Which US National Parks Are The Warmest To Visit In Winter?

After a long hot summer, the weather is cooling down, making it is a good time to plan a visit to a US national park. Winter can be the best time to visit many of the more popular parks, due to fewer crowds and the fact that everything is cheaper in the colder months. While you might not want to face icy weather while on vacation, these five national parks are the warmest to visit in winter.

1. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Located in West Texas, Big Bend National Park is a long drive away, but the beauty makes up for this. Plus, the park is one of the warmest locations to visit in winter. Moreover, it is one of the best locations for stargazing in the US, due to the lack of light pollution.

Here, you can enjoy hiking, hot springs and more in comfortable temperatures, especially since in summer Big Bend can often heat up to above 90° F. In winter, the park is much cooler, with average temperatures hovering in the comfortable low sixties in the daytime.

2. Death Valley National Park, Eastern California & Nevada

It’s no secret that Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth, soaring to record highs of 134° F in summer. In fact, during the summer months, the average daily high is as much as 116° F. Meanwhile, spring and fall regularly see daytime temperatures going above 90° F. This can make it difficult to enjoy the park. However, winter is definitely the ideal time to visit, as the “coldest” months are December and January, with an average daily high of a comfortable 67° F.

Death Valley National Park has been closed since August due to flooding from summer storms. However, the park is expected to open on October 15, making for the perfect time for a winter visit.

3. Everglades National Park, Florida

Florida generally is known as a place where the “snowbirds” head in the winter months. Naturally, this also applies to Everglades National Park, which is located around a one-hour drive from Miami. Moreover, this is the largest area of tropical wilderness in the US, with its abundance of wildlife and its unique climate.

In the summer months, the heat and humidity can be uncomfortable, often exceeding 90° F over six months of the year. However, winter here is a mild and dry season, with comfortable warm weather. From December through February, Everglades National Park hovers around 77° F.

4. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Back in California, Joshua Tree National Park is definitely best visited in winter. Meanwhile, summer sees the mercury soar to around 100° F, making this one of the hottest US national parks. However, the weather cools off beautifully in the winter months, while still staying warm and comfortable. In fact, in December and January, the park sees an average daily high in the low sixties.

Meanwhile, the park is around a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles and offers incredible, otherworldly landscapes.

5. Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Located just outside Tucson, Saguaro is another of the US national parks best visited in winter as temperatures soar above 100° F in summer. When visiting in winter, the temperatures hover around the mid-sixties, with comfortably warm sunshine. This makes the stark desert landscapes with their incredible, titular cacti a beautiful place to be in winter.

Experience these warmest national parks to visit in winter, avoid the crowds and enjoy the gorgeous landscapes in peace.