Snowbird RV camping doesn’t mean camping in the snow. It could, if you don’t mind freezing RV plumbing and other winter RVing hassles. But if you’re not a fan of winter, the real snowbird fun happens when you fly south for winter.
Where to Go for the Best Snowbird RV Camping
Summer is when most people go RVing. But when days get shorter and the air gets colder, snowbird RVers know it’s time to pack up and relocate. Each fall millions of RVers spread their snowbird wings to stay in warmer climates. You’ll see the massive migration headed south on the interstate. Here’s where the best places for snowbird RVers, and why.
First, How to Avoid the Worst Snowbird RV Camping
The first lesson of Snowbirding 101 is knowing where to stay in winter. Choosing a great snowbird destination isn’t that hard. Just look at a weather map. Do you see a polar vortex warning anywhere on it? Run from that place! Anywhere inside it is among the worst snowbird RV camping around. Only crazy musher dog RVers stay in snowy places on purpose. If you don’t get out quick, you could get stuck with winter weather there until spring.
Lots of RVers don’t mind winterizing their RV to go snow camping. But if you aren’t one of them, consider visiting some of the best RV snowbird destinations for retires, full-time RVing families, and all road trippers.
The Most Popular and Best Snowbird Destinations for RV Camping are Down South
The Sunbelt States are hotspots for RVers who don’t like cold winters. Whether you are a retiree, working age nomad, or full-time RVing family, you can find your tribe down south in winter. From free camping in Quartzsite, Arizona, to luxury RV resorts in Florida, and affordable rent in Alabama, great snowbird destinations are waiting for you.
Alabama
Gulf Shores Orange Beach and Fort Morgan are the most popular destinations for snowbirds wintering in Alabama. This is the southern subtropical area of North America, where sugar-sand beaches attract all kinds of snowbirds. Gulf Shores winters are relatively mild. But some days can get as cold as 50-degrees Fahrenheit, so bring a jacket. Gulf Shores RVers have tons of fun things to do including fishing, kayaking, biking, and endless nightlife options too.
Arizona
The Southwest is a land of winter extremes. Arizona is one of the best examples. Flagstaff in the North can be snowy and cold in winter. But Tucson in the South is often warm and welcoming at the same time. Snowbirds flock to Arizona because the Grand Canyon State has some of the best options for snowbird RV destinations. Enjoy free camping on BLM land. Hook up and live large along the golf course at a 55+ Phoenix RV resort with tons of amenities. Or stay somewhere in-between at an offbeat snowbird gathering spot near the Mexican border. Winter snowbirding in Arizona is among the most affordable and beautiful anywhere.
California
When winter has you down, snowbird RV camping in Southern California will bring you back to your happy place. Forget the northern half of the state. It’s colder, rainy, and can be one of the worst snowbird destinations until spring rolls around. Winter is different down south. Weather is relatively predictable and mild. That’s why thousands of Canadians from British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan visit every winter. The best snowbird RV parks keep their pools and spas running year-round so you can make the most of it. Camp on the San Diego coast or head east for dry desert heat in Palm Springs. Go even further to Nevada, and party in Las Vegas for the weekend. Explore California’s national parks during the off-season. You’re guaranteed a better winter than back home.
Florida
Each year, millions of northerners from as far away as Quebec point their RVs to Florida. This is the birthplace of snowbird camping, where retirees take over both coasts every winter. Whether you camp near kid-friendly Disneyworld, or seek out rustic RV parks near Tampa, Florida can get busy. But the range of things you can do makes up for the snowbird crowds. Fill your winter days with tons of fun things to do in Florida, like winter farmer’s markets, ocean recreation, and outdoor sports like cycling and kayaking. You might not ever want to go home.
Georgia
This peachy state barely makes the best snowbird RV camping destination list. Not because Georgia isn’t beautiful or fun. It’s just that as they say in real estate, it’s all about location. Only the southernmost regions of Georgia are temperate enough to be considered warmish in winter. You can usually escape the coldest weather by heading to fun snowbird destinations like Savannah, Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, or anywhere along the southern coast. Georgia makes our list of snowbird destinations because of the great state parks camping discounts for seniors and other winter visitors.
New Mexico
Spice up your winter in New Mexico RV parks. Choose a winter RV park anywhere south of Albuquerque and you’re bound to enjoy mild weather and lots of sunshine with great hiking trails to explore. Most snowbird RVers in New Mexico stick to warmer destinations along or south of Interstate 10. Las Cruces is a gateway city that leads to off-the-beaten-path adventures in places like City of Rocks State Park. And like Georgia, winter rates at New Mexico state parks are a killer deal. When you want a taste of winter, just drive north to ski Taos or dip in the hot springs at Ojo Caliente. You’ll find plenty of places to go RVing there too if you don’t mind bundling up for a few days.
Texas
Snowbird RVers are so numerous in Texas, locals have a special name for them: Winter Texans. From the outer reaches of rural West Texas to popular Texas beach camping areas around Corpus Christi, the list of best winter snowbird campgrounds in Texas is a doozy. Many winter Texan RV parks are in and around the Hill Country. Cute towns like Bandera and Fredericksburg attract thousands of RVers for good food, music, and outdoor fun. Along the coast, Port Aransas and South Padre Island are birding hotspots where you can drive any big-rig RV right on the beach.
Conclusion
If you’re not a snow sports kind of person, why suffer with the white stuff for half the year? Your RV is a self-contained home on wheels. Pack it up and fly south for winter to the best snowbird RV camping states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas. Join millions of other RVers enjoying the snowbird lifestyle. From east to west, the U.S. has tons of warm places to camp in winter for any budget, with our without full hookups, and to suit any camping style.
