The weather outside may be frightful, but it can be delightful if you’re willing to hit the road for some winter camping.
Getting into the great outdoors is a great way to stave off the winter blues and make you more appreciative of the cold season. If your RV is appropriately winterized – meaning you’ve done all the appropriate winter maintenance to ensure it will run appropriately below freezing temperatures – then there’s no reason not to pack up and hit the road.
First, check the weather stripping around every opening for any drafts and make the necessary repairs. Consider putting the plastic film over windows, especially single-paned ones, to prevent heat from escaping. If you’ve got a propane heater in your RV, ensure you’ve got a working carbon monoxide detector. Safety first, after all. Consider a small electric space heater to help with heating the RV interior.
Since warm-weather activities are not feasible, here are some ways to take advantage of the cold temperatures.
Snowmobiling is always an obvious activity in the winter, and if you’ve got one and the means to take it with you, why wouldn’t you haul it along? A reflection of summer power sports, snowmobiling can take you off the beaten path and into the uncharted beauty of the wilderness.
But if you’d instead stick closer to the campsite, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the cold outdoors.
Snowshoeing has grown in popularity in recent years and is an ideal winter camping activity. Snowshoes allow you to walk in deeper snow, leading you to unique places. Many outdoor recreation areas have snowshoe trails and cross country skiing trails. With some preliminary research before your trip, you can find out if the campground or surrounding area has maintained trails for you to enjoy.
Winter Camping allows for maintained fires in the wilderness, smores, and wiener roasts. Pack with you a quiet adventure while enjoying the snow-covered trees.
Wanting to stay close to your site, have small children to entertain? Camping in the winter is no different than being at home. Take everyone outside and awaken your inner child. If the snow is the right consistency, you might as well build a snowman for your campsite – maybe even a whole snow family. Build yourselves a snow fort and have a good old-fashioned snowball fight.
Find a nearby hill, pack a thermos of hot chocolate and take the sleds for a run; everyone will be sure to come back exhausted as they cozy back into the RV.
Once your nose turns red, and your fingers and toes go numb, head inside the RV and get out of the wet winter gear. The nice thing about winter camping is that you can ensure your damp outdoor clothing will dry out before morning again with an electric hook-up. Not to mention nice to have for those chilly evenings spent inside.
Change into comfy clothes and settle down with blankets, board games, movie nights in, baking, crafts, puzzles or curl up with a good book.
Winter camping can be far more fun and magical than one may think. With many options throughout BC, it is worth taking this winter weather on the road and enjoying it to its fullest!
Please stop by our shop to ensure you have all the supplies you need for winter camping.
