With summer winding down, most travelers are turning their attention to the warm beaches of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. But just because the temperature dips into the teens doesn’t mean that you need to turn your back on some of the country’s most beautiful national parks.
Just imagine yourself gliding along cross-country ski trails with the mighty Teton Range standing over you and bison slowly making their way across the now snow-covered grasslands. What would usually be a loud road with dozens of RVs pulled over is now a tranquil paradise…albeit a bit chillier.
Almost all of the country’s national parks stay open year-round despite visitation taking a nosedive in the winter months. Sure, roads and trails will be closed, and access can be severely limited, but that is all part of the charm, as you can travel along roads where it will be just you and nature.
Here are eight stunning national parks that are definitely worth a visit in the winter.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has become the poster child for overcrowding in parks during the summer. But a visit during the winter means few people and even more epic beauty as snow drapes the high peaks above the valley.
While parts of the park are closed during the winter, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t plenty to do, as the valley floor is open, and nearby Badger Pass Ski Area offers a family-friendly place to make a few turns.
For an epic adventure, bring the cross-country skis and make the snowy trek from Badger Pass up to Glacier Point. This makes for a long day, but the views from the top are unforgettable.
Yellowstone National Park
During the winter, many of the roads throughout Yellowstone National Park are closed to automobile traffic and open to snowmobilers and skiers.
One of the most unforgettable national park tours is a snowmobile tour from West Yellowstone into the heart of the park. Along the way, you will be able to watch the steam rise up out of the park’s thermal features and easily spot wildlife as it stands out amongst the snowy backdrop.
Grand Teton National Park
During the winter months, Jackson, Wyoming, turns into a beehive of activity with skiers looking to tackle the epic runs in the mountains high above town.
But for folks looking for a little more peace and quiet there are plenty of opportunities to find it in nearby Grand Teton National Park. During the winter months, the Teton Park road is closed from the Taggert Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain and is groomed for skiing and snowshoeing.
With little elevation gain, this makes it the perfect place to strap on the cross-country skis and silently glide along this scenic winter wonderland.
Crater Lake National Park
During the winter months, Crater Lake National Park sees massive amounts of snowfall around the crater rim, which causes much of the park to shut down.
One area that does stay open is the road to Crater Lake Lodge, which serves as a wonderful jumping-off point for adventurers looking to explore the park by ski or snowshoe. Along the way, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the lake, skin to epic ski lines, or enjoy a relaxing guided snowshoe hike with a park ranger.
Check the forecast before heading out, as this area can get some intense snowstorms.
Zion National Park
There is perhaps no more stunning contrast in nature than freshly fallen snow on the red rocks of Zion National Park. If you’ve ever wanted to visit this mega-popular park but don’t want to deal with the heat and crowds, then winter is the perfect time to visit.
While the nights can certainly get cold and snow is always a possibility, the opportunity to explore this stunning area at a more relaxed pace is well worth it.
Rocky Mountain National Park
The high elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park means that it turns into a winter wonderland early and stays that way well into the spring and even summer months.
That doesn’t stop visitors from tackling high-elevation traverses by snowshoe or ski, and the views become even more epic as the ridgelines and mountaintops are draped in a blanket of snow.
Mount Rainier National Park
Like many high-elevation parks, much of Mount Rainier National Park shuts down during the winter months. The main area that does stay open is the road to Paradise, which offers up a world of winter recreation opportunities.
From climbers looking to summit this massive volcano to snowshoers making their way up the normally rocky Skyline Loop Trail to take in epic mountain views, you can always expect a crowd of folks out enjoying themselves on a nice winter afternoon.
Acadia National Park
This coastal park in Maine sees most of its visitors depart for the year once the leaf-peeping season is over. But those who do visit during the winter months are treated to the tranquil beauty of snow-covered rocks along the coastline, miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities along trails and closed roads, and a quiet serenity that is unmatched.
