Once-crowded trails turn into tranquil getaways and traffic-clogged roads become prime snowshoeing real estate.

From iconic favourites to overlooked gems, these are the best national parks to visit this winter.

USA National Parks

View Book

Nestled in the islands of coastal Maine, Acadia National Park is a romantic and charming natural oasis of dramatic wave-beaten shores, serene boulder-filled lakes, granite mountains, and hardwood forests. Taking a scenic drive along the winding Park Loop Road is one of the most popular things to do here. There are plenty of iconic stops along the route leading to inland lakes, historic sites, and rugged coastlines.

In winter, visitors can also enjoy ice fishing and 45 miles of backcountry roads ideal for snowshoe hiking and cross-country skiing. Camping is available for the truly daring, but for those not willing to brave the sub-zero temperatures, the elegant resort town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island’s northeastern shore makes a good base from which to explore the park.

Shenandoah is one of the iconic national parks whose well-known name conjures images of breathtaking natural beauty. In the winter, the park is just as magical as the rest of the year, but much less crowded. 

Shenandoah’s main draw is Skyline Drive, one of America’s most scenic routes, which winds languidly along the backbone of the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah valley. The views are only enhanced when the distant peaks are tipped in white and a dusting of snow covers the treetops. Take your time to stop off and explore this winter wonderland, from frozen waterfalls to wildlife tracks imprinted in the snow.

Stretching from the Canadian border into Northern Mexico, the Rocky Mountains form one of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. At the National Park, you’re surrounded by the best of their scenic wonders.

In winter, activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding reveal sparkling new views of the park’s landscape. There are also great wildlife-watching opportunities, as the seasonal lack of vegetation makes it easier to see coyotes, moose, and other big mammals.

The underrated Capitol Reef National Park is often overlooked for Zion National Park despite offering sights just as marvelous. More isolated than Utah’s other parks, this unpopulated, otherworldly landscape of giant domes, rainbow-colored cliffs, and remarkable geologic features promises spectacular desert solitude. The park becomes even more exceptional when snow settles on the red rock cliffs. 

There are miles and miles of open gravel roads and unspoiled trails to be explored here. Much of the grandeur of the park can be taken in by vehicle along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, while some of the most spectacular areas, such as the Waterpocket District, can only be reached by unpaved roads and hiking trails.

Resplendent Yosemite National Park is brimming with natural beauty, including countless water features capable of making your draw drop. Formed at least 760,000 years ago, Mono Lake is a hauntingly beautiful sight. A clear winter’s day is the best time to observe the gnarled tufa towers jutting from the water.

Yosemite National Park is also famous for winter sports. The park is home to Badger Pass, the oldest downhill ski resort in the state of California, where miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking trails are usually open from December to March.

Set in its own national park, Mount Rainier is the seventh-highest mountain in the US, an active volcano, and an icon of Washington state. The park is a winter playground offering a range of activities including sledding and snow-tubing. Visitors can also ski or snowshoe from Narada Falls parking lot to see Mount Rainier's white-topped peak mirrored in the still waters of Reflection Lake.

Longmire is a designated historic district with cabins dating back to 1889. The cosy inns located here make for a lovely spot from which to enjoy stunning views of Mount Rainier decked in snow and ice.

Famous for the startling color and clarity of its lake, the caldera of what was once Mount Mazama is the crown jewel of Oregon’s only national park, surrounded by equally beautiful forestland. 

The main attraction is undoubtedly the lake, but you’ll be spoiled for choice with the number of breathtaking natural wonders and outdoor adventures to enjoy. In winter, the Rim Drive is closed to traffic, but open to snowshoers and skiers, while the 90 miles (145 km) of trails allow camping year-round.

The power of nature takes on a whole new meaning in this immense national park. Here, under Alaska’s dramatic sky, is one of the last frontiers, a land of tundra, cloud-piercing mountains, and wilderness like no other. Larger than the entire state of New Hampshire, and home to North America’s highest peak, Denali National Park is Alaska’s top attraction.

In winter, the park transforms into Narnia, with glittering snowy scenes and – if you’re lucky – the Northern Lights dancing overhead. The clear skies are almost devoid of light pollution, making this an ideal spot to witness the unmatched spectacle of the Aurora Borealis.

If winter sun is more your scene then head to the island of St. John, where you'll find teal-blue waters lapping against powdery beaches and lush rain forests flourishing under the tropical sun.

Beautiful, blissful scenes of Eden-like beaches are everywhere you look here, where the only thing more magical than the views is the luxurious feeling of slipping into the blue warmth of the Caribbean Sea. Swimming and snorkeling off fine-sand beaches, hiking forested mountain sides, and immersing in the unique culture that is the US Virgin Islands are just a few of the pleasures of this island park.