{"id":329,"date":"2022-03-06T06:08:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-06T06:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/?p=329"},"modified":"2022-10-06T01:31:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T01:31:26","slug":"winter-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/winter-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-343\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wintercampinglg.jpg\" alt=\"winter camping\" width=\"250\" height=\"197\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Camping isn&#8217;t only a summer time thing. In California, it can be enjoyed all year long &#8211; if you have the right gear to enjoy yourself. The <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/destin\/desert.html\">deserts<\/a> alone are prime destinations for your winter vacation OUT of DOORS. <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/skystuff\/star.html\">Star gazing<\/a> is great &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/wheelz\/bkrds.html\">Back Road exploration<\/a> is a great way to use that <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/wheelz\/SUV.html\">SUV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Most <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/skystuff\/star.html\"><strong>meteor showers<\/strong><\/a> occur during the colder part of the year, so winter camping is a great way to experience the full sky &amp; not miss any of these special shooting star shows. <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/destin\/desert.html\">Desert locations<\/a> well away from the city are the &#8220;best dark sky&#8221; choices. Less crowds, cooler temps and maybe more clouds. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-359 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/desert.gif\" alt=\"desert\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-353\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/stargaze.gif\" alt=\"stargaze\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/outside\/campsites\/kelbaker-road\/\">KELBAKER ROAD<\/a> is perfect place for stargazing, rock climbing, bon fires and free overnight camping.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>weather:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>We are not talking about making igloo camps in the highcountry. No <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/snow\/cross.html\">snow shoes<\/a>, nor <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/snow\/cross.html\">cross country skiing<\/a> chalets. Not even much snow camping. This page is just the basics on how to tolerate chilly temps in the milder climates for California&#8217;s dry destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/outside\/journey\/california-weather\/\">check road conditions &amp; check the closest town&#8217;s forecast<\/a> before you head out on your road trip.<\/p>\n<p>Bring enough clothing for a variety of temperatures. LAYERS, is the best advice for clothing. You may go from shorts to winter jacket all in 10 hours.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>rain &amp; wind:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>California gets most all it&#8217;s precipitation from DECEMBER to APRIL, and a lot of winds along with each storm system. So be prepared for some weather.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Big wind event &#8211;<\/span> can blow old trees down, across the road &#8211; trapping you on way back in there, so be prepared for a hike out. Super strong winds (40mph+) are also big factors in these outta control wildfires, as we&#8217;ve seen in recent years with the West Redding &amp; Paradise fires.<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><b>camping in winter months:<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Great desert locations &amp; destinations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/leisure\/hotspr\/prim.html\">Hot Springs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/leisure\/sites\/ghost.html\">Ghost Towns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/tripez\/trips\/panamint.html\">Panamint Valley<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/NP\/joshua.html\">Joshua Tree National Park<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/NP\/death.html\">Death Valley National Park<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/NSE\/mojave.html\">Mojave National Preserve<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/SP\/redrock.html\">Red Rock State Park<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/SRA\/picacho.html\">Picacho Peak SRA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<dl>\n<dt><center><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/camp-lights\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/GIFS\/gear\/amazonstuff\/Flashlights\/minipurple.jpg\" alt=\"purple mini\" width=\"150\" height=\"26\" align=\"BOTTOM\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/center><\/dt>\n<dt>More helpful links:<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/gear\"><b>GEAR <\/b>&#8211; basics &amp; beyond<\/a><\/li>\n<li>no getting lost &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/\">Maps<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/map-gear\/gps-units\/\">GPS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/outside\/camping-california\/camp-clueless\/\">Camp Clueless<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/tripez\/clueless.html\">All about <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/camp\/firewood.html\">Firewood<\/a><\/li>\n<li>No toilets?<br \/>\nno problem, See <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/camp\/potty.html\">Camp Potty<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/wheelz\/SUV.html\">SUV fun back roads!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">sleeping outdoors:<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>A good zero degree <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/sleeping-bags\/\">sleeping bag<\/a> is well worth the cash you will spend on it and it will make those chilly Sierra nights bearable even in the early season. Where fold-up cots will circulate the cold air underneath you, Inflatable <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/airbeds\/\">air mattresses<\/a> can be total luxury!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/GIFS\/campn\/bedding.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/GIFS\/campn\/bedding_i.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"142\" align=\"BOTTOM\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t throw out that old sleeping bag. Make is useful! Try placing a blanket under your air mattress &amp; another on top for cushion &amp; warmth&#8230;and to protect you from the cold ground temperatures that can creep up.<\/p>\n<p><b>snow camping:<\/b><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/wildlist.html\">California Wilderness<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/NF\/NFS.html\">National Forests<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/NP\/NP.html\">National Park<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/lodge\/cabins.html\">Rather book a Cabin?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/camp-comforts\/\"><b>camp comforts!<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li type=\"disc\"><i>tent heaters<\/i><\/li>\n<li type=\"disc\"><i>zero degree bags<\/i><\/li>\n<li type=\"disc\"><i>good clothing<\/i><\/li>\n<li type=\"disc\"><i>lotsa firewood<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-349 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/metalring_i.jpg\" alt=\"metal fire ring\" width=\"150\" height=\"204\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/campstuff\/SP\/anza.html\">Anza Borrego State Park<\/a> allows you to camp along nearly any dirt back road, but requires that you use a metal fire ring to protect the soils &amp; sandy washes from unsightly black ashes &amp; coals.<\/p>\n<p>A metal bucket like this can be found at your local hardware store. Old washing machine tubs work well too.<\/p>\n<h2><b><span style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: small;\">real heat:<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/active\/camp\/firewood.html\"><b>Firewood Dealers<\/b><\/a> all over California can sell you a way better deal than those grocery store bundles.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure to bring more firewood than you think you may need. It&#8217;s better to have more than enough than to be wishing you had more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/camp-comforts\/\"><b>Tent Heaters<\/b><\/a> are the latest great idea to keep you super toasty even inside your tent. Not intended for overnight use. Shut it off before you go to sleep.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.net\/shop\/outdoor-gear\/camp-comforts\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-348 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/mrheater.jpg\" alt=\"mrheater\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Camping isn&#8217;t only a summer time thing. In California, it can be enjoyed all year long &#8211; if you have the right gear to enjoy yourself. The deserts alone are prime destinations for your winter vacation OUT of DOORS. Star gazing is great &amp; Back Road exploration is a great way to use that SUV. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/winter-camping\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Winter Camping<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,15],"tags":[88,10,131,179,177,183,184,182,14,180,185,186,176,187,178,181,175],"class_list":["post-329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-camp","category-outdoors","tag-4x4","tag-california","tag-camp","tag-cold","tag-deserts","tag-frost","tag-frozen","tag-ice","tag-outdoors","tag-rain","tag-sierra","tag-ski","tag-snow","tag-snow-shoe","tag-socal","tag-weather","tag-winter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=329"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":973,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329\/revisions\/973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalescape.com\/journey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}