Just because the temperatures have dropped doesn’t mean you have to stop traveling! Whether you’re looking to strap on your snowshoes or chase the warm weather all year long, there are lots of great national parks to take a winter sabbatical in. Here are 9 options sure to satisfy your travel itch!
Arches National Park
Why you should go: Skip the triple-digit heat and crowds. Enjoy crisp daytime temperatures perfect for hiking, but prepare to bundle up at night!
Daytime temperatures are in the 40s on an average winter day in Arches National Park. The rocks and desert colors draw a stark contrast to the white snow blanketing the ground. You get incredible desert views with enough snow to enjoy. All while hiking or snowshoeing in fairly mild temperatures. Expect most days to be above freezing when you’re in Arches, but prep for overnight lows in the upper teens and low twenties.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Why you should go: Most hikers aren’t ready to brave the cold and icy trails. If you’re ready to, this is easily the quietest the park is year-round.
Bryce Canyon can be cold and icy during the winter (in fact, it’s pretty much a guarantee), so it isn’t for the faint of heart. However, if you’re a seasoned adventurer who doesn’t believe in taking any seasons off, this is the place you should be. Bryce Canyon offers breathtaking night ski views and you’ll love the hikes with minimal crowds.
Grand Canyon National Park
Why you should go: The best time of year to visit the inner canyon is winter. Temperatures are pretty mild compared to the South Rim.
Grand Canyon sees its share of triple-digit summer temperatures. However, during the winter, the park gets much more comfortable. The desert is a land of extremes and Grand Canyon National Park is no exception. That said, if you’re heading into the bottom of the canyon, you’ll find surprisingly pleasant temperatures. Daytime temps at the bottom of the canyon can touch 60, even in the winter. The South Rim, on the other hand, will be in the 30s and 40s.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Why you should go: Lassen Volcanic is a winter playground. It doesn’t get the same foot traffic, though, as more popular winter parks.
For the four-season adventurer, Lassen Volcanic National Park is an absolute must-see. The summer heat gives way to a winter wonderland, with the park blanketed in snow. Grab your snow shoes or your cross-country skis and enjoy this underappreciated gem in Northern California.
Grand Teton National Park
Why you should go: If you want to really test how hardcore you are, this is one of the best parks for the wintertime traveler.
Grand Teton gets bitterly cold. There’s no two ways about it. If you’re someone who’s a casual traveler and likes mild day hikes, you’re certain to have a bad time during winter in Grand Teton. If the idea of sub-zero low temperatures excites you, though, Grand Teton is one of the best national parks for winter recreation.
Crater Lake National Park
Why you should go: Does 44 feet of snow each winter sound fun to you? If so, put Crater Lake National park on your bucket list.
Crater Lake isn’t a park that shuts down during the winter. While, of course, things slow down, Crater Lake is very much alive after November. Ranger-led winter hikes take place each weekend, and the park opens up to snowshoers and skiers looking to explore the furthest reaches of this beautiful piece of Oregon.
Joshua Tree National Park
Why you should go: Want to enjoy Joshua Tree without sweating like a pig? Winter is the time to do it!
Snow is unusual (though not unheard of) in Joshua Tree. At the park’s highest elevations, you may get a blanket of snow. However, for the most part, temperatures are mild during the day. Even in January, the high temperatures hover in the low 60s routinely. Don’t be fooled, though! The desert gets cold overnight, with most nights dropping below freezing.
Death Valley National Park
Why you should go: Because you absolutely cannot go during the summer.
Okay, maybe you can go during the summer. Do you really want to, though? Winter is beautiful in the hottest place on earth. You’ll find gorgeous snow-capped mountains and a respite from the sweltering summer temperatures. Daytime highs are usually in the 50s, but just like Joshua Tree, overnight temperatures can drop more than 25 degrees.
Winter is the least crowded time in the park. However, if you’re traveling in the shoulder season between fall and winter, expect plenty of new friends to be in the park with you. If you want to miss the crowds, wait until January.
Haleakalā National Park
Why you should go: Because it’s just as comfortable in winter as summer
Haleakalā is beautiful year-round. Seriously, the average high in July is only 6 degrees warmer than the average high in January. It’s about the same for the overnight lows as well! Note that the peak at Haleakalā can be any from 65 degrees to sub-freezing. Besides the erratic weather at the top, the park is gorgeous in the winter.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Why you should go: It’s Hawaii but with some seasonality!
Want to go to Hawaii and pack a jacket? Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the perfect place to go! Daytime winter temperatures are still comfortable and in the 50’s. However, lows routinely drop into the 30s in the wintertime. The summit of Mauna Loa sits over 14,000 feet, so you can have Hawaii and snow if you’re willing to undertake the hike to get there!
Winter gives four-season travelers and incredible chance to visit some of our most beautiful national parks without the grueling heat or throngs of tourists. While it’s not for the faint of heart, winter travel is worth every chilly night.
Are any of these parks on your travel list?
