32 Ways to Explore National Parks During the Winter

By Courtney Johnson

Despite colder temperatures and heavy snowfall, winter is actually an opportune time for parks adventures. Fewer visitors mean less traffic jams, quicker entry to the parks, and plenty of parking at trailheads and pullouts. The necessary shuttles in the summer at parks like Zion no longer need to run. And, warmer climate parks, from Point Reyes National Seashore in California to the Everglades region in Florida, are ideal to visit in the winter. Below are 32 reasons, grouped into five categories, to visit a national park this winter.

Photograph otherworldly natural beauty 

From snow-covered pines to ice-covered lakes, the scenery at our national parks and recreation areas changes dramatically during the winter; cascading waterfalls freeze while the reds hoodoos at Bryce are sharp and bright beneath a blanket of snow. Snow-capped mountains, trickling waters, and snowy monuments make for great photo ops, as do…

1. Keep an eye out for the Aurora Borealis if visiting Denali National Park in the winter.

2. Sunrises and sunsets tend to be brighter and more vibrant as the skies clear during the colder months, which also leads to better views of the night sky. Dark Sky parks like Death Valley and Grand Canyon offer incredible views of constellations, meteor showers and the Milky Way. 

3. The low light also makes the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park look far different than in the warmer months.

4. The frozen-capped waters and shelf ice at Lake Michigan (particularly at one of the newest-declared national parks, Indiana Dunes,) offer a serene winter scene.

5. Cavernous ice-filled chambers are a photographer's dream at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin! 

6. A sleigh or snow-coach ride through various parks offers a chance for views that can’t be seen from park roads, some of which close for the winter. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are popular spots for snow-coach tours, while Yosemite offers majestic sleigh rides through the park.

Animal Watch

Animals are on the move in the winter months, in search of food and warmth. With less visitors around, animals also tend to be more active and out in the open. 

7. At Yellowstone, look for wolves, which might be more discernible against a backdrop of white snow. And, the steam rising from the breath of a bison in the cold air is quite a sight.!

8. Elk forage for food among the pines at Rocky Mountain and Teton National Park.

9. At Glacier National Park, the long legs of a moose are a sight, as the animal maneuvers delicately through the snow. 

10. Snowshoe hares try to camouflage against the mounds of snow at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Denali, both in Alaska.

11. Fox and deer search for food under the snow at Acadia and Cuyahoga Valley National Parks. 

12. Elephant seals breed in the winter months and can be seen at Point Reyes National Seashore, as do coho salmon.

13. Grab a pair of binoculars to spot the migrating birds at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas while songbirds and birds of prey are active at Zion National Park.

14. Keep an eye out for dolphins, Gray Whales, and SO many sea and landbirds at Channel Islands National Park.

15. At Big Cypress National Preserve, sign up for ranger talks on the manatee and the American Alligator.

In short, don’t forget to see what special ranger programs “your” park offers in the winter. This is a great time to learn about the behaviors of the animals that call the parks home.

Learn more about Wildflowers

While wildflowers are typically a late spring into summer attraction, there are a few parks where visitors are treated to splashes of color even in the winter.

16. Wildflowers bloom in the winter months at Death Valley National Park beginning in mid-February, offering visitors a chance to see lilies and poppies before the flowers taper off in mid-April. 

17. Guests at Big Bend National Park in very late winter may be treated to early views of the Texas Bluebonnet, the state flower. The trails may also be blanketed with yellow early marigolds in very late winter as well.

18. Sometimes referred to as “Wildflower National Park,” Great Smoky Mountains National Park has many species of wildflowers that may begin to appear in very late winter, among the 1,500 flowering plant species the park boasts. Spring beauty, trillium, and blue fox are just some of the many early bloomers!

19. Don’t miss the early blooms at Joshua Tree National Park. Head to the lower elevations of Pinto Basin or the south boundary of the park for winter splashes of color. The possible February appearance of lupine, Joshua Tree, and teddy-bear-like cholla and yucca remind those visiting that spring is on its way.

Recreation opportunities are abundant

Trails that are typically crowded during summer become winter wonderlands in the colder months. Not only is it easy to find parking at the trailheads, you may not see another soul while there.

20. MANY winter days at Canyonlands and Arches are both snow-free and crowd-free in the winter.

21. Winter-hiking may require the use of traction spikes, or, throw on snowshoes, if there is enough snow. Many parks, including Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Craters of the Moon, and Acadia offer snowshoe experiences, and trails suitable for independent exploration. During non-COVID restrictions, ranger-led guided snowshoe walks are on the regular schedule at Mount Rainier.

22. Badger Pass in Yosemite has a skiable 90 acres with 10 runs, lift service, and routes suitable for beginners and advanced skiers. Other parks have designated areas or specific rules for where you can snowboard and ski. Cross country skiing is available at most parks on designated trails if conditions allow.

23. Trade in the skis for a canoe or kayak and travel through the mangroves at Everglades National Park—the waters may be cooler, and seeing a sunset on an SUP or kayak is a memory to never forget. 

24. Explore a park via dogsled for the experience of a lifetime at Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach National Forest, and Banff National Park.

25. Trade a dogsled for a horse and saddle up at Bryce Canyon, Sequoia, & Kings Canyon National Parks.

26. Geocaching is popular year-round at national parks, and also imparts facts about earth science, geology and plant and animal life within the parks. Caches often take you to the hidden gems of a park, away from crowds of people. (Be sure to check if caching is allowed in your desired park as it is not allowed in some parks; there are many apps that support geocaching as well).

27. Younger children (and adults!) may also enjoy a simple winter scavenger hunt. There are many free scavenger hunts online, and these can be printed in advance. Junior Ranger books can also be completed in the winter, and lead to some excellent adventures on foot. 

28. Snow-play, including sledding and snowman building, is encouraged in designated areas at Mount Rainier National Park (where there is an average of 54 feet of snow each winter!), while sand-play is a go at Virgin Islands National Park and Dry Tortugas. 

29. The ice-fishing season typically runs from December to early March. A quick online search will get you started with an ice-fishing workshop, and then make your way to Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota to give it a try. Biscayne National Park also offers a warm water fishing spot in the winter!

The Quiet…And the Savings

Wide open spaces, quiet trails, and lighter car and foot traffic are some of the best reasons to visit a national park in winter—additionally, deals and cheaper rates are more plentiful during the colder months.

30. Always keep an eye out for deals on park lodging, dining, and outdoor adventures with park concessionaires during the off-season. If you have the gear and the gusto, winter camping at a park is also an option, for both cheaper lodging and solitude. 

31. Again, check your destination park’s schedule for a winter ranger programs, as opportunities to learn more about the landscape, animals, and history, and to explore, are unique during winter, with less people along on the tour. At Yellowstone, winter ranger programs run from mid-December to mid-March and can be found at Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and West Yellowstone. Hoodoo and Grand Staircase Geology Talks run during November and December at Bryce Canyon, and snowshoe walks (and talks) are regularly on the schedule during non-COVID conditions at Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park.

32. Cap it all off with a soak at Hot Springs National Park and Banff Upper Hot Springs, which may feel even more meditative and peaceful in the winter months.

So, next time you are planning parks’ travel, don’t forget the opportunities and unique experiences a visit in the winter may afford—you may find you appreciate and enjoy your visit more!

Courtney Johnson is a freelance sports and parenting writer based in Erie, Colorado. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband AJ and six-year-old daughter Emma. Follow her adventures at http://adventureswithmylittleray.com.

Banner image, Winter Hayden Valley/NPS-Neal Herbert