With low season costs, thinner crowds, and the change of seasons, winter is considered one of my favourite occasions for outside journey within the US. Whether you’re a winter lover and need to hit the slopes on a snowy trip or are on the lookout for heat climate and sunshine, there are many winter locations the place the season and climate will match the invoice. In this weblog submit, we’ve rounded up the very best winter holidays within the US for outside journey.
Best Snowy Winter Vacation Destinations
Visit Crested Butte, Colorado
A couple of years in the past, I had the chance to discover Crested Butte, Colorado within the winter for the primary time and I beloved attending to know this little Rocky Mountain city.
Located a 4-5 hour scenic drive from Denver, it’s a winter wonderland that ought to positively be in your checklist of snowy winter locations.
With unbelievable snowboarding, fats biking, snowshoeing, winter mountain climbing, and cross-country snowboarding, I share every little thing you might want to learn about planning your go to on this Crested Butte Winter Travel Guide.
Explore Montana’s snowy landscapes
When most individuals consider Montana, they image Glacier National Park’s colourful valleys and excessive alpine lakes or bison roaming by the wildflowers of Yellowstone National Park.
But have you ever ever considered visiting Montana within the winter? Not solely can you discover solitude in a few of Montana’s most scenic locations all through winter, however Montana additionally affords a wealth of distinctive winter actions, a few of that are discovered nowhere else.
Sure there’s epic resort snowboarding at Big Sky and Bridger Bowl, however you too can attempt mountain climbing, snowshoeing, or skijoring, and finish your day soaking your muscle tissue in some very inviting sizzling springs.
>> Check out 8 thrilling issues to do in Montana this winter
Discover Idaho’s plentiful winter actions
With extra pure sizzling springs than some other state, uncrowded ski resorts, and unpretentious mountain cities, Idaho ought to be in your winter trip radar. It makes the highest of my favourite snowy winter trip spots for outside journey, for certain.
Travelers can both fly into Boise, hire a automotive and head as much as McCall or fly direct into Sun Valley. You can’t go incorrect with both – the snowboarding, sizzling springs, views, and scrumptious meals are plentiful in each.
Check out the next weblog posts for assist planning your snowy winter trip to Idaho:
View the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska
Heading to Alaska through the winter offers you the very best probability to see the unbelievable aurora borealis, often known as the “Northern Lights” — a real bucket checklist winter trip. Beyond the Northern Lights, there are tons of wonderful issues to do in Fairbanks in winter, together with sizzling springs, canine mushing, ice sculpture parks, and extra.
The Alaskan Railroad operates year-round and connects Anchorage to Fairbanks all winter, with Fairbanks usually thought-about the very best viewing space for the Northern Lights as a result of it’s near the Arctic Circle.
Just remember to gown appropriately for frigid temperatures and ranging climate circumstances.
Head to Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado is likely one of the hottest snowy winter trip locations within the US, however most individuals keep on with the ski slopes. Skip the crowds and head to Rocky Mountain National Park – situated simply two hours from Denver – to take pleasure in snowshoeing, cross-country snowboarding, mountain climbing, wildlife watching, and extra. Check out our full Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide, together with the place to remain, outside actions, & what to pack to plan to plan your winter journey.
Take A Mountain Collective Ski Pass Road Trip
A couple of years again, I bought my first Mountain Collective Pass which gives 2 days of carry tickets at every of 25 companion resorts for a complete of fifty days of carry entry. I put collectively an superior street journey itinerary and spent every week visiting Snowbird (Salt Lake), Sun Valley (Idaho), and Jackson Hole (Wyoming).
Other choices for combining Mountain Collective resorts into the final word ski trip are:
- Mammoth & Squaw Valley (California)
- Revelstoke & Lake Louise (Canada)
- Aspen & Telluride (Colorado)
- Alta, Snowbird & Snowbasin (Utah)
The Mountain Collective Pass is a good deal and you actually solely want to go to 2 or 3 of the resorts in a winter to make the cross price it.
>> Read Next: What To Wear Skiing
Go Snowshoeing in Washington
Western Washington is house to among the deepest annual snowpacks on the planet, with Mount Rainier and Mount Baker averaging greater than 650 inches of snowfall a 12 months. Because of this, Washington is a good winter vacation spot, particularly for snowshoeing. Check out our favourite Washington snowshoeing routes, and in case you’ve by no means tried snowshoeing, our weblog submit on newbie snowshoeing suggestions & gear.
Not in Washington? See a full roundup of the finest locations to go snowshoeing within the Western US.
Shack up in a Rustic Backcountry Hut
Backcountry huts aren’t only for skiers (though they’re nice for that, too). Slap on a pair of snowshoes, cross-country skis, or a backcountry set-up, and head to considered one of these cozy backcountry huts.
You’ll discover solitude, untracked snow, and unbelievable mountain surroundings. After a memorable day trip in a winter wonderland, you possibly can heat up round your wood-burning range, take pleasure in some sizzling drinks, and make a scrumptious meal.
Visit Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Avoid the sweltering summer season warmth (and the crowds) in Utah by visiting within the winter through the low season! Southern Utah can get hit with a little bit little bit of snow, particularly at greater elevations in Bryce Canyon, however extra probably you’ll find yourself with nice daytime temps and quiet trails.
Our week-long Utah street journey itinerary covers Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. Pick one park on the itinerary to discover, or when you have the time, hit all of them. Just remember to pack appropriately for the chilly temps and notice that some campgrounds are closed within the winter.
Check out this weblog submit for extra National Parks to go to in winter.
Go Hot Springs Hopping in Nevada
Nevada is likely one of the most underrated journey locations within the US, and also you’re assured to search out solitude through the winter. However, we love visiting Nevada within the winter as a result of it’s prime sizzling springs season! Brush up in your sizzling springs etiquette and take a look at 21 of the very best sizzling springs in Nevada.
Hit The Best Slopes within the US
I took up snowboarding on the age of 31 and it’s completely reworked how I spend my winters. Skiing isn’t just a technique to get outdoors within the winter, nevertheless it’s an superior sport that’s difficult, social, and a ton of enjoyable. While I like my house resort of Alta in Salt Lake, there’s tons of wonderful ski resorts throughout the US that make the proper winter trip:
Best Warm Weather Winter Vacation Destinations
Go Backpacking in Southern California
If you’re on the lookout for unbelievable winter backpacking journeys in not-so-wintery environments, take a look at our path stories of the Trans-Catalina Trail (Catalina Island and the California Hiking and Riding Trail (Joshua Tree National Park). These two Southern California trails will maintain your backpacking legs in form this winter.
The Trans-Catalina Trail affords the chance to witness psychedelic sunsets, cross paths with the island’s resident bison, and camp proper on the sand.
Alternatively, you possibly can tick off one other National Park on the Hiking and Riding Trail in Joshua Tree the place you’ll weave by huge boulder formations, iconic desert vegetation, and sleep underneath among the darkest skies in California.
Head to Hawaii
Hawaii is all the time a good selection for outside journey within the winter. Big swells arrive on components of the islands this time of 12 months, so take a look at Honolii Beach Park or Kahaluu Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii for surf motion. If you need to be a spectator, a few of Hawaii’s largest surf competitions are held through the winter months on the North Shore of Oahu.
Hawaii has extra to supply than simply surf although. There are infinite methods to benefit from the heat climate whether or not it’s snorkeling with sea turtles, kayaking, watching humpbacks breach offshore, swimming, mountain climbing, or stand-up paddling.
The Hawaiian islands are additionally house to 2 National Parks, together with Volcanoes National Park the place you possibly can expertise exploding lava move into the ocean at evening and Haleakala National Park the place you possibly can catch an unbelievable dawn or sundown.
For different concepts, take a look at our posts on Kona and Kauai or go to this roundup of superior issues to do on Oahu on Be My Travel Muse’s website.
Drive Down the California Coast
While the mountains are filled with snow, the California coast has gentle temperatures even in winter. You’ll discover cute coastal cities, unbelievable meals (native oysters or clam chowder anybody?), world-class wine, and unbelievable vistas. Pick a coastal vacation spot for an extended weekend or plan a street journey down the complete 800-mile coast when you have time.
Some of our favourite coastal cities for in a single day stays are Mendocino, Bodega Bay, Santa Cruz, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Malibu, Encinitas, and Ocean Beach (San Diego).
There are coastal tenting choices as nicely, and through the winter you’ll have a greater probability of snagging a spot.
Check out our Central California Coast street journey itinerary, Big Sur journey information, or our submit on the Best California Road Trip Stops for simple planning.
Camp in Big Bend National Park, Texas
From day hikes, backpacking, and multi-day kayaking journeys to scenic drives and stargazing, there’s something for everybody to take pleasure in in Big Bend National Park in Texas and winter is likely one of the finest seasons to take pleasure in all of it.
Average winter highs are within the 60s, and all three campgrounds within the park are open year-round. If you’re on the lookout for one thing a little bit cozier, the Chisos Mountain Lodge affords heat rooms and cottages within the coronary heart of the Park.
Road Trip Florida’s National Parks
While different components of the U.S. are bundling up, the climate within the south stays heat all through the winter. Florida is house to a few nationwide parks – Florida Keys National Park, Dry Tortugas, and the Everglades – the place you possibly can hike, take boat excursions, snorkel, stroll alongside white sand seashores, and encounter Florida’s large gators.
We put collectively the Ultimate Florida National Parks street journey itinerary beginning in Miami, the place you possibly can expertise the very best outside adventures that Florida has to supply.
Explore Arizona’s Desert Landscapes
Arizona is a stupendous winter vacation spot that provides a ton of alternatives for outside journey. Winter temperatures common within the mid to excessive sixties in most spots, making it a good time to get on the market and discover whereas avoiding the warmth.
Check out the next weblog posts to assist plan a winter journey to Arizona:
Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park, simply a few hours east of Los Angeles, is an excellent winter mountain climbing vacation spot. While summer season is unbearably sizzling, winter is a snug season for being outdoors any time of day so long as you deliver layers (nighttime temperatures within the desert can drop into the kids!)
Check out a few of our favourite hikes in Joshua Tree whether or not you’re going out for a day journey or plan on staying for just a few days at one of many campgrounds.
If you’re trying to do some backpacking, take a look at our information to backpacking the California Hiking and Riding Trail, a 35-mile route that runs by Joshua Tree.
Experience Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park could also be some of the distinctive parks within the United States and winter is the very best season to go to resulting from gentle temperatures. It’s house to the bottom level in North America, Badwater Basin, and solely a brief drive to the bottom of the tallest level within the contiguous United States, Mt. Whitney.
There’s a ton to see in do in Death Valley from mountain climbing on sand dunes, exploring the badlands close to Zabriskie Point, and taking in a birds-eye view from Dantes Point.
For a 3-day activity-packed itinerary, head over to our Death Valley National Park information.
Get Outside in New Orleans
The historic, vibrant metropolis of New Orleans is a well-liked winter trip vacation spot within the US with its annual Mardi Gras celebration. However, in case you’re trying to see a unique aspect of New Orleans, there’s tons of out of doors actions across the metropolis and temperatures are gentle within the winter. New Orleans is a lot greater than Bourbon Street – take a look at our information to the finest New Orleans hikes & nature walks to get essentially the most out of your Louisiana journey.
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