Calling all powder-lovers and curious campers: we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite spots for snow tenting in 2022. Snow tenting is an effective way to attempt one thing new and maintain the journey going year-round—and there’s nothing fairly like feeling the cool air in your face as you snuggle into your sleeping bag.
Fortunately, snow tenting is solely customizable in your desired degree of consolation. The easiest way to remain good and cushty is to ensure you have all the right gear—and make sure you try our helpful ideas for staying heat. When you’re unsure you wish to go full ship and check out snow tenting in a tent, you’ll be able to attempt RV or van tenting someplace powdery, the place you’ll make sure you have a pleasant cozy mattress on the finish of the night time. Earlier than you head out, make sure that to learn up on highway circumstances, and produce chains or use correct snow tires in your car.
Spring’s across the nook, however there’s nonetheless time to chase snow tenting this season. If you’re prepared, you will discover inspiration in your snowy journey—and free tenting—with The Dyrt PRO. Get entry to our BLM and USFS land maps to seek out dispersed tenting, plus extra nice instruments.
Snow Tenting in California
1. Citadel Crags State Park
Picture from The Dyrt camper Zack R.
Named after its dramatic rock formations, Citadel Crags is common with native Californians, PCT through-hikers, and vacationers heading alongside I-5. In order for you stunning views in your snow tenting journey, this park definitely delivers, with peaks starting from 2,000 to six,000 toes in elevation. You may even see Mt. Shasta on a transparent day.
Citadel Crags State Park is a superb choice for first-time snow campers. Apart from the chilliness, you gained’t be giving up many comforts of dwelling with the campground’s heated bogs with flush bogs, token showers, and hearth rings for staying good and toasty. The park was constructed earlier than Interstate 5, and due to this fact a few of the nearer websites imply highway noise—however fortunately with snow tenting in Citadel Crags, you’ll doubtless run into fewer guests and have your choose of campsites.
2. Yosemite Nationwide Park
Talking of getting common locations all to your self, snow tenting in Yosemite is an effective way to expertise this world-famous park sans crowds. Whereas Citadel Crags affords a snug escape in a longtime campground, a wintertime go to to Yosemite is good for the adventurous at coronary heart.
Whereas sure areas of the park are closed in winter—Tioga Street and the Tuolumne Meadows space, Glacier Level Street, and Mariposa Grove Street—there are nonetheless loads of methods to discover on a winter tenting journey. In reality, it’s fairly the journey, and never for rookies. Journey by means of the backcountry is completed by snowshoe or ski, and with trails and markers typically coated in snow, route-finding and navigation abilities are a should. The Badger Move Ski Space is a superb choice for snow tenting in Yosemite for folk who need a neater various. Roads to this space are maintained and also you’ll discover trails from newbie to superior, all of that are marked with tree indicators for visibility.
Snow Tenting in Oregon
3. Crater Lake Nationwide Park
At 1,493 toes deep—the deepest in america—Crater Lake is totally a must-see whatever the chilly. Whereas winters within the Pacific Northwest can typically imply gloomy days, you’ll discover extra wiggle room in Central Oregon. With 200 days of solar per yr, you’ll be able to plan across the climate to make certain you get these stunning lake views.
Snow tenting in Crater Lake Nationwide Park requires backcountry tenting, as all campgrounds within the park are closed for the winter. There are a number of Sno-Parks a few 15- to 30-minute drive outdoors the park when you favor the consolation of a van or RV, however highway closures can imply an extended commute back and forth. When you’re up for the journey, seize your skis or snowshoes and hit the path. You may camp alongside Crater Lake’s rim—staying at the very least 100 toes again from the caldera—with a backcountry allow.
4. Mount Hood Nationwide Forest
If it’s these moody Pacific Northwest vibes you’re after, you’ll have higher luck snow tenting close to Mount Hood. Right here you’ll discover dense, lichen-covered pine forests, lakes, and waterfalls, a lot of that are a brief drive away out of your campsite, with decrease elevations that permit for exploring. This nationwide forest gives loads of dispersed tenting for RVs, tents, and vans, from inconspicuous pull-off spots to designated websites with hearth rings.
With a Sno-Park move, you’ll be able to head to common Trillium Lake, whether or not you’re making a day journey out of your campsite or snow tenting within the car parking zone. The path is good for snowshoeing and cross-country snowboarding, and you may even stroll or ski out onto the lake if it’s correctly frozen sufficient, or attempt your hand at ice-fishing. You simply may even catch views of majestic Mount Hood from the lake.
Snow Tenting in New York
5. Adirondack Park
Snow tenting within the Adirondack Mountains supplies a novel winter expertise: lean-tos! Sometimes, these three-sided log huts lean towards the wall of a bigger constructing, therefore their identify, though on this case, they’re standalone huts. There are about 200 lean-tos within the Adirondacks, so with correct planning, odds are you’ll come throughout a couple of in your adventures snow tenting in New York.
Attempt the dispersed campsites at Cranberry Lake, one of many largest lakes within the Adirondack area. Right here you’ll discover miles of snowmobiling, snowboarding, and snowshoeing trails, excellent ice fishing circumstances, and two lean-tos. These huts can sleep between seven and eight individuals, however remember that you need to share a lean-to with anybody else who needs to make use of it (you most likely gained’t run into many other people whereas snow tenting, although.)
6. Catskill Forest Protect
The Catskills could also be identified for his or her ski resorts and summer season camps, however the cross-country snowboarding terrain is definitely value exploring in your New York snow tenting journey. Any foot path, horse path, or snowmobile path is truthful recreation within the Catskill Forest Protect, and cross-country snowboarding is a enjoyable strategy to get from place to position in your winter backpacking journey.
Head to North/South Lake Campground for 4 miles of trails and the uncommon probability to benefit from the largest, hottest lake within the Catskills all to your self. Benefit from the conveniences of the established websites with hearth pits and picnic tables.
Snow Tenting in Washington
7. Lake Wenatchee State Park
Picture from The Dyrt camper Marilyn Okay.
When you’re in search of a powdery journey within the Evergreen State, we’ve acquired you coated. Snow tenting at Lake Wenatchee State Park is your ticket to 30 miles of groomed cross-country snowboarding trails, a groomed sledding hill, 10 miles of marked snowshoe trails, and even canine sledding. Trails vary from newbie to superior, so there’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from.
Heated restrooms and warming huts permit for cozy breaks throughout your days of exploring—and with a median snowfall of 150 inches, you’re virtually sure to get your repair of recent powder. Plan your Washington snow tenting journey at one of many many campsites alongside the lake, full with hearth ring and exquisite views.
8. Colville Nationwide Forest
With 1.5 million acres to discover, it’s no shock that Colville Nationwide Forest has made the listing of our favourite Washington snow tenting. Though it’s positioned east of the Cascade Mountains, this forest nonetheless displays the traits of its extra westerly counterparts. Its three mountain ranges—the Okanogan, Kettle River, and Selkirk—lead into the Rocky Mountains and supply stunning views.
Maybe our favourite factor about this forest, although, is Snow Peak Cabin. We all know, we all know: some will say that this isn’t snow tenting in its truest kind. However you’ll be able to nonetheless ski or snowshoe your strategy to this rustic log cabin and that counts for one thing. Standing at 6,400 toes of elevation, this tiny cabin is supplied with a wooden range, photo voltaic lighting, sleeping cots, and extra.
Snow Tenting in Colorado
9. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Picture from The Dyrt camper Amanda M.
Whether or not you’re escaping town or simply passing by means of, snow tenting in Golden Gate Canyon is a should. Its prime location—solely half-hour from downtown Denver—implies that the park could be very busy throughout the peak season, though the winters normally see a lull.
Reverend’s Ridge Campground is a superb choice to arrange camp in your Colorado snow tenting weekend. Right here you’ll discover hearth rings and drive-in tenting, so that you don’t actually should tough it (simply remember that the campground showers and dump station shut throughout the winter.) When you’re packing in any ice fishing gear, you’ll be able to head to one among 5 fishing ponds which are open year-round.
10. Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park
If you consider snow tenting, you most likely aren’t imagining sand, too—however that’s what’s so distinctive about Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park. Nice Sand Dunes receives snow from November by means of March, with the heaviest snowfalls sometimes arriving in December. You’ll discover all types of campsites to select from throughout the park, whether or not you’re bringing your RV or backpacking.
Whereas it’s tougher to catch the snow on the dunes because it melts so rapidly, fear not: many native gear rental firms provide sandboards, so you’ll be able to nonetheless expertise that downhill rush even when the powder is contained to the mountains. In terms of snow tenting in Colorado, Nice Sand Dunes is a superb, easy-to-access choice with versatile tenting alternatives.
Plan your snow tenting journey
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