Perfect Places For RVers To Snowbird This Winter

Are you feeling a chill in the air as the leaves turn? Are you dreading the cold weather that’s coming this winter? Then drive south and be a snowbird in your RV this winter. The popular places are Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They are very different in their locales but surely you’ll find a place that works for you. 

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1. Sandy Shells On The Southwest Coast Of Florida

The Fort Myers area is a haven for RV travelers in the winter months. Because it is so popular, you may have to book early. The warm waters of the gulf and soft sand beaches are so much more pleasant than shoveling snow. Some of the best shelling in Florida is found on nearby Captiva and Sanibel islands. A favorite resort for many travelers is the Red Coconut RV Park on Estero Island. You can actually have your trailer towed to a beachfront spot or park it yourself if you drive your RV. Or stay in one of the sites on the other side of the road from the beach —  you’re only steps away from sand and surf. This is a full hook-up park with plenty of restaurants and entertainment nearby. Fort Myers is a bit of a destination — 2.5 hours from Tampa. Though the area caters to snowbirds and there are plenty of winter activities, some RVers prefer being farther north where prices are a bit more affordable. 

Pro Tip: Take a day trip to Marco Island near Naples to find dried sand dollars on the beach. Enjoy a meal in one of the upscale seafood or Italian restaurants on the island. The Oyster Society is a Tripadvisor favorite. 

RV Rentals In Fort Myers, FL

RV Rentals In Tampa, FL

2. The Old Florida I-4 Corridor In Central Florida

Choose from an array of RV parks anchored on the east by Orlando and the west in Tampa. It’s about a 3-hour drive end to end. In the midst of this, you’ll be at Disneyworld, which has one of the most popular RV parks in the state — Fort Wilderness Resort. This is not a full winter park as prices are high and reservations are scarce. But plan to pull up stakes for a mid-winter getaway and enjoy all the amenities of this full-resort campground and of course all the Disney Parks (tickets are extra). For a longer stay, try Polk County, just west and south of Disneyworld. There are many parks of varying prices in the area. Davenport and Haines City are popular RV spots. You will be within easy driving distance of Disney, Lakeland, Orlando, and all the activities they offer. Polk County has Legoland Florida which sits on the beautiful grounds of the now-closed Cypress Gardens waterskiing attraction. There’s plenty of bustling development as well, offering all the services you require. There are more lakes than you can count as this is the headwaters of the Everglades River of Grass that flows south to the tip of the peninsula. You don’t have to stay on the coast to enjoy boating, fishing, and relaxing near a body of water. 

Florida books early for the temperate locations. You might get some freezing temperatures in the panhandle, but you also might get a reservation. If you want to go to the keys, plan to book a year out. State parks fill immediately and commercial parks get top dollar. But you do get to be in the most tropical setting in the U.S. with the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea on one side and sunset over the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Fishing, diving, and snorkeling are fantastic here. 

Pro Tip: In Central Florida, try taking an airboat tour, like Alligator Cove Airboat Nature Tours to see the “real” Florida. It will take you through the wetlands for birding, gator sightings, and other wildlife in this northern Everglades location, right in Polk County. 

RV Rentals In Davenport, FL

3. Sea Breezes On The Gulf Coast Of Texas

Snowbirds who prefer a little less hectic pace and lower prices will flock to Texas. While it can snow in Dallas, the Gulf Coast offers a safe haven from the cold. Popular spots include areas south of Houston as well as the Port Aransas to Corpus Christie coastline. Thousands of winter Texans populate coastal places and small towns along the gulf and on into the interior to enjoy moderate weather. The town of Rockport sits on the Port Aransas channel next to the gulf and is flanked by Copano and Aransas bays. The town has a “beachy feel” with lots of art galleries, shops, cafes, and bars for daytime and nighttime enjoyment. Fishing, birdwatching, and beachgoing are part and parcel of life in this area during the winter. There are plenty of retail services and if you don’t find what you are looking for, Corpus Christie is only 45 minutes away. Day trips are popular to San Antonio, the Aransas Wildlife refuge, Padre Island National Seashore, and numerous Texas historical sites. 

There are plenty of RV parks down the road from Rockport near Aransas Pass/Port Aransas, including several across the channel on Mustang Island, with short term stays available at Mustang Island State Park. There are plenty of shops and services on the mainland, but the island side has more restaurants, bars, and small shops. Island living, however, is quite enjoyable. There are plenty of places to walk the beach on hard-packed sand or parks to sit and enjoy the sea breeze. Be prepared to share space with plenty of condo and resort-dwelling winter Texans as well as fellow RVers. 

Pro Tip: Be prepared to put your RV on the Port Aransas ferry to get to Mustang Island. It’s a quick trip and is free. 

RV Rentals In Port Aransas, TX

Corpus Christie is a large urban area with a commercial airport. Tucked away is a wonderful RV park that sits on the bay with 360-degree views of the water. Puerto del Sol Rv Park is at North Beach, a point of land between Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays. You can see the USS Lexington battleship that is permanently docked nearby. This park has full hookups, laundry, propane, and its own convenience store. Of course, fishing is done right from the park, or go to the nearby marina to get on a boat to fish the bay and gulf waters. Don’t be put off by the modest conditions of Puerto del Sol. It’s not a resort, but rather sits in the midst of a fantastic waterfront lifestyle. Best of all, the prices are modest too. 

RV Rentals In Corpus Christi, TX

4. Desert Life In Arizona

If waterfront living is not what you’re interested in, then head to Arizona and desert life. The Lake Havasu area borders Nevada and California and is ground zero for Arizona winter RVers. There are numerous parks and Bureau of Land Management land for free or for a small fee. Quartzsite, Kingman, and other nearby towns handle large numbers of wintering RVers as well. These three areas get quite chilly at night but are blissful during the day compared to northern climates. In February there is an annual gathering of RVers and nomads called the Western Winter Blast which is an incredible four-day fireworks display. It’s scheduled for February 17-22, 2022. The best viewing is at the speedway track which includes a grandstand and parking at the adjacent rodeo and BMX areas. Admission is $8. The show can be seen from the local area, but mountains can obstruct views. BLM land gets crowded during this time but the gathering of like-minded travelers is great fun. 

Pro Tip: BLM land for dispersed camping is limited to 14 days. You can move to another site that is 25 miles away and return after 28 days. There are no hookups on BLM land. Be prepared for crowded conditions as dry camping is very popular. 

RV Rentals In Lake Havasu, AZ

Quartzsite is about 90 minutes south of Lake Havasu City. Instead of fireworks, Gem City as it’s known hosts a two-month-long gem show in January and February bringing thousands of visitors and RVers. There is plenty of boondocking land in the area as well as several RV parks. 

RV Rentals In Quartzsite, AZ

Phoenix and Tucson have numerous RV resorts for those that want comfort, hookups, and all the conveniences of a city. There are too many places to pick just one park, but know that all budgets and amenity requirements can be accommodated. The farther out from the cities you go, the cheaper the prices, and the parks are less crowded, though that’s a relative term for Arizona in the winter. The scenery in Arizona is unmatched for winter RVing. The mountains and red-hued rocks along with the desert, which will bloom in February and March, are not to be missed. There are numerous state and local parks in both metro areas with hiking trails galore. Be knowledgeable about how to hike in the desert and hilly/mountainous areas. Snakes and cougars are present. Bring water, a compass, sunscreen, and a hat. Cell phone service may be spotty. Phoenix can get quite chilly in January at night. Flagstaff gets snow and Sedona can be cold. You may want to split your winter between the northern and southern parts of the state. 

Pro Tips

• Watching an MLB Spring Training Cactus League baseball game is a favorite pastime in Phoenix in February and March so plan your RV reservations accordingly. 
• The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a popular day trip from your Tuscon campground. Even without the RV — take water and a full gas tank.

RV Rentals In Phoenix, AZ

RV Rentals In Tucson, AZ