Most people associate RV camping with long, hot summers filled with campfires, swimming pools and fishing. However, you can also enjoy all that makes winter fun while camping in an RV. Maine has long snow-filled winters and 33,125 square miles to explore, plenty to keep your family active even in the cold winter months.
Campgrounds
A vast majority of the 147 RV campgrounds listed through the Good Sam Club, one of the most popular RV clubs in the world, are closed for the winter in Maine. Most RV parks close sometime in the latter half of October because of Maine’s bitter cold weather that sets in around that time.
This leaves only a handful of RV campgrounds that remain open through the winter. A few that are open include Stony Brook Recreation and Camping, Moose River Campground and Cabins, Greenwood Acres Campground and Katahdin Shadows Campground. Prices range from $25 to $30 a night as of 2010, and all of them offer hookups, laundry facilities, firewood, restrooms and showers.
Winterize the RV
Considering the state of Maine’s average temperature in the winter is 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is a fair assessment to say it gets quite cold. Winterizing your RV to withstand the temperatures and keep you warm is essential.
Pipes that bring fresh water into the cabin should be protected from freezing and exposed water tanks might need to be treated with anti-freeze to prevent freezing over.
Invest in thermal curtains to cover the windows and add an extra layer of insulation in front of the door. Use the heater to keep the RV warm instead of the ovens and stove range, which pose a health hazard when used incorrectly.
Cross-Country
There are many activities to stay warm and active while enjoying the winter cold. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular pastimes in the abundant Maine snow.
More than 400 miles of maintained trails for every level of fitness cross the state, offering a chance to explore the forests, meadows and even the seashore. Afterward, you can head back to your RV or a local inn for a warm cup of cocoa and a hot meal.
Alpine Sports
Well-known for its snowy mountain peaks, Maine is the perfect destination for popular sports such as Alpine or downhill skiing and snowboarding. Skiing for every level of ability is offered, with resorts offering lessons and practice hills like most ski resorts.
Maine boasts some of the most challenging slopes in the New England area, and many are recommended only for the more-experienced skier. Many resorts offer cafes and restaurants to warm-up and fill up in between bursts of high activity, which will you keep you active longer.
Warning
Stay healthy while RV camping in Maine during the winter by knowing how to prevent and treat hypothermia. The government of Maine gives some tips on its website on how to stay warm during the harsh winter.
For example, it recommends wearing a hat when outdoors as nearly a third of body heat is lost through the head, dressing in layers and wearing a scarf and gloves or mittens.
It also recommends to “keep active when it’s cold, but not to the point where you’re sweating. Keep dry and change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.”
Following these guidelines will help you stay healthy and warm while you enjoy your RV vacation.
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