Your 2025 Guide to Off-Season Trips to National Parks

The summer season often sees popular national parks teem with crowds, which can sometimes take away from the remote feel family travelers seek when visiting a national park. That said, winter and early spring has its own upsides when it comes to a national park vacation, from snow-dusted forests to frozen lakes to serene vistas.

Here’s the only family-friendly guide you’ll need for some of the best winter national park destinations:

Southeast

Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia

In winter, you can spot ponies roaming the dunes, as well as bald eagles and harbor seals across the snow-covered landscape. For the complete family experience, stay at Jellystone at Chincoteague Island, where Yogi Bear and friends bring fun and adventure to the whole family, with stay options including cabins, tents, treehouses and RV sites, all 2 miles from the park.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Spanning more than 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky, this park features the world’s longest cave system. Always a popular attraction, now is a great time to see the cave without the crowds. The park also offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing and camping experiences.

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama

Known for its peaceful beaches, winter here is mild, meaning families can enjoy scenic hikes through dunes and marshlands, watch for wildlife, and witness migratory bird sightings without the cold weather. The area is also home to historic forts.

Midwest

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The rugged terrain is particularly striking in winter, with snow highlighting the park’s dramatic formations. Winter is also a great time for stargazing, with minimal light pollution and clear skies. Kids will love spotting wildlife like bighorn sheep and bison, and a stay at Badlands Hotel & Campground or Badland/White River KOA promises an immersive winter experience.

Southwest

Arches National Park, Utah

With more than 2,000 sandstone arches, winter here entails a striking contrast of red rock formations and white snow dusting its surfaces, making for a dramatic sight. And the snow-covered La Sal Mountains in the distance only add to the beauty.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana

It’s almost impossible to see everything in this park, let alone in summer when thousands of travelers flock to the area. Come winter, you can enjoy a quieter experience watching iconic geysers and spotting bison and elk. Winter here also means snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in an unbeatable landscape.

Northeast

Niagara Falls State Park, New York

Admire icy-coated trees and the “frozen falls,” or warm up at the World Changed Here Pavilion, where kids can learn about the park’s history. The park also offers winter programs, allowing families to best experience the falls’ beauty without the summer crowds.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Expect snow-covered pine forests, frozen lakes, cross-country skiing on carriage roads, snowshoeing on scenic trails and quieter drives on parts of Park Loop Road at this park. A popular park year-round, winter here takes on an entirely different form.

Mid-Atlantic

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Leaves fall from trees, cooler temperatures improve visibility and endless mountain views are sure to draw families here. In the colder months, families can still enjoy hiking, wildlife watching and even snowshoeing along the Blue Ridge Parkway.