So often we think of our National Parks as great places to take the family during the summer months. But think again, because many of these National Parks can also make breathtaking winter family destinations too.
Last summer I shared some highlights from my first visit to Zion & Bryce National Parks, both of which were truly spectacular places. Now that winter’s arrived, I want to share some cold weather activities in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks that might just surprise you.
I’ve been visiting Yosemite National Park since I was a little kid and no matter how many times I visit, it’s raw beauty never fails to humble me. Yosemite covers 761,268 acres and when I was growing up, we did a lot of family camping on the valley floor. Years later I learned to also appreciate the peaceful beauty that settles over the Yosemite in the winter months, after the flurry of summer campers have disappeared.
Yellowstone National Park is the 8th largest National Park in the U.S., encompassing 2,219,791 total acres over three different States: Wyoming, Montana & Idaho. If you've never visited this spectacular park, you're in for a treat. I had the pleasure of getting snowed on in Yellowstone when we visited it once on the 4th of July, which was quite an experience for a California girl!
So if you’re thinking of introducing your family to Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks, don’t let the idea of visiting in winter deter you. You’ll discover that both parks are a great way to get your family together and outdoors to observe and appreciate nature in her winter splendor.
Parks Offer Many Free Programs & Activities
To give you some idea’s about winter activities in Yosemite, there’s a daily ranger-led snowshoe tour of Badger Pass that’s absolutely free. And if want to introduce your kid’s to skiing, the Badger Pass area is one of California’s oldest ski areas and you’ll find it to be refreshingly low key too. Login to the Winter Activities Section of the Yosemite Website so see what else they have to offer your family during the winter months.
To get better acquainted with Yellowstone National Park, login to Yellowstone’s Winter Activities page that will tell you more about their fantastic snowmobile tours and winter ranger-led programs.
Being Together is What it’s All About
Leaving home and taking your family outdoors to experience a new environment will yield many benefits for everyone in your family. Nothing imprints learning & education better than actually experiencing things, as opposed to just reading about them. So if you have the opportunity and the means, make it your goal to have you family visit at least one new National Park annually and you’ll create a lifetime of family memories by doing so.
