Winter is the most underrated time to visit National Parks
Snow transforms the outdoors into a stunning, stark landscape. Snow clings to tree boughs, mountains get crusted in fresh snow, and, best of all, there’s more nighttime to enjoy dark skies and the stars.
Maybe you’ve thought about visiting a park in the winter. You’re not alone, but when you visit, you’ll feel even more solitude.
My favorite rare dark sky phenomena happens in winter
When I got laid off during the pandemic, I’d spent so long flexing my “comfortable being uncomfortable” muscle that I saw the time as a gift to work on my dark sky photography book.
I decided to take a road trip to see the stars. 14 parks, 14 days. I’d heard about this pretty incredible thing that happened in Horsetail Fall in February, so I decided to make it the final two nights of my journey through parks like Big Bend, Saguaro, Death, Valley, Sequoia, etc.
I’d been to Yosemite before, but wasn’t super familiar with the park. My typical dark sky day involves scouting all day, and using apps on my phone to figure out where and when the galactic center of the milky way, moon, north star, etc. are going to be later in the night. It’s usually 10-15 mile days. The first day in Yosemite was no different. I walked Southside Valley Loop and up Four Mile trail and jotted down a handful of locations.
I had 2 nights. So I decided to go to the “popular spot." No sense in rolling the dice in a place where I hadn’t seen it myself.
There were plenty of other people there. Thousands. And honestly, not a great energy. It was clear you had to get there early to get an unobstructed view. People were cranky. Volunteers yelling at folks to get out of traffic on megaphones. The crowds basically surround the roads. But, if you want to know what a million dollars in camera equipment looks like, go there.
Long story long, that night was a bust. Wind blew the water all over the place. All we saw were some glowing rocks. I had one more night, so I decided to go to one of my out of the way spots for my 2nd and final try. The angle I saw from this spot just didn’t look like you’d get the effect social media promised.
So I spent my final day going to other iconic spots in Yosemite to take photos. I didn’t want to be bummed if it didn’t happen that night. So I filled my camera with daytime shots of Mirror Lake, Bridal Veil, Yosemite Falls, etc.
Then, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, I started trudging over to Southside Valley Loop. This time, there were no crowds. Just me and four other photographers. The vibe was a lot more laid back. We had a nice view through an opening of the trees of all of El Capitan. We politely jostled for angles, but honestly everyone was super accommodating. Sony and Canon timers chirped away while we took our test shots. We all got quiet as golden hour ticked away.
Then…clouds. The rock face went dark. Any other time of year, photogs would be ecstatic at how moody El Cap looks wreathed in clouds. But for two weeks out of the year, when this happens, everyone is bummed.
Nobody was saying anything. But the silence said what we were all thinking. Probably not tonight either. But we were wrong. Ten minutes before sunset, right when the really juicy orange lava part is supposed to happen, the clouds broke.
It went from nothing to everything all at once. Like the waterfall was made of gas, and someone had thrown in a match. All 2,000 feet of Horsetail fall was glowing. The thousands of people who came to see it started cheering like the Beatles just took the stage. It was about as close to real life magic as you could get.
See this miracle of nature on my 2027 Firefall Guided Trip
Winter is nature’s best kept secret
Solitude like you've never experienced
After the holidays, most people go back to work, back to routine. Parks fall into a hush. Snow muffles sound out on the trails.
The cold temperatures and inclement weather keeps most of the tourists at bay. That means that dedicated parkaholics can enjoy busy viewpoints and our gorgeous public lands unspoiled by crowds. You can hear your breath, the crunch of boots, and sometimes…nothing at all.
Epic winter scenery
Snow-dusted canyons, frozen waterfalls, frost clinging to trees. Winter’s light is different than other seasons. Clouds are usually a factor, softening the light. Contrast is also heightened. The pure white snow against the dark, wet blacks, grays, and browns of trees and mountains highlight the shape of the land.
Wildlife viewing—minus the crowds
Wildlife gets a little sleepier in this season. But it makes spotting them padding across a snow-covered meadow that much more special. The signs of them are easier to spot, tracks in the snow tell stories.
Sunset and sunrise on steroids
Winter’s shallow angle of the sun in more northern latitudes means golden hour lasts longer. Combine that with snow reflection and atmospheric conditions like fog, frost halos, or even moonbows—and you've got a recipe for ethereal images.
Where to experience national parks in winter
Here are a few top picks:
Late December – January
- Yellowstone National Park (WY/MT/ID) – geothermal steam + snow
- Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) – sunrise over a snow-capped canyon rim
- Bryce Canyon National Park (UT) – hoodoos in snow look like a fantasy novel cover
February – March
- Yosemite National Park (CA) – Firefall, the magical moment when Horsetail Fall ignites at sunset (mid-late Feb)
- Zion National Park (UT) – fewer people, still epic hikes, potential for snow-dusted cliffs
- Great Sand Dunes NP (CO) – frost meets dunes in striking patterns
An important thing to keep in mind is that parts of many parks become inaccessible during the winter. Particularly at higher elevations. Trail Ridge Road is closed as it goes over the Rocky Mountains. Only Yosemite Valley can be reached until March, sometimes later. But there’s still plenty of adventures to be had in the areas that are open.
Winter photography hacks and tips
Protect your gear (and your fingers)
Cold saps batteries fast. Bring spares and keep them warm in your pockets. Touchscreen gloves are your best friend. You can also use hand warmers to keep gear and extremities toasty.
Overcast = painterly light
Snow acts like a giant reflector. Cloudy days can give your shots a soft, dreamy quality that feels like a painting.
Look for contrasts
Dark tree trunks, glowing skies, and animal tracks pop against white backgrounds. Think minimalism. Winter is an excellent time to play around with black and white compositions.
Use the cold to your advantage
Frost, frozen bubbles in lakes, icicles catching morning light all make for super interesting details that only exist this time of year.
Stay out after sunset
During winter, its darker longer. You do have more overcast skies to content with, but in general you have more space and time to photograph the aurora, the moon, or the stars.
Seize the stillness before it melts
Winter in the parks is ephemeral. A single warm front can erase a snowy landscape overnight.
Nature’s beauty in winter is subtle but powerful. And like most of my favorite phenomena (moonbows, Firefall, northern lights), it rewards patience, planning, and the willingness to show up in adverse conditions.
So grab your layers, pack your camera, and step into the silence.