Where to Celebrate National Hiking and Camping Days
Although lesser-known than that other national holiday in November, these two holidays make for a great excuse for a getaway: National Hiking Day falls on today, November 17th, and is closely followed by National Camp Day on November 19th. Even though fall, spring, and summer seem to get all the attention when it comes to camping and hiking, the winter can be just a magical time to plan your next outdoor adventure—don't let the impending cold weather keep you from the fun.
"There’s a special kind of joy in embracing the outdoors, in being active and playful, and yes, even in getting a little muddy,” Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds, says. “Our philosophy is to ‘Take Your Indoors Outdoors,’ encouraging everyone to step out of their comfort zones, to exchange screens for nature scenes and to embrace the outdoors, especially as the seasons change. It’s not about retreating indoors as winter approaches, but about celebrating each moment under the open sky.”
While many top hiking and camping spots close during the winter season, nine of the Spacious Skies campgrounds are open during the winter. Plus, they are all located near parks and outdoorsy attractions so campers can explore each destination in a variety of ways. In honor of National Hiking Day and National Camp Day, here are a few places to get outdoors and enjoy this season.
French Pond (Henniker, New Hampshire)
Hit the slopes at Mt. Sunapee Ski Resort. Beloved by area skiers for more than 75 years, Mt. Sunapee Ski Resort is also a state park. “Sunapee” is an Algonquian Indian word that means “Goose Lake,” and the ski area is indeed known for giving visitors goosebumps, with some epic expert runs and four terrain parks in addition to family-friendly beginner and intermediate runs. Spacious Skies French Pond features RV sites year-round as well as glamping options including retro RV rentals and a secluded one-bedroom cottage during the milder seasons.
Belle Ridge (Monterey, Tennessee)

At Belle Ridge pack up your daypack and walk right out of your RV or glamping cabin to on-site trails that lead to backcountry waterfalls, overlooks, caves and a catch-and-release fishing pond. And if you don’t get dirty enough after exploring these on-site options, head to nearby Cummins Falls State Park, a rugged 306-acre park situated on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River on the Eastern Highland Rim. Sparsely visited in the winter, this scenic destination is home to the 75-foot-high Cummins Falls, the eighth largest waterfall in the state of Tennessee. In addition to RV sites, Spacious Skies Belle Ridge features lodging options like glamping cabins, luxury cabins and a vacation house for groups of up to 12 campers.
Country Oaks (Dorothy, New Jersey)
Break out your binoculars and head to Spacious Skies Country Oaks, a wooded oasis in the southern New Jersey countryside about an hour from Philadelphia and less than 40 minutes from the famed boardwalk of Atlantic City. The campground is close to wildlife management areas and hiking trails and near rivers and lakes in a region that is acclaimed for its birdwatching opportunities.
Shenandoah Views (Luray, Virginia)

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and close to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views offers access to numerous hiking trails such as the Bearfence Mountain Trail. This short but rugged hike leads to some of the best views in the park, but to get to them you’ll need to scramble over rocks. In addition to RV sites, Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views features glamping yurts and deluxe cabins in the spring, summer and fall.
Hidden Creek (Marion, North Carolina)
Spacious Skies Hidden Creek is just a short distance from the Linville Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of North Carolina. This wild and rugged destination features elevations of 3,400 feet along the rim, and hikers will find the terrain is steep and challenging. In addition to RV sites, the campground – which has recently completed major enhancements – features 17 deluxe one- and two-bedroom cabins.
Sandy Run (Fayetteville, North Carolina)

Near this delightfully scenic campground is the J.Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center, a natural woodland area that is dedicated to preserving the environment and providing educational information about its wildlife and plants. The park features meandering paved and unpaved trails that lead to one of the highest waterfalls in the coastal plain as well as secluded picnic areas and live animal viewing areas. The Sandy Run campground is especially popular among snowbirds heading south in the fall because of its easy access from major highways. Look for the campground’s colorful mural, created by Carolina artist Christine Crawford. The mural aptly features the Spacious Skies Campgrounds slogan, “Take Your Indoors Outdoors” and it often is the colorful backdrop for camper photos.
Savannah Oaks (Savannah, Georgia)
The southernmost campground in the Spacious Skies collection, Savannah Oaks is close to the Okefenokee Swamp Park, with boat tours, interactive exhibits and animal encounters, hiking trails and the Okefenokee National Park Wildlife Refuge. The campground is located just steps from the Ogeechee River west of the historic city of Savannah.
Peach Haven (Gaffney, South Carolina)
Nestled among the rolling hills of South Carolina’s Upstate, Spacious Skies Peach Haven features on-site hiking trails and easy access to attractions such as the Hollywild Animal Preserve. The preserve is home to nearly 300 endangered, wild and domesticated animals that roam through the park’s 100-acre preserve with pastures, water features and plentiful wooded areas.
Bear Den (Spruce Pine, North Carolina )

Located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Pisgah National Forest, Bear Den campers need not travel far to get out in nature. The campground includes some 13 miles of hiking trails, an on-site lake with a beach and a 50-foot waterfall. Just a short drive from the campground is Mount Mitchell State Park, featuring the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The park offers trails to the summit, at 6,684, as well as a network of more challenging trails such as the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. In addition to RV sites during the winter, campers can stay in on-site cabins come spring, summer and fall.