Sometimes the journeys we dream about are just as enjoyable as the ones we take. And sometimes, those dreams become tomorrow’s Cooper Shortcut.
By now, I would imagine most folks who plan to escape the cold have already decided where they will spend the coming winter. Some are probably making their way south as I write this, while others are counting the days until they can trade snow shovels for beach chairs.
We’ve made our decision, too.
Michigan!
Not exactly what we had in mind, but Michigan it is.
You see, Vicky and I still have responsibilities here at home that prevent us from becoming full-fledged snowbirds. We’re not quite ready to pack up the fifth wheel in November, point Silver south, and spend the winter somewhere the only ice we encounter is floating in our glass.
That day may come. At least, we certainly hope so.
Until then, we have developed what might be considered a rather unusual approach to RV travel. We head south in the spring, spend much of our traveling season exploring, and return to Michigan sometime around October or November-ish, just in time for winter.
Yes, we know. We have it backward!
While other RVers are heading south to escape the cold, we’re coming home to greet it.
But there is something enjoyable about our annual discussions concerning where we might spend a winter someday. We sit together, talk about possibilities, look at campgrounds, and imagine what life might be like spending a few months somewhere warmer.
And those conversations aren’t wasted. Quite often, the places we discuss become destinations during our regular traveling season.
So, even when our winter plans don’t work out, we usually manage to find another Cooper Shortcut somewhere along the way.
Why North Carolina Keeps Calling Us Back
North Carolina has become one of our favorite states, and not simply because of its beautiful scenery.
We have children and grandchildren living there, which gives us a pretty good excuse to return again and again. Not that we really need an excuse.
Our travels have taken us through the Great Smoky Mountains on numerous occasions. We’ve enjoyed the mountain roads, the small communities, the changing seasons, and those magnificent views that make you want to pull over just one more time.
Summertime in the mountains is wonderful.
Winter, however, presents a different opportunity.
Rather than spending several months in the higher elevations, where freezing temperatures and occasional snow can make RV living a little more challenging, we started looking toward the North Carolina coast.
Our one important requirement?
We wanted to be near the water.
Not necessarily sitting directly on the Atlantic Ocean, although I wouldn’t complain about that. A quiet campground overlooking a sound, a fishing pier within walking distance, or a place where we could watch the sun settle over the water would suit us just fine.
I can picture the two of us sitting outside with our morning coffee, enjoying the sound of shorebirds instead of listening to the furnace running.
Of course, we would have to bring a jacket.
After all, North Carolina isn’t Florida.
Trading Michigan Snow for the Crystal Coast
THE SOUTHERN OUTER BANKS
The more we talked, the more our attention turned toward North Carolina’s Crystal Coast.
Stretching along the southern Outer Banks, this part of the state includes Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, and nearby waterfront communities such as Morehead City and Beaufort.
It offers something that appeals to us more than a busy winter resort filled with activities from morning until evening.
A slower pace.
Imagine taking an afternoon walk along the beach without having to weave between hundreds of beach umbrellas. Or visiting a waterfront restaurant where the conversation is just as enjoyable as the meal.
Perhaps we would spend a morning wandering through historic Beaufort, followed by an afternoon exploring Fort Macon State Park. Another day might find us driving along Emerald Isle, stopping whenever something catches our attention.
No particular schedule. No rush to get somewhere.
Now that sounds like our kind of winter.
Winter temperatures along the Crystal Coast are generally milder than what we experience back home. Afternoon temperatures often reach the 50s, and occasionally the 60s, although colder days are certainly possible.
The ocean doesn’t suddenly become warm, and a brisk wind off the Atlantic can remind you that it is still January.
But I’ll take a chilly walk along the beach over scraping ice off the truck windshield any day.
The Brunswick Islands farther south also caught our attention. Communities around Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Holden Beach offer another appealing stretch of coastline, with peaceful winter beaches and opportunities to explore.
For this particular dream, however, we kept returning to the Crystal Coast.
And one campground kept finding its way to the top of our conversation.
Water’s Edge RV Park: Our First Choice
There’s something about a smaller campground that appeals to us, especially when we’re considering staying somewhere for several months.
Water’s Edge RV Park sits along Highway 24 in Newport, overlooking Bogue Sound.
With approximately 89 RV sites, it’s considerably smaller than many of the large coastal resorts.
That caught our attention immediately.
We’re not looking for a campground where every day resembles a summer festival. We enjoy visiting with fellow campers, sharing stories, and getting to know the people around us.
A smaller campground with a mixture of travelers and extended-stay residents seems like a wonderful place to develop those friendships.
Water’s Edge offers full-hookup sites with water, sewer, and electrical service, including 50-amp connections. Its gravel sites and paved campground roads are particularly appealing when considering a longer stay.
Our Rogue Armored fifth wheel is 45 feet long, and when you’re traveling with a rig that size, you quickly learn that the words RV friendly don’t necessarily mean our RV friendly.
The park advertises accommodations for large RVs, but we would still confirm the specific site’s dimensions, turning room, and parking arrangements before making a reservation.
One of the features we especially like is the fishing pier extending into Bogue Sound.
I can imagine walking down to the water in the evening, perhaps carrying a fishing rod, although simply watching the changing colors across the sound would be reason enough to make the walk.
And wouldn’t it be something to have that view practically in our backyard for an entire winter?
The campground has a bathhouse and welcomes leashed household pets, which is important since Cash would naturally be accompanying us.
There are some rules worth knowing beforehand. Open ground campfires aren’t permitted, although certain covered fire pits and supervised grills are allowed. Personal golf carts are also restricted, except under specific medical-necessity provisions with management approval.
None of those things would be a deal breaker for us.
In fact, we appreciate knowing the expectations before arriving.
Water’s Edge is also conveniently situated for exploring the coast. Emerald Isle is roughly a dozen miles away, and Morehead City, Beaufort, and Fort Macon State Park are all within reasonable driving distance.
With only 89 sites, however, I wouldn’t wait until the first snowfall in Michigan to start asking about winter availability.
This is the kind of campground where planning ahead makes sense.
Waterway RV Resort: Another Waterfront Possibility
As much as we like Water’s Edge, we’ve learned not to become so attached to one campground that we overlook other possibilities.
Our next consideration was Waterway RV Resort in Cedar Point.
Located along the Intracoastal Waterway, this is a much larger property, with approximately 336 sites and a setting that appeals to anyone who enjoys spending time around boats and waterfront communities.
Boat docks, marina facilities, fishing opportunities, and water access certainly make the location attractive.
The surrounding area would also give us convenient access to Emerald Isle and the neighboring coastal communities.
However, there’s an important distinction between finding a campground that is open for much of the year and finding one that actually has a site available for a winter stay.
Waterway has traditionally emphasized annual and extended-stay camping, with limited short-term availability. Published operating information has also indicated that the resort may not operate every day of the calendar year.
That means we would need to speak directly with the campground before making any assumptions about spending an entire winter there.
We would also want to know how the monthly rate is structured, particularly whether electricity is included.
When you’re living in a fifth wheel for several months, especially during the colder part of the year, electrical costs can make a noticeable difference in your camping budget.
Still, the thought of being close to the Intracoastal Waterway, watching boats pass, and having the coast just a short drive away certainly keeps Waterway on our list.
Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort: Room for Everyone
Our third possibility offers a considerably different camping experience.
Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort is located along Bogue Sound in Newport and is part of the Encore campground network.
With approximately 686 sites, it is a substantial resort.
And while we generally lean toward smaller campgrounds, I can appreciate what a larger property has to offer.
Goose Creek provides full-hookup RV camping, waterfront access, fishing opportunities, and boating facilities. There are also amenities such as a swimming pool, playground, clubhouse, laundry facilities, and areas for pets.
Of course, we aren’t planning to spend January racing down a waterslide.
Although, I suppose if the weather were warm enough, you never know!
What interests us more is the campground’s location and the opportunity to enjoy the waterfront without having to leave the property every day.
We also like the idea of having facilities and conveniences nearby during an extended stay.
There’s something comforting about settling into a campground, learning your way around, and eventually recognizing the same people walking their dogs each morning.
Goose Creek has a mixture of seasonal residents, longer-term campers, and vacationing families. That would undoubtedly create a different atmosphere than the smaller Water’s Edge property.
Neither approach is necessarily better.
It simply depends on what you’re looking for.
For a summer vacation with children or grandchildren, the additional amenities might make Goose Creek particularly appealing.
For a quiet winter escape, we would want to know which areas of the campground are occupied during the colder months and whether there are waterfront sites available for extended stays.
It’s certainly worth considering.
A Winter Along Bogue Sound
THE LITTLE THINGS WE WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO
One of the things I enjoy most about planning a trip is imagining all the little things we might experience.
Not the major attractions or the places everyone says you absolutely must visit.
I’m talking about those unexpected moments that make a journey memorable.
A morning when the water is so calm it reflects the sky. A fishing boat slowly making its way across the sound. The discovery of an unusual seashell while walking along the beach.
Perhaps a drive to Emerald Isle would lead us to a quiet stretch of sand where we’d spend an hour doing absolutely nothing.
And wouldn’t that be wonderful?
The Crystal Coast has several places where you can enjoy those moments without having to organize an entire day around them.
Emerald Isle Woods Park offers trails, wooded surroundings, and access to views across Bogue Sound. It’s the sort of place where a simple walk can turn into an afternoon of exploring.
Historic Beaufort offers another change of pace, with its waterfront, older homes, and maritime history.
Then there’s Fort Macon State Park, where history and the Atlantic coastline come together.
I suspect we would visit more than once.
And while we’re dreaming, I can almost see us sitting beside the water one evening, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon.
There are moments when you don’t need a conversation.
You just sit together and appreciate where you are.
Winter RV Camping Still Requires Preparation
As much as we would enjoy exchanging Michigan’s winter for North Carolina’s coastline, we wouldn’t be leaving every winter camping concern behind.
We’ve spent enough time RVing in cold weather to understand that a few degrees below freezing can cause just as much trouble in North Carolina as it can in Michigan.
Coastal winters are milder, but overnight freezing temperatures are still possible.
And when you’re staying somewhere for several months, you need to prepare for those occasional cold nights rather than assuming every day will feel like spring.
Our fifth wheel has an enclosed underbelly, and we already take precautions to protect the plumbing during cold weather.
For an extended winter stay, we would make certain our heated water hose was ready, check the condition of our water connections, and ensure that any tank or compartment heaters were operating properly.
We would also consider skirting the fifth wheel if the campground allowed it and the weather warranted the additional protection.
Skirting can help reduce cold air circulating beneath the RV, but it doesn’t eliminate the need to protect exposed plumbing.
And then there’s propane.
Anyone who has spent time camping in colder weather knows how quickly a furnace can go through propane when the temperatures drop.
Electric heaters can help reduce furnace usage, provided the electrical system can safely support them. But we would never want to depend entirely on portable heaters if the furnace is also responsible for keeping vulnerable plumbing areas warm.
Moisture is another consideration.
When warm indoor air meets cold windows and exterior surfaces, condensation can become a problem. Good ventilation, monitoring indoor humidity, and occasionally running a dehumidifier can make a significant difference.
Coastal air also brings salt and moisture, so we’d pay attention to exposed metal components, electrical connections, and the exterior of our RV during a longer stay.
And I would certainly keep an eye on the weather forecast.
After all, an occasional coastal storm can bring strong winds and heavy rain, even when snow is nowhere in sight.
None of this discourages us from winter camping.
It simply means we’d prepare accordingly.
Around the Campfire
One question we might hear is, Would you really spend an entire winter in North Carolina when you could travel farther south?
Absolutely!
We’re not necessarily looking for temperatures in the 80s. We’re looking for a comfortable place where we can enjoy being outdoors, explore when the mood strikes, and spend time with family.
North Carolina offers all of that.
Another question might be whether the Crystal Coast is too quiet during the winter.
For some folks, perhaps.
But for us, the quieter season is part of the attraction. We don’t need a full schedule of campground activities to enjoy ourselves.
Give us a comfortable campsite, a beautiful view, a few places to explore, and an opportunity to meet some interesting people.
We’ll find plenty to do.
Would we need to reserve a winter campsite months in advance?
That’s what we would recommend, particularly at smaller campgrounds or those with a substantial number of seasonal residents.
Before making a reservation, we’d ask about monthly rates, winter availability, electricity charges, pet policies, site dimensions, and any restrictions on extended stays.
We would also confirm whether the water supply remains available during freezing weather and whether the campground has any special winter operating procedures.
One other question deserves consideration: Would we stay at one campground the entire winter?
That’s an interesting thought.
Part of me likes the idea of settling into one place for several months. We could establish a routine, become familiar with the community, and enjoy the feeling of having a temporary home along the coast.
But another part of me wonders whether we might spend a month or two on the Crystal Coast before moving farther south to the Brunswick Islands.
Then again, we could always take a Cooper Shortcut and see where the road leads.
Final Thoughts
For now, our winter plans remain unchanged.
We’ll be spending another winter in Michigan, enjoying time with family, taking care of our responsibilities, and probably watching the snow accumulate outside our windows.
And that’s okay.
There are seasons in life when we can travel wherever and whenever we please. There are other seasons when our responsibilities remind us that we still have important reasons to be home.
We’ve learned to appreciate both.
Our conversations about winter camping aren’t simply about escaping the cold. They’re about looking ahead, sharing dreams, and discovering places we might otherwise never have considered.
Water’s Edge RV Park remains our favorite possibility for a future North Carolina winter. Its smaller size, waterfront location, and proximity to the Crystal Coast fit the kind of experience we’re hoping to enjoy.
But Waterway and Goose Creek have their own appeal, and we wouldn’t rule either one out.
Who knows? Perhaps one of these winters we’ll finally get everything arranged, hitch up the Rogue Armored, and head south while everyone else in Michigan is preparing for the first major snowstorm.
Until then, we’ll keep dreaming, keep exploring, and keep adding destinations to our ever-growing list of places we want to visit.
And if our winter conversations lead us to another wonderful campground during next year’s travels, well, I suppose that means the planning was worthwhile after all.
Because sometimes a Cooper Shortcut begins long before we ever turn the key.
We’re not trying to get there first. We’re trying to enjoy getting there.
The Cooper Shortcut Camping Journey Trio 😊 PlusOne!
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