14 Best National Parks To Visit In Winter

Winter is a magical time to visit national parks, with the snow-covered landscapes and frozen waterways providing a beautiful and unique setting for a variety of activities. From skiing and snowboarding to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors during the colder months. In this article, we will highlight 14 of the best national parks to visit in the winter, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty and winter activities. Whether you’re looking for a serene and peaceful getaway or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these parks have something for everyone.

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho)

Yellowstone National Park is a top destination for winter travel. With its vast expanses of wilderness, abundant wildlife, and geothermal features like geysers and hot springs, it’s a truly unique and breathtaking place to visit. In the winter, the park is blanketed in snow, creating a picturesque landscape of white-capped mountains and frozen waterfalls.

One of the best ways to experience Yellowstone in the winter is by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through the park’s backcountry. The park also offers guided snow-coach tours, which take visitors on a journey through the park’s scenic roads and give them the chance to spot wildlife like bison, elk, and wolves.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Rocky Mountain National Park is another top destination for winter travel, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. In the winter, the park is a paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers, with numerous trails and backcountry routes to explore.

For those looking for a more leisurely winter activity, the park also offers scenic drives and wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can spot elk, bighorn sheep, and moose as they roam through the snowy landscape.

Acadia National Park (Maine)

Acadia National Park is a stunning destination any time of year, but it truly comes alive in the winter. With its rugged coastline, pine forests, and rolling hills, it’s a picturesque place to explore on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

One of the park’s standout winter activities is ice climbing on the park’s frozen waterfalls. The park also offers guided snowshoe tours and cross-country ski lessons for those new to the sport.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a beautiful destination in the winter, with its rolling hills, misty forests, and scenic waterfalls. The park is a great place for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking, with numerous trails to explore.

One of the park’s most popular winter activities is touring the park’s historic structures, including the log cabins and grist mills that dot the landscape. The park also offers guided snowshoe hikes and cross-country ski tours, as well as a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities.

Yosemite National Park (California)

Yosemite National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in winter sports, with its expansive backcountry, challenging terrain, and breathtaking views. The park is a paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers, with numerous trails and backcountry routes to explore.

In the winter, the park also offers guided snowshoe tours and cross-country ski lessons for those new to the sport. Visitors can also take in the park’s iconic landmarks, such as Half Dome and El Capitan, from a different perspective as they are blanketed in snow.

Olympic National Park – Washington

Olympic National Park is a beautiful destination in the winter, with its snowy peaks and frozen lakes providing a stunning setting for a variety of winter activities. The park has a number of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s history and wildlife.

Crater Lake National Park – Oregon

Crater Lake National Park is a beautiful destination in the winter, with its snowy peaks and frozen lake providing a stunning setting for a variety of winter activities. The park has several trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s history and wildlife.

Arches National Park – Utah

Located in the desert region of Utah, Arches National Park may not seem like an ideal winter destination at first glance. However, the park’s red rock formations and sandstone arches are even more striking when dusted with snow, making it a unique and beautiful place to visit in the winter months. The park has several trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s geology and history.

Joshua Tree National Park – California

Like Arches National Park, Joshua Tree is located in a desert region and may not seem like a winter destination at first glance. However, the park’s distinctive Joshua trees and rocky landscapes are even more striking when covered in a blanket of snow, making it a unique and beautiful place to visit in the winter months. The park has a number of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s geology and history.

Shenandoah National Park – Virginia

Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful destination in the winter, with its rolling hills and snow-covered forests providing a picturesque setting for a variety of winter activities. The park has a number of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s history and wildlife. One of the park’s most popular attractions is Skyline Drive, a scenic road that winds through the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Great Sand Dunes National Park – Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a unique and beautiful destination in the winter, with its towering sand dunes and snowy peaks providing a stunning contrast. The park has a number of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided tours for those interested in learning more about the park’s geology and history. The park also offers the opportunity to sled or sandboard down the dunes, providing a unique and thrilling winter activity.

Vail (Colorado) 

Vail is a popular ski resort town located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The town is known for its luxurious ski resorts and world-class skiing and snowboarding. In the winter months, Vail is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hit the slopes.

Big Sky Resort (Montana)

Located in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Big Sky Resort is a top destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months. The resort is known for its extensive ski terrain and picturesque mountain setting.

Glacier National Park (Montana) 

Glacier National Park is located in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is known for its stunning glaciers, alpine meadows, and mountain peaks. The park is a popular destination for winter sports such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing

Overall, these 14 national parks offer a diverse range of winter activities and landscapes, from snowy peaks and frozen lakes to red rock formations and sand dunes. Whether you’re interested in skiing, snowshoeing, or simply enjoying the beauty of a winter landscape, these parks have a lot to offer for everyone.