The 5 most frequently asked questions about winter camping with a mini camper
This blog was written by Mieke. Even in winter. Based on her own experience, she shares how comfortable, peaceful and surprisingly enjoyable winter camping with a mini camper can be. Winter camping? With a mini camper? It’s a question we hear often at Vanomobil. Yet more and more campers are discovering how pleasant and perfectly feasible winter camping is, even at freezing temperatures. Mieke, a Vanomobil customer who has been travelling year-round with her mini camper for several years, answers the most frequently asked questions below and debunks a few persistent myths.
1. Isn’t it too cold to camp in winter?
No, not at all – not even in freezing temperatures. One of the biggest advantages of a mini camper is its compact size. The smaller space heats up quickly, creating a pleasant indoor temperature. If the diesel heating is not enough for you, you can always connect an additional electric heater when hooked up to campsite power, making the interior cosy and warm in no time. Perfect for quiet evenings, relaxed mornings and a comfortable breakfast. Just be sure to check the available amperage so you don’t trip the campsite fuse. Combine this with a good sleeping bag and a few warm blankets, and you’ll sleep surprisingly well – without thermal underwear or a hat. Winter campsites usually provide heated sanitary facilities and a warm shower.
2. Are campsites actually open in winter?
Yes. More and more campsites stay open during the winter months. While many campsites traditionally close between autumn and Easter, the number of winter campsites in Belgium, the Netherlands and the Ardennes is growing every year. In winter, you often choose your destination based on which campsites are open first. From there, you discover what the region has to offer – a calm and relaxed way of travelling.
These are my favourites:
- Roompot Camping in The Hague
- Camping Ons Buiten in Zeeland
- Domaine de Dieupart in the Ardennes.
3. Aren’t the days too short for camping?
The days are shorter, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean you enjoy less – just differently. During the day there is still plenty of light to go for walks, experience the winter landscape or take photos. And when darkness falls early, the real camper feeling begins.
That’s the perfect time for:
- A good book
- Board games
- Hot drinks
- And… campfires.
At almost all the places where we camped in winter, it was possible to get a fire basket with wood and light a campfire by the river. And let’s be honest: a campfire next to your van by a gently flowing stream – that’s pure camping romance.
4. Isn’t it too quiet on campsites in winter?
That depends on what you’re looking for. If you love crowds and social activities, winter might not be your season. But if you’re looking for peace, space and nature, winter camping is ideal. On winter campsites you often camp with only a few others, enjoy extra privacy and don’t have to queue for the sanitary facilities. And another advantage that shouldn’t be underestimated: no mosquitoes or other annoying insects.
5. Is there enough to do in winter?
Absolutely. In winter, you experience nature in a completely different way. During a recent trip to the Ardennes, we unexpectedly had snow, even though it wasn’t forecast. Yes, the flip-flops I had left outside were completely snowed in. The snow covered the trees and hiking paths, creating a stunning, almost magical view. Naturally, that’s the perfect moment for photography or simply enjoying the silence in places that attract crowds in summer. And while many museums, attractions and even restaurants in tourist areas used to close completely in winter, this is happening less and less, allowing you to explore all year round.
Winter camping through the eyes of a Vanomobil customer
Winter camping with a mini camper or compact camper van is perfectly possible and surprisingly comfortable. And the most important argument of all: this is the time of year to benefit from low-season prices almost everywhere. Want to know how to prepare your camper for winter? Discover three tips to enjoy worry-free camper trips in winter. At Vanomobil, we’re happy to help you – in every season. Follow the adventures of Mieke, her husband, her daughter and their mini camper via @miekedeclercqrsl.
