Winter sports
There's a whole new world to explore once the snow starts falling.
National park season doesn't end when the snow falls. In fact, with the right gear and a sense of adventure, winter is an ideal time to visit. You'll find fewer crowds, a stunning landscape, and a tremendous variety of activities that'll keep your blood pumping and your smile wide.
Let it snow
Don't let the onset of winter keep you from exploring our national parks. In fact, for many park enthusiasts, winter is the ideal time to visit a park. The summer crowds have retreated, the landscape is transformed, and the arrival of snow opens up new ways to explore and experience these beautiful places.
Our favorite snowy parks
Yes, many of the parks on this list are well-visited, but that's for a reason. They are iconic winter parks perfect for snowy fun.
Great Basin National Park
This is the quietest season of the year, but that makes it extra special. Yes, it's cold. But you can camp, ski, snowshoe, and take in the serene winter stillness and the otherworldly shapes of the bristlecone pines dusted in snow.
Bandelier National Monument
This northern New Mexico park is truly a hidden gem, with just one surprise being the cross-country skiing opportunities waiting for you in the winter. The Upper Frijoles Trails provide amazing trails for skiing and nothing quite beats the exhilaration of a winter hike. Don't forget the hot chocolate.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The sight of the snow-capped peaks rising behind the tallest dunes in North America is worth every extra layer of clothing.
Where to go
Explore parks for winter sports
Legend
- Partner Park
- Gateway City
Stories from the parks
4 Incredible Parks for Winter Wildlife Watching
Emily Pennington // Western National Parks Winter, for some, means curling up indoors with a good book, and for others, it means zooming down the ski slopes, feeling the wind on your cheeks. However...
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...
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