I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves going camping and glamping here are 9 of the most beautiful places to visit in the winter

For people like me who love the outdoors, this can be the best season to explore. I've lived in California for more than a decade, including in the San Francisco Bay Area, on the Central Coast, and in Los Angeles — and in my experience, popular destinations both in my state and around the country are often more peaceful and less packed around the holidays, and I'm able to enjoy beautiful winter landscapes without the crowds of warmer seasons.

Here are nine destinations I love as an avid hiker, camper, and glamper across the US that boast ample winter sports, scenery, and accommodations to enjoy the great outdoors in winter.

Northern California is seemingly blessed with everything from vineyards to magical forests with ample hiking, biking, and forest bathing opportunities. While Sonoma County is most known for being wine country, the region is also overflowing with glamping opportunities amongst the lush forests and vineyards. I lived in Northern California for eight years, so I believe there are tons of spots to explore in any season that are oftentimes underrated.

I suggest visitors spend the night glamping at AutoCamp Russian River, where you'll be nestled within a grove of California's stately redwood trees. It feels like an incredibly peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area, just 45 minutes north of the city. Or half an hour East, stay at Safari West, where you can sleep in a real safari tent imported from Botswana on a 400-acre wildlife reserve that's home to hundreds of animals like tortoises and giraffes.

There's also nearby Sonoma Treehouse Adventures, which offers an off-the-grid experience combining ziplining, hiking, and staying in a private treehouse, with glamping perks like dinner and breakfast delivered to your door. I think this makes for an especially great trip for the holidays because on the first three weekends of December, they have festive-themed ziplining flights with string lights illuminating the forest, hot chocolate and cider, music, and of course, Santa and his elves.

For self-guided hikes, I recommend going to Jack London State Historic Park — in the fall, the park's black oaks and big-leaf maples are exceptionally gorgeous in an array of vibrant colors.

In Mesa County, Colorado, on the state's western border with Utah and home to Grand Junction, you'll experience a very different climate than most of the mountainous regions of this mile-high state.

That's because Grand Junction is located in a large area of high desert land, which means the fall and winter seasons are generally cold and dry with lighter snowfall than other parts of Colorado. I think this climate makes for great hiking and outdoor exploration opportunities in the winter. The region is also home to the stunning Colorado National Monument, which I think is one of the most underrated national landmarks since not as many people know to go there — but it's incredibly beautiful.

If you're looking for a spot to pull up your own RV, or rent an Airstream or cabin, I recommend Camp Eddy in Grand Junction since it's right next to the Colorado River in Las Colonias Park, a fantastic location on the water, which means you'll have access to the bustling downtown area of Grand Junction and still be surrounded by the tranquility and nature of the park.

For a mountain-biking adventure, head 25 minutes west to the town of Palisade to spend time at the base of the Palisade Plunge, a challenging mountain bike trail, and stay at Palisade Basecamp RV Resort. Here, there's a selection of cabins, RV Sites, and riverside tent camping spots nestled among fruit orchards.

In addition to its beautiful, rugged scenery, Palisade is also known as Colorado Wine Country, so you can squeeze wine-tasting excursions in between hiking days. I love wine tasting and exploring local breweries, and this destination is known for offering a fun mix of both.

I love to visit the Greater Zion region of Utah for cold-weather camping and glamping, since it has easy access for hiking and exploring the state parks. This destination can be very busy in the spring and summer but is just as stunning of a hiking location in the cold season.

Zion National Park is always a fantastic choice for adventures, but if you want a more intimate hiking experience, there are four state parks in Greater Zion that are often overshadowed by the national park, and each of them offer unique forms of outdoor recreation. My personal favorite of the four is Snow Canyon State Park, which is affectionately referred to as "Zion National Park's little brother." It's usually passed over by tourists due to its proximity to Zion. I think it's an absolutely gorgeous spot to visit for a day trip, and often less crowded.

Here, I like to hike and explore natural landmarks like slot canyons, lava tubes, and stunning sandstone rocks. There are also several sites where you can see petroglyphs, which are ancient Native American drawings carved into the rock walls.

Zion is also great for star-gazing — the landscape is open and there's little light pollution since the parks are dark, so you can see a ton of stars. I recommend staying at Open Sky, a property that has luxurious, safari-style tents with full bathrooms, plus an on-site restaurant. Or, check out Zion White Bison, a glamping property just a few miles from the entrance of Zion National Park, for an out-of-the-box stay in a covered wagon, tepee, or cliff dwelling.

I think the Catskills region of New York looks like an especially magical place in the cold season. It's on my bucket list to ski here, since I've heard it's a really fun spot to hit the slopes due to its diverse range of trails and terrain. Plus, I know it'd put me in the holiday spirit to see how the mountains and trees transform into a sparkling, peaceful white after it snows.

The Catskills is also home to several ski resorts and plentiful trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, well-suited for experts and beginners alike.

For a forest retreat, spend the night at Urban Cowboy, a 68-acre property and boutique lodge with rustic rooms that have private outdoor decks and striking decor. Most of the suites have outdoor cedar soaking tubs, and there's also a standalone cabin and chalet that can accommodate larger groups. The lodge is just a five-minute drive from the famous Belleayre Mountain for skiing, and also nearby Plattekill Mountain, a mountain that can be privately rented for a one-of-a-kind splurge.

For glamping, check out the Catskills location of AutoCamp, which has easy access to neighboring historic towns like Woodstock and Saugerties, both great for a leisurely stroll, as well as hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing on nearby Hunter Mountain.

Friday Harbor is a charming seaside village located on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, and I think it makes for a beautiful Pacific Northwest escape with an abundance of outdoorsy winter activities.

Hiking in particular is exceptional here, in my opinion. One of my favorite hikes is Jakle's Lagoon & Mt. Finlayson just outside of town — it's an easy, 300-foot forest loop hike traveling to the top of Mt. Finlayson, which is the highest point on San Juan's south end, with beautiful views of Cattle Point Lighthouse and nearby Lopez Island.

After hiking, I also think this is a special place to spend some time on the water. Here, you can go whale watching for wild orcas that live in the San Juan Islands year-round, or rent kayaks for a self-steered adventure or a guided tour.

Friday Harbor also has plenty to do for a leisurely day in town, with local shops, a sculpture park, and several museums.

For visitors who want to be more immersed in nature, I recommend spending the night at Lakedale, a camping and glamping retreat just outside of town. Choose between rooms at the main lodge, log cabins, lakeside canvas cottages, or glamorous outdoor yurts with a full bathroom and private hot tub.

Lakedale also has RV sites, which include electrical and water hook-ups, and the property has November through January specials for three-night minimum stays.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to me, there are seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor adventures in winter. There are skiing and snowboarding trails, snowshoeing in Teton Pass and Grand Teton National Park, and snowmobiling trails where you can catch a glimpse of local wildlife. For a romantic excursion, I think the sleigh ride adventures via horse-drawn sleighs are particularly dreamy.

In downtown Jackson, I like to warm up with hearty fare from local restaurants and snap a photo with one of the famous arches in Town Square, which are fashioned from shed elk antlers collected by the nearby National Elk Refuge.

For skiing, I recommend Snow King Mountain, which offers single and multi-day passes, plus equipment rentals, as well as overnight lodging at the Snow King Resort. This year, the resort is also opening an on-site spa for rest and rejuvenation services après-ski.

About a 15-minute drive from Jackson, spend the night indoors at Fireside Resort, a collection of quaint, tiny-house cabins outfitted with kitchenettes, full bathrooms, and outdoor fire pits. Or for a more secluded glamping option, book a small glamping tent at Moose Creek Ranch, a property just 35 minutes across the border in Idaho. The glamping tents don't have running or water, but there is a shared bathroom and shower room just a quick walk away. The ranch also has more modern accommodation options including an Airstreams, rooms in the main lodge, and private cabins. All ranch winter guests are also given complimentary cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals.

In winter, I think a trip to Taos, New Mexico, is a wise choice to play at Taos Ski Valley and enjoy numerous outdoor snow sports. In addition to epic skiing and snowboarding opportunities, check out the Enchanted Forest cross-country ski area, or try a guided snowmobile tour.

Here, I recommend staying outside of town to enjoy the full wonder of the empty desert and star-soaked skies. Hotel Luna Mystica has vintage trailer lodgings set on a mystical campground on the Taos Mesa, eight miles from town. Each trailer is uniquely decorated and has amenities like a personal deck, indoor bathroom, and kitchen.

Also outside of town is the secluded Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, where you can choose from a variety of suites or private vintage trailers, and soak in the onsite hot springs. The resort has yoga classes, guided hiking and biking excursions, and onsite hot springs to soak away the winter chill.

I love a winter getaway, but not every trip needs to be somewhere cold. Beach enthusiasts like me will also love a winter glamping trip on the southern end of California's central coast — I recommend making your base in either Santa Barbara or Ventura because the weather is warm and sunny all year round.

For ocean-adjacent accommodations, I recommend staying at Waypoint Ventura — a collection of restored vintage trailers near the Ventura Pier, one of California's oldest wooden piers that dates back to 1872. Up in the nearby hills, follow my lead and get some steps in with an easy hike to the Ventura Botanical Gardens, and enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and coastline.

A bit further south, I think another solid choice for glamping is at El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara. The nature resort has cabins and yurts, and an on-site llama farm and hiking trails in the surrounding 300 acres of land. It feels like it's perfectly perched between Gaviota and the city of Santa Barbara, meaning easy access to both rural and urban adventures.

Trek north and explore the intriguing wind caves and under-the-radar beach at Gaviota State Park. For a leisurely outing, head south and spend the day in town exploring Santa Barbara's buzzy State Street Promenade, or wander down Stearns Wharf, which is surrounded by the beautiful sands of East Beach and West Beach.

Fall and winter in The Great Smoky Mountains on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee is a special time for exploring. Go in the fall for vibrant scenery with changing leaves, and in the winter for traditionally fewer crowds and plentiful snow activities.

I recommend setting your home base as Bryson City, North Carolina, a quaint mountain town nestled into the iconic mountain range, which is a central starting point to explore all of the nearby nature.

Once there, I recommend taking a four-hour ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which weaves through tunnels, across rivers and lakes, through mountain valleys and into a deep river gorge — there's even a special "Polar Express" themed train in the winter. Choose from a plethora of hiking trails to get your fresh air fix, or embark on a scenic drive through the mountains.

In Bryson City, stroll down Everett Street and Main Street to browse local shops and admire murals and vibrantly painted trout sculptures. I love the way small mountain towns like this one feel like a tight-knit community and how locals are welcoming to visitors like me looking to spend time getting cozy in fall and winter.

Spend the night at Gina's Great Getaways, a vacation rental property that has a range of accommodations from quaint tiny homes to log cabins, a vintage camper, and even an old-fashioned farmhouse.

Nearby, there's also Gorgeous Stays — a glampground in the Nantahala Gorge with a fun selection of tiny houses, glamping tents, and a refurbished school bus. Although I didn't stay here, the idea of spending a night in a revamped vintage school bus sounds so cool to me.

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