Vanlife Winter Camping Guide
A comprehensive guide on how and where to winter camp in Colorado and the surrounding rocky mountains
For years we have seen the rise of campervans in ski towns with no places to sleep. Finally, our comprehensive guide for the Rockies solves the problem. Complete with answers to the most frequently asked questions about where and how to camp during the winter, this guide also includes packing lists, vehicle checklists, tips on staying warm and enjoying year-round adventures.If you don’t have a campervan, we have a fleet of Winter-ready campers ready to chase the powder.
What’s Included?
PDF "e-book” on how to winter camp and details on over 100 locations around the state including ski areas, winter camping sites, and hot springs/rec centers
Gaia GPS map with pins marking each of the locations detailed in the PDF. The map is easy to navigate on your computer and phone and the phone app works without cell service so you can still navigate in remote areas.
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Guide is free with rental of one of our vehicles!
FAQ’s covered
in the guide:
What campgrounds are open in the winter in Colorado?
Where is the best place to camp in the winter?
Can you camp in Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter?
How do you stay warm camping in Colorado?
How cold is too cold to camp?
How can I camp in the winter without dying?
What to do while camping in winter?
Where can I camp responsibly and safely in the winter?
Can I legally sleep in my car in Colorado?
Where can I camp if Forest Service roads are closed?
Which campgrounds in Colorado are open year-round?
Can I camp in the ski area parking lot?
Is boondocking allowed at ski resorts?
Are there RV parks open year round in Colorado mountain towns?
How can I find bathrooms and showers while winter camping?
What do I need for a winter-ready campervan?
What gear do I need for winter camping?
Where to camp on the Epic Ski Pass?
Where to camp on the Ikon Ski Pass?
Where to camp near ski areas: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper, Crested Butte, Eldora, Keystone, Loveland, Monarch, Purgatory, Silverton, Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride, Vail, Winter Park, Wolf Creek, Jackson, Park City, Alta, Snowbird, Taos,
“Not only will you save a ton of money not lodging in a spendy ski town, but you’ll have a unique opportunity to escape some of the crowds and campout in quiet areas with beautiful views.”
Complete with 9 Area Guides Across Colorado’s Most Loved Ski Towns:
We have mapped out the best winter camping near Steamboat Springs Ski Area, Winter Park Resort, Aspen Snowmass Ski Snowboard & Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Ski Area, Keystone Resort, Arapahoe Basin Ski & Snowboard Area, Loveland Ski Area, Breckenridge Skiing & Snowboarding Resort, Copper Mountain Ski Area, Vail Ski Resort, Beaver Creek Resort, Monarch Mountain Independent Ski Area, Wolf Creek Ski Area, Purgatory Resort, Telluride Ski Resort, Taos Ski Area, and Powderhorn Resort. Each of the 9 Local Guides includes: ski areas, campgrounds, RV parks, rec centers, hot springs, and more!
A note once you download:
The files to the guide are compressed into a single zip folder. Inside there is a detailed e-book(PDF) giving information on how to winter camp and then lists the camping locations by ski region.
The .gpx file is the map that can be viewed using Gaia GPS, either on a computer or the mobile app. We chose to us the Gaia map as it works very well without cell service. It is free to use the base version.To view the map, first create an account and then import the map. This Gaia tutorial gives more information on how to import on your computer. This tutorial shows you how to import on your phone.
