Contrary to popular belief, winter is the perfect time for visiting national parks across America. The national parks offer you winter solitude and peaceful snow covered landscapes. Those who want to escape the chill factor can visit national parks in the warmer weather but for daring the winter sites are truly worth seeing.
Olympic National Park
The Olympic national park offers three diverse ecosystems: pacific shore, temperate forests and the subalpine forest with wild flower meadows. Their beauty is magnified in winter. Giant waves crash against the pacific shore, allowing for an adventurous walk on the beach. The forests look exceptionally alive after the winter rains. The Hurricane Ridge offers skiing, tubing, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Yosemite National Park
Winter sport enthusiasts make a beeline for the Yosemite National Park as it offers, downhill skiing, Ice-skating and cross-country skiing. The ice skating rink has a beautiful backdrop and it is dream for those who love the outside. Plenty of snowboarding, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snow tubing are available in the Badger Pass Ski Area.
Biscayne National Park
Those who are happier in warmer climates can head towards the Biscayne National Park to get away from the winter. The underwater park is a sunny haven with water sports and warm weather. Reef cruises and glass bottom boats are the perfect way to discover the aquatic wonders. Scuba diving trips, various snorkeling and boating tours are also on offer.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Nature carved the Bryce Canyon National park, to create stunning sandstone formations called hoodoos. These spectacularly colored structures look breathtaking covered with snow. Trail hiking in the Bryce Amphitheater, is a peaceful experience with hardly any sound disturbing your moment of inner peace. Fields and meadows around the Bryce Canyon rim provide snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for all levels.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Winters add beauty to Rocky Mountains. The snow depth varies across the park, providing diverse activities to the visitors. Sledding, toboggan rides, snowball fights and snowmen building are fun activities for the kids in the Hidden Valley. Exhilarating snowmobiling across the North Supply Access Trail satisfies the speed junkies and campgrounds like the Longs Peak, Timber Crook and Aspenglen are open for camping during winter.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Go tropical at the Hawaii Volcanoes national park, with no reminder of the chilly winter. The park is a fantastic tribute to volcanic activity over the last 70 million years as it highlights the evolution of the Hawaiian Islands. The park has two active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Hike or drive to the brim of the volcanoes and take a peek inside.
Other popular destinations are the Voyageurs, Channel Islands (for whale watching), Yellow Stone National Park, Grand Canyon, President’s park, Everglades, Death Valley and Big Bend National Parks.
