Seniors who pack their bags and head south for the winter are called “snowbirds”…and where they travel by car or RV can be trendsetting.
“Snowbird states” that are the most popular include Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas. (Of course, any state further south than where you live can provide seemingly more comfortable temperatures!)
Here are our picks for senior snowbird destinations in each state:
Arizona
If you’re an RVer head for little-known Oatman, Arizona in the northwestern part of the state. Visting Oatman will keep you warm as you travel back in time to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when gold mining was a booming industry and the Wild West was indeed very wild. The remote small town is similar to better-known Virginia City. Spend a few days exploring and then head to nearby Laughlin, Nevada, a gaming destination.
California
Palm Springs is a popular senior snowbird destination for its desert surroundings. The city is an excellent place to kick off exploration throughout California’s Coachella Valley, including another popular resort town, Palm Desert. If you’re a senior snowbird on a tight budget you can also park an RV at “Slab City”, an inexpensive option that still puts you in the warm desert.
Florida
Sunny Florida is a well-known senior snowbird destination because of all the recreation choices. RVers will find the least expensive parking in the Space Coast, the Florida area surrounding the Kennedy Space Center. Enjoy golf, fishing, nature walks, and gambling on the nearby casino ships. Don’t forget to tour NASA while you’re there, too!
Nevada
Bustling Ely, Nevada in the eastern part of the state is the destination for a senior snowbird who enjoys trains. The Nevada Northern Railways passes through here and home of the Ely is the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum. In January Ely hosts the annual Fire and Ice Show… a mix of ice sculptures and fireworks!
New Mexico
Senior snowbirds in-the-know use the word “Christmas” when ordering in some of New Mexico’s Mexican restaurants. The codeword indicates that you’d like a mix of both red and green chili sauce. Travel to the city of Truth and Consequences (or, “T and C” as the locals call it). “T and C” is adjacent to the state’s largest lake in Elephant Butte Park. Elephant Butte’s name is almost as memorable as the nearby hot mineral baths and museums!
South Carolina
Many senior snowbirds like to warm up on South Carolina’s Kiawah Island. This island is a great place to enjoy the beach and its wildlife. RVers should be prepared to park their RV in nearby Charleston and enjoy that city, too.
Texas
The Rio Grande Valley isn’t a Valley (it’s actually a delta floodplain), but, a great destination for senior snowbirds. The Valley, as it’s casually known, is located at the southernmost tip of the state. In addition to the warm weather there are several state and national parks nearby such as Port Isabel Lighthouse, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, Mexico is just a short drive away!
