Best National Parks in Winter and Which Roads Stay Open
Winter empties many national parks and transforms others. Here is which parks are at their best from December to March, how to see Yellowstone under snow, and which scenic roads close for the season.
The best national parks to visit in winter are the warm desert and subtropical parks, such as Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Big Bend and the Everglades, plus snowy parks that stay open and shine under snow: Yellowstone by snowcoach, Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Many high scenic roads, including most of Yellowstone’s, close to cars for winter.
Which national parks are best in winter?
The table compares the strongest winter choices, from December to March.
| Park | State | Why go in winter | Typical winter weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death Valley | California | Hiking that is dangerous in summer | Highs 65–73°F, lows 38–46°F, December–February (NPS) |
| Joshua Tree | California | Rock scrambling, desert walks, stargazing | Mild days, nights near or below freezing |
| Saguaro | Arizona | Cactus forest hikes near Tucson | Mild, sunny days |
| Big Bend | Texas | Canyons, a historic hot spring, mountain trails | Mild days, cold nights, busy around holidays |
| Everglades | Florida | Dry season wildlife viewing, fewer mosquitoes | Warm, dry, sunny |
| Yellowstone | Wyoming, Montana, Idaho | Geysers in the snow, wolves and bison | Below freezing, often below zero at night |
| Bryce Canyon | Utah | Snow on red hoodoos, snowshoeing | Cold, about 8,000 feet elevation |
| Zion | Utah | Quiet canyon, drive the Scenic Drive yourself | Cool days, icy trails possible |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | Arizona | Snow on the canyon, small crowds | Cold, snow possible, icy upper trails |
How do you visit Yellowstone in winter?
Yellowstone in winter is reached mostly by guided snowcoach or snowmobile. Most park roads closed to regular vehicles on November 1, 2026, and the oversnow season runs from December 15, 2026, until between March 7 and March 15, 2027, depending on the road segment, according to the Yellowstone park roads page.
- By car: the road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City is generally the only road open to regular vehicles all year. It is a good route for winter wildlife watching.
- By snowcoach: tours leave from Mammoth, West Yellowstone and other gateways. The park lodging company lists a Mammoth-to-Old Faithful snowcoach from December 16, 2026, to March 7, 2027, at about $180 one way for adults as of November 2026.
- By snowmobile: snowmobiles must travel with a commercial guide or through a limited non-commercial permit program.
- Where to stay: Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Mammoth area have winter lodging, along with gateway towns.
Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas, where snow can hide thin crust over boiling water. For the rest of the year, see our guide to the best time to visit Yellowstone.
Which desert parks are best in winter?
Death Valley has the most comfortable winter in the park system for long hikes: Furnace Creek averages highs of 65°F in December, 67°F in January and 73°F in February, according to the National Park Service. Joshua Tree is cooler because it sits higher, and its campgrounds fill on winter weekends, so reserve ahead; our Joshua Tree National Park guide covers camping and stops. Saguaro, near Tucson, and Big Bend, in far west Texas, are also at their best from November to March. Big Bend is busy over the winter holidays and in March.
Is the Everglades good in winter?
Yes, winter is the best time to visit the Everglades. The dry season runs from about December to April, when water levels drop, wildlife gathers around remaining pools and mosquitoes are much less of a problem than in summer. The Anhinga Trail near the main entrance and the Shark Valley tram road are the easiest places to see alligators and wading birds. Our Everglades National Park guide explains how to plan a day trip from Miami.
What are Bryce Canyon and Zion like in winter?
Bryce Canyon sits at about 8,000 feet and is open year-round. According to the NPS Bryce Canyon winter page, the main road can close temporarily beyond Mile 3 after snowstorms, but the overlooks of Bryce Amphitheater are plowed first and stay reachable. The Fairyland Point and Paria View spur roads close to cars for the season but are open to hikers, skiers and snowshoers. Snowshoeing is allowed on all trails, and cross-country skiing is allowed above the rim. The Bryce Canyon Winter Festival is held each Presidents’ Day weekend at Ruby’s Inn near the park entrance.
At Zion, winter means a quiet canyon and, for part of the season, no shuttle. In 2026 the Zion Canyon shuttle does not run from November 29 to December 25, so private cars can drive the Scenic Drive; holiday shuttle service runs December 26 to January 2. Angels Landing still requires a permit in winter, and icy trails are common.
Which national park roads close in winter?
Many of the most famous scenic drives close each winter. The table shows typical patterns; exact dates depend on snow, so check each park’s road status page before you go.
| Park | Road or area | Typical winter status |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Most park roads | Closed to cars from November 1, 2026; scheduled to start reopening April 16, 2027 |
| Grand Teton | Teton Park Road (central section) | Closed to vehicles November through April; open for skiing and snowshoeing |
| Glacier | Going-to-the-Sun Road | Mostly closed from fall to early summer; lower sections near Lake McDonald stay open |
| Rocky Mountain | Trail Ridge Road | Closed from fall (often mid-October) to late May |
| Yosemite | Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road | Closed by snow, usually November to late spring |
| Grand Canyon | North Rim | Closed in winter; in 2026 it operated with no in-park overnight lodging after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire |
| Crater Lake | Rim Drive and North Entrance | Closed by snow from fall to summer; road to Rim Village usually plowed |
| Mount Rainier | Longmire to Paradise | Gate closes nightly and opens when the road is safe; all vehicles must carry chains November 1 to May 1 |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) Road | Closed to cars December through March; Newfound Gap Road closes temporarily in snow |
| Acadia | Most of Park Loop Road | Closed to cars from December to mid-April |
How do you stay safe on a winter park trip?
- Check road status and alerts on the park website the morning you drive; closures can happen with little notice.
- Carry chains or have traction tires where required, and know how to fit chains before you need them.
- Pack traction devices for icy trails, warm layers, a headlamp and extra food and water.
- Plan around short days; in December and January, many parks have less than 10 hours of daylight.
- Expect gaps in cell coverage, and tell someone your route.
Bottom line
Winter is the best season for desert parks and the Everglades, and a rewarding one for Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon and Zion if you plan around the cold. Choose desert parks for comfortable hiking, Yellowstone for a once-in-a-lifetime snow trip, and avoid planning around high scenic roads that close until late spring. For more cold-weather trip ideas, see our list of the best winter vacations in the US.
FAQ
Are national parks open in winter?
Most national parks stay open in winter, though some facilities close and many high roads are shut by snow. A few areas, such as the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, close entirely for the season.
Can you drive into Yellowstone in winter?
Only on the road between the North Entrance at Gardiner and the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City. Other roads are open only to guided snowcoaches and snowmobiles from mid-December to mid-March.
What is the warmest national park in winter?
Death Valley and the Everglades are among the warmest. Death Valley averages highs of 65–73°F from December to February, and the Everglades is warm and dry in winter.
Do you need reservations for national parks in winter?
Usually not for entry, but some permits and tours still apply, such as the Angels Landing permit at Zion and snowcoach tours in Yellowstone. Campgrounds in popular desert parks also fill on winter weekends.
