The Internet Says These Are The Warmest Campgrounds In The US To Escape To This Winter

If you live in a cold, northern climate, you probably don't think winter is the ideal time to go camping. That is unless you're planning a trip to a warm-weather destination where frigid conditions aren't an issue. There are plenty of campgrounds around the United States that have pleasant temperatures year-round and are located in spectacular natural areas. You can park your RV right across from the beautiful Pacific Ocean, pitch a tent amid a lush southern forest, or sleep under the stars just steps from interesting rock formations in the desert.

Winter is a great time to go camping in some of the warmer destinations in the U.S. because the weather can be much nicer than in the summer. Instead of dealing with oppressive heat, humidity, and rain, you'll probably find the days are cool (but not too cold) and clear enough to explore the outdoors comfortably. Plus, there may be fewer crowds during the winter months. If you're tired of the cold and craving a night or two under the stars surrounded by nature, these warm-weather campgrounds get rave reviews from travelers for their scenic locations and excellent year-round amenities.

Situated in the middle of Big Bend National Park, Chisos Basin Campground offers spectacular views of the Casa Grande and Emory Peak mountains. Winters are typically mild here, with daytime temperatures typically hovering around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a pleasant escape from colder climes. The park is a hiker's dream, with trails winding through canyons and the unique landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert. Keep an eye out for fossils embedded in the rocks and wildlife like kit foxes, crevice spiny lizards, and woodpeckers.

The campsites at Chisos Basin Campground have picnic tables and boxes to store food safely away from potential hungry visiting bears. There are flush toilets and water pumps, but no showers. Tents and small RVs are allowed, but larger vehicles over 24 feet are not recommended because the road is narrow and twisting, and the site sizes are small. The campsite fee is $16 for up to eight people and two vehicles. Visitors will also have to pay an entrance fee for the park, which is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Set on a breakwater between the Gulf of Mexico and waterways that lead to bayous, Grand Isle State Park is the perfect spot to do some fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and boating. The park has a beach stretching for a mile along the southern coast of the island, as well as a 900-foot fishing pier that juts into the Gulf. There is also a 2.5-mile nature trail that loops through the park and a beach trail that runs from one tip of the island to the other. 

Campers can choose from 49 pull-through campsites with water and electricity hookups or 14 beach tent campsites. The park also has bathroom buildings with showers, dishwashing sinks, coin-operated laundry facilities, and a dump site. The campsite fees are $18 a night for the beach sites and $25 a night for the pull-through sites on weeknights between October and March. Weekend rates for the pull-through sites are $33. Campers love the remote atmosphere of the campground. One traveler left a Google Review saying, "My favorite part about camping there is how alone you feel. We want to get away from the city and be by ourselves when we camp, so it was really nice to feel like the entire beach was ours."

Get back to nature in the vast grassland of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. This underrated state park is just a short drive from Disneyworld, but it seems like a completely different world. The unique dry prairie ecosystem is home to rare birds like the grasshopper sparrow and the burrowing owl. It was also the first park in Florida to be designated as a Dark Sky Park by the Dark Sky International Association. At night, you can rent an astronomy pad to gaze up at the Milky Way and twinkling constellations.

The best way to experience Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is to camp overnight. The Kilpatrick Hammock Campground has 35 sites for RVs or tents with water and electric hookups. The campground has restrooms with showers and laundry facilities. Families with little ones can borrow books from the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library at the park office. There are also primitive campsites, deluxe safari glamping tents for rent, and equestrian campsites for those who come on horseback. Campsite fees start at $16 per night plus tax and a $6.70 reservation fee.

Pāpōhaku Beach Park is a Hawaiian hidden gem that not too many tourists know about. It's located on Moloka'i, which tends to get fewer crowds than some of the larger Hawaiian islands, and features a shady campsite where you can pitch a tent on the grass just steps from a wide stretch of white sand. The park also has picnic benches, BBQ grills, restrooms, and showers. To camp in the park, you'll need to register for a permit with the Maui County Parks & Recreation. Permits cost $50 per night on weeknights and $100 on weekends for non-residents.

The main draw to the park is the gorgeous Pāpōhaku Beach. It features white sand that stretches for three miles and is 300 feet wide. It's not a great swimming beach due to the strong currents and rough waves. However, it's perfect for taking strolls along the sand and sunbathing. Many visitors find they have the whole beach to themselves. One reviewer on The Dyrt commented, "Incredible views with miles and miles of beautiful beach. Literally only saw two other people while I was there."

If you're looking for a fun spot to take the whole family camping, South Padre Island KOA gets excellent reviews from users on Tripadvisor. The campground has sites for tents and RVs, as well as cabins and fully furnished vacation rentals. Amenities include a pool open year-round, a hot tub, snack bar, dog park, and a free shuttle to beaches, museums, and restaurants. Plus, you can't beat the location close to beautiful beaches and the mild waters of the Gulf Coast. Rates vary at South Padre KOA depending on when you want to travel and the type of accommodation, but you can often find good deals for weekly stays, as well as discounts for veterans, service people, and first responders.

When you're not enjoying the facilities at the campground, there is plenty to see and do on South Padre Island. Kids will love getting up close and personal with sea turtles at Sea Turtle, Inc. The South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center is another cool wildlife spot with an alligator sanctuary and butterfly garden. Isla Blanca Park is a popular place for boating, kiteboarding, and picnics on the beach. Space fanatics may be able to witness a rocket launch at the SpaceX Boca Chica launch site across the bay. 

Dauphin Island Campground has plenty to offer visitors of all ages year-round. Park your RV or pitch a tent in the campground, and you'll be just minutes from the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Alabama Aquarium, and the white sands of Dauphin Island Beach. Immerse yourself in nature on hiking trails around the island or set off on boat trips along the Gulf Coast. The winter months are typically dry, with temperatures in the 60s during the day, making this a pleasant time of year to visit.

You won't want for much while staying at the Dauphin Island Campground because there are tons of amenities for campers. There are 150 sites with full hookups for water and power, 75 of which also have sewer hookups. The campground also has a playground for kids, a campground store where you can buy necessities, laundry facilities, and restrooms. Anglers can make use of the boat launches and the fish-cleaning pavilion. There are also dedicated areas for volleyball, badminton, and shuffleboard, as well as bicycle rentals.

A little over 90 minutes inland from San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a vast expanse of deserts, canyons, and interesting rock formations. The park gets scorching hot in the summer but is pleasantly mild in the winter. The temperatures usually range between mid-60 to mid-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day but can get cooler at night. The best time to go is at the end of winter and early spring because the temperatures are warmer, and the wildflowers start coming out in full force.

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is one of the more centrally located campgrounds in the park, with 120 sites for tents and RVs. Standard sites cost $35 per night, while full hookup sites cost $45. Only RVs and trailers are allowed on the hookup sites. Reservations are available between October 1 and April 30 and are highly recommended. Guests have access to restrooms and can purchase tokens for hot showers at the campground entrance.