8 National Parks That Are Even Better in Winter

My single biggest piece of advice for anyone thinking about visiting a national park is this: Plan a winter trip. With the exception of really remote northern parks, like Gates of the Arctic, I can’t think of a single park that doesn’t shine with potential when colder weather moves in. Mountain gems like Rocky Mountain, Yosemite and Great Smoky get covered in a blanket of snow that transforms them into something out of a fairytale. Desert and coastal parks like Grand Canyon, Arches and Channel Islands benefit from cool, crisp weather. Winter also brings new activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice skating, and wildlife tends to be easier to spot in meccas like Yellowstone. But perhaps the biggest draw to visiting in the winter? The crowds thin and you just may have the trails, viewpoints and historic sites all to yourself. Any park will do this winter break, but here are seven picks for the best national parks to visit in winter to get you started.

Yellowstone National Park

I’m not supposed to pick favorites, but Yellowstone in the winter is hands down one of my top national park trips. Most roads close to vehicle traffic, so you’ll have to board a snowcoach or snowmobile to access the heart of the park. You’ll be rewarded for the effort of getting there with steaming geysers erupting in solitude, wolves hunting across snowy valleys, incredible cross-country skiing and cozy lodges. Download our free winter trip planner to get started.

Winter in Yellowstone

Rocky Mountain National Park

I’m lucky to have this winter wonderland right in my backyard. Rocky Mountain National Park is close to Colorado’s many epic ski areas, making it the perfect add-on to a snowy getaway. My activity of choice come winter definitely involves skis, whether it’s embarking cross-country on the park’s quiet trails or slamming moguls at nearby Winter Park Resort. That just scratches the surface of all there is to do in Colorado this time of year, though. Check out a festival dedicated to a frozen dead guy, soak in a hot springs, or grab your sled to feel like a kid again. The options truly are endless.

Winter in Rocky Mountain

Yosemite National Park

Home to one of the only ski resorts located in a U.S. national park, Yosemite is a perfect spot to combine skiing or snowboarding with other winter activities. Snowshoe beneath giant sequoias, ice skate under a snow-dusted Half Dome or visit in February for a truly awe-worthy view. When the sunset lines up just right, El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall looks like liquid gold in a phenomenon known as “Firefall”. While the park is usually pretty quiet in the winter, Firefall is a popular event so you’ll need a peak-hours reservation.

Winter in Yosemite

Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Neighbors, these two Utah parks are at a higher elevation than much of the rest of the state so do see snow–a sight to behold on the red rocks. In fact, nearby Brian Head Resort offers downhill skiing. Spend a few days exploring from the canyons of Zion to the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. There’s plenty to do from hiking to cross-country skiing and this itinerary has you covered with plenty of warm-up breaks, too.

Winter in Zion & Bryce Canyon

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

After the crowds of leaf-peepers have left, America’s most popular national park grows quieter, offering everything from temperate hikes at lower elevations to cross-country skiing at the highest point in the Southeast. Spot frozen waterfalls, downhill ski nearby or ride a Christmas-themed Polar Express train at the Bryson City entrance.

Winter in the Smokies

Olympic National Park

Winter in Olympic is as diverse as the park itself. On the coast, sink into a hot tub and watch mesmerizing and intense winter storms batter the shoreline. In the mountains, head to one of just a handful of ski lifts located in a national park at Hurricane Ridge. You can go downhill skiing or snowboarding here, or check out the many trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Afterwards, head to the park’s Sol Duc Hot Springs for a warm up.

Winter in Olympic

Grand Canyon National Park

While the North Rim of this world wonder closes in winter thanks to its high elevation and heavy snowfall, the more popular South Rim remains open year round and the colder months are a perfect time to visit to get some hiking in. You may occasionally encounter snow, but generally the trails are dry and the weather is clear and sunny (but not hot) making a trek into the canyon more doable than in the summer months.

Winter in Grand Canyon