5 Mountainous National Parks to Visit in Winter
Summertime usually steals the show when it comes to exploring the great outdoors and for good reason - the ease of being outside, long and warm sunshine-filled days, wildflower booms and countless alpine lake dips. There is no denying summertime in our parks is special but it seems to be a best-kept secret that winter holds its own magic in the same landscapes in the depths of winter.
There is something spellbinding about a landscape transformed by winter - snow-capped peaks, frozen waterfalls, a blanket of snow muffling the typical hustle and bustle. Winter brings a fresh perspective to some of the most beloved destinations in the country, a chance to see these landscapes in a new light. It also brings a reprieve from the crowds and provides the true peace and solitude we seek from these natural wonders.
Below are 5 must-visit national parks in the winter season. These 5 parks offer the quintessential winter wonderland experience and are worth a cold-weather trip to experience them under a fresh coat of snow.
Yosemite National Park, California
The beauty and grandness of Yosemite is awe-inspiring year round but when the granite giants and sequoia groves are painted white, it is truly a sight to behold. With winter comes less crowds, cheaper rates, snow-capped peaks and lots of activities to enjoy outside.
Winter restricts access to Glacer Point Road and Tioga Pass Road but Wawona Road and Yosemite Valley remain open through the winter. Within the valley, there is plenty to keep you busy in the winter months. Plan to drive the valley loop to enjoy some of the iconic car-accessible viewpoints the park has to offer and be sure to include Tunnel View, Valley View and Sentinel Bridge over the Merced River.
The majority of trails on the valley floor stay open year-round. A few trails worth checking out in the winter include Bridalveil Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls Bridge, Mirror Lake and the Valley Loop, a longer hike which hits many of the Yosemite Valley classics. For an even more impressive and less crowded vantage of Tunnel View, take the short but steep hike up to Artist Point or Inspiration Point.
For snowshoe adventures, enjoy the trails beneath the giant sequoia groves at Merced Grove or Tuolumne Grove trailhead. For cross-country skiing or additional snowshoeing, head up to Badger Pass Ski Area and use the cross-country ski and snowshoe track along the closed section of Glacier Point Road. For an ambitious day trip, head all the way to Glacier Point for rewarding views of Half Dome and the valley below.
If visiting the park in February, don’t miss the Firefall phenomenon at Horsetail Falls - an annual occurrence where the angle of the setting sun hitting the falls causes it to look like a waterfall of fire.
Stay in one of the many Yosemite Valley lodges that remain open through winter or if up for the adventure, stay in one of four winter campgrounds (Upper Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona). Accommodations are much more budget-friendly in the winter and camping reservations are much easier to come by!
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
As one of the nation’s most picturesque parks, it is worth visiting in both summer and winter. In the winter, the park turns into an idyllic snow globe with towering peaks, snow encrusted trees and abundant wildlife. The constant supply of fresh snow and icy cold temperatures keep the crowds at bay allowing visitors a uniquely quiet experience in this wonderland. Besides the stunning scenery, there are many activities to be enjoyed including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and wildlife spotting which make the park an unbeatable winter destination. The Grand, the second tallest peak in Wyoming standing at 13,770 ft, is at its most striking under a thick winter coat.
During the winter months, the main park roads become inaccessible to vehicle travel due to high snowfall. Teton Park Road closes between Taggart trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge and Moose-Wilson Road closes between Granite Canyon trailhead and Moose. Teton Park Road is groomed twice a week for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Off of Teton Park Road, explore Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake, Jenny Lake or Signal Mountain. Off of Moose-Wildon Road, take a loop around Phelps Lake. These routes provide spectacular scenery under the sky-high Tetons.
Highway 191/89 and Highway 287/26 remain open and there are incredible panoramic views of the Tetons from many points along these highways. Must-see highway viewpoints include Glacier View Turnout, Snake River Overlook, Oxbow Bend, Blacktail Ponds Overlook and Schwabacher’s Landing. The last two require a short walk/ snowshoe (0.2 and 1 mile respectively).
Stay in the charming town of Jackson or just over Teton Pass in Victor, Idaho for more budget-friendly accommodations.
Glacier National Park, Montana
One glance is all it takes to understand why this park has been named a ‘crown of the continent’. Age-old glaciers have carved out massive valleys and lakes and raised granite peaks and ridges high into Montana’s big sky. Winters in Glacier can be long and the weather can be variable which keeps many visitors away and provides a quiet, cozy destination for those who make the trip. In the winter, the entire park lies under a thick blanket of snow providing a level of beauty and solitude that is hard to find outside of winter.
The only maintained winter roads are within Apgar Village and Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge. Going-to-the-Sun road closes between Lake McDonald Lodge and the St. Mary Entrance Station. With the majority of roads closed in winter, the park can be explored on snowshoes, cross-country skis or a winter hike. These activities are most often enjoyed on the closed section of Going-to-the-Sun Road along the shoreline of Lake McDonald. Lake McDonald is a fan favorite, known for being the largest lake in the park at almost ten miles long. The mountains behind Lake McDonald are stunning especially at sunset when dazzling in the alpenglow. If the lake is not yet frozen, keep an eye out for the colored rocks which cover the lake floor adding another dimension of unique beauty!
A few destinations worth exploring include McDonald Falls Trail, Avalanche Lake Trail, Apgar Lookout Trail, McDonald Creek Trail and Rocky Point Trail. It is possible to hike, snowshoe or ski for miles and miles without running into other visitors (except maybe a furry friend!) - a very special experience for those who brave the cold!
Park lodging closes in the winter but nearby towns (Whitefish, Columbia Falls) offer their lowest rates of the year in the winter months. There is also first-come first-served camping available at Apgar Campground.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest in the world. It is known for its intense blue color which comes from the depth and clarity of the lake. Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon and is extremely crowded in peak season. In summer, most visitors circumnavigate the lake on the Rim Drive in a vehicle and enjoy the accessible scenic viewpoints along the way.
In the winter, only the road to Rim Village remains open - the scenic Rim Drive closes for the winter months. This means the park beyond Rim Village is incredibly quiet and peaceful. A landscape that is beautiful in the summer completely transforms under a white coat of snow and the views become breathtaking. The contrast of the white snow against the deep blue lake is extraordinary.
Storms rolling off the Pacific Ocean bring an average of 43 feet of snow to the park each winter and there can be unrelenting storms. This often means days go by without being able to clearly see the lake. The best time to visit in the winter is March and April when there are improving windows of good weather.
When visiting in the winter, use Rim Village as a starting point for snowshoe and cross-country ski adventures. For day trips, venture along the Rim Drive to viewpoints such as Discovery Point, Wizard Island Overlook, Union Peak Overlook and Watchman Peak. If looking for an overnight adventure, snowshoe or ski along the rim and winter camp with beautiful, unobstructed views of the lake. This is one of the best parts about visiting Crater Lake in the winter - in the summer there is no camping allowed anywhere near the rim but come winter, the entire rim is up for grabs! For an extended winter camping adventure, circumnavigate the ~33 mile rim on snowshoes or skis over the course of a few days. Backcountry permits are required to stay overnight on the snowy rim.
There are no accommodations in the park in the winter, both lodging and campgrounds are closed. Stay in nearby towns of Fort Klamath, Union Creek or Prospect.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain is another park that should be on the list of must-visit parks in the wintertime. As the snow drapes a winter blanket over the park, the landscape becomes even more magical and the tranquility of a winter wonderland settles in. The park is known for its gorgeous scenery and winter is no exception. In our opinion it is even more beautiful in the winter when the snow makes the peaks look more dramatic. The wintery Rockies offer silent, snowy forests, ice covered lakes, frozen waterfalls and magnificent, snow-clad peaks.
Rocky Mountain National Park has an abundance of trails to explore in the wintertime. The best winter hiking and snowshoeing destinations include Odessa Lake, Chasm Lake, Black Lake, Mills Lake, Cub Lake, Emerald Lake, Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, Gem Lake, Deer Mountain and Chasm Falls (beautiful when frozen). Many lakes can be combined into an extended day trip.
For cross-country skiing, several of the lakes listed above are great options, as well as Tonahutu Creek Trail to Grand Lake and Bierstadt Lake Trail off of Bear Lake Road.
All accommodation in the park is closed in the winter with the exception of Moraine Park Campground which is first-come first-served. Estes Park is a great place to stay as it is a short drive from the park entrance and there are plenty of short term rentals available.
It is important to remember that snow levels, trail conditions and avalanche risk are always changing in the winter. All of these national parks are prone to variable weather, avalanches and unforgiving conditions. Always read the avalanche forecast, review trail condition reports and connect with a ranger before setting off on winter adventures in a national park. Come prepared for potential dangers - explore with a buddy, dress appropriately, pack extra layers, carry lots of food and water, bring avalanche gear if needed and ensure you have the proper backcountry winter education and training required for the conditions and your itinerary.