National Parks

Escape Winter at these Beautiful National Parks

Last updated 11th March 2024

All of America’s national parks are open year round, providing a wealth of outdoor activities for adventurous families. There are plenty of national parks that deliver when it comes to cold and snowy adventures, and then there are the parks that you visit to escape winter altogether. The following national parks are perfect for families who could do with a little less winter — providing sunshine and warm temperatures from December through March.

Death Valley National Park

Located in Southern California, Death Valley is an obvious choice when it comes to winter travel. At 282 feet below sea level, it has the lowest elevation in North America. It also wins the award for the hottest and driest place on the continent. Despite what you may be thinking, Death Valley is not a desolate landscape to be avoided. Here you’ll find tinted and sculpted rocks and canyons, expansive sand dunes, and an incredible salt pan that stretches for 200 square miles and is surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Hikers will enjoy the hundreds of miles of trails, and everyone will love exploring Death Valley Museum and Harmony Borax Works. There are four resorts and nine campgrounds located within the park.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

This gem of a park is is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. Located in West Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park encompasses more than 86,000 acres and includes the highest point in Texas (Guadalupe Peak), more than 80 miles of trails, and an incredible array of wildlife. There are several canyons worth exploring, including McKittrick Canyon, which shelters the only stream in the park, and Dog Canyon, located in the forested high country. Two campgrounds within the park are open year-round, and there are a few hotels on the outskirts. For double the adventure, combine this trip with a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, just 40 miles away.

Everglades National Park

At the very tip of South Florida is a sub-tropical wilderness consisting of massive mangrove swamps, saw-grass prairies, and a tangle of waterways. This is Everglades National Park, home to the elusive Florida panther, the endangered manatee, countless seabirds, alligators, crocodiles, and a great number of lizards and snakes. Visiting the Everglades is a dream destination for wildlife lovers and bird watchers, but also a perfect spot for families who love the outdoors. Marked canoe and kayak trails lead to primitive campsites, but there are also two drive-in campgrounds within the park.

Saguaro National Park

The huge Saguaro cactus is a symbol of the American Southwest and an iconic trademark of the massive Sonoran Desert. These desert beauties form great cactus forests in Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona. There are very few roads through the park, and much of the interior must be reached by hiking or on horseback. Adventurous families will want to make use of the backcountry campsites, but it is equally easy to explore Saguaro National Park on day trips from Tucson. Guided ranger programs include day hikes, star-gazing parties, and wildlife programs.