We all know that National Parks can get loopy busy throughout the summer season months, so why not plan a visit throughout winter? In truth, some National Parks are the proper winter getaway whether or not you’re seeking to hit the seaside or expertise a snow-dusted winter wonderland.
In this submit, we’ve rounded up our favourite National Parks to go to when the snow flies together with each heat climate locations in addition to those who supply nice winter adventures.
Important Reminder: As it goes in all the locations we share, please follow good path etiquette and keep in mind to Leave No Trace. This means packing out your entire rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Best Winter National Parks – Mapped!
Joshua Tree National Park, California
With the typical temps exceeding 90 levels Fahrenheit throughout the summer season, outside fans who love National Parks however hate the warmth will love the cooler local weather of Joshua Tree throughout the winter. Plan your go to right here throughout the cooler months for snug climbing temps and unimaginable stargazing with out the massive crowds. Just remember that whereas daytime temps listed below are typically gentle within the winter, nighttime temps within the desert can drop under freezing!
To show you how to plan your journey, listed below are a couple of Joshua Tree guides:
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Make winter plans to go to a hotter locale in Arizona’s Petrified National Park the place park-goers can see the Painted Desert, drive previous Blue Mesa, and see the Crystal Forest up shut. I drove by right here a couple of years in the past on a whim, and it was probably the most distinctive National Parks I’ve ever been to.
The climate could also be cooler in winter, however snow is uncommon. But don’t neglect these heat layers for when temps drop at night time!
>> Read Next: Best Arizona Road Trip Stops
Everglades National Park, Florida
Florida’s Everglades National Park is likely one of the hottest National Parks to go to within the winter. Beginning in November, the sometimes sizzling and humid subtropical local weather turns into a light and nice dry season. The clear and sunny skies make for good “winter” tenting, climbing, kayaking, and extra.
Check in on the Visitors Center to make a reservation earlier than heading out. Better but, plan an action-packed weeklong street journey to go to all three of Florida’s National Parks.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
From November by May, Wyoming is a winter wonderland for alpine and cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and different winter outside fans because of the abundance of terrain that’s open throughout the snowy season. It’s additionally a good time of 12 months for wildlife photographers who wish to seize the majestic bison trudging by the snow.
Teton Park Road from the Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge is usually open in winter for snowshoeing, touring, and cross-country snowboarding. Plus, guests can discover tons of different trails together with Colter Bay, Antelope Flats Road, Taggart Lake, and Flagg Ranch.
It doesn’t damage that Grand Teton National Park is only a stone’s throw from Jackson Hole Ski Resort, both, or you possibly can decide to e book a snowmobiling journey to Togwotee Pass. For lodging, try the tiny homes on the Fireside Resort or e book a weekend on the Triangle X Dude Ranch.
Arches National Park, Utah
Head out to see the pink rocks at Arches National Park throughout the space’s most peaceable time of 12 months – winter. We’ve included all of our favourite hikes on this Arches National Parks climbing weblog submit.
For winter tenting and climbing, the Devils Garden Campground is open year-round with 51 websites out there on a first-come, first-served foundation between November 1st and February twenty eighth together with restrooms and consuming water on the campground.
Bring microspikes (simply in case you’re fortunate sufficient to get some snow), trekking poles, and loads of heat winter layers. Also, make sure to cease on the Arches Visitor Center to examine the circumstances and get a free orientation so that you’re ready for winter circumstances. Nighttime temps will usually drop under freezing!
For extra recommendations on exploring this space, try these weblog posts:
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Enjoy the beautiful desert panorama of Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona the place guests can expertise the fantastic thing about the most important cactus within the United States – the large Saguaro cacti.
Winter is the proper time to go to Saguaro National Park as a result of the temperatures are gentle with a mean excessive of 65 levels and the winter gentle offers the desert a golden glow – this is likely one of the warmest National Parks to go to in winter!
There are a wide range of climbing choices inside the park and we’ve put collectively The Ultimate Saguaro National Park Outdoor Adventure Guide that can assist you benefit from your winter journey.
Yosemite National Park, California
Winter is a chilly however stunning time to go to Yosemite National Park. Hiking choices are restricted however snow within the valley brings loads of choices for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing. Plus cozying up on the Yosemite Valley Lodge after a day trip within the snow seems like a dream.
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road shut every winter season as a result of snow and ice (typically from November – May), however Yosemite Valley and Wawona are accessible by automobile year-round.
Many of the actions and knowledge in our Yosemite National Park information are fitted to winter visits.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Don your cross-country skis or strap in your snowshoes for a snowy trek alongside the Great Basin National Park’s path system. In the winter, Great Basin affords a tranquil wilderness expertise and miles of snow-covered trails for the winter-loving outside fanatic to discover.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Park’s mule deer on their seasonal migration to decrease elevations. Also don’t miss Lehman Caves! I did the ranger-led tour throughout my go to, and it was such a cool expertise.
Death Valley National Park, California
The secret may be out about how stunning Death Valley National Park is within the winter – throughout this time the crowds are sometimes the bottom and the snow-capped peaks (in case you’re fortunate) paired with the winter lighting are a photographer’s dream. January and February are particularly nice in Death Valley with common temperatures within the higher 60s to mid-70s.
Check out our 3-day Death Valley National Park itinerary to plan your winter street journey.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Open year-round to outside fans, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is likely one of the greatest National Parks to go to within the winter for a lot of causes. For one, it’s a less-visited park basically, so that you’re prone to see only a few folks, so you possibly can sled down the dunes all by your self! Plus, as quickly as you hike somewhat methods into the dunes, you’re impossible to come across different hikers. New Mexico does get chilly in winter, however it not often sees a number of snow this far south.
Read Next: Best Sand Dunes within the US for Outdoor Adventure
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Take a deep dive into Biscayne National Park (actually) by exploring underwater coral reefs and shipwrecks at this stunning marine park. There can be loads of seaside tenting, kayaking, and different seaside outside actions, so there’s one thing for each outside fanatic.
We extremely advocate taking a complete week off and visiting all three of Florida’s beautiful National Parks with our Florida National Park Roadtrip itinerary.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Winter in Grand Canyon National Park is peaceable and quiet in comparison with the hustle and bustle of the excessive season. While the North Rim closes for the winter, the South Rim stays open year-round the place you possibly can stroll alongside the rim and into the canyon or take a scenic drive.
If circumstances are good and also you wish to be a part of the 1% of holiday makers that discover under the rim, hike the Bright Angel Trail all the way down to Indian Gardens.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park is the southernmost National Park within the US and it may well solely be reached by boat or seaplane. Located 70 miles west of Florida’s Key West, it’s comprised of seven islands and guarded coral reefs.
Spend your winter days snorkeling, diving, swimming, kayaking, or just having fun with the sandy seashores. If your concept of winter in a National Park contains loads of sunshine and heat, Dry Tortugas is an ideal vacation spot!
Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re a winter lover, you’ll love visiting Rocky Mountain National Park throughout the snowy months. Winter guests can take pleasure in solitude beneath the snowy peaks and embrace winter actions comparable to climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country snowboarding, sledding, wildlife watching, and cozying up by the hearth on the Stanely Hotel. One of our favourite hikes is the 3-mile path to Emerald Lake, a very talked-about vacation spot in summer season, however quiet and peaceable within the winter.
For extra suggestions and proposals, try our full information to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park within the winter.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is one among our favourite National Parks to go to in winter as a result of seeing the pink rock hoodoos dusted in snow is a magical expertise, particularly at dawn or sundown.
The Park is located at 8,000 ft, so a few of the roads and trails are closed as a result of snow and ice, however there are nonetheless loads of issues to do, particularly in case you time your go to with the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. Just make sure to pack heat garments and be ready for winter circumstances.
>> Read Next: Bryce Canyon National Park Guide
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Located within the southwest nook of the state on the border of Mexico within the large Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend National Park is greatest visited in winter or early spring earlier than the warmth kicks in. BFT Team Member Courtney visited in January and had gentle temperatures within the low 60s with nighttime temps round 40F.
This National Park flies underneath the radar for many individuals, however it boasts unimaginable landscapes from rocky mountains to deep canyons and rivers. If you’re seeking to actually get off the crushed path this winter, plan a visit to Big Bend National Park.
Other Winter Destinations
We love getting exterior within the winter and in case you’re in search of extra winter actions exterior of National Parks, make sure to try a couple of extra of our favourite winter adventures and locations:
Which are your favourite National Parks to go to within the winter? Which ones are in your record? If you will have any extra suggestions or recommendation about visiting National Parks within the winter, go away a remark under!
