United States' national parks drew in 237 million recreational visitors in 2020, down almost 30% from 2019. Lifted restrictions and increased confidence in public safety have triggered surges in tourism, and many parks are on track to smash previous records. Because of this mass increase, many people are reporting crowds so thick that it's become a challenge to get the most out of their visits.
There are several perks to visiting the parks outside of peak season. Fewer crowds, unique views, and more comfortable conditions make these national parks winter wonderlands.
8 Bryce Canyon
Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its massive collection of vibrant orange hoodoos that reach like fingers towards bright blue skies. Although a trip in winter might mean a visitor has to bundle up a bit, the views are worth it.
The already beautiful natural amphitheater sparkles from the snow that settles in the crevices of the rocks. The rich greens of the alpine forest pop against the white, illuminated by the sun that washes over the park. There is also an annual winter festival at the park over Presidents' Day weekend that features group activities like snowshoeing, sled races, and archery competitions.
7 Everglades
Florida's Everglades National Park is always wet, but torrential downpours flood the area in the summer months. Temperatures climb towards the hundred-degree mark, humidity soaring over 90% most days. Mosquitos thrive in the hot, damp environment, making it hard to enjoy the watery wilderness.
During the winter months, daily temperatures hover in the mid-70s. Humidity goes down drastically, and parts of the park that were previously underwater are green, lush, and ripe for exploring. Once submerged cypresses expose their beautiful buttresses. Marshes become prairies. Animals move easily through the park and congregate in impressive numbers around watering holes, making the Everglades a prime location for wildlife lovers.
6 Death Valley
California's Death Valley boasts the highest temperature ever recorded of 134 degrees. Exploring the park during the summer months is dangerous, and many visitors are only able to bear a short jaunt before hopping back into their air-conditioned cars.
Winter transforms Death Valley from an unbearable hellscape to a desert oasis. Temperatures drop to comfortable highs in the mid-60s to low 70s. Nighttime lows in the upper 30s draw dew to the salt flats in the Badwater Basin, causing a breathtaking sparkle that dissipates as the day goes on. Visitors can comfortably hike the many trails in the park, descending into the lesser-visited areas like Desolation Canyon, a multicolored expanse of pupil-pleasing rock formations.
5 Yellowstone
For good reason, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most frequented in the country. Visitors wait in anticipation for the eruption of Old Faithful, marvel at free-roaming bison, and hike the waterfall-laden trails. Summer is peak season, and visitors have to be sure to book accommodations far in advance if they hope to enjoy the sights.
Yellowstone's winter-goers can enjoy a more intimate view of the park. Old Faithful still spouts twenty times per day, the water transformed to a frosty mist midair by the frigid temperatures. Bison wear crystal coats, and elk descend from higher elevations in search of food. The steam that rises from the many hot springs in the park creates an ethereal view that can't be missed during the winter months.
4 Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, an unfortunate fact due to its remarkable landscape. The canyon is the deepest in all of North America, reaching a maximum depth of over 8,000 feet. Although not actually black, the depths make it difficult for sunlight to penetrate the canyon walls, casting shadows that shroud the rocks in the darkness.
During the winter, temperatures hover in the mid-40s. The dark canyon walls gain an additional eerie element as fogs descend upon the park, making the landscape look like a black and white photograph. Even fewer visitors head to Black Canyon, allowing those who brave the winter cold to enjoy quiet contemplation in a beautiful place.
3 Joshua Tree
California's iconic Joshua Tree National Park is known for the high concentration of peculiar trees it's named after. It's also known for its heat, above 100 degrees for much of the summer. Crowds are at their highest during the springtime, as temperatures are comfortable and wildflowers are in bloom.
However, the transformed landscape of Joshua Tree during the winter months makes it worth the visit. The desert is known for extremes, and nighttime brings cold and snow to the park. Early risers have the chance to witness the spines of the Joshua trees covered in frost that sparkles during the colorful sunrises. Over the course of the day, temperatures rise to 60 degrees, thawing the snow and providing comfort for long hikes.
2 The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains was the most visited national park in 2020. In the summer, nature lovers seeking sights of the more scenic spots of the park will have to share the experience with hundreds of strangers at a time.
Visiting the Smokies during the winter ensures a more isolated adventure. Although snow shrouds the majestic mountains in a beautiful white blanket, lower elevations are often snow-free and comfortable, with temperatures averaging in the mid-50s. Hikes to higher elevations offer stunning secluded views of frozen waterfalls that melt as the day heats up.
1 Acadia
Known for its stunning fall foliage, Maine's Acadia National Park draws crowds of leaf-peepers to its beautiful oceanside summits. Summer is no better, as masses head to the shoreline to enjoy seaside sunrises and warm weather.
Few people are brave enough to take on a Maine winter. Visitors dwindle, leaving behind sights that can only be enjoyed in the colder months. Atlantic waves crash into the snow-covered rocks on the shore. The typically congested Cadillac Mountain is open for secluded views of the first sight of sunrise in the country, making a winter trip a truly intimate experience.