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Have you ever considered visiting any national parks during the winter?
Summer may be the peak season for visiting national parks in the United States, but these national parks are just as stunning during the winter, with the added bonus of lower crowds and off-season prices.
The trade-off, of course, is that you can expect cold weather at some national parks during the winter. But it’s worth it to see these iconic landscapes from a different perspective.
Some national parks have milder winters, particularly those in the Southwest and Southeast, making them more enjoyable to visit than during the sweltering summer season.
Here are 6 of the best U.S. national parks to visit this winter:
1. Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic sights in the United States. Spanning 277 miles long with a width of 18 miles, this canyon in Arizona is one of the most visited destinations in the country.
It’s even more beautiful in the winter than at any other time of year. During the winter, the canyon can be dusted in a light coating of white snow, making for truly breathtaking views.
2. Death Valley National Park
While California’s Death Valley National Park is stunning, it can be hard to appreciate the national park’s otherworldly beauty during the summer when daytime temperatures commonly reach upwards of 115° F.
During the winter, particularly the months of December and January, the weather at this desert national park is much milder. Visitors can enjoy average highs in the mid-sixties and evening lows in the forties.
This makes exploring Death Valley much more feasible, and you’ll be able to hike and do other outdoor activities for much longer.
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3. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah offers some of the most striking scenery in the United States at any time of year.
This national park is famed for its orange-colored rock formations that stretch on for miles. However, this national park can get extremely crowded during the summer months.
In the winter, expect freezing temperatures. But if you can brave the cold, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular winter landscapes. Seeing the snow-covered canyon in winter is worth battling the cold.
4. Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida is a great national park to visit in the winter to escape the cold.
In fact, winter is the best time of year to visit this national park. There’s less rain and humidity, and temperatures are milder, with an average high of 77° F and an average low of 53° F.
Winter is also the best time of year for spotting wildlife, and there are fewer mosquitoes in the Everglades at this time of year.
5. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, which sits primarily in Wyoming but also reaches Montana and Idaho, is the oldest national park in the United States. Founded more than 150 years ago, this national park is extremely popular and beloved.
During the winter, Yellowstone’s diverse landscapes and array of wildlife are just as compelling. You can observe bison, coyotes, foxes, and more trekking across the snowy landscapes.
Frozen waterfalls and steaming hot springs are just more of the sights that await you in Yellowstone during the winter. While it’s bitterly cold, you can always warm up with a cup of hot cocoa in front of the fireplace at one of Yellowstone’s many lodges.
6. Mount Rainier National Park
Finally, Mount Rainier National Park is an incredible winter destination if you don’t mind braving the cold.
This national park in Washington turns into a veritable winter wonderland, with snow-capped trees and the impressive snowy peak of Mount Rainier looming in the distance.
Winter is a great time of year for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at this national park.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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