10 Awesome Spots For Snow Camping This Winter

Recent studies have shown that merely a walk in the park can calm the mind while changing the way the brain works to improve mental health.  Imagine what a few days in the wilderness will do. Campgrounds offer some of the most unique camping experiences in the country. Magnificent scenes of white-capped mountains and smoky blue skies set the scene for a grand winter camping journey. Set up your base camp at one of these impressive locations.

A lot of people go here for adventurous summer opportunities but this is a secret gem in the winter. You have dozens of miles of mountains, lakes and streams to explore while skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding/tubing, and even skijoring. Campgrounds are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis. Set up at Trillium Lake Campground, a beautiful and popular campground with stunning views of majestic Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest point.

This usually popular spot is practically empty in the winter, which makes it ideal for snow camping. National Lakeshore runs for about 40 miles along Lake Superior. Try ice climbing or fishing if you want to participate in more unconventional, or a bit more dangerous winter exploits this season. All campsites are rustic. Pay attention to the animal tracks and enjoy a kind of solitude unknown at other times of the year.

Winter backpacking in Yosemite nearly always involves snow camping and travel by skis or snowshoes. Overnight wilderness users must get a free wilderness permit. During the wintertime, peaks get snowy, waterfalls and streams freeze. You'd love the ancient sequoias and deep meadows covered in powder, too. Skiers and snowboarders can easily get to the famous Badger Pass ski area, home to the oldest downhill skiing area in California, as roads are nicely plowed.

There is much to see by exploring the 35 miles of trails on Monadnock. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are very popular, while sleigh rides are available at Silver Ranch in Jaffrey and ice skating is popular on local ponds. Many of the trails that lead to the 3,165 foot summit of Mt. Monadnock start near the Headquarters Campground. Unrivaled 100-mile views of all New England states are the reward.

Ski to the isolated hike-in two camping lean-tos snuggled into the base of Puffer Mountains near the placid Puffer Pond. This type of lodging – a three-sided log structure with an overhanging roof – can be found all across the Adirondack Park near trails, in wilderness areas, and around campgrounds. Twin Ponds, which are just a few miles east of Puffer, is a gorgeous and remote snow camping destination.

This is a real gem in the winter; the sight of the red cliff covered in a snow blanket is regal. The campground is located in the picturesque Red Cliffs Recreation Area where you can see and have easy access to many trails leading to a lookout point for Silver Reef dusted in snow, the striking Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, and the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site.

Winters are powerful in Denali which makes them a must experience for any snow lovers out there. Some lucky visitors may even get to see the Northern Lights. Stargazing is perfect as the park only gets about five hours a day of real daylight. The rustic Riley Creek Campground, located at the park entrance, is open year-round. People are welcome to camp overnight in the park, as long as they get a free backcountry permit.

Palisades is the word used to describe a line of lofty, steep cliffs usually seen along a river. Mississippi Palisades offers cross-country skiing and sledding for outdoor enthusiasts. Anglers are not left out – ice fishing is allowed at the boat launch area when the ice is thick enough. Several youth camping areas are available for those interested. If you want to explore the park's remarkable vegetation and wildlife, follow its rocky 15-mile trail system.

Wild River Campground and camper Cabins are open year-round. The park is located along 18 miles of the beautiful St. Croix River. An all-season trail center is a good spot to relax after hiking or go cross-country skiing on the 19 miles of available terrain in the winter. Six miles are groomed for snowshoeing. Winter is the off-season there which provides a rare opportunity to feel alone in nature just an hour away from the city.

People love setting up a tent at Mauthe Lake because of the solitude. There are 79 winter sites at the Mauthe Lake campground (7 plowed), plus 5 backpack shelters. Winter adventurers/campers go there to ski, snowshoe and see the state's tallest waterfall – 165-foot Big Manitou. Popular hiking routes are the Hidden Lakes Trails and the North Kettle Moraine, the trail segment with the longest continuous stretch of woods in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.