These Are The Best National Parks To Visit In Winter

If there's one thing the past two years of travel restrictions have taught us, it's to appreciate all the wonderful destinations right here in the United States. The country's 63 national parks received a particularly large share of that appreciation, welcoming 237 million visitors in 2020, breaking several visitation records. It's clear that the national parks are a force to be reckoned with—and they're not going anywhere just because the temperatures are dropping.

While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and foliage peepers in the fall, they are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips. Not only are the crowds exponentially smaller, but the lens of winter allows you to see places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone in an entirely new light: think snow-covered rock formations, rare wildlife, and flashes of the Northern Lights. So whether you're hoping to stargaze in California or dogsled in Alaska (or even snorkel in the Caribbean), these nine national parks are actually—dare we say it?—better in the winter.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The country's oldest national park is also one of its most popular, receiving 3.8 million visitors in 2020. Those numbers make it seem like crowds are part of the deal, but that's only true for those who aren't in on the secret: Yellowstone is actually best experienced in winter. Not only is there a stark decrease in crowds, but the park takes on a meditative, almost otherworldly atmosphere from December through March. The fumaroles fill the air with billowing steam, while the prismatic colors of thermal pools jump out from the surrounding white landscapes. (Bonus: You actually get to see Old Faithful—something that's not always guaranteed when you're blocked by a dozen selfie-takers in the summer.)

Yellowstone's wildlife is also spectacular during this time: think bison, wolves, bald eagles, moose, and playful red foxes. Book a guided snowcoach tour to get a ranger's perspective on the park and its inhabitants. Then set up camp in Old Faithful Snow Lodge, where cookies and hot cider are served in the lobby every afternoon.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park is almost like stepping onto a foreign planet, with its giant red rocks and idiosyncratic trees. That mystical atmosphere only increases in the winter. You'll feel extra isolated (in a good way) as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop—lengthy trails that most people don't even attempt to finish during the 100-degree days of summer.

But the real magic of J-Tree comes at night. The park was recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, which means it has virtually zero light pollution and affords some of the country's best views of our galaxy. You can certainly try camping out for the night, but temperatures do dip below freezing once the sun goes down. You're better off booking a quirky Airbnb within the park's borders, like a dome house or self-proclaimed "stargazing oasis."

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of those ultra-famous tourist attractions that actually live up to the hype. You'll run into other travelers no matter when you visit, but winter welcomes a significantly lower number of visitors compared to summer crowds. That means you can take in unobstructed views of the South Rim (the North Rim is only open from May to October), and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow.

The National Park Service recommends hiking the Bright Angel Trail—as long as you don't mind some snow and solitude. This is also your best chance to see the canyon's wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.

Read the full article from Yahoo! Life here.