Some are walking distance from downtown!
The glacial lakes of North Cascades National Park are really worth a visit in the winter. The atmospheric Diablo Lake also looks particularly magical in the colder months.
The famous Horsetail Fall is one of the top attractions at Yosemite National Park. The fiery colors look even more dramatic against the snow-covered mountain.
Sources: (Love Exploring) (National Park Service)
See also: The biggest mistakes tourists make at national parks
The nation's oldest and largest national park is one of the most visited. Crowds decrease in the winter months, but the beauty of the park doesn't. This is the season to spot bison, bears, bighorn sheep, and even wolves.
Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most spectacular spots in Alaska. The Exit Glacier is the park's top attraction.
If you're looking for a scenic winter road trip, Theodore Roosevelt National Park can be a great destination. Both the South Unit Scenic Loop Drive and North Unit Scenic Road offer spectacular views of the badlands and local wildlife.
The exquisite rock formations of South Dakota's Badlands National Park look even more otherworldly covered in snow. Explore the park on foot or drive through the Badlands Loop Road.
The Rocky Mountains are a wildlife sanctuary. In the winter, you can enjoy the wilderness and observe the local fauna, which includes mule deer, moose, and elk, among other species.
If you've never seen sand dunes covered in snow, then head to Indiana Dunes National Park and be amazed. There are a number of popular trails you can take, including the Glenwood Dunes and the West Beach Trails.
If you're into downhill skiing, Hurricane Ridge in Washington's Olympic National Park is the place to visit! Of course, you can explore the park in a number of different ways and enjoy a variety of other sports too.
Snow and sun are a stunning combination, and at Saguaro National Park this is exactly what you get in the winter. Take the Freeman Homestead Trail and marvel at the saguaro cacti.
The colors of Bryce Canyon National Park are amazing in the warmer months, but the contrast with the snow makes them even more spectacular! February, when the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival takes place, is a great time to visit.
The dramatic Brandywine Falls in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park are definitely worth a visit in the winter.
The snow-topped mountains and the glassy water turn Crater Lake National Park into a magical place in the winter. Put on your snowshoes and venture into the West Rim Drive.
Congaree National Park in South Carolina is known for its boardwalk trails. These will take you through pine, cypress, and maple trees. The milder temperatures of the winter are perfect for exploring.
The waters surrounding the five islands of this California national park are teeming with marine life. Winter is the perfect time to go grey whale watching.
Driving through Skyline Drive is one of the best ways to soak up the wintry landscapes of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. The entire journey takes about three hours.
The Grand Canyon is one of America's most-visited national parks, so if you want to avoid the crowds, winter is your best bet. You might have to resort to snowshoes or cross-country skis, but the experience will surely be unforgettable.
If you're looking for a great snowshoe trail spot, then Mount Rainier National Park will definitely fit the bill. Venture into the Nisqually Vista Trailhead and marvel at the Nisqually Glacier.
Grand Teton National Park is a great place to explore by foot or snowmobile. The Grassy Lake Road is a pretty scenic ride!
Alaska's Denali National Park meets all your snowy wilderness needs and then some. You can explore it in many different ways, including through flightseeing tours where you enjoy the views from a small aircraft.
If you're passionate about wildlife and hate the snow, look no further than this Florida wetlands park. Here you can spot different species of birds, alligators, and even Florida panthers.
The snow-covered mountains and desert landscape of the Big Bend National Park are really worth experiencing in person. You can go on hikes, go biking, and enjoy activities such as birdwatching. Just beware of black bears and bobcats!
Visiting a national park in the winter doesn't necessarily mean you will have to endure cold temperatures. At Biscayne National Park you can go hiking, snorkeling, boating, etc., without having to put your winter coat on.
Death Valley National Park gets extremely hot in the summer, so the winter is actually the perfect time to visit it. There is plenty to do, including stargazing in amazing spots such as the Mesquite Flat Dunes and the Badwater Basin.
The ancient ruins at Mesa Verde National Park have a different charm when covered in snow. The Cliff Palace Loop Road is a popular trail where you can admire the dwellings of Ancestral Puebloans.
Perfect for quiet wintery hikes amid the snow-covered trees, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also a must-visit in the winter.
The snowy rockscapes of Zion National Park are truly spectacular. The best way to explore the park in the winter is by foot. Expect a lot fewer visitors too.
Acadia's rugged coastline attracts visitors in the warmer months, but in the winter it is also well worth a visit. The snowy coastlines can be admired in trails such as the Ocean Path. Driving through Park Loop Road is also a good option.
Voyageurs National Park is not just about its waterways. In the winter, the park is one of the best places in the country to observe the Northern Lights. So much so, that it has been awarded International Dark Sky Status.
The park’s Sulphur Works hydrothermal area is a great spot to visit in the winter. Even if bubbling-hot geothermal wonders are not your thing, the park has a different charm covered in snow.
America's national parks are beautiful and diverse places. The US is big enough to offer an incredibly wide range of landscapes and wildlife. Every year, the country's national parks are flooded with visitors, but the crowds start to dissipate during the colder months. If you're looking for a unique experience, then visiting one of the nation's national parks in the winter should be on your bucket list.
In this gallery, we list some of the greatest national parks to visit in the winter and why. Click on.
Why you should visit America's national parks in the winter
Check out the top nature attractions in the colder months
TRAVEL Usa
America's national parks are beautiful and diverse places. The US is big enough to offer an incredibly wide range of landscapes and wildlife. Every year, the country's national parks are flooded with visitors, but the crowds start to dissipate during the colder months. If you're looking for a unique experience, then visiting one of the nation's national parks in the winter should be on your bucket list.
In this gallery, we list some of the greatest national parks to visit in the winter and why. Click on.