While summer is by far the most popular time to visit our national parks, a winter visit is a great way to see familiar sights from a new perspective and with the added benefit that the busy tourist season will have given way to smaller - although not non-existent - crowds. If, like me, capturing the natural landscape with your camera is a big reason for your visit, the off season offers many advantages. Here are some of the best national parks to see this, or any, winter:
1. Yosemite National Park – California
Yosemite in winter makes you wonder why anyone would come in the summer months. Not only are the millions of summer visitors missing but winter means the arrival of snow - what could be better for the landscape photographer? Of course, the snow does bring with it some challenges and while the park is quieter, you will not be alone - especially around Christmas and New Year when ski season is in full swing. Also road closures to some of the parks best vistas are also a drawback but hiking trails are never more beautiful.
2. Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
As with all the national parks, there really is no bad time to visit, but seeing the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon dusted with snow is truly a special sight. The spectacular rock formations come alive in the winter light with the red of the rock and the white of the snow making the season merry and bright. For the energetic there are plenty of opportunities for winter sports and if you time your trip just right the famous Bryce Canyon Winter Festival is a real treat.
3. Arches National Park - Utah
Not far (relatively) from Bryce Canyon is another of Utah's Mighty Five - Arches National Park. A winter visit means escaping the big crowds and hot temperatures of the summer season and taking in the landmark rock formations in a cooler, less crowded atmosphere. Iconic scenes abound for the photographer, with Balanced Rock, North Window, Delicate Arch and Fiery Furnace being personal favorites. But don't stop shooting when the sun goes down as there are few better locations in the US for astrophotography.
4. Yellowstone National Park – Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Rounding out the top 5 are the neighboring parks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Yellowstone is ridiculously popular year round, but winter is a unique time to see the plentiful wildlife including the big bison and elk, and if you are lucky you may even spot wolves wandering the snowy landscape. The parks other main attraction - the spectacular geothermal formations - are also beautiful and different in winter, with steam erupting into clear blue skies and the residual heat keeping visitors and wildlife alike a little warmer.
Like many of the parks, don't expect everything - including some of the roads - to be open, but for the winter sports and photography enthusiast, there is still plenty to marvel at in the frozen terrain. Check out more details here.
5. Grand Teton National Park – Wyoming
Last but definitely not least is beautiful Grand Teton National Park. A perennial favorite of photographers and for good reason. The snow-blanketed peaks of the Teton Mountain Range make an ideal backdrop for elk and moose viewing as well as scenes of Jenny Lake and the Snake River. Nearby Jackson Hole provides options for lodging as well as some of the best photography studios in the country.
These are just a sampling of the fantastic locations available coast to coast in our National Parks. We hope you make these national treasures part of you next winter photography adventure!