There are two types of RVers out there: those who love the snow and those who do everything they can to escape it!
For this month’s blog post, we’re here to give you the best of both worlds for snowbirds and winter-lovers alike. Take a look at our picks for the top winter RV destinations to embrace the cold or escape the cold this winter camping season.
Embrace the Cold
Winter camping has lots of great perks! It’s quieter, you avoid the crowds, the views are stunning, and it’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy your favourite winter activities. If you’re a sucker for winter hiking, ice fishing, and snowmobiling, these are your must-go RV spots for this winter season.
Canmore
Our resident Canmore camping expert is Doug Belanger, one of our RV Consultants at Bucars RV. Doug explains that Canmore has impressive views and a lot to offer for winter camping enthusiasts. He consistently returns to Canmore for winter RV trips with fun-filled activities such as cross country skiing and mountain biking! Doug recommends the following RV parks for your next trip to Canmore.
Rundle Mountain RV Park
Rundle Mountain RV Park is a small campground located in the heart of Canmore. It offers winter camping with 30 amp hookups and is located close to the Visitor Center. Doug explains that on colder nights, he takes full advantage of the free wifi to cozy up and watch Netflix. On warmer nights, he enjoys making massive bonfires in the campground’s main fire pit.
Amenities of this campground include:
- Main fire pit & individual fire pits
- Electricity
- Pet-friendly
- Nearby amenities in walking distance (fishing, hiking, dining, shopping)
Spring Creek RV Park
Spring Creek RV Park is another excellent Canmore campground for winter RVing. It’s located on the east side of the city and has a much larger facility.
Amenities include:
- Playground
- Firewood & ice for sale
- Fire pits and picnic tables at each site
- Dump station and potable water tap
- Washrooms/coin showers are wheelchair accessible
- 15, 30, or 50 amp
- Pull-through sites available
If you’re headed down to Canmore, Doug also recommends you check out the amazing local restaurants. His go-to spots are the Sunset Café for breakfast, the Grizzly Paw Pub for lunch or dinner, and the Rutting Elk Red for his favourite pint!
Pincher Creek
Our next pick for winter RV camping lovers is Pincher Creek, Alberta. It’s a small town located immediately east of the Canadian Rockies, making it a great spot to enjoy some stunning winter mountain views. It’s also less popular than Canmore if you prefer to tread lightly off the beaten path. Here’s the campground we recommend if you’re heading to Pincher Creek this winter:
Beauvais Lake Campground
Beauvais Lake Campground is a quiet, scenic spot suitable for winter RVing, with 15 sites open year-round. The sites have plenty of trees and are located close to a lake, making this the perfect destination for avid ice fishers! You can also enjoy several nearby trails with a range of difficulty levels for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
Amenities include:
- Fire pits
- Fish cleaning stations
- Playground
- Pit toilets
- Information kiosk
Bragg Creek
Our final winter-friendly location recommendation is Bragg Creek. There are tons of opportunities for some good old fashioned winter fun in this Alberta town. Enjoy a day of snowshoeing followed by a bite to eat at a local eatery and a stroll through their artisan shops. If you’re looking for an excellent winter RV spot near this town, look no further! Here is our recommendation:
McLean Creek Campground
Add the McLean Creek Campground to your winter camping bucket list! This campground is known for its breath-taking landscapes. There are also many great outdoor recreation opportunities in this foothills setting. Snowmobiling, anyone?
The amenities for this campground include:
- Fire pits
- Pit/vault toilets
- Amphitheatre
- Payphone
- Playground
- Sewage disposal
- Power
Escape the Cold
Now it’s time for the snowbirds to shine. Just like the birds that migrate to the south in the winter, Canadian snowbirds are RVers who just don’t mess with Canadian winters. If this sounds like you, we get it! If winter sports and snow just aren’t your thing, we’ve rounded up our favourite go-to snowbird destinations for escaping the winter cold.
Vancouver Island
Our resident snowbird, Keith Crone, is more than happy to spend this winter in a much sunnier locale. Keith is currently living his best life on Vancouver Island with his wife and RV. Keith is staying at the top of the Saanich Peninsula near Sidney, BC. He explains that they have yet to see a frost, which sounds very alluring to those of us in Alberta! The one downside to Keith’s trip is the rain, which he welcomes if it’ll keep him out of the cold and the snow.
Keith is camping on his private property, but recommends the trip down to the island for anyone looking to escape the winter weather. Check out our latest blog post to learn more about Keith’s camping adventure in the midst of COVID-19.
Osoyoos, BC
Finally, we recommend Osoyoos to those looking for a warm spot to wait out the winter! This BC town is often referred to as “Canada’s dessert” because of its unique climate. It’s also one of the most popular snowbird destinations in Canada. Wineries, beaches, and tourist attractions galore! This town is stunningly beautiful with hardly any snowfall, making it a great place to take a summer-like vacation in the middle of winter. Here’s our recommendation for your RV stay:
Island View RV Resort
While there are tons of great campground options in Osoyoos, Island View RV Resort has our heart. This all-season RV park is located less than 5 minutes away from downtown Osoyoos where you can enjoy many markets, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The RV Park also has its own private sandy beach, boutique gift shop, and an ice cream and coffee bar located in the on-site convenience store! What more could you ask for?
Other amenities include:
- Spacious sites with privacy shields
- Power/sewer/cable boxes available for rent
- Clean washrooms with coin showers
- Laundromat open year-round
- Boat launch and dock
- Playground
- Paddleboard and kayak rentals
Visit Bucars Before Departing on Your Winter RV Adventure!
Whether you choose to escape the cold or embrace the cold, it’s safe to say you’ve got some great options! Either way, make sure you visit us at Bucars before you depart on your winter RV adventure. We’ll set you up with the perfect RV so you can make the most of your trip. Our RV experts are well versed in both forms of winter RV camping. They also have the knowledge and expertise needed to set you up with the perfect RV model for your winter camping needs. Contact us or visit our showroom today!
