Summer season could also be peak season for visiting a nationwide park, however that doesn’t imply it’s the one time of 12 months to take pleasure in these scenic spots. Whereas far much less widespread, a winter nationwide park journey has its perks: The chilly season ushers in a uncommon solitude within the extra widespread parks, presents a putting change of surroundings and fosters winter-only actions like snowboarding and snowshoeing that may make for a very memorable trip.
Starting in November, many parks reduce their operations, however solely one of many 63 (the distant Isle Royale Nationwide Park in Michigan) absolutely closes in the course of the colder months. In truth, some parks are finest explored within the winter when temps are cooler and lots of bothersome bugs are hibernating.
Plus, traipsing by way of a quiet forest or watching the solar set over snow-dusted peaks makes for a barely extra distinctive journey, one which takes slightly additional planning however may be extra rewarding. “It’s primarily like visiting a complete new park,” says REI Program Supervisor Gary Elbert, a seasoned information and adventurer whose workforce plans and manages REI journey journeys all through North America.
Whether or not you’re looking for solitude, seeking to take pleasure in a cold-weather exercise or are on the hunt for snowy landscapes, listed below are one of the best causes to plan a winter nationwide park go to this 12 months.
Attempt a Winter-Solely Exercise
Winter can open up a refreshing array of actions at nationwide parks. Recent snow could coat widespread summer season mountaineering trails at some parks, providing alternatives for snowshoeing in addition to cross-country and backcountry snowboarding.
Parks like Mount Rainier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain are widespread locations for snow-based actions because of their mountainous terrain and annual snowfall. Backcountry skiers can flock to steeper slopes, whereas snowshoers and cross-country skiers can wander the valley flooring. A number of nationwide parks—Olympic, Yosemite and Cuyahoga—even have small ski areas inside for these seeking to get their gravity repair.
“One in every of my favourite journeys ever was driving a snowcat into Yellowstone in February and snowboarding round Geyser Basin the place wildlife congregates,” says Elbert. “Yellowstone within the winter is really superb.”
Whereas motorcar entry is usually prohibited in nationwide parks, just a few permit snowmobiling in designated areas come winter. Yellowstone is the preferred nationwide park for this exercise, which is a singular method to see Previous Devoted or the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with a dusting of snow. A allow (secured by way of a lottery) is required for self-guided snowmobile journeys. There’s additionally restricted entry for snowmobiling in designated areas in Crater Lake and Acadia Nationwide Parks, largely as a method to get to areas the place roads aren’t maintained within the winter.
Expertise Fewer Bugs
One other nice motive for a cool-weather trip: fewer mosquitoes. These pesky flies thrive at 80°F and above, however sometimes can’t survive in temps under 50°F, making winter journeys ideally suited for the one who needs to keep away from them.
Bug seasons fluctuate all through the nation. Mountainous areas are likely to have shorter ones, whereas scorching and humid climates have bug seasons that span a number of months. Congaree Nationwide Park in South Carolina’s mosquito nation is a scorching spot for bugs that chew. The park, which is buggiest throughout summer season and spring, even has a mosquito meter and themed merchandise on the customer middle. You’re additionally more likely to discover an abundance of mosquitoes in locations like Florida, Ohio and Colorado—the latter is understood for a brutal six-week mosquito season that begins in late June. If you need an itch-free journey, think about visiting one in every of these parks throughout colder months.
Take pleasure in Smaller Crowds
Whilst you could also be shoulder-to-shoulder (or bumper-to-bumper) with hordes of different park guests within the summertime, a visit within the winter sometimes presents a quiet respite from the crowds.
“As quickly as you’re off the overwhelmed path within the winter, you’re by your self,” says Elber. “It’s such a serene feeling to be on the market alone. Typically it actually seems like you have got the entire park to your self.”
To place the crowds in perspective: Greater than 300,000 guests flocked to Bryce Canyon to see the well-known hoodoos in June 2022. Earlier that 12 months, in January—when snow blanketed the already putting panorama—visitation was solely round 30,000. Fewer individuals also can imply extra choices for lodging, which is commonly scarce and costly in the course of the excessive season.
Plus, snowy landscapes supply magic past what you possibly can see. “Snow can be an excellent sound deadener, which makes every part appear all of the extra nonetheless and calm,” says Elbert.
See a Acquainted Place in a New Gentle
For those who suppose our nationwide parks are putting in the course of the summer season, attempt viewing them within the winter. A contemporary coat of snow can fully remodel a mountain vary, canyon or dense forest. The towering peaks in Yosemite turn out to be slumbering giants, and the colourful wildflower-packed valleys within the Rockies flip into rolling white hills. Visiting the snow-covered desert landscapes in any of Utah’s parks—like Bryce, Zion, Arches and Canyonlands—supplies a putting distinction of white and crimson. It’s a scene that many photographers solely dream of capturing.
“For those who have a look at a few of Ansel Adams’ Yosemite pictures, they appear fully totally different within the winter and summer season,” provides Elbert. “It’s like a complete new persona of the place comes out.”
Take Benefit of a Milder Local weather
Some parks which can be particularly scorching in the summertime may be extra satisfying in the course of the milder winter months. Dying Valley, for example, can attain 120°F in the summertime months however cools to the mid 60s or 50s on a December or January day. February and March are excellent months to cycle or hike Badwater Basin, Dying Valley’s well-known below-sea-level basin, which is nearly unattainable to go to on foot in the summertime (although you possibly can view it out of your air-conditioned automobile). Likewise, the excessive desert panorama of California’s Joshua Tree Nationwide Park cools right down to the 60s in the course of the day in January and February, making it an unbelievable winter mountaineering vacation spot. Southern Utah parks, like Bryce, Arches, Zion and Canyonlands, can rise above 100°F in the summertime, and little to no tree cowl makes it difficult to discover the desert. The Grand Canyon and Huge Bend nationwide parks additionally constantly hit the excessive 90s all through the summer season and make nice late-winter journeys in March. December by way of April is dry season in Florida’s Everglades, with much less humidity and temps within the excessive 70s.
Simply keep in mind: Whereas 60s and sunny can really feel nice within the dreary months of February, temps plummet at evening in dry desert landscapes. Put together for additional chilly nights in the event you plan on tenting.
Spot Wildlife
Whereas some wildlife, like bears, settle into hibernation within the winter, others make appearances. Yellowstone is among the finest locations on the earth to see wolves, that are continuously noticed at daybreak or nightfall within the fall and winter. Mating and looking season for wolves is January by way of March, in order that they’re typically found by listening for a loud howl. And their brown and grey coats are simpler to identify in opposition to the distinction of white snow.
Elk and mule deer develop heat winter coats to outlive winter within the Grand Canyon, and snowy owls are a delight to identify in Acadia Nationwide Park. Although you could have to be extra affected person to identify wildlife within the winter, the expertise is all of the extra particular when there’s nobody else round. Witnessing a blanket of frost on a herd of buffalo, or the distinctive single file traces wolves use to stroll by way of deep snow to save lots of power is like getting a personal window into the nationwide parks after closing time.
Chilly-weather climates aren’t the one locations to identify winter wildlife. Within the Everglades, animals congregate round central watering holes when water ranges drop, making it a perfect time to identify alligators, manatees, crocodiles, turtles, otters and quite a lot of birds. Many birds flock to the nice and cozy respite of South Florida, so it’s a haven for birders (with over 300 avian species within the nationwide park).
Are you offered on visiting a nationwide park within the low season? Earlier than you head out, be sure to’re ready for the weather. Whereas there are lots of advantages to visiting a nationwide park within the fourth season, it may possibly additionally take slightly extra planning to remain protected and comfy. Climate may be unstable within the winter and nationwide parks supply fewer companies within the low season months, requiring guests to be extra self-sufficient. To organize on your journey, keep updated on quickly altering climate or emergency closures and have just a few backup plans in case your unique vacation spot isn’t an possibility. The good factor about fewer crowds is that it’s straightforward to adapt your journey last-minute because of much less demand for campsites and extra lodging vacancies—this additionally makes it simpler to hop within the automotive and discover a brand new place on a whim if the climate appears to be like nice.
“Even when [the park] is in your yard and also you’ve been there a dozen instances, in the event you’ve by no means visited that park within the winter, you must go,” says Elbert. “You gained’t remorse it.”