Winter is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean your RV travels have to come to a stop. My family enjoys traveling all year long, and yes, we do even work outdoor destinations into our winter schedule. In this article, I will share some of the best national parks to visit in winter so you can do the same!

The Best Cold Weather National Parks to Visit in Winter

Want to embrace the winter weather and take in the icy beauty it has to offer? Head to one of these gorgeous cold weather places, which are easily some of the best national parks to visit in winter.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the country’s most popular parks, and for good reason. This place is absolutely gorgeous, and in the winter it becomes a magical wonderland filled with snow-covered landscapes, steaming geysers, and plenty of wildlife, including bison and wolves.

• Best Things to Do

Some of the best things to do in Yellowstone in the winter months include snowcoach or snowmobile tours to attractions like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular, along with wildlife watching in Lamar Valley.

• Where to Camp

RV camping in the park itself is limited in winter. Mammoth Campground remains open year-round, so you might be able to snag a spot there, but be prepared to camp without hookups.

Otherwise, you might head to the nearby Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, Montana. This campground stays open in winter and offers heated facilities.

Bryce Canyon National Park

I absolutely loved the bizarre hoodoos and other weird and wonderful rock formations in Bryce Canyon. These become even more strange and beautiful in winter when they are covered in snow, creating an otherworldly landscape you won’t soon forget.

• Best Things to Do

Not sure what to do? Walk along the Rim Trail for breathtaking winter views. If possible, you’ll also want to attend ranger-led full-moon snowshoe hikes for a memorable experience. Cross-country skiing is also available near Fairyland Road.

• Where to Camp

Inside the park, North Campground is open year-round. Sites are first-come, first-served and do not include hookups of any kind. If you do need hookups, head to Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground, located just outside the park entrance.

The Best Warm Weather National Parks to Visit in Winter

If you’re like me, you’d prefer to skip the winter cold altogether. In this case, you might want to consider one of these warm-weather national parks. They are the best national parks to visit in winter if you’re looking for warm temperatures and sunny skies.

Everglades National Park

We’ve visited the Everglades many times during the winter season. We love it because winter is the dry season, meaning lovely weather, fewer mosquitoes, and excellent wildlife viewing. Besides, who doesn’t love basking in the Florida sun in the wintertime?

• Best Things to Do

I highly recommend taking a guided boat tour or renting a kayak to explore the mangroves and hopefully spot some manatees. It is also super fun to go birdwatching at Shark Valley or along the Anhinga Trail.

Lastly, make sure to join a ranger-led program to learn about the park’s unique ecosystem. We especially loved the nighttime tour to see the gators in action.

• Where to Camp

Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground are both located inside the park and can accommodate RVs. Flamingo offers electrical hookups, while Long Pine Key has dry camping. Both fill up quickly though, so be sure to book early!

If you can’t grab a spot in the park, consider Miami Everglades RV Resort. This is a full-service option close to the park entrance and we’ve always enjoyed our stays there.

Joshua Tree National Park

Another park we’ve visited many times in winter, Joshua Tree is absolutely stunning. The mild weather during the cold months makes hiking and rock climbing more enjoyable than it might be during the heat of summer. Winter is also a quieter season, meaning fewer crowds.

• Best Things to Do

While you’re in Joshua Tree, be sure to hike the Hidden Valley or Barker Dam trails, and rock climb at famous formations like Intersection Rock. It’s also a good idea to do some stargazing once the sun goes down. This is a designated International Dark Sky Park after all, and the night skies are suitably incredible!

• Where to Camp

Inside the park, you will find that the Black Rock and Cottonwood campgrounds are RV-friendly, but there are no hookups to speak of, and big rigs may not fit. If you need to find a place outside of the park, you can boondock on the BLM land surrounding the park or head to an RV park such as Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, which offers full hookups.

Ready for a wintertime RV adventure? Choose one of the parks above, book a campsite, and get ready to see these beautiful places in all their wintery glory!

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About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.