Imagine standing in awe as frost-kissed landscapes stretch before you, hiking trails devoid of crowds, and serene natural wonders cloaked in winter's quiet beauty.
Winter transforms America's National Parks into magical, peaceful retreats that offer temperate weather, breathtaking views, and unmatched serenity.
Why let the summer heat and throngs of tourists dictate your adventures? The cooler months invite you to explore these incredible parks in a whole new light.
From tranquil wetlands to towering redwoods, we've uncovered the top 5 national parks to visit this winter. Bundle up, pack your gear, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure!
Everglades National Park, FL
The best time to visit the Everglades National Park is during the "dry season" of the winter months when temperature and humidity are at their lowest.
With highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s Fahrenheit, you'll be able to stay out all day without too much trouble.
There's plenty of ways to explore the Everglades in winter.
Since a large portion of the park is a wetland preserve, we recommend checking out a guided airboat tour.
You'll be able to see the full extent of the park, and take in some pretty great scenery.
Everglades National Park is one of the most biodiverse places in the world, so getting a guided tour to learn about the unique flora, fauna, animals, birds, and insects is a must.
The dry season is an especially great time to see the wildlife because the lower water levels pull back the curtain on their natural habitats, leaving them easier to spot.
If you have hard-core adventurers in your group, sign up for a ranger-led slough slog.
This guided experience will lead you off trail and into the water, where you'll get to get up close and personal with the park's signature cypress domes and their habitats.
Big Bend, TX
Normally super hot in the summer, winter visitors to Big Bend National Park enjoy temperatures with pleasant highs in the 70s Fahrenheit.
Like any desert, it can get cold at night and experience occasional cold snaps, so make sure to bring layers.
The park boasts 150 miles of a variety of hiking experiences for all activity levels.
Check out the Lost Mine Trail for a moderate hike with great views of the park's rolling hills.
If you want something easier, the Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a shorter hike that's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
If you'd rather be on water, the park has multiple outfitters for half-day, full-day, and multi-day river trips down the Rio Grande.
In the winter months, the park website recommends scheduling your river trip on the first day of your visit, just in case a cold snap rolls through.
This way, the outfitter can work with you to reschedule to a later date when the cold snap has passed.
Big Bend has a variety of bike trails for mountain bikers to explore, as well as a complex web of back roads appropriate for road bikes.
If you don't want to bring your bike with you, there's a variety of bike outfitters that can get you suited up and ready to go.
Zion National Park, UT
Zion National Park is on our winter visit list for its lack of crowds and gorgeous views.
However, this park is getting more and more popular in recent years, so we recommend skipping it during the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) when crowd size can still be pretty high.
While you might get a bit of snow during your visit here, this area of Utah avoids the worst of the region's snowfall, leaving most roads and trails accessible all season long.
Temperatures average from highs in the 40s to lows in the 20s Fahrenheit.
However, because of the dry weather, it can still feel fairly warm in the sun.
The best way to take advantage of this park in the winter months is to go hiking.
Check out the Sand Bench Trail if you're looking for an easy hike with slight elevation gain and incredible vista views.
Looking for something slightly more challenging? The Emerald Pools Trail is a great winter hike that leads to waterfall views.
The path gets more strenuous as you go along, so it can be a good trail for a variety of skill levels.
If you're a more advanced outdoors person, you can take on the challenge of hiking the Narrows in the winter.
This network of rivers and canyons is gorgeous all year round, but is substantially less crowded in the winter – mostly because the water is pretty cold!
If you're taking on the Narrows in the winter, make sure to work with the local park authorities to ensure you have all the required permits and are completely prepared to keep yourself and your party warm throughout your adventure.
Redwood National Park, CA
Redwood National Park is gorgeous all year round but is especially magical in the winter when there are less crowds flocking to the tree behemoths.
Between December and March, temperatures are around between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
This period is also one of the park's rainiest, so it's worth it to bring a few layers when you go.
The best part about going to Redwoods in the winter is the lack of crowds.
It's more than likely that you'll find yourself completely alone in some of the beautiful tree groves and hiking trails.
One of our favorite hikes is the Fern Canyon Trail, which is an easy, short trek.
If you're looking for something longer, the Tall Trees Grove Trail is a gorgeous, 4 mile hike.
Before you go, don't forget to check if you need permits for any of the trails in your itinerary.
Not in the mood for a big trek? Take advantage of the park's scenic drives (Avenue of the Giants is incredible) to take in the sights from the comfort of your car.
The park's wildlife populations are active all year round, but winter can be a fantastic time to spot them, so keep an eye out on your drive for elk, native birds, and much more!
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park is famous for being the hottest place on earth and the driest place in North America.
All things considered, it's safe to say that winter is the BEST time to go to this park when the average high is in the high to mid 60s.
This park is the largest continuous park in North America, so there's a variety of amazing attractions to take in.
We recommend making sure your car's gas tank is full before you head into the park, since you'll need to drive between them and there's not many gas stations throughout the park (if at all).
Badwater Basin is probably the most famous attraction in the park – and for good reason.
You'll reach the flats after an easy mile walk from parking, where you can see the distinct hexagonal salt ridges left by evaporation.
In the winter it's more likely that there will be water in the flats, which can give you a beautiful reflective view of the Amargosa Mountains just off to the east.
Our favorite attraction in Death Valley is the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes.
Even though climbing them can be difficult, the views are incredible from the top.
This is an advanced hike, so make sure to take your time and take plenty of water.
Let us know how it goes!
We love visiting the National Parks in the winter, but we want to hear how it goes for you on your adventures!
Whether you decide to go on a slough slog in the Everglades or climb the Sand Dunes of Death Valley, we hope you have a fantastic time – and don't forget to pack extra layers!