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"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow," wrote William Sharp.
Winter's short days, freezing temperatures, snow and ice might make you want to stay indoors — but it is a great season for national parks: fewer visitors, winter sports, and the quiet of fresh snow.
NPS / Neal Herbert
1. Know before you go
In winter this is essential: closures and restricted access are common, and conditions change fast.
- Check the park — its website, the NPS App, or a phone call — for winter activities, conditions and closures.
- Check weather and avalanche forecasts: winter weather changes quickly, and some conditions raise avalanche risk.
- Share your plans with someone who can check on you: where you're going and when you'll be back. Tell them if your plans change.
2. Be prepared
- Pack more than the usual 10 hiking essentials — for example, over-the-shoe traction devices for icy ground and sunglasses against snow glare.
- Dress in layers. The colder it gets, the more you need:
| Conditions | Head and face | Body | Legs | Hands and feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilly | — | 1–2 layers, plus an outer layer against wind and rain | a long layer | warm, waterproof shoes |
| Cold | warm hat | 2–3 layers, plus an outer layer against wind and wet snow | 1–2 layers | gloves; waterproof boots |
| Extreme cold | warm hat and face mask | 3 or more layers, one insulating, plus an outer layer against wind | 2 or more layers | gloves; waterproof boots |
Dressing for cold weather. NOAA
3. Recreate safely and responsibly
- Driving: whatever you plan to do, you'll probably drive there — and winter roads can challenge even experienced drivers.
- Hiking: snowy trails can look very different from summer. Route-finding skills, avalanche awareness and extra winter gear help keep you safe.
- Etiquette on shared winter trails:
- yield to downhill or faster traffic;
- step off the trail when you stop;
- keep ski and snowshoe tracks separate where possible, and don't walk in them;
- know which kinds of travel each trail allows;
- snowmobiles should slow down and give people on foot plenty of room — and riders in a group should signal how many are following.
Skiers and a snowmobiler share the road in Yellowstone National Park. NPS / Neal Herbert
With a little extra planning, winter in the parks can be magical — and staying safe and recreating responsibly helps keep these places special for everyone who follows.
Sources
Based on "I Didn't Know That!: Exploring Nature in Winter," National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence : CC0 1.0 (domaine public) · Adapté de www.nps.gov
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