Six of the Best National Parks to Visit This Winter

Looking for your next park adventure? Read on to find your perfect Western winter park experience. Avoid the crowds, take the road less traveled, and discover all that national parks have to offer.

Snow blankets Great Sand Dunes national park with tufts of grasslands poking through. Pink sunset — First snow of the season at Great Sand Dunes National Park (courtesy of NPS).

Winter Hidden Gems

Whether there’s snow three feet deep or a beautiful frost that glimmers and melts with the rising sun, you’ll find plenty of adventures in national parks beyond the sunny trails of summer and the golden hues of fall. Read on for some wintry ideas for your next trip and beat the crowds in these hidden gems of the West.

Snow covers Bandelier National Monument Frijoles Canyon trees in snow — Snow falls in Frijoles Canyon (courtesy of NPS).

1. Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico

Experience the serenity of Bandelier National Monument during the winter months, where snow blankets the towering cliffs, canyons, and ancestral Puebloan architecture carved directly into the landscape. The crisp air will wake you up as you travel snow-dusted trails, enjoy cross-country skiing, or camp surrounded by the cultures of complex civilizations. Snow-capped landscapes frame Frijoles Canyon, creating a picturesque backdrop for your journey as iconic as the Grand Canyon. The quieter atmosphere allows for a more intimate connection with nature and history. Check the NPS website for the most alerts and closures and VisitLosAlamos.org for help planning your trip.

Tesuque Pueblo members stand with NPS staff in a remote desert area of the park in winter, with snow on the ground. In the distant background are snowy dunes and snow-capped mountains. — Tesuque Pueblo members stand with park geologist Andrew Valdez at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (courtesy of NPS).

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

Winter recreation awaits you at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, where the juxtaposition of snowy peaks and vast, golden dunes creates a stunning landscape. Traverse the pristine, snow-covered dunes, offering a unique blend of desert and winter magic. The park’s iconic peaks, softened by snow, provide a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. Sled down the frosted dunes—the largest dunes in North America. Snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, nature photography, and more await you. Check the NPS website for alerts and closures and Alamosa.org for help planning your trip.

Fiery red sunset in Saguaro National Park — Fiery red sunset at Saguaro National Park (courtesy of NPS).

3. Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Escape to the warmth of Saguaro National Park during the winter months, where the majestic saguaro cacti, sacred to the Tohono O’odham, stand tall against clear blue skies. You’ll find milder temperatures, perfect for hiking in the vast desert landscape. Winter unveils a serene beauty as sunlight bathes the rugged terrain, casting long shadows across the unique flora. Hike the scenic trails, marvel at the panoramic vistas, and witness the vibrant sunsets that paint the saguaros in warm hues. With fewer crowds and comfortable weather, winter becomes the perfect season to discover or return to Saguaro National Park and its iconic desert scenery. Check the NPS website for alerts and closures and VisitTucson.org and VisitArizona for help planning your trip.

Visitors explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park — Carlsbad Caverns National Park has fun above and below ground (courtesy of NPS).

4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

A trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the winter is like visiting another world. While it might be chilly outside, the well-lit cave remains a balmy 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Descend into the vast chambers, with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Winter brings unique tranquility to the park, allowing visitors to marvel at the intricate underground landscapes without the crowds. Delve into the mysteries of this millennia-old landscape during this season. While you’re there, swing by Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas—it’s only thirty minutes away! Check the NPS website for alerts and closures. You can find more tips for planning your trip at Visit Carlsbad and New Mexico True.

Two hikers walk through mossy cavern trail — Hikers walk through Bear Gulch at Pinnacles National Park (courtesy of NPS).

5. Pinnacles National Park, California

For winter camping, hiking, and birding, put Pinnacles National Park on your list. During the winter, you can avoid the warmer temperatures of the park and hike more comfortably. Pinnacles National Park protects many bird species, including the bird with the largest wingspan in North America, the California Condor. Roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this California park is less crowded than Yosemite and Sequoia, and is open year-round! Check the NPS website for alerts and closures. For help planning your trip, check out Central Coast: Soul of California.

Hiker descends stone steps at Chiricahua National Monument with sunny sky in the background — Hiking at Chiricahua National Monument is a beautiful experience (WNP/Brad Sutton).

6. Chiricahua National Monument

If you’re looking for a different park experience with opportunities for wildlife observation, camping, hiking, and impressive night skies, check out Chiricahua National Monument. This “Wonderland of Rocks” has a rich heritage dating back thousands of years, telling the cultural, historical, and geological stories of the region. As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Chiricahua’s starry nights are not only beautiful to observe—they also preserve important ecosystems. This is the perfect park for campers, hikers, amateur astronomers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the road less traveled. It’s right outside of Willcox, Arizona, famous for its vineyards and wine-tasting rooms! Check the NPS website for alerts and closures and go to VisitWillcox.org for more tips for planning your trip.

Snow melting on tree branches as the sun shines through in the background at El Morro National Monument.

National Parks in the Winter

During the winter months, you can discover and experience a different side of your favorite national park. What once was running is now still. What once was rustling is now frosted over. What once was flowing is now calm. The sun shines differently through the trees. Cactus spines are luminescent as the sunrise turns midnight ice into shining beads. Landscapes take on a new life as you don skis and snowshoes or finally decide to hike that desert trail. Smaller crowds make the park feel bigger and more serene. You take a breath and inhale the crisp, fresh air, and you can feel grateful for a perfect park moment.

By Julie Thompson

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