With our RV travel season here in the West wrapped up for the year, we often get the question, “What do you do in the off season?” Well, we travel of course! In addition to all the scouting and research needed to get our travelers’ itineraries lined up for next year, we also like to visit other national parks where our trips don’t go. For those of you who are interested in experiencing the quieter season in these spectacular places, we’ve compiled a list of our top National Parks to visit in winter—some for the warmer escape and some for their chilling beauty. 

Warm/mild Weather National Park Destinations in Winter

 Everglades National Park

While many flock to the beaches and theme parks of Florida in the winter, we think that Everglades National Park is an equally exciting destination. Unparalleled in ecosystem diversity and exotic wildlife, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for the next time you’re in Florida. Immerse yourself in the natural home of manatees, panthers, alligators, crocodiles, and countless bird, fish and amphibian species. The park is huge—the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States—spanning nearly the full distance from the Gulf to the Atlantic at the southernmost part of the state, so you have multiple entrance options depending on where you’re staying.

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip The novelty of an airboat tour is thrilling, but if you have the time, we highly recommend taking a kayak or canoe tour. Peacefully paddling through the Everglades and exploring the smaller channels away from the noise of boats while submersed in the sounds of the native wildlife is a wonderful experience.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As the most visited national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains knows how to draw a summer crowd. It’s one of the reasons we love to visit in winter. A couple of the higher mountain roads may close, but many of the park trails and amenities are open as they would be in summer…with the added benefit that you aren’t sharing them with nearly as many other visitors. Temperatures are typically mild, though winter storms do occur. Luckily, when the higher elevations are frosted with snow, it makes the vistas beautiful in a whole new way. 

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip The Rainbow Falls hike is beautiful in winter and if you get a few freezing nights it makes the falls even more stunning as ice formations begin.

Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim

While winter nights in the desert will certainly bring a chill, day temperatures on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are quite pleasant year-round. Even in January and February, the days average near 60 degrees.  The North Rim of the canyon does close from December through mid-May, but the more popular South Rim and its roads, trails and amenities stay open year round. 

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip For more details about the differences between visits to the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, check out our recommendations in the blog here.

Snowy National Park Destinations in Winter

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park on the coast of Maine is not one that you’ll commonly find on winter visit lists because most of the primary roads are closed. However, in winter the 45 miles of interconnected carriage roads become the perfect playground for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. You can get trail-grooming updates from the Friends of Acadia. Additionally, the 27-mile Park Loop Road that closes to cars in winter, opens to snowmobiles for some high-speed fun through one of the most beautiful spots in the Northeast.

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip After exploring the park, pop over to Bar Harbor to enjoy the quaint oceanside town and visit its iconic lighthouses.

Shenandoah National Park

Situated in the hills of Virginia just 75 miles from Washington D.C., Shenandoah is a peaceful forest oasis in any season. In winter, though regularly snowy, most of the park’s roads are open, including the Skyline Drive—the 105 mile road that follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The drive is a popular destination for leaf peepers in the fall, but after they (and the leaves) have left, there’s still so much beauty to be witnessed along this drive which peaks at over 3,600’ with sweeping vistas of the wintery landscapes on clear days. 

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip Shenandoah is one of the few national parks in the country that allow dogs on trails, so bring your favorite four-legged friend along to enjoy a peaceful hike or snowshoe.

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park in northern Alberta, Canada is one of our favorite summer and winter destinations. It is far from being a warm escape in winter, but the alluring beauty of the rugged Canadian Rockies and the wildness of winter is truly something to behold. And, as the “Cabin Capital of Canada”, home to Marmot Basin Ski Resort, and a destination with more large game than people, Jasper is an absolute winter playground.

Tracks & Trails Travel Tip After a day on the slopes, snowshoeing the trails, or ice climbing in Maligne Canyon, head over to the Fairmont’s world-class spa for a long soak.