Here are the coldest states vs. states with the least snow and what to expect from each.
The United States is one of the largest countries in the world with a landmass of approximately 3.8 million square miles. The great thing about living in a country that is so big is that there is a lot to see and do.
In fact, we have 423 national parks and over 6,600 state parks alone!
Some of those parks are in temperate areas but some of the most popular, like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, can have extreme weather.
While some may enjoy the cold, we know many of us plan around it. So, I thought it’d be helpful to list the coldest states as well as the states that get the least snow.
That way, whether you’re a snow bunny or a snowbird, you know where to go!
The Coldest States vs. States with the Least Snow
If you’re a snow bunny, then this first list will point you where you need to go to get your snow fix.
If you’re a snowbird, you’ll want to migrate south through this list and to the next list of states with the least snow.
The Coldest States
Whether you love or despise cold weather, here is a list of the 7 coldest states in America:
7. Vermont
6. Montana
5. Wyoming
4. Minnesota
3. Maine
2. North Dakota
1. Alaska
And here is what you can expect from each of the above states:
7. Vermont
Vermont takes the seventh spot for the coldest state in America. In its coldest month, January, you can expect an average temperature of around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has an annual snowfall of 86 inches, which is quite above the national average of 28 inches.
You can enjoy many snow-based activities in Vermont, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowboarding, and skiing.
6. Montana
Montana is known for its gorgeous open space.
It can also get bitterly cold during winter. In 2019, Montana had temperatures of 30 degrees Fahrenheit below its average, including 11 days and 24 nights of temperatures below zero. Talk about chilly!
In contrast, Montana can have some hot days during summer. They can get to nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest months!
5. Wyoming
Wyoming takes the fifth coldest state spot due, in part, to its landscape. The state is landlocked, and largely covered by the Rocky Mountain range. The other land is mostly Prairie Highlands.
Most of the winter is chilly, with lows dipping below zero. The summer can occasionally reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the lowlands.
4. Minnesota
Minnesota experiences cold and icy winters. Some of that is due to its proximity to Lake Superior.
In winter, parts of Minnesota can get as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit! However, in the summer months, it can reach temperatures in the 90s!
3. Maine
Maine winters are bone-chillingly frigid! Winter temperatures are usually between 0 – 32 degrees Fahrenheit, with little sun for days at a time.
In January, you can- usually only count on seeing the sun for 15 days of the month. You can also expect up to 75 inches of snow during the season!
The summer months are often temperate, hovering around 70-degrees when the sun is out.
2. North Dakota
Since North Dakota is 1,000 miles from the nearest large body of water and has a complex geography, it can see extreme temperatures.
The winter months often dip to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Blizzards and whiteout conditions can make winter in North Dakota dark and unsafe.
In the summer months, North Dakota can average in the mid-to-high 70s.
1. Alaska
It is probably no surprise that Alaska is America’s coldest state. In January, the temperature can range from -30 degrees Fahrenheit to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrr!
The winters are also pretty dark, with the month of January only seeing about three hours of sunlight each day.
The summer is probably a more enjoyable (and safer!) time to visit. In July, the temperatures are much more temperate, and can even reach the 90s! The coast has more moderate temperatures.
If Alaska is on your bucket list, check out these 7 Helpful Alaska Travel Tips for RVers.
Come on over and see what we have for your next RV Lifestyle adventure!
States with the Least Snow
If those cold states do not sound appealing to you (especially in winter!), then head to these warmer spots for your next RV trip.
The following states are the ones that receive the least amount of snow in America:
6. Georgia
5. Mississippi
4. Alabama
3. Louisiana
2. Florida
1. Hawaii
These states offer up more hassle-free travel than ones impacted by often-frigid winters. When planning your next getaway, these have the least amount of snow to ruin your travel plans.
6. Georgia
If you visit central and southern Georgia, you can expect less than one inch of snow per year. There may be more snow in parts of northern Georgia due to its proximity to the Northeastern Mountain region.
5. Mississippi
If snow is not your thing, then Mississippi may be the state for you! If you visit the Gulf Coast or southern areas of Mississippi, you will likely see less than half an inch of snow or less in an entire winter season!
Some spots in northern Mississippi can get up to as much as two inches of snow, but it is infrequent.
4. Alabama
Visit Alabama’s Gulf Coast and southern regions to escape the cold, fluffy white stuff. Most of the cities in those areas average less than .2 inches per year!
However, in the northern part of the state, there are some areas that see up to 13 inches of snowfall!
3. Louisiana
Most of Louisiana is considered snow-free, with a low average snowfall of an inch or less. Many cities remain temperate in the winter, hovering around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Those temperatures often draw many winter crowds for their most popular event: Mardi Gras!
2. Florida
Did you know that it has only snowed 16 times in the entire 21st century in the state of Florida? Temperatures in Florida do not drop low enough to experience snow, so its annual average snowfall is zero!
The average winter high stays right around the mid-60s, which is why it has so much appeal to snowbirds!
1. Hawaii
Surprisingly, Hawaii does get snow! And some of the higher peaks can get blizzards! And back in 2016 Mauna Kea got two feet worth.
But, the state’s annual snowfall is right around non-existent normally. Its average temperature usually sits at around the high 80s and lows in the upper 60s. You might not be able to get your RV there, but we can dream.
Which state is your favorite?
If you could only pick one state which one would you pick? A snowy one? Tell us in the comments.
In the meantime, if you are thinking of traveling to Florida – look what we created for you!
Florida RV Adventure for Snowbirds
Mike and Jennifer's Favorite Places in Florida – all 3 ebooks!
We RVers may wander far and wide but it’s true for most of us that we end up with some favorite “Go-To” places – places that draw us back again and again.
Florida is one of those places for us. And we know it is for many RVers looking to get away and explore during the winter.
That's why we've created three guides, covering Florida's Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Keys.
Each of these guides is a seven-day guided exploration of one of the coasts. And each stop is a curated view of the best things that we’ve enjoyed on this trip and want you to experience.
Altogether these guides are over 300 pages of content!
FAQ's about Florida Gulf Coast beaches of interest to RVers
What is the weather like along Florida's Gulf Coast?
The weather along Florida's Gulf Coast can vary depending on the time of year and the specific location. In general, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters.
The Panhandle region can be quite cool in January. It is seldom below freezing, but daytime highs are typically in the 50s. It warms up about 10 degrees each month.
You can also generally add about 10 degrees for every 150 miles you travel south down the Florida peninsula.
By the time you hit Naples, daytime highs in January are in the comfortable 70s.
Did Hurricane Ian destroy many beach campgrounds on the Gulf Coast?
While it severely damaged almost two dozen RV parks and campgrounds, about 8-10 campgrounds in the Naples-Ft. Myers area were completely destroyed. Most of the damaged campgrounds have been repaired and reopened.
Check with the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds if you have questions or concerns.
Are there any websites that can help me get a reservation for a Florida beach campground?
One of the best resources we can recommend is called Campnab. This service monitors parks for cancelations and sends you an alert when an opening matches your criteria. That said, it isn’t magic. The app doesn’t create availabilities.
The service works – but it is not free.
Campnab offers two ways to use the service. The first is individual pay-per-use scans. These watch for vacancies at a specific park for a specific date. These work well if you know exactly when and where you intend to camp. Pay-per-use scans cost $10 – $20, depending on how frequently you want them to check availability.
The second way to use the service is through a membership. These typically run monthly and are tailored to those who camp more frequently or are looking to maximize their chance of finding a site. Membership allows you to scan multiple parks and/or dates simultaneously. With memberships, you pay a monthly recurring fee ($10, $20, $30, or $50), depending on your needs.
Are there places in Florida where you can literally camp on the beach for free?
Not many. And they are very pricey. If you want to sleep directly on the sand in an RV, you'll have to stay at a developed commercial campground like Camp Gulf on the Emerald Coast or an RV resort like Big Pine Key Resort in the keys. Some state parks like the Gamble Rogers State Memorial Recreation Area in the Atlantic Coast or Bahia Honda State Park in the keys or Fort Desto State Park near St. Petersburg have beachside sites, too.
But are there free, unrestricted RV beach camping spots in Florida?
Sorry, none that I know of that would work for RVs.
There is unrestricted camping on wild beaches on a couple of islands, but you need a boat to get there, and it is for tent camping only. If you want to sleep directly on the sand, there is Anclote Key offshore Tarpon Springs, and Shell Key in Pinellas County. Another favorite is Keewaydin Island between Naples and Marco Island but that area remains pretty devasted from Hurricane Ian.
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