will be the easiest to use (if you don’t already have a tow vehicle), and larger Class A motorhomes usually have all the creature comforts including onboard heating elements if you’re going somewhere where the nighttime temperature drops.
Keep in mind, too, that one-way RV rentals can open a whole new world of opportunities and increase the amount of time you have to spend in each location you visit. Plus, many of the most popular routes are in the American southwest — where the temperature tends to stay fairly mild during winter!
No matter where you end up, and when, an RVshare rental can make the time merry and bright. Happy travels — and holidays! 🌲