If you’re curious about winter camping, here’s some great news for you: A night under the stars can be done safely and comfortably, in any climate. Even January. Plus, camping in the off-season can yield its own array of fun perks, like crowd-free trails, easier access to top camping sites, and snowy season activities like cross-country skiing and fat tire biking.
Of course, camping in the snow (or chilly desert hills) comes with its own unique set of challenges. So we’ve compiled a list of essential winter camping gear and expert tips to prepare you for winter car camping in nearly any scenario, even if you’re a total newbie. (Let’s leave the winter backpacking and ski touring to the pros.) We have advice on the best winter camping tents, tips on base layers and ultra-warm jackets, and a how-to for decking-out your regular old sedan for a night in the frigid forest. Consider this your winter camping checklist—whether you’re planning on snow camping near Jackson Hole or just trying to stay warm in Utah’s Zion National Park.
Read on for our favorite winter camping tips and gear suggestions.
In this article:
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
How to pick a winter campsite
Check park websites early. Many national park campgrounds (most reservable on recreation.gov) are closed during winter, which means your favorite overnight haunt could be inaccessible. Plus, popular and ordinarily warm-weather escapes like Death Valley, the Florida Keys, and Big Sur often fill up months in advance, so be sure to get your camping ducks in a row well ahead of time.
Research average temperatures. Do your research on what sites are like in the winter, look into local average temperatures, and book early when you find what you want. Just because a campsite is open doesn’t mean that it will be comfy—what’s open is generally an indicator of plowed roads, more than anything.
Private campgrounds are more likely to stay open all year. HipCamp, often touted as the Airbnb of camping, is a great resource for finding unexpected gems on private land during the off-season.
Pay attention to the weather
Expect the unexpected. Moderate climates, like those in Big Sur, get the lion’s share of their rainfall from December through March, and even arid hot spots like Joshua Tree can see nighttime temps in the 20s in December and January. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best—and have a plan B in case your destination shows treacherous weather at the last-minute that you aren’t prepared for.
