You don’t have to hang up your National Parks Entrance Pass for the winter season. In fact, many of the national parks that experience extreme heat in the summer are much more enjoyable to visit in the cooler months.
Looking to escape the cold? We recommend checking out some of these national parks that are great for winter exploring.
Death Valley National Park
Average Daily High and Low Temperatures
| October | November | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93° / 62° | 77° / 48° | 66° / 39° | 67° / 40° | 74° / 47° |
Death Valley National Park is consistently over 100 degrees in the summertime, so a winter visit is considerably more comfortable and safe. Even in the winter, though, the valley rarely dips below freezing.
Temperatures will vary within the park, depending on whether you are in Badwater Basin, the lowest, driest valley on Earth, or in the mountains, where you will find snowy peaks in the winter. At Aguereberry Point, one of the highest elevation points you can visit by car in the park, you might encounter snow and ice on the road. Check with park rangers if you have concerns.
While summer visitors are often confined to the air conditioning of their vehicles and the visitor center, winter visitors can safely have free rein to explore the park.
Zion National Park
Average Daily High and Low Temperatures
| October | November | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66° / 39° | 56° / 30° | 48° / 24° | 49° / 24° | 49° / 24° |
Zion National Park is consistently in the top five most visited parks in the National Park System. The park sees the least amount of visitation in January and February, and mild daytime temperatures still make these months great times to visit.
The shuttle system operates through Thanksgiving before stopping for the winter season. (The only exception is it runs the shuttles for the Christmas holiday when visitation spikes.) Up until the shuttles begin again in March, visitors have the unique experience to drive their personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Inclement weather regularly closes access to Kolob Canyons, so be sure to check current conditions in the park as you plan your day.
The Zion Nature Center and the Kolob Canyons Wilderness Desk are closed for the season. Operating hours for other facilities are available online.
Everglades National Park
Average Daily High and Low Temperatures
| December | January | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78° / 60° | 76° / 53° | 78° / 53° |
Winter is the perfect time to visit Everglades National Park, as December through April constitute the park’s “dry season.”
The Everglades are a subtropical wetland, which means the year is roughly split into two seasons: the wet season (May-Nov.) and the dry season (Dec.-Apr.). During the dry season temperatures and humidity are mild, thunderstorms are scarce, and insect populations are down (although still remember to pack your mosquito repellant).
The dry season also means pools of water in the park will be more shallow, increasing your chance to spot some the parks most iconic inhabitants – alligators and wading birds.
The benefits of visiting during the dry season aren’t a secret, so expect larger crowds during this time of year. The park recommends booking campgrounds far in advance and arriving early day-of to secure parking. While there may be more people around, you’ll also benefit from a full offering of ranger-led programs.
Grand Canyon National Park
Average Daily High and Low Temperatures
| October | November | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75° / 49° | 66° / 42° | 57° / 35° | 58° / 35° | 59° / 35° |
Grand Canyon National Park is infamous for scorching summer temperatures, but winter brings cooler temperatures, shorter days and a slower pace to this top-visited park.
Things start cooling down pretty significantly starting in November. In the middle of winter, the canyon can see dramatic snow storms that bring several inches of snow to the park.
The North Rim entrance road is closed for the winter, but the South Rim of the park is open year round. South Rim roads are drivable except in inclement weather and are sprinkled with rock cinders to increase tire traction.
Trail conditions can vary based on trending temperatures and weather patterns. Be sure to check the forecast and talk to rangers at the visitors center before embarking on your hike.
Big Bend National Park
Average Daily High and Low Temperatures
| October | November | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75° / 55° | 66° / 46° | 60° / 41° | 59° / 39° | 64° / 42° |
Winter is a great time to visit this Texas park. Big Bend National Park is a dramatic desert landscape near the Mexico border that features the meandering Rio Grande, deep canyons and diverse wildlife.
At nearly 8000 feet in elevation, Big Bend does occasionally gets some snow that delicately dusts the landscape. Most days see comfortable temperatures that are perfect for a visit.
Some explorers prefer visiting Big Bend in the winter, as the temperatures are more mild for strenuous hiking and biking activities. The night temperatures often dip below freezing, so those who are looking to camp or backpack should be prepared with warm clothes and winterized gear.
If you’re planning a national park this winter, be sure to plan ahead and be prepared to ensure you have a great trip!
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