(Last Updated On: )

Here are some of the Best National Parks to visit in Winter on the West Coast, Hiking recommendations, gear recommendations and more!  

The west coast is blessed with a climate that allows for winter exploration as well as a landscape that offers exciting adventures! Sometimes there is even more appeal to visit certain places in the winter to avoid the summer crowds. Here are some of my favorite west coast national parks to visit in the winter and would be great to add to any outdoor winter bucketlist!

1 Mount Rainier National Park

I have visited Mount Rainier in January and March in the past and have had such a good time. This does involve some planning as you need to monitor what roads are open and weather is a big factor. I was lucky to get a sunny weather window both times I went!

Hikes/Viewpoints

• Panorama Ridge (hike, splitboard)
• Paradise (hang out, sled)

Things you’ll need:

• National Park Pass
• Tire Chains (Required during winter months)
• Snowshoes or microspikes (depending on depth of snow)
  • you can rent snowshoes from REI or a few local shops on the way
• Waterproof shoes/Gaiters (optional, but more enjoyable)
• Hiking poles
• Wind Resistant gear (Jacket, hat, gloves – dress in layers as it can get toasty when you start hiking!)
• Check for road closures on Rainier’s NP website or by calling the visitor center or ranger station.

2 Olympic National Park

There are many options within Olympic National Park during the winter as it maintains weather in the 30-50 degree range. Whether you want to stroll through the lush rainforest or camp on the beach, this park has all the beauty – just prepare for rain.

Hikes/Viewpoints

• Hurricane Ridge
• Hall of Mosses
• Second Beach
• Rialto Beach
• Lake Crescent
• Marymere Falls

Things you’ll need:

• National Park Pass
• Raincoat
• Waterproof Shoes

3 Redwoods National Park

The Redwoods are stunning! When I thought of the Redwoods I use to think only tall trees, but there is actually quite a bit of variety here with trees and the coast line! I would love to go back and camp here in the winter as it is a reasonable temperature to camp with the right gear.

Hikes/Viewpoints

• Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
• Fern Canyon
• Drive-Through Tree Park
• Prairie Creek

Things you’ll need:

• You do not need a park pass for this National Park
• Raincoat, warm layers

4 Yosemite National Park

Just a few weeks ago I was able to FINALLY visit Yosemite for the first time, and it was a dream. We had just a sprinkling of snow and had a good amount of sunshine. I’ve heard of the insane lines to get in to the park in the summer, so going during the winter was fantastic as there was hardly anyone there.

Hikes/Viewpoints

• Tunnel View Lookout
• Valley View
• Half Dome View
• Mirror Lake

What you’ll need:

• National Park Pass
• Tire Chains
• Warm Layers
• Check road closures on Yosemite NP website or by calling the ranger station

5 Sequoia National Park

I was very curious how Sequioa NP would compare to the Redwoods and they are quite different. Sequoia NP was not at all what I was expecting. The windy road in is rolling hills of high dessert without a Sequoia in sight until you get to about 5000 feet elevation.

Hikes/Viewpoints

• General Sherman (largest tree by volume in the world)
• Sequoia Museum/Visitor Center
• Big Trees Trail
• Hospital Rock Overlook
• Moro Rock

What you’ll need:

• National Park Pass
• Traction for your shoes (microspikes) if there is snow
• Warm Layers

6 Death Valley National Park

This has been a go-to for me now in the winters. Death Valley surprised me so much and has been such a good way to escape the cold and soak up the sun. Winter is actually the most ideal time to go to Death Valley!

Hikes/Viewpoints

• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
• Artist’s Palette
• Zabriskie Point
• Badwater Salt Flats
• Sidewinders Canyon

What you’ll need:

• Sun Protection (hat, sunscreen)
• Layers for warm and cold weather (chilly in the mornings!)
• National Park Pass

There are obviously many more parks that are good to visit in the Winter! These are just a few that I’ve been to and have really enjoyed during the colder months! Let me know in the comments below if you have plans to visit any of these in the winter or have in the past!

Check out my other adventures like My Favorite Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and Oregon Adventures

Learn all of the essentials and gear needed to safely hike in the winter with my Winter Hiking Guide Post

Pin for Later!