If you’re looking for the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter, you’ll find your dream destination right here on this page!
My guide breaks down the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter with real tips, fun things to do, and tips for your trip.
Here’s what you’re looking for:
Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
I love that winter in Yellowstone means fewer people and a better chance of seeing animals.
Yellowstone is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter because the whole park transforms into a winter wonderland (plus, wildlife sightings are almost effortless).
The only road open to vehicles runs from Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City, so everything else becomes a playground for (guided) snowmobile tours, which take you into areas you can’t reach in summer.
Most trails turn into cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes and you can get a permit for overnight winter skiing.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel stays open through winter and is truly a beautiful property, the best place to stay in Yellowstone.
Read: How to Spend 1 Day in Yellowstone National Park
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (Utah)
Arches and Canyonlands easily earn a spot on any list of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter because they offer empty trails and dreamy desert views.
Daytime temperatures can dip into the 20s or climb into the mid-50s, and the lack of crowds makes it feel like you have a world to yourself.
Take the scenic drive to explore Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Windows.
Winter light makes the rock glow, and it is easier to enjoy sunrise or sunset without hundreds of people around.
Canyonlands brings year-round camping in The Needles, Island in the Sky, and the Maze.
Bonus: You can usually find same-day Fiery Furnace permits!
Note: Winter storms can make dirt roads slippery, but these same storms bring wildflowers in February (life metaphor).
The Grand Canyon (Arizona)
The Grand Canyon is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if you want iconic views with far fewer travelers.
The South Rim stays open all year, including hotels, restaurants, scenic overlooks, and visitor centers.
Head down the iconic Bright Angel Trail, but traction for your boots is non-negotiable because icy patches appear early on the upper section of the trail.
Read: Guide to the Grand Canyon
Olympic National Park (Washington)
Olympic National Park deserves its place on the list of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter because it gives you three landscapes (rainforest, coast, and glacier) in one trip.
Coastal beaches have temps in the 30s-40s, and winter storms make the waves dramatic.
Hurricane Ridge usually opens Friday-Sunday for skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, or sightseeing.
The Hoh Rain Forest stays open all winter, and the mossy trails look even moodier after rain.
Campers who can handle wet, cold nights can stay at Hoh, Kalaloch, or Ozette campgrounds. Both Kalaloch Lodge and Lake Quinault Lodge stay open.
The Everglades (Florida)
Ok, I know the Florida Everglades aren’t a surprising pick for the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter.
Temperatures are nice, mosquitoes drop off, and less people means makes the Everglades an easy choice.
This time of year, kayak through mangrove tunnels, take an airboat tour outside the park boundary, or explore the Anhinga Trail to see alligators, turtles, and wading birds.
Read: Guide to the Everglades
Biscayne National Park (Florida)
Biscayne is beautiful.
It also has a tropical feel that puts it on any list of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter.
Winter brings clear water, good snorkeling visibility, and warm days. You can join boat tours to Boca Chita Key, snorkel, or paddle through quiet coastlines.
The Dante Fascell Visitor Center stays open year-round and is a good starting point for planning tours.
Read:
Miami: How to Spend a Weekend or Visit on a Budget
Pensacola: Best Beaches or Where to Eat
Death Valley National Park (Nevada)
Death Valley National Park is one of the most dramatic places on my list.
Summer heat makes Death Valley nearly impossible to explore comfortably, but winter brings cool days perfect for hiking and pic taking.
Walk on the salt flats at Badwater Basin, climb the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, or catch sunrise at Zabriskie Point.
Winter also brings epic stargazing.
Just note that nights can get cold, so pack warm layers for early morning adventures.
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
Joshua Tree is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if you love sunny days, cool nights, and endless desert skies.
Winter daytime temps usually sit in the 50s and 60s, which makes it perfect for long hikes through the jumbo boulders and Joshua trees.
Popular trails like Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, and Ryan Mountain feel way more peaceful this time of year.
Pinnacles National Park (California)
Pinnacles earns its spot as one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter thanks to mild weather and gorgeously dramatic rock formations.
Hike the High Peaks Trail, where you can climb through narrow paths and navigate steep rock stairways without the intense summer heat.
This is also the perfect time to explore the famous talus caves, including Bear Gulch Cave and Balconies Cave, which are usually closed in summer due to bat habitat stuff.
You can camp on the east side of the park year-round and enjoy quiet mornings on the trails.
Tip: This is also the season to watch for the rare California condor!
Redwoods National Park (California)
Redwoods National Park is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if you want misty mornings, empty trails, and ancient trees wrapped in fog.
Winter brings rain to the Redwoods, but it also brings some of the most atmospheric forest scenery in the country. Trails like Prairie Creek, and Fern Canyon are like a different planet.
Coastal viewpoints along the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway stay gorgeous all year.
Read: Guide to the Ancient Redwoods
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is probably my most adventurous pick!
Winter here is cooler and less humid, which makes it ideal for exploring craters, lava tubes, and steam vents along Chain of Craters Road.
You can hike Kīlauea Iki Crater, walk through Thurston Lava Tube, or catch sunrise from the summit area.
Conditions can shift quickly due to volcanic activity, so always check the park updates.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain National Park is IMO the BEST U.S. national park to visit in the winter, especially if you love snow-covered views and drowning in alpines.
Hidden Valley is the only designated sledding hill, located along Trail Ridge Road about 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows and Fall River Entrances.
You hike your sled or tube up the gentle slope, use the restrooms at the base, and bring your own plastic sleds since there are no rentals.
The west side hosts popular ranger-led snowshoe hikes through March 30th, with advanced reservations required.
Read: 7 Day Colorado Road Trip
Virgin Islands National Park (St John, USVI)
I LOVE Virgin Islands National Park, it’s truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
This is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if you want warm turquoise water and tropical beaches.
Winter brings clear visibility for snorkeling at Trunk Bay, calm conditions for kayaking, and perfect temps for hiking the Reef Bay Trail.
St. John has plenty of restaurants and lodging open year-round, and the ferries to St John run all day.
Read:
6 All-Inclusive Resorts in the USVI
10 Best Virgin Islands Beaches
Big Bend National Park (Texas)
Big Bend belongs on any list of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if for no other reason than epic stars.
This is one of the best places in the entire U.S. to see the Milky Way. Winter is also the season when desert temps feel comfortable for long hikes.
Expect highs in the 50s and 60s, and you can explore the Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive without the summer heat.
Hot springs along the Rio Grande feel extra relaxing on cooler days, and the night sky becomes unbelievably (like, bucket-list worthy) clear for stargazing.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
Carlsbad Caverns is one of the best U.S. National Parks to visit in the winter because the temperature inside the caverns stays around 56° year-round.
Winter brings fewer visitors, so you can wander the Big Room Trail or book a ranger tour.
Above ground, the Chihuahuan Desert stays cool, which means you can explore the park’s scenic overlooks, drive the Walnut Canyon Desert Loop, or hike shorter trails like the Rattlesnake Canyon without harsh sun.
Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
Hot Springs National Park is one of the best U.S. national parks to visit in the winter if you want warm mineral baths, mild temps, and a blissfully simple small town feel.
Bathhouse Row stays open year-round, and you can soak at Quapaw Baths or book a traditional service at Buckstaff Bathhouse.
Winter is also a great time to hike the Hot Springs Mountain Tower trails without the humidity.
Check In
If you’ve been to any of these parks, drop a comment and tell me which places you think deserve a spot on the list.
