Top 3 Off-Season RV Destinations for Winter Wanderers

Where would you wander to in your RV during the winter?  Some destinations close down during the encroaching cold or they are difficult to reach with off-season weather.  There are some gems you should explore this winter!  Let’s look at a few must-do experiences in January, February, and March, until Spring returns.

South Dakota

Peak season is late May to early September.  This makes the shoulder season from October through April a less crowded time to visit.  Naturally, the temperatures vary across the state but you can look for an average of 30 degrees during the day, 18 degrees at night in January warming to an average of 45 daytime, and 25 at nighttime in March. 

Now that you know the winter vibes and this sounds like a place to visit, what is there to do?  The top things to enjoy in South Dakota are winter sports, wildlife viewing, and memorials.  Stay near or in Custer State Park for some of the most beautiful drives.  There is no lack of wildlife.  You can see bison, elk, and mountain goats while enjoying the snow-covered mountains. 

We recommend having a separate vehicle to drive through the state park instead of your RV – no matter how small it might be.  Driving a small rig up and down the mountains can tax the engine.  And some of the passes are very narrow.  Parking can not always accommodate extra large RVs.  So plan to take a car or motorcycle for your excursions.

Near Custer State Park is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  It is open all year round except on Christmas Day.  (The grounds are open but the buildings are closed).  If you enjoy history, the Crazy Horse Memorial is near Mount Rushmore.  It is a mountain dedicated to the warriors who fought Custer’s army at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 

They have a museum onsite that holds information about the Lakota Indians and more.  Don’t miss out on visiting the nearby towns that retain some of the wild west history of South Dakota Black Hills.  Deadwood, Keystone, and Hill City are all near Mount Rushmore.  Take the 1880’s train between Keystone and Hill City for more history and wildlife viewing.

If you want to get right into the snow, South Dakota does not disappoint.  You can snowmobile, ski, ice fish, and snowshoe in the Black Hills area.  Because you will be in the chill with your rig, know how to get through below-freezing nights.  Here are a few things you will want to do:

·         Monitor propane and run your furnace overnight to keep your underbelly warm.

·         Use approved indoor space heaters

·         Unhook water hoses and drain them

·         You may need to let faucets drip overnight

Wisconsin

The peak season is June through August.  You can enjoy the off-season from September until May with fewer people. If you want a colder winter experience, try Wisconsin.  In January you will start with an average daytime temperature of 20, and nighttime 12 degrees but it does warm up in March.  Enjoy average daytime temperatures around 40 degrees and nighttime temps around 30 degrees.

So what activities are here in the off-season if you enjoy the chillier weather?  Wisconsin has all the winter sports like South Dakota.  You might also want to try dog sledding, winter fat tire biking, ice caving, and snow tubing!  Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the busiest state parks in Wisconsin.  In the summer and fall, there are lines to enter the park, crowded trails, and limited parking open.  Winter is the perfect time to visit.  Check in advance because some campgrounds are closed during the winter.  But the Quartzite campground is open and some surrounding ones are near the park.  Your access to showers, toilets, and dump stations may be limited so come prepared.

If you are a foodie, you know Wisconsin is known for cheese.  And there is no lack of cheese shops near the Devil’s Lake State Park.  Each one has its personality.  Some shops offer souvenirs and gifts.  Others provide free samples and factory tours.  You will be amazed at the variety of cheeses and we would not be surprised if you discovered a new one you have never seen before.  Here are some tips for keeping cheese purchases in top condition in your RV fridge.

·         Ask for cheese paper when you purchase it at the shop.  Or use parchment paper to wrap your cheese.

·         Make sure air can circulate the cheese because you want oxygen and humidity to reach it.  Don’t overpack an RV fridge.

·         If you don’t have a crisper in your RV fridge, store softer cheeses in a humid area wrapped in parchment.

Georgia

Peak season is from late March to November, a shorter window to skip peak times but still opportunities from December through mid-March for a winter wanderer.  Georgia is a warmer state compared to South Dakota and Wisconsin.  So if you prefer a comfy temperature, Georgia will provide an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and lows of 38 during the evenings. 

There may be some temperature difference inland versus near the beach but that will depend on the activities you prefer.  We recommend trying the Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA areas.  South of Savannah is the Fort McAllister State Historic Park in Richmond Hill.  They have a campground that serves big rigs too.  Onsite is a museum specializing in Civil War artifacts.  You don’t need to leave the park. The museum is a short walk from the campground.

You are less than 30 minutes away from downtown Savannah.  Cross the Savannah River and you are in South Carolina if you want to visit multiple states in one RV getaway.  Near Savannah are several ‘islands’.  Connected by land here and there but separated by several rivers, you can visit Skidaway, Wilmington, Talahi, Tybee, and Whitemarsh Islands.  You can get close to nature with wildlife centers, preserves, marine education centers, and botanical gardens.

If you cross the river and enter South Carolina, drive about two hours to Charleston and spend the day.  There are warm things to do even in winter.  Walk a local plantation, attend an oyster roast, visit the local forts, or climb aboard Charleston’s historic aircraft carrier.  Other than the activities, there are many reasons to add South Carolina to your Georgia getaway.

·         Charleston was founded in 1670 and is the oldest and largest city in South Carolina.  There is plenty of history to absorb.

·         Charleston City Market is one of the longest-running public markets in the United States.

I like to think of these locations as hidden gems.  When you visit in the off-season, you can spend more time touring, dig deeper into historic areas, and enjoy experiences that are too rushed or crowded any other time.  Although these cities are popular in spring, summer, and fall, they aren’t as frequented in winter.  The spectacles they offer are worth a trip off the beaten path for winter RVers.  Enjoy your off-season RVing in these wonderful, less crowded destinations.