National parks are awe-inspiring natural sanctuaries, but some restrict access during the winter. Escape frigid temps this winter and head to these lovely locales instead.
We asked former National Park rangers Marilyn Irwin, Rebecca Harriett, Phil Selleck, and Greg Jackson which national parks they like to visit during winter. Their answers range from Virgin Islands National Park, where you can swim with sea turtles to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which is home to the largest volcano on the planet. Read on to find out the best national parks to visit during winter according to experts!
1. Big Bend National Park
“Big Bend National Park is an isolated park in Southwest Texas. One has to want to visit this park as no large communities are close by. Winter is the best time to visit Big Bend as daytime temperatures are in the 60s and all trails are hikeable. Big Bend encompasses the Chisos Mountain Range and much of the Chihuahuan Desert. Because of the large range of ecosystems, the park has more types of birds, bats, butterflies, ants, and scorpions than any other U.S. National Park. It provides ample opportunities for wildlife viewing with caution as many species are on the ‘watch-out’ list. The park is packed with unique plants of the mountains, forests, and deserts. As with the wildlife, some can be poisonous and harmful to people. Because Big Bend is so isolated, it provides the best of night sky viewing.” — Irwin
“If you want crisp, cold nights but not frigid temperatures, you might try the Chisos Basin Campground at Big Bend National Park. The Chisos Mountains in the park, surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, offer Arizona pine, Douglas fir, and pinyon stands, where you’ll see a variety of wildlife including bears.
“The campground is by reservation only. The road to the campground is not suitable for trailers over 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet, so camping there may tend to be more low impact. Consider watching the sunset through The Window when you camp there. The campground, at 5,400 feet is a jumping-off point for trails that reach over 7,000 feet. And the desert is just a short drive away.
“With a little more driving, there is Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande. From the Chisos area, with a little effort, you can experience panoramic views that reveal the massive size of this undeveloped and permanently protected desert and mountain park. Though there is a lodge and restaurant nearby, remember you will be 77 miles from the town of Marathon and 106 miles from Alpine.” — Selleck
2. Redwood National Park
“The National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation team together to protect and manage this park. Winter is a good time to visit as crowds are smaller and temperatures are moderate. Rain is often part of the day and, knowing that, one should carry raingear for the possibility. Redwood trees are the giants among trees and can grow to over 300 feet tall. Walking among these splendid trees makes one grow quiet and observe the ‘hush factor.’
“Redwood National Park is actually more than the trees. It also encompasses prairies, rivers, and 40 miles of the Pacific coastline. Many activities are available, such as scenic drives which allow wildlife watching and lovely coastal views. Some roads are unpaved and do not allow RVs to travel on them. Biking through the park can be challenging but also a wonderful experience. Short walks to hiking on multi-day trips can allow the visitor to become very familiar with the park’s beautiful features. Fire is part of California culture, so one must be aware of changing situations in regard to fire.” — Irwin
3. Virgin Islands National Park
“As a person who is not fond of cold weather, when someone asks me about ‘winter’ parks, my mind automatically goes south. Escaping cold weather becomes my goal. While there are many parks that fit that description, my favorite (so far) is Virgin Islands National Park. After the long cold blasts of winter have taken their toll, who would not want to escape to a tropical paradise to swim with sea turtles?
“Sections of the national park are on both St. Thomas and St. John’s islands, but St. John’s is where you want to center your attention. Hiking, swimming/snorkeling, kayaking, or just lounging on the beach will fill up your days.
“Lodging on the island varies, but in 2021, the Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground (an authorized NPS Concessioner) opened, providing eco-tents for glamping, tent platforms, group sites, and cottages. Of course, there are also private motels, B&Bs, or villa rentals. In fact, the Friends of Virgin Islands NP has an online villa auction fundraiser every fall. Everything from small one-bedroom beach cottages to multi-room island mansions are bid on for winter vacations. And if Virgin Islands National Park does not keep you busy, you can always take a seaplane over to St. Croix, the third island, and explore another member of the NPS family, Buck Island Reef National Monument.” — Harriett
4. Death Valley National Park
“If you have ever wanted to visit Death Valley National Park, and not just to have your photo taken by the Visitor Center’s large outdoor thermometer when it is reading 125 degrees, then winter is the season. Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 and will not disappoint, but regardless of season, you must be prepared for anything. Getting updated park information at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center upon your arrival is a must.
“Opportunities for hiking salt flats and slot canyons abound, but everyone wants to experience Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, but the superlatives don’t stop there. Driving through Artists Palette, climbing Mesquite Sand Dunes, hiking around Ubehebe Crater, wandering through Golden Canyon (where a part of Star Wars was filmed), summiting Dantes View, or sunrise or sunset at Zabriskie Point are just a few of the stunning landscapes that Death Valley has to offer.
“And don’t forget the glorious night sky as a designated International Dark Sky Park. For professional as well as amateur astronomers, the park hosts an annual Dark Sky Festival in February, bringing together the general public with NASA scientists and other space professionals, including those associated with the newly deployed Webb Telescope.
“Don’t let the name discourage you from visiting, Death Valley is full of life. One cautionary note: Death Valley experienced major flooding this past summer, so many roads are still impassible, but the NPS and CADOT are working hard to get the major roads open by this winter.” — Harriett
5. Dry Tortugas National Park
“Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park is a great place to visit in the winter. However, many people go south then, so plan ahead. This group of seven islands is 68 miles west of Key West and is actually the dividing line between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.
“Camping is an adventure because you must bring everything and be totally self-sufficient — food, drinking water, a tent, and charcoal if you intend to cook in the campsite grills. There are eight campsites on Garden Key and an overflow area; no reservations, except for the group site. Your reward is spending the tropical night with few other people and a night sky without light pollution. Away from the park generators, you’ll hear just waves and wind.
“This is the place to fish, SCUBA dive, snorkel, and see what the rest of Florida must have been like years ago. Clear waters, seagrass, coral reefs, and bright sandy patches make this a special place. Endangered birds such as sooty and noddy terns live on the islands, along with magnificent frigate birds.
“Fort Jefferson, the largest brick fort in the U.S., was a Civil War outpost and prison, with Dr. Samuel Mudd imprisoned after the war. You can reach the park by commercial ferry, seaplane, or your own boat. Before you go, check the park website for dos and don’ts.” — Selleck
6. Everglades National Park
“Want the feel of the pine woods without the cold of winter? Consider staying at the Long Pine Key Campground at Everglades National Park. It is a short distance from Homestead and Florida City but surrounded by Everglades. Where dry land rises out of the surrounding sawgrass, ‘pine islands’ evolved. They are a species of pine called slash pine, with palms and palmetto mixed in. The campground is a mixture of RV and tent sites, and you should reserve your campsite since many people head south in the winter.
“Winter is generally the dry season there, so wherever water collects, birds and alligators tend to collect. The campground is a short distance off the Main Park Road (MPR) and close to some of the most scenic parts of the park. Head north to the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm to see alligators and water birds, including anhingas. Head south from the campground on the MPR and watch the sunset from Pahayokee Overlook — a wonderful “big sky” view across Everglades. Take the boardwalk through Mahogany Hammock to get an immersive look at a hardwood hammock, with its dense canopy and bromeliads perched in trees. At the end of the MPR is Flamingo and Florida Bay with American crocodiles and manatees. Eco Pond is there, where you can get great views of wading birds, ducks, and gators. There is so much within reach from Long Pine Key Campground.” — Selleck
7. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
“Aptly named, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park lets you [experience] Earth’s most active volcano, Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest volcano. It is an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers 123,000 acres of wilderness.
“You can hike on a variety of trails from short to long, easy to difficult. You can explore from your vehicle by taking the crater rim drive and Chain of Craters Road. You can even go underground to explore an ancient lava tube.
“Volcanic activity can result in restrictions and closures, so check the park website for updates when planning your trip and before you depart.” — Jackson
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