10 Best U.S. National Parks To Visit This Winter

See these iconic U.S. Nationwide Parks by means of new eyes with an epic go to this winter.

Snowy trails of Utah’s Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park in winter

Nationwide parks are a few of the most visited trip locations all through summer time, when heat temperatures and peak climate make for a few of the greatest out of doors recreation and scenic alternatives to discover. Nevertheless, there’s one thing particular about visiting national parks in winter—and it’s not simply the possibility to expertise these iconic landmarks whereas they’re mild on the summer time crowds. When the temperatures drop, winter nationwide park goers have the possibility to see these landmark locales from a fresh perspective—whether or not it’s by means of snow-covered, tranquil settings solely out there in colder wintry locations; or basking within the balmy temperatures and high-season sights of hotter climes, these U.S. Nationwide Parks are good for guests searching for epic adventures this winter.

10 Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Utah

The most effective causes to go to southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park is the breathtaking surroundings. Through the winter, the park’s dramatic pink limestone peaks and formations are coated in a layer of pristine white snow that makes for the right photograph op; whereas out of doors fanatics can strap on their snowshoes for an adventurous hike.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  The views from Dawn and Sundown Factors

• Get Open air:
  Snowshoeing; cross-country snowboarding; winter backpacking; stargazing

• Don’t Miss:
  Ranger-led full moon snowshoe hikes

9 Mount Rainier Nationwide Park, Washington

Whereas summer time guests to Washington’s Mount Rainier Nationwide Park can nonetheless recognize the world’s snow-coated peaks, a go to through the colder months is actually particular because the park turns into a winter wonderland good for out of doors adventurers. Complete with stunning scenic vistas and an intensive path system, Mount Rainier can also be much less crowded in winter, which solely provides to its tranquil, scenic vibes.

• Why Go to In Winter:
  Fewer crowds; breathtaking winter landscapes

• Want To Know:
  Entry to the park’s Paradise space is restricted this season to weekends solely (climate allowing); nevertheless, different recreation areas stay open. Make sure you examine the NPS web site for up to date info and closures

• Get Open air:
  Backcountry snowboarding; snowshoeing; winter hikes; snowmobiling

RELATED: 10 National Parks That Offer The Best Overnight Trips

8 Acadia Nationwide Park, Maine

A go to to Maine’s Acadia Nationwide Park will not be for the faint of coronary heart—nevertheless, these prepared to brave the frigid temps and snowy landscapes are in for a deal with. A relentless snowpack transforms the park right into a paradise for cross-country skiers and snowshoers, whereas the breathtaking views of the Atlantic shoreline are second to none.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  A number of the greatest winter mountaineering within the U.S.

• Get Open air:
  Snowshoeing; cross-country snowboarding; scenic drives; ice fishing; snowmobiling; ice skating

• Don’t Miss:
  Sections of the Park Loop Highway stay open in winter and are good for scenic winter drives and views of the shoreline (examine the NPS web site for particulars)

7 Saguaro Nationwide Park, Arizona

Good for many who wish to expertise nationwide park magnificence with out braving chilly temperatures and snowy situations, Arizona’s Saguaro Nationwide Park is the right winter escape. Right here, guests can count on daytime temperatures within the 60s that are perfect for exploring Saguaro’s signature cacti-dotted landscapes.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  Delicate daytime temperatures; Customer Facilities and each districts stay open to automobiles.

• Get Open air:
  Mountain climbing; biking; scenic drives; gorgeous sunsets; backcountry tenting; petroglyphs; cactus gardens

• Don’t Miss:
  Sundown from the Tanque Verde Ridge Path

6 Everglades Nationwide Park, Florida

A go to to Florida’s Everglades Nationwide Park is probably not the quintessential snow-covered, chill climate panorama—nevertheless, the favored park remains to be a well-liked winter hang-out for these seeking to indulge in the area’s iconic swampland surroundings. Throughout winter’s dry season (November by means of April), gentle temperatures reign, however the humidity and the water ranges are low—making it simpler to identify the park’s famed alligators of their pure habitat.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  Low humidity and water ranges; much less rain and bugs; extra gator sightings

• Get Open air:
  Mountain climbing; wildlife watching; birding; guided excursions; tenting; boat excursions

• Don’t Miss:
  Take an airboat tour for the perfect wildlife viewing.

5 Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, Colorado

Image-perfect mountain landscapes abound in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. However the gorgeous snow-covered views are simply the tip of the iceberg—out of doors fanatics will indulge in the park’s myriad of opportunities for winter recreation amid its snowy forests and dramatic peaks which might be a few of the greatest within the west.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  Winter recreation; fewer crowds

• Get Open air:
  Snowshoeing; sledding; cross-country snowboarding; wildlife watching; winter tenting

• Want To Know:
  Make sure you plan forward and examine the NPS web site for path and highway closures

RELATED: These Beautiful Frozen Lakes Throughout The U.S. Are Worth A Winter Road Trip

4 Yellowstone Nationwide Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho

Whereas summer time is undoubtedly the most well-liked time to go to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, there’s one thing further particular about visiting the well-known park within the winter. A snowy, scenic wonderland awaits these seeking to courageous the frigid (and ever-changing) situations—a dramatic chilly climate setting the place visitors can see the park’s most iconic sights (like Outdated Devoted) from a brand new wintry perspective.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  See Yellowstone’s most iconic landscapes from a brand new perspective.

• Get Open air:
  Snowshoeing; snowmobiling; snow coach rides; cross-country snowboarding; guided excursions; keep at Outdated Devoted Snow Lodge; guided excursions.

• Want To Know:
  Most park roads (besides the North entrance) are closed to automobiles throughout winter; nevertheless, restricted snowmobile and snow coach journey is accessible. Make sure you
  check road status updates
  repeatedly.

3 Sequoia And Kings Nationwide Parks, California

The towering sequoias and wooded wonderlands of California’s Sequoia and Kings Nationwide Parks are made much more dramatic within the winter. And for these prepared to courageous the chilly temps and difficult mountain drives, the park’s scenic ski and snowshoe trails provide a singular alternative to discover the world’s magical pure landscapes in snow-blanketed silence.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  Winter drives and scenic viewpoints (chains could also be obligatory)

• Get Open air:
  Designated snow play areas (sledding and tubing); cross-country snowboarding; snowshoeing; scenic drives.

• Don’t Miss:
  Lodgepole to Grant Grove scenic drive that features Kings Canyon Overlook and Redwood Mountain Overlook.

RELATED: Break Out Your Snowshoes For These Snow-Covered U.S. Hikes

2 Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park, Hawaii

These searching for a winter nationwide park journey with out the frigid temperatures and unpredictable snowy climate will love a go to to Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park. And whereas the lesser rainfall and decrease humidity make winter a well-liked time to go to, there are nonetheless fewer crowds than through the peak season—making it simpler to discover the park’s most iconic sights in (comparatively) crowd-free tranquility.

• Why Go to In Winter?
  Much less rainfall, crowds, and humidity

• Get Open air:
  Crater Rim Path; Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs; Chain of Craters Highway; Thurston Lava Tube

• Don’t Miss:
  Hike the Kahuku Unit on Mauna Loa

1 Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Whereas winter guests to most of the East Coast’s most well-known nationwide parks could need to courageous frigid, beneath freezing temps and unpredictable climate, the sprawling pure landscapes of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park stay comparatively balmy compared. Daytime temps within the 50s are the right local weather for trying out the park’s intensive trails, whereas chillier, nighttime climate is the right setting for tenting out among the many starry skies.

• Want To Know:
  Whereas daytime temperatures are comparatively gentle, the park’s climate varies, particularly
  in higher elevations
  .

• Get Open air:
  Mountain climbing; wildlife watching; scenic drives; tenting; Newfound Hole (weather-permitting); cross-country snowboarding (greater elevations)

• Don’t Miss:
  Cades Cove Loop Highway