3 Tips To Avoid Snowbird Crowds In January
January is prime time snowbird season. Once the holidays end all bets are off as winter refugees seek sun and fun. But even in the vast expanse of America’s Sunbelt states there are limits to places where you can avoid snowbird crowds.
When RVers cram into popular winter snowbird destinations between Florida and California, the choices get slim at the peak of winter. Fortunately, when your home is on wheels you can still avoid snowbird crowds and find a relatively private camping spot by:
1. Choosing RV parks on the fringe of town
Swim in the Atlantic ocean during January and you’ll feel positively giddy. But just be aware that the thrill comes at a price. RV parks located near any popular destination like warm southern oceans are more crowded and expensive than far away competitors.
By the time January rolls around, most RVers are settled in for the duration, leaving casual visitors few choices for impromptu visits. If your goal is to avoid snowbird crowds at RV parks, search RV LIFE Campgrounds to find parks located inland and away from major attractions. You’ll save money and might even be able to roll out your awning.
2. Visiting Quartzsite before or after “The Big Show.”
Quartzsite, Arizona is sunny in winter, but not as warm as its southern neighbor of Yuma. However, the throngs of RVers who camp in this dusty town don’t seem to mind. Many come for the whole season and arrive by Christmas. But thousands more pack into Quartzsite’s RV parks and surrounding BLM lands only when the annual Sports, Vacation and RV Show takes place.
Camping in Quartzsite is a great experience. However, during the last nine days in January, the temporary population overwhelms this tiny town. Staying there can be a hassle. For example, store shelves go bare at the one small food market, lines are long at the post office and dump station visits take at least an hour from your day.
If you enjoy desert camping but want to avoid snowbird crowds, consider staying in Yuma or nearby Parker. Drive into Quartzsite for the show and leave to get peace and quiet. Or, just plan to camp there when the show is over. Plus, you’ll still have plenty of flea market stalls to peruse and other interesting sights to explore.
Lurk around popular RV discussion forums and in social media’s chatty RV groups. Pay attention to where people are talking about gathering – then go somewhere else to try and avoid snowbird crowds. It’s not hard to see where the flock is headed.
If you want to find your own personal space, don’t follow along. Once you arrive at your ideal getaway, don’t share your location on social media. Keep it a secret and let others experience the thrill of finding their own perfect campsite.
There are many winter RV destinations. If you’ve ever tried snowbirding, you know that it’s not uncommon to cross paths with friends during winter. Social ties add much to our adventures, but if you’re the type of RVer who craves your space, America still has many options for us to escape. Plan your trip with RV LIFE Trip Wizard and the RV LIFE App to find the best campgrounds and other points of interest along the way.
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Ever been to Yuma Arizona? Not many have and there is a reason why they haven’t
Hugh, by Yuma I think they mean the nearby camping. Which to me is better than Quartzsite. I already own the RV I want so no interest in an RV show and even if free I’m not interested in staying in one place for 6 months. I’m a traveler and live this life to travel, not because I can’t afford to rent an apartment.
Wait a minute! That’s what we looked forward to, the crowds. Living in Texas we always looked forward to the crowds in the Winter. Here they come from Minnesota, Michigan, New York or you name it. Great evenings together, games, etc. Come on down!
We are here ,half way between Austin and Waco ,and no crowds ,we are a day trip from everything.In central Texas you can enjoy all of Texas.
Check out lake Tamarisk resort in desert center california. 2 miles off I10 and a world away from the crowds. Great people and wonderful desert views.
Very good advice. I am an RVer and kayak teacher in Florida and pass this on. The keys are booked solid in the winter months by snowbirds. Bahia Honda state park is often booked months in advance. The campground on Ohio Key is desperation city if a space is available. Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and Campground is probably the best in the keys if you can get a space. Caution: The Keys are a combination of coral islands and there are very few sandy beaches. A nice one in Marathon and another in Key West. The keys suck for beach snorkeling . “Cattle Boats” run to offshore reefs when wind permits. Best to book in summer.
And in my first year of retirement in 2007 I found the few campgrounds on public land were not only full, but “squatters ” finagled to tie them up by switching places with friends in the next closest campground. So there never would be an opening.
This was is SW Florida. I was able to find camping on the panhandle as southerners think it’s too cold in winter. Being a northerner I thought the south was often still too hot lol!