For some, summer is the most loved season. Even autumn and spring most people be in agreement. But what is it about Winter? Yes, it’s cold however, to many, Winter is the best time to be. In the end, it’s all about the snow, sitting in the warm fireplace, drinking hot cocoa and skimming in the mountains of one of the more stunning National Parks in the nation. To ensure that you don’t miss the opportunity to visit the national parks in Fall when the autumn leaves are at their best. This is your chance to experience winter. Frosty temperatures will offer an entirely new perspective on four national parks, where you can experience winter marvels.
Death Valley National Park is the driest, hottest and the smallest National Park across the U.S., making Winter the ideal time to discover this desert treasure. The park is located in the eastern part of California close to bordering the Nevada border (just an 2.5-hour journey to Sin City), this lower-than-sea level basin has the most diverse of creatures even though it has a dark and gloomy name. As this is one of the hottest places on earth, and the most dry continent, occasional rain showers are an annual delight during wintertime. Another wintertime treat you shouldn’t overlook is visiting one the most well-known spots within this park: Badwater Basin. The salt flat has the lowest elevation on the continent. And in winter’s chilly temperatures it’s warm enough to stroll across the salt flat to see iconic geometric shapes in the earth, also known by the name of salt polygons. If you visit, enjoy a drive in the afternoon along Artist’s Palette along Artist’s Drive which is an scenic 9-mile route that winds through snow-covered and multicolored badlands.
The park is open to visitors all year however winter visitors have an entirely different experience when it snows that occur in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The winter season in Yellowstone means less crowds as well as more wildlife, cold temperatures and steaming geysers. In winter, skiers have a peaceful atmosphere that the ski resortscan’t rival. You’ll be the only person going to Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Here you can see the world’s most well-known geyser burst and experience the steam rising from hot springs that are even more spectacular when the winter temperatures are in single digits. normally, temperatures fluctuate between -30degF to 30degF during the winter months. Bison, bighorn sheep the elk, moose and wolves usually appear in the park in Winter. In mid-December, skis snowshoes and snow coaches and snowmobiles take over as the main mode of transport as roads get crowded as lakes and rivers freeze and trails that were once crowded turn into peaceful retreats. The only road open year-round is the one that runs from Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast entry point.
The beauty of winter is stunning and bizarre scenery of the Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. The stunning white snow contrasts beautifully with the park’s famous red rock formations, pink ice-coated mountains as well as evergreen trees and deep blue sky. Additionally, the largest collection of limestone spires that defy gravity known as hoodoos look even more stunning when they are sparkling out of the ice. Bryce Canyon’s landscape drastically alters in winter offering an opportunity to face the frigid temperatures for a memorable cold, snowy escape from November through February. The winter months here can be extremely cold (typical temperatures dip to below freezing almost every night) The cold air and the high elevation provide visitors many benefits. Skiing cross-country, world-class stargazing and full moon hikes led by rangers as well as annual winter festivals. Explore famous landmarks such as Thor’s Hammer, Tower Bridge as well as The Bryce Amphitheater. Also, don’t forget the annual Bryce Canyon Winter Festival.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is among the most popular national parks within the U.S., and Winter is the perfect opportunity to avoid the crowds. The park is only visited by 10% of its amount of visitors in summer encounter less-traveled routes throughout the park’s 277 miles during the winter months. The canyon’s northern edge is closed in the fall however, the south rim is open all year long and temperatures usually peak in the 40s before falling to the 20s. Winter wildlife is stunning on Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon, where there’s an opportunity to spot Elk, California condors, ravens and the Abert’s squirrels along the rim, as well as in Ponderosa pine forests. Its Bright Angel Trail is a popular spot to breathe in the crisp and cold winter air and to see the sunset or sunrise in the winter months. It is said that the Grand Canyon is more extraordinary in the winter months, from December to February in the early mornings when it is foggy and the afternoons are sunny.
