Every year, millions of tourists visit America’s national parks. Not every park gets the same amount of visitors, though.
In 2023, some of the most visited national parks were Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Zion. The year’s number one most visited park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, recorded 13,297,647 recreation visits. Grand Canyon National Park came in second place, with 4,733,705 recreation visits.
Unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast, you probably haven’t thought much about visiting national parks during snowy season. But, if you want to avoid crowds, winter might be the perfect time to visit some of the country’s most popular parks. Visitors who time their trips just right will even get to see these magical landscapes covered in shimmering, sparkling snow.
Take a look at what some of the most visited national parks look like in the snow with the gallery of stunning photos below.
For some people, winter is a slow season for outdoor recreation. Cold temperatures settle in, leaves fall off their trees, and many plants go dormant until warmer weather arrives. Hikers who enjoy lush landscapes may feel like their hobby is on hiatus until spring approaches. Swimmers who aren’t up for polar plunges will pack away their swimsuits until summer. But it doesn’t have to be that way. For determined nature enthusiasts, cold weather is the perfect excuse for indulging in a whole suite of winter outdoor activities.
Even if you’ve never tried winter sports, there are plenty of beginner-friendly options to explore. Does skiing seem too intense for you? Try sledding instead. Prefer to relax and take it slow? Visit a hot springs resort and unwind. Prone to thrill seeking? Maybe it’s time for you to take up snowboarding. Outdoorsy folks from all walks of life can find winter outdoor activities that suit them. All you have to do is get inspired and discover a hobby that motivates you to go outside again.
Make that process easy with this list of seven fun winter outdoor activities. This round-up includes everything from skiing to birdwatching. Peruse your options and gear up for a winter full of outdoor adventures!
The last thing you want to do on a cold winter morning is get out of your warm bed. We get it. Even Homer Simpson gets it. And if you, like Homer, want to be as cozy as a big, toasty cinnamon bun this season, a good winter coat is a priority.
There are seemingly endless options to choose from when it comes to cold-weather clothing. Aisles full of parkas, jackets, and hoodies can easily overwhelm shoppers looking for a reliable winter coat. Outdoors Wire is here to take the frustration out of your search. Keep the toasty cinnamon bun vibes with you all winter long with these eight cozy winter coats.
“The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge showcases the remarkable partnership that’s possible between humans and canines and has become one of the West Central Mountains’ most iconic winter events,” race founder and organizer Jerry Wortley said in a statement.
Events kick off with Meet the Mushers on January 20 at the Ponderosa Center in McCall, Idaho, where the public can get up close to the people who drive the dogs. The 52-mile Warm Lake Stage Race runs January 24-25, starting and finishing at North Shore Lodge & Resort. Then come the main events, 100- and 300-mile races starting on January 29.
Photo by Melissa Shelby, courtesy of Idaho Sled Dog Challenge
“Mushers will tell you this is a very, very atypical race,” Idaho Sled Dog Challenge co-founder and trail coordinator Dave Looney said. “Our elevation change is 36,000 feet, which is greater than the Iditarod. They call it a 500-mile race packed into 300 miles. So the dog care and the pacing and the attention they have to pay to the terrain is really important, because there’s a lot of up and down. One musher said the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is like climbing Mt. Everest — twice.”
Photo by Melissa Shelby, courtesy of Idaho Sled Dog Challenge
The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is the only 300-mile Yukon Quest qualifier in the lower 48 and one of only three such events for the Iditarod in the contiguous continental U.S. So you can expect to see some of the world’s top mushers in action.
Photo by Melissa Shelby, courtesy of Idaho Sled Dog Challenge
How long does it take to finish such a long and grueling race? Well, that’s a bit unpredictable. Organizers expect the 100-mile race to end January 30, while the 300-milers will cross their finish line somewhere between January 31 and February 1.
Photo by Melissa Shelby, courtesy of Idaho Sled Dog Challenge
If you are feeling the call of the Idaho wild, consider volunteering. The race needs more than 200 volunteers to help with handling dogs, managing parking, setting up and staffing checkpoints, providing food, operating ham radios, and assisting at the start and finish lines.
When cold winter weather has you trapped inside, you might start dreaming of a sunny beach vacation. In Florida, you can experience that magic year-round at Bahia Honda State Park. While most people only think about visiting the beach come summertime, it can be worthwhile to make the trip in cooler months. You can look forward to less crowded shores, gorgeous views, and early sunsets.
Tourists will find this park all the way down south, where pleasant temperatures stick around through winter. When you visit, take advantage of the great weather and scenic landscapes by getting active. Here are seven fun sightseeing spots and activities to consider when planning your trip.
Yellowstone National Park’s animals are a constant source of wonder for guests. Many curious wildlife enthusiasts flock to spots like the Fishing Bridge and Lamar Valley to catch a glimpse of the region’s unique species. But where do all these critters go when winter rolls into town?
For furry, fuzzy animals, cold temperatures aren’t too tough to bear. Those thick fur coats come in handy when chilly winds arrive. So, if you’re planning a wildlife viewing tour of Yellowstone this winter, prioritize the animals that enjoy a warm layer of fur or feathers. Check out this list of six animals waltzing through Yellowstone’s snowy landscapes for some inspiration.
Winter can wreak havoc on a garden. Many plants simply aren’t hardy enough to withstand dropping temperatures and a layer of frost. So, what is a home gardener to do? Well, while your peonies and coneflowers can probably remain safely in the ground through the cold months, other species will require extra attention.
Wondering which plants to bring inside for winter? See the list below for a round-up of eight species that will need to overwinter indoors. Plus, find helpful tips for how to handle the transfer process. In general, you’ll want to start bringing plants inside once temperatures start reaching 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Before lugging all of your potted plants inside, you’ll also want to weed out any pests lingering on the leaves.
Find more tips below, and read up on which bugs to watch out for with this guide.
In 1914, Colorado’s Howelsen Hill Ski Area officially opened. Now, over 100 years later, the site stands as the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America. The past century has seen ski resorts evolve into increasingly more complex and exciting destinations. In the United States, there are hundreds of ski resorts for winter sports enthusiasts to choose from. The trouble is choosing which ones to visit in your limited vacation time.
Lucky for you, Outdoors Wire has compiled a list of six sensational U.S. ski resorts. Make trip planning easier with this round-up of some of the country’s best skiing spots.
Winter appears to have arrived early in Yellowstone National Park, affecting tourism and signaling a major seasonal change for wolves.
Yellowstone National Park on Wednesday cautioned tourists to postpone travel to and inside the park because of a “significant winter storm” that created hazardous driving conditions.
At the same time, researcher Taylor Rabe was afield in the park studying the Lupine Creek wolf pack.
“Yellowstone’s Northern range had its first very big snow today, and it was not kind to us,” Rabe, who conducts research for the Yellowstone Wolf Project, stated via Instagram. “Shutting down most of the park roads at one point or another this morning, the snow continues to fall. Winter is here.”
Rabe’s post shows wolves standing in the snow as if struck by the realization that a major seasonal change had just occurred.
However, viewers who click to her fourth slide will see wolf pups playing with one another as driving snow obscured the scene.
Rabe continued: “The Lupine Creek pack gave me a brief sighting in the snow flurries, providing me with the first opportunity since denning season to see some of this year’s new pups from the ground. It’s always exciting watching these little satellite packs grow each year. I’m very fond of these guys!”
Prospective visitors were also reminded that most roads will close to automobile traffic Nov. 1, as usual, as the park prepares for the snowmobile and snow-coach season beginning Dec. 15.
The only roads open to automobile traffic year-round in Yellowstone, weather permitting, are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana.
That stretch includes Lamar Valley, one of the premier locations from which to observe wolves in the winter.
Puma Golf introduces a line of performance apparel, blending functionality and style to shield golfers from the elements .
Puma Golf has introduced a line of performance apparel, blending functionality and style to shield golfers from the elements just in time for the fall and winter golf seasons.
Crafted with advanced weather-proofing technologies, the Made for This collection caters to golf enthusiasts in any weather condition with its versatile properties. This inclusive collection is available for both men and women who share a year-round passion for golf.
This new layering lineup encompasses the WRMLBL and DRYLBL families, featuring a range of options, from mid-weight sweaters and vests to windbreakers, rainwear and insulated cold-weather jackets.
“Puma Golf is fully committed to the layering and performance technology category,” said Juston Tucker, head of product design at Puma Golf. “We’ve put together a technology-driven collection with style. We call it, Made for This because regardless of wind, rain, dry or cold conditions, well… we made it for this.”
Made For This, Puma Golf’s new collection. (Puma Golf)
For those tackling wind and rain, Puma Golf’s DRYLBL lineup offers waterproof and windproof pants and jackets with fully seam-sealed, stretch fabrics and practical details. The DRYLBL line utilizes Sympatex material, delivering 100 percent windproof and waterproof performance with exceptional durability.
If wind and cold are the primary challenges, Puma’s WRMLBL lineup provides the solution. Featuring a wide variety of options, including quilted vests, jackets, fleece, cashmere sweaters, wind-blocking sweaters, hoodies and quarter-zips, the WRMLBL line ensures player comfort and unrestricted movement on the course.
“You came to play, not worry about the weather. We all share a passion for the game that inspires us to practice and play year-round,” said Mike Diaz, marketing director at Puma Golf. “Puma Golf can fully outfit all types of players in any weather condition, with premium apparel that looks, fits, and performs exceptionally well.”
You can shop and learn more about The Made For This collection by Puma at pumagolf.com.
