If you’re into winter camping, full time or just for a getaway, here are some tips to make your experience more comfortable – plus six spots to visit!

The temperatures on cold Michigan winter nights can dip well below zero… without the wind chill factored in. This can make it difficult to keep our RVs warm during those dark hours, and difficult to warm up once daylight arrives.

Keep the Air Inside Warm and Draft Free

To keep the interior of your RV nice and toasty, the most important thing is to keep warm air inside. You can help achieve this by insulating your windows, perhaps with shrink film or with heavy curtains. Thermo-pane windows are also available on the market and add extra insulation because of their dual layer. Roof vents, though they should be opened regularly to help release condensation, can also lead to chilly air making its way in. Since you’ll want to open the vents sometimes, use pillows or cut-to-size insulation and hold in place with cardboard. These are easy to remove. Try to open and close the door as little as possible – a little air can go a long way – and add a blanket or door runner to help with leaks around the bottom door seal.

To help reduce condensation accumulation, thereby keeping mold and mildew at bay, follow any of these tips:

  1. Open roof vents often, especially during cooking and showering.
  2. Use the stove vent and fan while cooking to get rid of steam more quickly.
  3. Remove visible moisture with absorbent cloths.
  4. Run a small, portable dehumidifier.

Where you camp can also help keep your RV warm. If you have your choice, try to choose a site that has a decent wind barrier or at least so that the RV is mounted in such a way that the wind will hit the front or back of the RV more frequently than the side. Sun can be hard to come by in Michigan, but you’ll be glad to have a site that allows the sun to hit the roof and warm up the exterior a little bit, which only helps keep things warm on the inside.

Adding a Little Heat

Portable electric heaters can be used to heat your rig. Portable propane heaters are a more economical alternative to using your propane furnace, but be aware of ventilation, as carbon monoxide will be produced. Consider a pellet stove (though the install can be intensive and they take up a lot of space).

And don’t forget about your sleeping quarters. Buy a decent heated mattress pad, even if you share a bed with someone else. The heat gets captured in the sheets, keeping you nice and toasty. However, these tend not to work with memory foam.

Don’t Forget About Your RV’s Mechanical Parts

Most RVs were not designed to be used in the winter, though that seems to be changing, particularly with larger motorhomes. Your RV may or may not be designed to handle the elements, so you’ll need to think about protecting water lines, sewer lines, and enclosed tanks if they are not already in heated areas. For instance, consider using a heated hose, using PVC pipe instead of a hose, and maybe even wrapping them in heat tape. Keeping a faucet dripping helps to keep water flowing, too, reducing the risk of freezing.

Adding RV skirting around the bottom of your rig will help keep the underside warm, as well as provide an airlock from the wind. You can run an electric space heater under the RV skirting, too, on extra cold nights and days. It might be prudent to have a generator on hand in case of any problems. Make sure to have enough fuel on hand to run it.

Your RV’s battery should be fully charged before you embark on your journey, and kept adequately charged during your stay. Batteries run low in cold temperatures. When you’re ready to come home, use an engine block heater if your RV uses gasoline and have it run for several hours – such as when you’re packing up or going out for one last hike – before you leave the campsite, maybe even overnight if it’s going to be an early start.

Where to Go: 6 Spots You Need to See in Winter White

With your RV ready and prepped to take on Old Man Winter, it’s time to travel to your destination. Many state parks and private campgrounds are closed during the winter months, so make sure you do research ahead of time and make your reservation.

Michigan has many outdoor attractions that deserve a visit in the winter months. Since most campers prefer fair weather, this means you’ll get a view of popular (reachable) spots without the crowds – and be able to see a different side of Michigan’s beauty.

  1. Mackinac Straits, Mackinaw City: If you think the Straits are eye catching in the summer, the expansiveness of the frozen water and the crumbled chunks along the shoreline will really catch your eye. Sometimes you can spot an ice cutter making its way through.
  2. St. Joseph Lighthouse, St. Joseph: If you’ve ever seen a photo of an ice-caked lighthouse in Michigan, it was likely the one in St. Joseph. The town has restaurants and shopping. Warm up with a confection at Caffe Tosi on Pleasant Street.
  3. Tawas Point State Park, Tawas: Also known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” this Michigan state park aptly lives up to this lofty statement. It’s a favorite spot for summer campers, but the winter basks in its newfound glory. It is home to the only true Victorian-era style lighthouse in the Great Lakes, which looks quite different covered in winter ice!
  4. Eben Ice Caves, Eben Junction: Located just outside Marquette County and just east of Munising, Eben Junction is a hotspot for winter wanderers. These ice caves form every year from melting snow running over a cliff. It takes a hike to get there so bring the snowshoes or ice cleats.
  5. Hudson-Clinton Metroparks, Southeast Michigan: Most parks in this collection of 13 parks offer passage for winter enthusiasts to hiking, sledding, cross-country ski, or snowshoe across a pure white canvas. There are dedicated, groomed trails and lakes on which to ice skate. Hills give snowboarders and sledders a thrilling ride!
  6. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise: A winter list wouldn’t be complete without the king of winter attractions – Tahquamenon Falls. Both the lower falls and upper falls make for a picturesque wonderland. Plus, there are campgrounds and plenty of trails to explore, by foot or snowmobile.