13 Warmest National Parks in Winter for a Fun Sun-Filled Getaway
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Are you looking for the warmest national parks in winter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
During the winter months, much of the United States gets covered in a beautiful white blanket of snow, but this is paired with plummeting temperatures and heavy coats. There are, however, a few magical national parks you can go to escape the freezing weather and the winter scenery.
I grew up in the northeast, and to this day, though I have a soft spot for the cold weather, love warm getaways in winter. So, I’ve rounded up some of the best.
I’ll help you discover the warmest national parks in winter so you can spend this season basking in the sun instead of bundled up inside.
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Warmest National Parks in Winter
Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles is actually the smallest national park in California, and it has the perfect winter temperatures for hiking and exploring. The highs reach about 65 degrees daily, and the lows never reach below freezing, making snow a very, very rare occasion.
One of the first things you’ll need to do when in the park is visit its namesake, the Pinnacles. These fascinating rock formations are the remnants of an ancient volcano that has been shifting its position over time. There are also two caves in the Pinnacles that make for a great destination after a hike.
Just outside of the park, there are a few wineries you can stop at for a pick-me-up. Pinnacles is on the list of warmest national parks in winter and has wineries close by? Sign me up.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The Florida Everglades is an obvious choice if you’re choosing which of the warm national parks in winter to visit. Warm, balmy temps, lush green vegetation, and fascinating wildlife are just a few of the things that await you during an Everglade winter.
Winter brings the lowest water levels of the year, allowing for prime wildlife watching. Take to the boats and be on the lookout for alligators, snakes, birds, otters, foxes, and so, so many more.
If you prefer to see the animals from behind a car window, then drive the Tamiami Trail. Along the way, you can see old tourist camps from the Seminole Tribe, a great opportunity to learn about some Indigenous culture.
You’ll also want to add some of the parks and exhibits that flood the area to your itinerary. Spending a few days basking in the Everglades’ warm weather and beautiful scenery is a perfect way to spend your winter.
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White Sands National Park, New Mexico
White Sands is one of the newer national parks, dedicated just 4 years ago in 2019. Not only is it great to visit in the winter because of the weather, but it almost looks like snow, too!
The mesmerizing dunes of white sand span an area of 275 miles, sometimes reaching 60 feet tall. It’s the perfect place to take your kids or your dog to run around and explore.
Behind the park, contrasting against the sand, the San Andres and Sacramento Mountains look alive with color, especially during the sunrise and the sunset.
These gypsum fields will be unlike anything else you’ve ever seen before.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
We would be doing you a disservice by not including Joshua Tree in our list of warmest national parks in winter. This one-of-a-kind location has everything you need for a warm winter getaway into nature.
The first thing you’ll notice is the park’s namesake, the quirky Joshua trees growing tall above the stark landscape. At night, you’ll see the expanse of stars, perfect for a night of blankets, hot chocolate, and stargazing.
The 60-degree weather is perfect for hikes during the day, where you’ll see breathtaking overlooks, abandoned mines, and fantastical rock formations.
Biscayne Bay National Park, Florida
For my marine lovers, Biscayne Bay National Park is a must-visit. Although islands do dot the 200 square miles of this park, most of it is underwater, located 30 miles from Miami, at the tip of the Florida Keys.
This is one of the best warmest national parks in winter for various reasons.
Number one, temperatures stay in the mid-70s. Number two, the park is free, and accommodations are much cheaper in the off-season. Number three, the scenery is incredible and unique.
The water in Biscayne Bay is very shallow, about 10 feet deep, and the islands are flanked by mangroves and other Florida native species that you’ll want 1000 pictures of.
Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and enjoy your winter trip to the beach.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
With just under 70-degree temps and Hawaii views, Hawaii Volcanoes is one of our favorite warmest national parks in winter for hiking.
The Big Island of Hawaii has been shaped by powerful volcanoes, so visitors can now spend their Hawaii vacation exploring it.
First, you’ll need to visit the world-famous Kilauea Crater. Then, walk where lava has shaped the earth in the Thurston Lava Tube. Hiking the Kilauea Iki Crater should also be on Hawaii Volcanoes’ to-do list.
There is so much to see and do at this national park, and combined with lush green vegetation and comfortable temperatures, it is the perfect getaway from winter on the mainland.
Channel Islands National Park, California
Winter may just be the best time of year to visit Channel Islands National Park. This park, located off the coast of Southern California, is otherworldly, the kind of place you think you can only see in movies.
Now, the water does get cold during this time of year, so it’s a good time to bring out your wetsuit if you’re looking to take a swim, but it’s also a good time to hike the flowering hills or watch the wildlife.
December marks the beginning of gray whale migration season, lasting until April. Due to the islands’ isolation, many of the species that live on the Channel Islands can be found nowhere else in the world.
Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
When talking about warm national parks in winter, we could be amiss not to mention Death Valley. You wouldn’t think it would be such an incredible place to visit with so ominous a name but don’t judge this book by its cover.
Death Valley is known for its sweltering summer heat, making it almost impossible to explore, but that completely goes away in the winter, leaving behind perfect 60-degree weather.
You can spend days hiking the unparalleled landscape, discovering mesmerizing reflection pools and expansive sand dunes.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Luckily for all of us, one of the USA’s most popular parks can also be listed among the warmest national parks in winter. In every season, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold, so don’t miss out on seeing it during winter.
The South Rim is open all year round, and most roads are open unless a severe storm blows through, which does happen, so you may be able to see some snow paint the strikingly red cliffs.
To avoid any ice or snow on a hike, visit Hermit Trail. Bright Angel Trail, Shoshone Point, and South to North Time Hike are also a few South Rim favorites perfect for a winter’s day.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Spending your Christmas holiday in Texas may not be what you originally had in mind, but Big Bend is one of the ideal warm national parks in December.
Who needs a fireplace and blankets when you can have a fire pit, sleeping bags, and a beautiful sky full of stars to gaze at on Christmas Eve? Then, when you wake up in the morning, you’ll be greeted with the crisp winter air and enchanting sound of nature. Is there a better gift?
Even if you don’t visit right on Christmas, it’s still a great place to go and get away from the hustle of the holiday season and the chilly temps that are synonymous with winter.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
The Florida Keys is the place to go for warm national parks in winter. Dry Tortugas is an excellent destination for those chasing the warm weather, ocean lovers, and history lovers alike.
Settled on the tip of the third largest coral reef system in the world, Dry Tortugas is the home of some incredible wildlife.
You can also see Fort Jefferson, the Civil War fort and prison that housed an accomplice of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Beautiful scenery in warm temperatures and fascinating history. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Winter is also one of the only times of the year Bush Key, the bird sanctuary with the only natural Sooty Tern colony in the USA, is open to visitors.
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
With temperatures that are just under 80 degrees all winter long, Haleakalā National Park is one of the warmest national parks in winter and one of the most beautiful.
It’s a well-known fact that Hawaii’s shores and jungles have unparalleled scenery, transporting its visitors into a paradise not found elsewhere. That paradise just gets better when it is 30 degrees with a foot of snow back home.
This is a perfect time of year for scenic drives, like the Road to Hanā. Watch the sun sink into the ocean on top of Haleakalā Summit. Top off your trip with a visit to the Pools of Oheo. This will be a winter you never forget.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park is a prized gem of Arizona, being the only place in the country that houses these friendly but formidable cacti. The winter daytime temperatures of 50-70 degrees are ideal for exploring the wonders that this desert park has to offer.
The park is split into an Eastern and Western section, both containing a variety of trails to explore the desert landscape. One of these trails includes a hike to Wasson Peak, the highest summit on the west side, providing a view of Saguaro National Park that is unmatched.
And you can’t leave the park without checking out some of its ancient remnants, the petroglyphs.
Final Thoughts: Warm National Parks in the USA in Winter
Finding the warmest national parks in winter can seem like a challenge at first, but hopefully, we proved to you with this article that there is a way to escape ice-slick sidewalks and snow-covered cars if you wish it.
Not only will you be in warmer weather with these options, but you’ll also get the chance to experience some amazing natural, cultural, and historical experiences.
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