Most backpackers and travelers have their pleasures when it comes to the Christmas holidays. But whenever a person is looking for daring winter exploration, both the happiness and the challenges increase. When you travel to winter backpacking destinations, the landscape covered in beautiful snow will make you cry, although it may be very cold for your face.
Weather and road changes throughout the location can have a big influence on your plans, often requiring you to remain at the nearest motel instead of doing winter hiking and camping. This is particularly true now, given the uncertain environment brought on by climate change. Although hiking and camping in the snow may sound like a fun and exciting experience, you may want to expand your options and pick from another wide range of warm winter hiking places which we will list for you.
1. Joshua National Tree Park, USA
The park has some of the fascinating geologic features to be found in the deserts of California. It is one of America's rock-climbing hotspots and offers dozens of equestrian riding, biking, and hiking. There is a carpet of wildflowers in the spring. And the park is a haven for stargazers because of the exceptionally beautiful desert night sky.
As it descends from the heights into the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs, the park includes portions of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. As you go further, you'll see growing wildflowers, scrambling lizards, and the park's iconic deformed trees.
These two desert systems separate the southernmost national park of California into two dry ecosystems that look quite different from one another. The elevation is the key to their divergences. The walk leads you through some breathtaking landscapes before arriving at a garden of enormous rock piles, which are great for a little rock climbing.
The beautiful thing about Christmas is winter hiking in this area, you can spend the entire day on an open route without having to worry about the heat in the middle of the day. Given how pleasant the weather is in the winter and how popular it is, you will probably have to share the park with other people.
Nevertheless, the weather in the desert may be unpredictable, and it occasionally snows here. Before going on a winter camping trip, verifying the weather is crucial.
The desert could appear empty when seen from the side of the road. To appreciate Joshua Tree National Park's splendor, take your time as you move through it. Spending a few days camping here is advised if you're an enthusiastic backpacker so you may choose which routes to explore.
2. Mojave Desert, California, USA
Eastern California's Death Valley, which is a portion of the northern Mojave Desert, is well-known for having the continent's lowest elevation below sea level.
There aren't many well-maintained hiking routes in this area. As far as the eye can see, it is all arid terrain. Here, winter is the greatest and most secure time to go hiking. The summertime brings highs that reach triple digits. There is no water supply, no vegetation big enough to offer shade, and the sun is so intense in this location. For anyone but the most experienced and well-prepared backpacker, it is simply too extreme to enjoy all the natural splendor this place has to offer during the summer.
However, trekking here in the winter is fantastic. Due to the large parking areas and plenty of campsites along the trails, renting a van is a fantastic alternative. All skill levels may enjoy the numerous wonderful winter hiking paths in this area.
The Harmony Borax Works is a straightforward path for a quick trek going to a circle around an interpretative track that is open to the public. Enjoy the walk, and discover the history of Death Valley Borax and the 20-Mule Teams. The desert sky is ideal for stargazing at night.
A remarkable number of motion pictures and television programs have included The Trona Pinnacles, and nearly all of them are science fiction. This is because these rock formations are genuinely extraterrestrial and provide a beautiful backdrop for another planet. At the Trona Pinnacles, camping is permitted, and you should take advantage of it!
Being so far out in the wilderness, be aware that it gets pretty dark here. Additionally, there is generally no signal for your smartphones and radio, so make careful preparations if you are going to the Mojave Desert in any season.
3. Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route, Tanzania
Killamanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. The best months to trek this most picturesque trail are January, February, and March because of how near it is to the equator.
The driest, sunniest, and most comfortable weather is experienced during these months. The ascent is easy, and the sight of snow on the peak makes for beautiful pictures.
The Lemosho Route is the most picturesque path. Despite the pleasant weather, this time of year rarely has crowds. This time of year, visibility is also fantastic.
The very vistas you traveled so far to see might be obscured by clouds and fog throughout the summer. The surroundings are quite interesting.
On the mountain, the Lemosho path may be completed in as short as six days (five nights). However, for a better schedule of acclimatization to high altitudes, it is best to do it over eight days (seven nights). You have an extremely high possibility of summiting the peak after spending eight days (seven nights)
4. Torres del Paine, Chile
You should at least once in your life travel to Torres Del Paine, one of the world's most southern national parks. The Torres Del Paine is pure nature with vistas that will surprise, delight, and have you grabbing for your camera again. It is desolate, untamed, and harsh.
Due to its location in the southern hemisphere, December through March are excellent times to enjoy more challenging walks and backpacking in this famous Chilean park.
The park's recognizable peaks, glaciers, and breathtakingly blue lakes will be passed by as you travel the "O" circle. It includes more backcountry than the "W" trail. You will need all camping supplies, including a tent, mattress, sleeping bag for the winter, and cooking utensils if you decide to camp while performing the renowned "O" or "W" treks. A top-notch, waterproof tent is worth having because the rain and wind can sometimes be ferocious.
There are rental stores in Puerto Natales if you don't have your camping supplies but still want to go hiking. The average piece of equipment rents for $6-7 per day(it could be higher due to inflation). When making a reservation for lodging, you can also rent a tent, mattress, and sleep bag that has already been put together at the campground. There are numerous hostels, and campsites available for lodging in Torres del Paine so options are always available anytime for you.
5. Rich Mountain Fire, Hot springs, North Carolina, USA
The recently renovated Rich Mountain Lookout Fire Tower on the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs offers breathtaking long-range vistas. A collaboration between the North Carolina Forest Fire Lookout Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and U.S. Forest Service allowed the historic fire tower to reopen in the spring of 2018 with solid steps and a fresh coat of paint. The tower was first constructed in 1932. The wide, level track and lack of brook crossings make this a wonderful winter trek. Additionally, the winters here are pleasant.
Amazing vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains await those who make the five-mile trek to the restored fire tower. You can camp in the building because it is quiet enough.
Enjoy the seclusion by erecting your tent at the base or spending the night atop the tower. The well-reviewed Laughing Heart Lodge in Hot Springs is a fantastic place to stay, has comfortable accommodations, and offers daily continental breakfasts for visitors. It's close to the Appalachian Trail.
6. Congaree National Park
The oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast of the United States is protected by Congaree National Park. Visitation to this compact park is quick and simple.
You can take a stroll along the boardwalk route that runs through the forest, go kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek, birdwatching, fishing, and, if you'd like, explore more of the park by hiking one of the many other trails through the woods.
The finest park stroll is just here. This all-boardwalk trail travels through some of Congaree National Park's best beauty, beginning at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
An elevated walkway across the bottomland, the boardwalk trail offers views of enormous tupelos and bald cypress trees submerged in the water. Wheelchairs and strollers can travel the entire length of the boardwalk trail. Tents are the only type of camping permitted inside the park. But there are RV choices close to the park's boundaries.
For instance, Poinsett State Park provides 24 RV campsites. Staying in Columbia, South Carolina, a short 25 minutes from the park entrance, is another lodging choice.
Congaree National Park's best quality is that when people arrange vacations to view the national parks, they frequently ignore it. Thus, Congaree National Park is among the top national parks for camping in the winter.
But even if the best time to visit is during the Christmas season, there may not be a lot of people around when you visit the park.
7. Kepler Track, South Island, New Zealand
It’s always good to visit the fantastic hiking paths that are available in New Zealand for hikers of all skill levels. An overview of the nation's Fiordland National Park can be found on The Kepler Track. It displays the magnificence of Jackson Peaks, Murchison Mountains, and Lake Te Anau. The path winds through native beach vegetation and crosses mountain ridgelines.
You can appreciate that the entire route of New Zealand's Great Walks is well maintained, and the huts are ideally situated to break up the days. However, those who choose to camp should be ready for some extraordinarily long, grueling days.
As a result of its gradual elevation rise over ridgelines and breathtaking vistas of Lake Te Anau, it's also fantastic for first-time trekkers. International guests have recently driven up the price of the cottages.
Regardless of age, the huts now cost 130 dollars per person every night. The huts are 65 dollars per person for New Zealanders, and they are still free for anyone under 18.
Reservations for campsites must be made well in advance. In addition, RV campgrounds may be found on the fjords where you can spend the night. An excellent choice for lodging close to Lake Te Anau is the Aden Motel. Perfect location; it takes two minutes to get to the water.
8. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
One of the nicest national parks to visit in the winter is Everglades National Park. The only subtropical preserve in North America offers year-round hiking in warm weather.
Insects, heat, and hurricane dangers make this place generally uninviting in the summer. But throughout the winter, you'll enjoy gentler conditions ideal for kayaking and trekking.
When people consider things to do in the area, taking an airboat tour through the Everglades is often the first thing that comes to mind.
Airboat rides are fantastic, but there are so many other things to see and do in the Everglades that it would be a mistake to limit your experiences to just one. For an opportunity to see alligators, turtles, and other animals, take a hike on the Anhinga Trail in the Pine Island portion or go out on a boat to see exotic dolphins.
Biking on the tram trail is a common way to explore this region. This is an excellent method to get exercise while watching animals because the road is level and the distance is short. Bike rentals are available at the visitor center or you can bring your own. But the ride is not for the weak of heart. Here, the wind is not uncommon, and you will likely run into a headwind on the way to the tower or on the way back.
Even though it wasn't the easiest thing we've ever done, we decided to ride with our family and enjoyed it! Nevertheless, it was wonderful to choose to bike!
9. Jordan River
The Jordan River is home to a wide variety of historical structures, natural areas, mosques, castles, temples, and tombs, earning her the distinction of being the Middle East's only World Heritage Site. In addition to some of the best historical structures in the world, there are several sandstone canyons, palm-fringed oases, and desert hills with seasonal flowers.
Jordan River can be reached from the mainland in two ways. The first is to fly into Victoria, British Columbia, rent a car there, and then drive to Jordan River for slightly over an hour (45 miles/70 kilometers).
The alternate route makes use of BC Ferries along the route from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Vancouver (Tsawwassen). For an additional fee, you can reserve a spot on the ferry in advance. Otherwise, drive-ups are accepted as long as the room is available
Jordan can be on your bucket list if you want to experience the splendors of history during your winter vacations, whether it be in the historic sites of Petra and Wadi Rum or the capital city of Amman.
10. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, Colorado, USA
Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is quickly gaining recognition as one of the top winter vacation spots for backpackers
Cold conditions In Colorado, backpacking often involves a lot of snow, which begins to fall in the fall and can linger into June. The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is another place, managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Be aware that there are no clearly marked routes through this stunning red granite area. However, if you enjoy having the freedom to walk around and forge your path with few other people around, you'll adore this pristine area.
You'll discover petroglyphs of people and animals that were created by Native Americans up to 10,000 years ago while on your stroll. You might also encounter desert bighorn sheep if you're lucky. There are a few well-kept campgrounds close to the wilderness area, so you may rent an RV in Grand Junction or the surrounding area.
Western Colorado, where these 66,000 acres are situated, rarely receives the amount of snow that the surrounding Rockies do. This is so because Colorado's far western region has a lower elevation and a climate more akin to that of its neighbor Utah. Although there is a fair amount of snow in the area, it melts quickly due to the year-round dazzling sunshine.
The three canyons of the conservation area are accessible to hikers and trekkers from U.S. 50, which is located northwest of Delta.
Rock climbers on sheer cliffs and hikers who arrive at the wilderness area on the McCarty Trail will find lots of thrills along the winding dirt road that follows the bottom of the expansive Escalante Canyon.
Day hikes and historic locations like the old Captain Smith Cabin, which was constructed in 1911 by a Civil War soldier, are also available in the picturesque canyon titled "a secret paradise," as the soldier referred to the canyon.
